NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Economic and regulatory conditions, both in the U.S. and abroad, have become more challenging. To answer the call, Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG) continues to add to our firm's roster of talent, including two promotions and three senior level hires.
ACG's 26 Industry Roundtables serve a vast network of financial institutions with a platform to compare business practices, benchmark key metrics, and examine internal and industry issues. In turn, to advance these capabilities, we have hired Beth Wells and Carina Da Cruz. Beth has joined ACG as Director of Industry Roundtables. She brings significant indirect auto finance experience in the areas of customer service, collections, credit/originations, and dealer finance/wholesale. Beth's background will be invaluable to our members, as she offers a unique vantage point of best in class practices based on over 15+ years in senior positions at Ford Motor Credit and American Honda Finance Corp., where she headed Field Operations and Sales. She will be a major contributor to ACG's plan to expand and add depth to its expertise in the auto lending space.
Carina Da Cruz was also appointed as Director of Industry Roundtables. Based in the UK, Carina will manage Industry Roundtables both in the UK and U.S. She is an experienced international business executive and attorney, with dual graduate degrees in financial management and law. She is skilled in merging businesses and team building. Her diverse background and command of seven languages will help ACG expand its practice internationally, and her deep understanding of the legal and regulatory challenges from various perspectives will add another dimension to ACG's practice.
ACG's Partnerships practice helps companies create Payments and Lending alliances that deliver long-lasting value. ACG pioneered the Partnerships space more than a quarter century ago. Since then, the team has developed hundreds of alliances. To support ACG's fast growing pace in this arena, Gary Rezak has joined our team as a Director. Gary will help clients plan, build, manage, and improve their co-brand and private label partnerships. Gary has over 20 years of experience in credit card marketing, financial services and management consulting, including 15 years with Citi Cards. He managed large-scale acquisition and portfolio management programs. He led online acquisitions and had full P&L responsibility for the Citi Cards Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card, and the Citi Cards Chairman portfolio. Gary will direct his significant partnership and consulting experience to help clients select the right bank partners, develop best in class value propositions and profitable customer-centric programs.
Mark Jackson has been named as both the head of our International Partnerships practice and UK Country Manager. ACG has been a leader in creating and building partnerships around the world. With nearly 18 years of experience in financial services, including at Barclaycard, Europe's largest card issuer, he has a grounded reputation as an outstanding commercial thinker. In his new role, he will leverage his expertise to support ACG's clients in partnerships, value proposition development, pricing, analytics, risk, marketing, and product development. Mark will formalize our pursuit of deals on a global stage.
In ACG's Global Payment Insights practice, Marianne Berry has been promoted to Managing Director. ACG has expanded our services and products, publishing valuable proprietary consumer research reports and delivering competitive assessments to our broad base of clients. Marianne's breadth of experience, both at ACG and in prior roles, provides a versatile foundation to lead and expand our strategic initiatives. Before joining ACG in 2002, Marianne developed, launched, and managed successful credit card and loyalty programs. She also applied her deep analytical skills in research, marketing and new product development at HBO, Chase Manhattan, and Verizon. She achieved PhD candidacy at University of Michigan where she worked at the Survey Research Center.
About Auriemma Consulting Group
Since 1984, ACG has offered comprehensive management consulting, research, industry roundtable, and benchmarking services to the financial services industry. ACG clients include credit card issuers and networks, commercial banks, auto finance, mortgage lenders, merchants, and industry vendors. With offices in New York and London, ACG offers actionable solutions to help clients make important business decisions to maximize their efficiencies and revenues. For more information, please contact Marc Sacher at (212) 323-7000 or marc.sacher@acg.net.