DALLAS -

EFG Companies, together with Northwood University, announced the selection of Team Quantum Integration as the winner of the first annual F&I Innovator of the Year Award competition and recipient of $25,000.

Quantum Integration team members applied consumer research, industry and mentor input and millennial sensibilities to create their unique F&I product, Watchdog, which can take three consumer needs and meet them in one simple mobile app.

In addition to the team’s monetary reward, members will potentially see Watchdog developed by EFG for market availability. Quantum Integration team members include:

• Collin Ulvund from Boyne, Mich.

• Jon Vollmuth from Lake Barrington, Ill.

• Richie Durso from Annville, Pa.

During the semester-long contest, team members leveraged Twitter, produced YouTube video diaries and campaigned for their winning submission.

This Innovator contest was important for me,” said Ulvund, a senior automotive marketing management student at Northwood University. “Northwood has taught me to always look for opportunities to better myself as a student and as a person. Northwood and EFG have helped rekindle my passion to be part of the retail automotive space.”

Quantum Integration was mentored by Caleb Hargreaves, finance manager at Hanlees Auto Group in Davis, Calif.

 “Since day one, this team was confident they would win. Their vision was clear,” Hargreaves said.

Three-in-one Watchdog mobile app targets consumer needs

Quantum Integration developed the Watchdog product with millennials in mind. Team members wanted to provide consumers with a convenient way to stay current on vehicle maintenance, prevent theft or recover their vehicle.

Tackling theft prevention, Watchdog monitors the status of a vehicle and alerts the owner when their vehicle is stolen or being towed. It also provides remote start for the owner’s car alarm.

The Watchdog app can deliver convenient notifications when scheduled maintenance is approaching. Consumers can check the maintenance code when a dashboard warning light comes on, saving on average $50 per service charge to check the code, as well as thousands of dollars of vehicle repair by observing the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.

In addition, Watchdog can provide a direct communication link to the selling dealer to schedule maintenance. This added level of convenience makes it easier for consumers to ensure their vehicle is in working order, and gives dealers a powerful tool to increase service drive retention and repeat business.

Contest pairs students with F&I industry leaders

In addition to experienced team mentors, the contest was judged by some of the F&I industry’s leaders. The eight-member panel brought more than 100 years of F&I expertise from automotive dealerships and corporations from across the country, encompassing all major automotive brands.

Each judge was pleased with their participation, with several commenting that the entries provided a fresh perspective and challenged their thinking about their own dealerships and operations. The judging panel was comprised of the following:

—Lisa Copeland, managing partner/general manager, Fiat of Austin, a Nyle Maxwell Family dealership

—Alvin Heggs, dealer principal, Superstition Springs Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

—Kurt Hornung, vice president of F&I operations, AutoNation

—Tiger Lester, regional finance and insurance director, Group 1 Automotive

—Patricia Lindseth, Western region financial services manager, Penske Automotive Group

—Anthony Patterson, vice president of operations, Patterson Auto Group

—Fernando Somoza, executive manager, Central Houston Cadillac, Central Houston Nissan, & Baytown Nissan

—John Stephens, senior vice president of dealer services, EFG Companies

“Each of the teams competing in this inaugural event had the unique opportunity to take their education beyond the classroom and individual dealership rooftops to create an industry impact,” Northwood University president and chief executive officer Keith Pretty said.

“Each of the participating students will be able to take the experiences from this semester, learn from them, and apply them to their future success as leaders,” Pretty added.

The contest winners were announced, during a ceremony at Northwood University. Quantum Integration team members received their $25,000 cash winnings, which was split evenly among the team members.