WASHINGTON – Steven Lambert, president and chief executive officer of Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation, will lead the American Financial Services Association (AFSA) as the 2008-2009 chairman.

He was installed into office last week during AFSA's 92nd Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference in Dallas.

"As the government and other policymakers pursue solutions for the turmoil occurring within the financial services marketplace, the industry must continue participating in the process," said Lambert. "Now more than ever, we need the unifying voice of AFSA, which represents a cross section of creditors serving consumers and small businesses."

During his one-year term, Lambert will preside over the AFSA Board and Executive Committee meetings, serve as an ex-officio member of all AFSA committees, and represent AFSA at industry and association-sponsored conferences and meetings.

In 1992, Lambert joined Nissan, where he was responsible for forecasting, budgeting and financial planning for the Sales department. He moved up to director of financial planning and budgeting of Nissan North America before assuming his current role in 2002.

Before joining Nissan in 1992, Lambert was section head for sales, earnings, cash and tax planning at Hughes Aircraft Company. He holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the university’s Marriott School of Management.