FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Gruber to Helm Leadership Panel at PALS

Kristen Gruber of Dealers Assurance Company (DAC) will moderate an all-star panel of leadership experts at the upcoming P&A Leadership Summit.

by Staff
August 7, 2017
2 min to read


DALLAS — Organizers of the annual P&A Leadership Summit have announced that Kristen Gruber, president of Dealers Assurance Company (DAC), will moderate a panel discussion dedicated to leadership at the event, which will be held Sept. 12–13 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Dallas. PALS is co-located with the annual Industry Summit for the sixth consecutive year.

“I’m looking forward to facilitating a candid discussion among industry leaders about topics that weigh heavy on their minds,” Gruber said. “This session is geared towards anyone who occasionally wakes up in a cold sweat, wondering how to address some of today’s biggest challenges for the F&I industry!”

Ad Loading...

The panel will begin at 2:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Gruber, who is also a member of this year’s PALS advisory board, will be joined by Arden Hetland, president of American Financial & Automotive Services, Dave Duncan, president of Safe-Guard, Kelly Price, CEO of National Automotive Experts (NAE)/NWAN, and Lance LaCoe, president and CEO of C.A.R.S. Protection Plus.

The panel is expected to tackle the topics weighing heavily on the minds of leading executives in the F&I product provider and administrator segment, including questions posed by attendees.

“We could not have asked for a better or more qualified group to tackle the most pressing issues facing the leaders of our industry,” said David Gesualdo, show chair and publisher of P&A magazine. “We anticipate a lively and highly informative session.”

Registration for Industry Summit 2017 is open at the event’s website. Attendees who register by Aug. 11 will enjoy a $100 discount. To discuss sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, contact David Gesualdo at (727) 947-4027 or via email.

More F&I

2026 StoneEagle summary
F&Iby Hannah MitchellAugust 31, 2026

F&I Sales Give Dealers First-Half Lift

Product business shored up total profits to avoid an overall revenue tanking as product penetrations held steady, StoneEagle reported.

Read More →
man with white hair and glasses delivering a speech standing next to a podium
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceAugust 31, 2026

Targeted Training Drives Results

Today’s technology, instead of threatening F&I managers, can actually make them better, according to an industry veteran who’s watched market setbacks roil the unprepared.

Read More →
Laptop computer, tablet, calculator and notebook on a desk
F&Iby John TabarAugust 20, 2026

Just Do It

F&I managers need training, but instead of resisting application or expecting perfection, they should improve by simply acting on what they learn.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
stacks of coins, a calculator, paperwork, and a pair of glasses in the background, text Lender Experience Drives Dealer Decisions, F&I and Showroom
Auto Financeby Lauren LawrenceAugust 12, 2026

Dealer Lender Preferences Revealed

When lenders provide consistent, fast service, their overall satisfaction scores with dealers greatly improve, according to JD Power research.

Read More →
Leading with Purpose thumbnail. Trent white pictured in front of titled graphic.
F&IAugust 5, 2026

Leading with Purpose

In this video, Trent White explains how understanding your people’s 'why' is a key leadership responsibility of F&I professionals and how that mindset drives dealership engagement, trust and performance.

Read More →
Photo of a keyring with mltiple keys, including a car key fob, on a white surface
F&IJuly 15, 2026

Integrating Nontraditional F&I Products

The niche presents a strategic advantage for auto dealerships as they move to adapt to fast-changing consumer expectations in today’s market.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of businessman's hands holding eyeglasses at a desk
F&Iby Rick McCormickJuly 7, 2026

Trust Is Personal

Technology, no matter how efficient, can’t replace what the human F&I manager can do, which is to bridge the divide between cyberspace and the in-store experience.

Read More →
Photo of executive in a sports coat and glasses
Industryby StaffJuly 2, 2026

Amplify 2026 Billed as Turning Innovation Into Results

Reynolds and Reynolds says its annual retail summit will connect dealers with practical strategies, peer insight, and technology-driven ideas.

Read More →
Woman standing on stage smiling.
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceJuly 1, 2026

Own Your Outcome: F&I in the Digital Customer Journey

Finance has historically been the last step in the car-buying process, but it doesn’t have to be. The customer’s journey starts long before they arrive at the dealership, and so should F&I’s involvement.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
$100 bill and magnifying glass on top of paper that says insurance policy terms and conditions.
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceJune 29, 2026

Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums

As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.

Read More →