FORT WORTH, Texas -

Digital Recognition Network (DRN) enhanced its workforce in a move to expand the company’s auto finance channels. DRN hired Mike Villanova as director of channel sales, adding a new position and enabling the company to provide the dedicated support needed for this growing market

The company highlighted Villanova brings more than 15 years of channel sales experience to his role at DRN as well as in-depth knowledge of the financial services industry. Previously, Villanova was vice president of partner sales development at SilverCloud.

At DRN, Villanova will be responsible for working with DRN’s auto finance channel partners to deliver DRN’s vehicle location data solutions to their customers.

“Over the last year, DRN expanded relationships with several channel partners including Allied Solutions and Shaw Systems Associates,” DRN vice president of financial services Jeremiah Wheeler said. “We are seeing increased demand from these partners and their customers as they realize the value of DRN’s vehicle location data and analytics to drive results including improved collections outcomes, reduced charge-offs and increased recoveries.

“Mike’s channel management and financial services expertise aligns with our needs and we seem him as key to our channel growth and support strategy for the auto finance market,” Wheeler went on to say.

The personnel move comes on the heels of DRN reaching a settlement with a trio of former affiliates.