Toyota Financial Services shakes up leadership, and other staff moves

Tellis Bethel was named chief financial officer of Toyota Motor Credit Corp. (TMCC) and Toyota Financial Services International Corp. He was previously president of Toyota Financial Savings Bank and has worked with Toyota for more than 14 years. Bethel will continue as Chief Executive of Toyota Financial Savings Bank.

Alec Hagey was promoted to executive adviser to the president, according to a company release. Hagey, who was previously senior vice president and chief operating officer and has worked with Toyota for more than 32 years, will continue to serve on Toyota Financial Service’s executive community and the TMCC Board of Directors.

James Schofield was promoted to president of Toyota Financial Savings Bank. He previously served CFO of TMCC and as group vice president and CFO of Toyota Financial Services. Schofield has more than 25 years of finance experience, including at London-based Lloyd’s Banking Group and at J.P. Morgan Chase.

Briana Nelson has been promoted to group vice president of sales and marketing. Nelson, former group vice president of sales at Toyota Financial Services, has spent more than 26 years across Toyota, including roles as general manager, market representation manager and vice president.

The promotions took effect Oct. 2, according to a release published that day. Toyota Financial Services was ranked the largest auto lender by outstandings at yearend 2024, totaling $104.8 billion, according to Big Wheels data.

Chuck Ricci joins SAFCO as SVP

Auto finance lender SAFCO tapped Chuck Ricci to be senior vice president of servicing, according to a Sept. 16 LinkedIn post. Ricci has more than 29 years of auto finance experience, previously working as director of operational effectiveness and servicing strategy at CarMax, and as senior manager of extended operations at Capital One Auto Finance.

SAFCO inked a $100 million warehouse facility with Deutsche Bank in January and extended its existing facility with Capital One.

Womack to lead TD Bank’s U.S. consumer deposit, payment products

Marc Womack was appointed head of U.S. consumer deposit and payment products at indirect lender TD Bank on Sept. 16, according to a company release. Previously at TD, he served as chief executive and chairman of the board for more than four years at TD Auto Finance.

Before TD, he held positions at Santander Consumer USA, nonprofit Impact Ventures, business organization Dallas Regional Chamber and American Financial Services Association.

TD Auto Finance was the 15th-largest auto lender by outstandings at yearend 2024, totaling $30.2 billion, according to Big Wheels data.

HOG adds to executive ranks

Harley-Davidson appointed two independent directors, Daniel Nova and Matt Reintjes, to its board of directors on Sept. 15.

Nova was a general partner for more than 29 years at Highland Capital Partners, a venture capital fund.

Reintjes served as president and CEO of outdoor consumer goods company YETI for more than 10 years. He previously worked at outdoor product company Vista Outdoor and health care company Danaher.

North American retail motorcycle sales fell 17% year over year to 28,900 units in the second quarter, according to Harley-Davidson’s July 30 earnings release. Harley-Davidson’s new chief executive, Artie Starrs, started Oct. 1.

BMW Group promotes department leaders

Jean-Phillipe Parain was tapped to head BMW Group’s MINI car brand as of Oct 1., according to a Sept. 15 release. He’s worked at BMW for more than 28 years, including as BMW Group head of the sales region Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Parain’s predecessor, Stefan Richman, was promoted to head of treasury and investor relations for BMW Group, effective Oct. 1. Under his leadership, MINI’s sales increased 25% YoY in August, according to the release, which didn’t provide unit numbers.

The promotions come months after BMW’s captive, BMW Group Financial Services, named Ole Jensen its president and CEO in the U.S.

Volvo appoints new CCO, chief product and strategy officer

Automaker Volvo promoted Erik Severinson to chief commercial officer Aug. 14, according to a release. Severinson joined Volvo in 2008 and became chief product and strategy officer starting in May 2024.

Michael Fleiss replaced Severinson as chief strategy and product officer as of Aug. 14. He has worked for Volvo for more than nine years.

Agora Data names Wendy Pratt VP of sales strategy

Wendy Pratt was named vice president of sales for consumer fintech Agora Data, according to a LinkedIn post published Aug. 22. Pratt has more than 39 years in the auto and sales industries, previously working at Flagship Credit Acceptance, GWC Warranty, Dealer Management Solutions and Mary Kay.

Agora Data inked a $12 million evergreen forward-flow deal with powersports lender Model Finance Company in March.

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