WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Financial Services Association has officially brought in its new chair for the 2010-2011 term. Inaugurated into the position was Mary McDowell, who is president the chief executive officer of CitiFinancial North America.

McDowell's installation was done earlier this month at AFSA's 94th Annual Meeting in Dallas.

In this post, she will be charged with leading the meetings of AFSA board and executive committee and serving on all AFSA committee as an ex-officio member. Moreover, McDowell's duties also include acting as an association representative at industry and association events.

She served on the Vehicle Finance Division Advisory Board from 2004 to 2006 and began serving on AFSA's board and state government affairs committee in 2007, and still does today.

Moreover, she also is a member of AFSA's Education Foundation Board.

McDowell has been with Citi since 1991. She has served in thee president and CEO position there since April 2007. McDowell also is CitiFinancial Credit Co.'s chairman.

"As the voice of the consumer credit industry, AFSA's primary focus is regulatory reform, which will be a central issue for the industry for years to come," McDowell shared.