Priority One Named on ‘Top Workplaces’ List

St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Priority One Financial Services Inc., a division of Forest River Inc., has been selected as one of the “Top Workplaces” by the Tampa Bay Times.

According to a press release, the “Top Workplaces” are determined based solely on employee feedback. The employee survey is conducted by WorkplaceDynamics LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement. WorkplaceDynamics conducts regional Top Workplaces programs with 37 major publishing partners and recognizes a list of 150 national “Top Workplaces.”

“It is such an honor to hear such positive feedback from our employees about their work environment. I can’t express enough how much I appreciate the enthusiasm Priority One employees bring to work every day and I believe their commitment to serving our dealers is second to none,” commented Heather Mariscal, president of Priority One.

The Tampa Bay Times published the complete list of “Top Workplaces” on April 21. For more information about the Top Workplaces lists and WorkplaceDynamics, please visit www.topworkplaces.com.

Priority One Mourns Loss of ‘Beloved’ Worker

Priority One Financial Introducing Promotions

Priority One Financial Services Inc. has rolled out new spring promotions on the Forest River Credit Card through June 30.

Promotions include:

• 7.90% APR on 36 months equal payments.

• 9.90% APR on 60 months equal payments.

• Six month deferred interest with payments.

According to a press release, all of the above promotions are no cost to the dealer on Forest River cargo products.

The credit card program is available to Forest River dealers to assist with sales and customer service and consumers can use the card to purchase Forest River products such as: new and used utility/cargo trailers, non-motorized RVs, boat engines, parts, accessories and even service repair bills.

Greg Hauenstein, Forest River Credit Card program representative, noted, “Not only does the card have new promotions, but we are also hearing that dealers enjoy being able to receive approvals in seconds without tedious paperwork.”

For additional information go to www.forestrivercard.com or (800) 419-1041.

Priority One Adds Equipment Finance Program

Priority One Financial Services Inc., a division of Forest River Inc., has launched equipment financing for shuttle bus and motorcoach dealers, according to a press release.

With the services, dealers will now be able to access multiple exclusive lenders and quick approvals, along with new profit opportunities and program options.

“We’ve done our research in the equipment finance industry and are excited to expand our business in this arena,” said Jared Zimlin, business development director of Priority One. “Dealers should expect distinct advantages to working with Priority One. We can offer remarketing and referral programs for additional income, competitive loan and lease options and flexible, affordable payment options for dealers’ customers.”

For more information, please call Zimlin at (800) 419-0952.

Priority One Staff Helps Charities in November

For the past four years employees at Priority One Financial Services, a subsidiary of Forest River Inc., have volunteered their time to Tampa Bay, Fla., organizations throughout the month of November.

According to a press release, this year’s initiatives included:

• Company employees volunteered at Homeless Emergency Protection (HEP), preparing and serving a lunch to approximately 100 residents. Staci Burton of Priority One said, “When doing this charity work, it’s a win-win situation. It puts life into perspective that on even the worst of days, it could be a lot worse and there’s so much in life for us to be grateful for, day in and out.” For more information, visit www.ethep.org.

• Staff members volunteered at Suncoast Animal League, a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue agency that takes in abandoned, abused, homeless and unwanted animals. The group helped set up for the organization’s 5th annual Dogtoberfest by preparing for the event. Jessica Haengel of Priority One commented, “It was a great feeling to know we would be helping in an event that would find so many dogs much needed homes.” For additional information, visit www.dogtoberfest.info.

• The third group helped with the opening day of UPARC’s Annual Festival of Trees. Volunteers priced and sold decorated holiday trees and wreathes, set up tables and chairs for the organization’s annual dinner and worked booth spaces. UPARC is a non-profit organization that secures financial support, community awareness and community involvement for developmentally disabled. For more information, visit www.uparcfoundation.org.

• Priority One employees helped with various home improvement projects, including painting, hanging cabinets and cleaning to restore a home for a family in need at Habitat for Humanity. Rebecca Vogel, of Priority One, couldn’t think of a better way to give back during the holiday season than to volunteer some time to help finish a house that a family in need will be calling home this Christmas. For more information, visit www.habitatpinellas.org.

Northcoast RV Wins TV in Priority One Contest

Priority One Financial Services Inc., a division of Forest River Inc., announced that Northcoast RV was the grand prize winner of the Forest River credit card “Hook ‘Em Up” contest for its dealer partners.

According to a press release, Northcoast RV won a 70-inch LED Sharp TV. The credit card program, available to Forest River dealers, helps with sales of towable products, trailers, non-motorized RVs, boat engines, parts, accessories, service, repair bills and winterization. Other winners received $100 Best Buy gift cards and Apple 27-inch computers. Over $10,000 in prizes were awarded during the three-month contest.

The “Hook ‘Em Up” contest rewarded dealers that signed up consumers with the card from July 1 through Sept. 30. For every completed Forest River credit card customer application a dealer submitted, the dealer received one entry into a weekly drawing for a $100 Best Buy gift card. Drawings were also held at month-end and at the end of the contest.

“Dealers have told us they are blown away to receive a prize for using something that is already helping increase sales so much,” said Greg Hauenstein, Forest River credit card program representative. To enroll contact Hauenstein at (800) 419-1041 or go to www.forestrivercard.com for additional information.

Forest River Credit Card Adds Marine Industry

Priority One Financial Services, Inc., a division of Forest River Inc., has expanded its credit card program for RV and cargo trailer dealers to the marine industry. According to a press release, the Forest River Credit Card can be used on boat engines, parts, accessories, service repair bills and winterization.

Consumers can now enroll for the credit card to receive multiple financing options on marine products and services along with exclusive offers while also experiencing quick and easy approval processing, low monthly payments and no annual fees.

As with RV and trailer dealers, participating marine dealers will receive individual training that will help to maximize program benefits, an EZ transaction guide with step-by-step instructions for processing applications, sales through the online system and marketing assistance.

“The Forest River Credit Card program really took off for towable products, so it’s natural to move into assisting Forest River marine dealers as well,” said Jared Zimlin, Priority One Business Development Director.

For additional information go to www.ForestRiverCard.com.

Priority One Kicking Off 3Q Contest for Dealers

Priority One Financial Services Inc. and its parent company, Forest River Inc., have partnered with TD Retail Card Services (TDRCS) to hold a third-quarter contest for dealers offering the Forest River Credit Card to consumers.

According to a press release, consumers may use the card to purchase a cross section of Forest River products such as utility/cargo trailers, towable RVs, parts, accessories and service repair bills.

The “Hook ‘Em Up” Forest River Credit Card contest rewards dealers that sign up consumers with the card from July 1 through Sept. 30. For every completed Forest River credit card customer application submitted, a dealer will receive one entry into a weekly drawing for a $100 Best Buy gift card. Drawings will also be held on the first business day of August, September and October for monthly prizes and at the end of the contest there will be a grand prize drawing for a 70-inch Sharp TV.

“The contest was developed to increase consumer use of the card, thereby driving more sales into our participating dealers’ hands,” said Greg Hauenstein, Forest River Credit Card program representative.

To enroll in the program contact Hauenstein  at (800) 419-1041 or visit www.forestrivercard.com.

Priority One’s Mariscal Garners Business Award

According to a press release, Business Leader Media annually honors the top women business leaders of the South. Mariscal, along with 23 other honorees, was chosen out of 1,700 nominations and selected based on her outstanding professional achievements as well as her passionate efforts to make a difference in the Tampa Bay business community and organizations.

Mariscal has been with Priority One, a recreational industry F&I outsourcing provider and subsidiary of Forest River Inc., for eight years and was promoted from vice president of operations to president in 2009. She led the company through the economic/lending crisis of 2009 not only surviving the downturn but emerging with a stronger company.

Mariscal has also been involved in several community activities, such as Walk Now for Autism, and annually Priority One celebrates “P1 gives thanks” throughout the month of November. Employees are given time off to volunteer at charities to give thanks back to the local community.

“Respecting and encouraging the differences of each individual on your team helps maximize their potential,” Mariscal said. “By empowering those around you to be creative and communicate ideas, you will continually evolve. Transparency, whenever possible, is paramount as it fosters an environment of open discussion creating a team aligned around a clear, common goal.”

 

Priority One Offering Contest to Mark 25th Year

St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Priority One Financial Services Inc., a leading F&I outsourcing provider to the RV industry, will commemorate its 25th anniversary in business by honoring its dealer partners.

According to a press release, Priority One will be holding a contest throughout the year. The dealer that sends the 25th funded deal every month will receive a prize. Prizes range from an Apple iPad II to a Keurig Commercial Coffee Brewer to a 32-inch LCD TV.

“As we strive to excel in our industry, we greatly appreciate the trust and confidence our dealers extend to us, and we wanted to show them how much we value their partnership and encourage them to celebrate with us all year long,” said Heather Mariscal, president of Priority One.

In 1987, entrepreneur Lisa Gladstone founded Priority One by creating a concept that provides finance and insurance (F&I) services for marine dealers to retail finance their customers. In 2007, Priority One was acquired by Forest River Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, and added other recreational dealers to their network. Through the years, Priority One has grown from one to 50 employees and provides F&I managed services for hundreds of recreational dealers nationwide.

 

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