TORRANCE, Calif. — F&I and Showroom’s IAS-sponsored F&Idol contest enters the final round this week with the launch of the contest’s online voting page, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Displayed on the web page are this year’s category winners and their video entries for the final round, which they recorded earlier this month at the magazine’s Industry Summit 2014. Readers of F&I and Showroom magazine are encouraged to visit the web page to view each video and vote on the winning entry.

The winner of the 2014 F&Idol contest will be revealed in the November 2014 issue of F&I and Showroom. That individual will receive a trophy and a check for $2,500. Category winners received their $1,000 checks at this month’s Industry Summit. They also received hotel and airfare to attend the magazine’s annual conference.

Now here’s a look at this year’s finalists:

1. Key Replacement: Stephanie Cooper, Timbrook Automotive, Cumberland, Md.

Cooper returns as the reigning F&Idol winner. Last year, her Vehicle Service Contract entry got her into the competition’s final round. This year, she took top honors in the Key Replacement category. Cooper, who works at Timbrook’s Chevrolet store in Keyser, W.Va., averages more than $1,300 per copy on 1.4 products per deal.

2. F&I Product for Leases: Justin Gasman, McCaddon Cadillac Buick GMC, Boulder Colo.

The 11-year industry veteran is a first-time contestant in the F&Idol contest. He joined his current store this past January. In the past eight months, he has more than doubled the group’s per-copy average. His acceptance rate on Ally’s SmartLease Protection product is 50% on 10 leases per month. His per-copy average is well north of $1,200.

3. Tire & Wheel: Jeremy Johnston, The Suburban Collection, Sterling Heights, Mich.

This is the third championship bout in as many years for Johnston, who works at the group’s Ford store in Sterling Heights, Mich. The 12-year industry veteran averages just shy of two products per deal and just north of $1,000 per copy. He has been with his current store, Suburban Ford of Sterling Heights (Mich.) for three years.

4. Vehicle Service Contract: Dina Wilson, Timbrook Automotive, Cumberland, Md.

This 10-year industry veteran is back in the competition’s final round after being named the 2012 F&Idol winner. She’s been with Timbrook Automotive for seven years, serving as the group’s F&I director out of Timbrook Auto Outlet, a pre-owned store. Wilson’s acceptance rate on vehicle service contracts stands at 57% (pre-owned only). She averages $1,160 per copy on 1.5 products per deal.

5. Other – GAP: Rodger Martin, Stan McNabb Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Tullahoma, Tenn.

Martin enters F&Idol’s final round as a first-time contestant, winning the competition’s open category with his GAP presentation. His acceptance rate for GAP is 53%. Martin has spent 16 years in the industry and six years at his current dealership. Before becoming a full-time F&I manager in 2007, he served as both a sales manager and an F&I manager for a pre-owned lot operated by a franchised dealer.

To participate in the voting to determine the 2014 F&Idol winner, click here.

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