F&I Management and Technology magazine has tabbed two leaders in the automotive finance and insurance industry to open its fifth annual show, and announced the availability of two pre-show certification workshops, as well as a special symposium to address the Red Flag Rule.

Kicking off the 2008 F&I Conference and Expo, scheduled for Sept. 16 to 17 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel, will be keynoters George Borst, president and CEO of Toyota Financial Services, and David L. Cole, chairman and CEO of The Warranty Group and Resource Automotive. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to attend pre-show F&I and CSI certification workshops created by the Center for International Retail Automotive Standards and presented by the Automotive Dealership Institute.

Borst currently oversees all operational and financial activities for Toyota in the Americas region. He began his career with the Japanese automaker in 1985 as a corporate marketing manager. Since then, he has held a number of management positions at Toyota Motor Sales Inc., including group vice president and general manager of the Lexus Division, group vice president of corporate strategy and planning, and senior vice president of Toyota Financial Services.

Prior to joining Toyota, Borst held various management positions during his 15-year career with the Chevrolet Division of General Motors. Born in Hollis, N.Y., he earned a bachelor of science degree in economics from Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Md., and a masters in business administration from the University of Nebraska.

Cole is currently responsible for The Warranty Group's worldwide business, including TWG Home Warranty Services Inc., TWG Innovative Solutions and Resource Automotive. He’s also active with The Warranty Group's domestic and international underwriting arms, Virginia Surety Company Inc. and London General Insurance Company Ltd.

Cole began his 30-year industry career with Ford Motor Credit in 1972, working for a Ford dealership as an F&I manager. He later joined the Aon Corporation in 1976 and served in various capacities. In 1989, he became president of Ryan Insurance Group Europe and of London General Insurance Company Ltd., Aon's principle property and casualty company serving the European market. Four-and-a-half years later, Cole became the chairman, president and CEO of Virginia Surety Company, and continued to serve as president of LGI.

Preceding the conference at 8 a.m. on Tuesday will be an F&I certification workshop, presented by the Center for International Retail Automotive Standards (CIRAS) and the Automotive Dealership Institute. It will provide attendees with a review of legal compliance and complete disclosures, and teach them how to increase product acceptance. The workshop highlights include a discussion about menu presentation, objection handling for effective customer conversion techniques, legal compliance for greater accountability, comprehensive review of the Red Flag Rule, and deal structuring and budgeting proficiency.

A special Red Flag Rule Compliance Symposium is also slated for 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Attendees will learn the six specific requirements of the Red Flag Rule and receive a policy template created in Microsoft Word format, which they can edit and use at their dealership.

At 11 a.m. CIRAS and ADI will present its CSI certification workshop. It will provide dealerships without defined CSI practices with a firm understanding of the entire process design and implementation, as well as innovative strategies to use in their operations. Participants will also learn how to earn consistently high CSI scores, how and when to present a CSI survey, how to improve and maintain the full range of CSI metrics, and how to use CSI surveys to increase product and dealer loyalty.

For more information about the 2008 F&I Management & Technology Conference and Expo, visit www.fi-conference.com or call 1-800-576-8788.