Nick Codispoti leads United Consumer Financial Services in all global, strategic, and day-to-day planning and operations. Prior to being promoted to president, Mr. Codispoti guided UCFS finance and operations divisions for four years. Nick has over 30 years of experience developing, executing, and delivering excellent results with domestic and international operational programs, underwriting, go-to-market strategies, accounting, investor relations, risk management, and financials. Nick is a CPA and earned his MBA at Kent State University. Before joining UCFS, Nick held the role of Director, Treasury and Risk Management with Diebold Nixdorf. Mr. Lazarus heads UCFS’ global and U.S. finance departments and is responsible for the company’s enterprise credit risk framework. He formulates and executes policy, strategy, and growth plans for financial success as well as day-to-day oversight. He held senior leadership positions with PNC and Key Bank prior to joining UCFS. Mr. Lazarus is a CPA and earned degrees from Cleveland State University in both accounting and management, holds a graduate certificate in business analytics and an MBA from Indiana University. Mr. Krabach leads the sales, marketing and client services teams in North America. He is responsible for setting the strategic and tactical direction for inside and outside sales, oversees marketing communications and branding initiatives, and guides the client services team providing services to merchants. Prior to joining UCFS, Bryan held various key field sales leadership positions over 15 years with Nutrabolt and GNC (General Nutrition Centers). Mr. Krabach holds a B.S. from The University of Toledo. Mr. Sawyer leads UCFS’ application development, network/infrastructure, security, all technology operations, and user support, both day-to-day and strategic. Rick comes to UCFS having led the development and implementation of technology systems that drive revenue growth and operational efficiencies in industries including legal, distribution, advertising, pharmaceutical and insurance. Rick earned both his bachelor’s degree in computer science and MBA from Cleveland State University. Mr. Godenswager leads UCFS’ compliance initiatives overseeing its Compliance Management System and advising on day-to-day and strategic efforts to ensure operations align with the ever-evolving consumer finance regulatory landscape. Dustin guides UCFS’ adherence to laws and regulations and fosters a culture of ethics and integrity. He has over 10 years of consumer finance regulatory compliance experience from both an internal and external perspective, including his time at McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC. Mr. Godenswager holds a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Liebenauer leads UCFS’ financial planning, analysis, and accounting teams to ensure that financial goals are met, in addition to strategic planning for UCFS’ yearly operating plan. Michele also manages all financial reporting, analysis, and planning for our affiliated businesses abroad. A 35-year veteran of UCFS, she has held many roles within the company, including licensing, compliance and risk management. Ms. Liebenauer earned her MBA in accounting from Baldwin Wallace University and her bachelor’s degree in economics from Miami University. Ms. Newman leads UCFS Europe’s operations and business development efforts. Katia has over 20 years of financial services experience. Prior to joining UCFS, she held a range of senior and general management positions in fast-growing consumer finance companies and most recently was an executive at Oakbrook Finance Ltd. Ms. Newman holds a master’s degree in aerospace. Mr. Ignazio oversees UCFS business development and account management team members and UCFS sales processes. He coaches and advises salespeople on business growth strategies and tactics, and is responsible for increasing lending volume of new and current UCFS merchants. Mr. Ignazio earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from University of Mount Union. Prior to joining UCFS, Mr. Ignazio held business development and sales operations positions with national and regional banks including Huntington Bank and others. Ms. Buccieri leads UCFS marketing strategy and branding in addition to day-to-day communications, data analytics and marketing initiatives. She works in cross-functional UCFS teams to ensure excellence and continuity in sales enablement and company digital, print and event activities. Riley earned both her MBA and Bachelor of Business Administration from Cleveland State University. Prior to joining UCFS, Ms. Buccieri held marketing positions with TRG, TruWest Holdings and CrossCountry Mortgage. Chris Georgas leads UCFS Decision System and Underwriting Management Teams. Chris develops lending policies and procedures, creates workflows leveraging technology to optimize the approval process and enhance the decision framework, and oversees portfolio reviews ensuring risk-to-reserve expectations are met. Previous leadership roles during his 20 years with UCFS were in Operations, Client Services, sales and marketing and collections. Chris has a Six Sigma Blackbelt Certification and studied business at Lorain County Community College. Ms. Bowman directs UCFS’ collections and recovery teams, initiatives, policies, and manages outsourced collections strategies. She has been in the financial services industry for most of her career handling collections and recovery strategy, project management, vendor operations, and technology updates with Discover Financial Services. Ms. Bowman earned her MBA from The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business and holds a B.S. from Capital University. Mr. Sharp oversees the Client Services teams that interact with and support UCFS business customers. Greg manages day-to-day operations, sets department policy and strategy, identifies and executes department improvements, and is the liaison between client support and other company departments. Mr. Sharp holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Syracuse University and holds a Six Sigma Green Belt certification. Prior to joining UCFS, Mr. Sharp held leadership positions with Asurint and Safeguard Properties. Mr. Schickler leads UCFS customer service call-center and inbound collection teams, process improvement, initiatives and policies to support excellent service to consumers. Prior to joining UCFS, Rob held leadership positions managing credit operations, customer service, underwriting and recovery with Electronic Merchant Systems, Giant Eagle and National City. Mr. Schickler has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Kent State University. Ms. Buehner leads the UCFS human resources team responsible for recruiting, retention, performance management, employee development, employee relations and payroll and benefits administration, for U.S. and international locations. Liz holds a master’s degree in human resources from The University of Scranton. Prior to joining UCFS, Ms. Buehner held HR roles with Applied Specialties and Century Federal Credit Union.Leadership Team
Nick Codispoti
President
James Lazarus
Vice President, Finance
Bryan Krabach
Vice President, Sales & Marketing, North America
Rick Sawyer
Vice President, Information Technology
Dustin Godenswager
Vice President, Compliance
Michele Liebenauer
Controller
Katia Newman
Director of Operations, UCFS Europe
Bryan Ignazio
Director, Sales
Riley Buccieri
Director, Marketing
Christopher Georgas
Director, Underwriting
Rachael Bowman
Director, Collections
Greg Sharp
Director, Client Services
Rob Schickler
Director, Customer Service
Elizabeth Buehner, PHR, SHRM-CP
Manager, Human Resources
Business Development Team
Brent Krieg
Inside Sales Account Executive
Specialty, Home Improvement
Rick Supeck
Inside Sales Account Executive
Specialty, Health & Wellness, Retail & Consumer Goods
Joe Chaplin
Inside Sales Account Executive
Specialty, Retail & Consumer Goods
George Kratsas
National Account Manager
Home Improvement
Eric St. Cyr
Outside Sales Account Executive
Home Improvement, Water Filtration
Alec Girt
Outside Sales Account Executive (New Business)
Health & Wellness, Retail & Consumer Goods
Len Fill
Merchant Success Manager
All Products and Services
Margarita Basch
Spanish-Speaking
Onboarding & Training Specialist
