CARY, N.C. -

Jack Tracey was a man I looked up to — literally and figuratively.

Likely similar to scores of other industry executives, I was jarred this week to learn of the passing of Jack Tracey, a founder and the only executive director the National Automotive Finance Association ever had.

Jack possessed both a notable physical stature — standing well above 6 feet tall — as well as a significant industry presence as part of lifting the non-prime auto financing industry out of what he acknowledged as being “populated with many unscrupulous finance companies whose business models were built around taking advantage of the consumer.”

That might have been the situation 25 years ago when Tracey and a handful of other innovative leaders organized the non-prime auto financing industry into what has become the NAF Association, which includes more than 120 members currently listed on its website. Now these finance companies and service providers perform some of the most important industry work — helping individuals with soft credit histories obtain critical transportation to improve their situations.

Similar to what he did for so many individuals and firms, Jack went above and beyond to be a resource and provide assistance. He helped me scores of times to understand and disseminate useful information, most noteworthy when he permitted me to be a student, navigate through the program and eventually become a Certified Consumer Credit Compliance Professional. It’s the wide-ranging, valuable training program the NAF Association began more than five years ago that Jack said was one of the organization’s most important accomplishments.

Furthermore, Jack had a significant impact on one of the most important endeavors we have at Cherokee Media Group. Jack’s involvement in Used Car Week played a vital role in our live events developing more auto-finance content. His support also was instrumental as our organizations banded together last year to host digital conferences since the pandemic prevented us from gathering in person.

Jack’s approach made his message resonate not only with NAF Association members but also with the investment community as well as federal and state regulators that sought him for information about this unique slice of auto financing.

No doubt, so many us enjoyed the conversations and collaborations with Jack. We will miss him dearly, but we’ll certainly treasure the impact he made.

Our sincere condolences go to his beautiful wife, Mary Ellen, who worked side-by-side with Jack not only for the betterment of the NAF Association but also to raise a family, to whom we also extend our deepest sympathies.

I already anticipated joining the rest of the industry for the NAF Association’s Non-Prime Auto Financing Conference at the end of August in Plano, Texas to reconnect face-to-face. Fully acknowledging it won’t be the same not to look up and shake Jack’s hand again. But let’s grieve for a moment then celebrate the industry leader and more importantly the man, your friend and mine, Jack Tracey.

Nick Zulovich is senior editor at Cherokee Media Group and can be reached at nzulovich@cherokeemediagroup.com.