Executive Team

George B. Fussell
CEO

George B. Fussell founded SAFCo in 1990 and has over 40 years of experience in automobile sales and finance. Mr. Fussell began his career in auto sales in 1969 as a 14-year old high school drop-out. In 1973, Mr. Fussell became the youngest person in Florida to hold a Retail Dealer’s License, which he used to operate his first used car lot, Sunrise Motors. After selling Sunrise Motors in 1974, Mr. Fussell spent 2 years as a salesman at a Chrysler/Dodge dealership in Dallas, TX before returning to Florida, where he supplemented his sales experience with various management positions at Ed Morse Chevrolet. In 1979, Mr. Fussell established a used car dealership, Anything On Wheels, that eventually became one of the largest used-car dealerships in the state and was acquired by AutoNation in 1997 (the only independent used car dealership acquired by AutoNation). SAFCo was established in 1990 due to the increasing need for auto finance with rising used car prices. At AutoNation, Mr. Fussell served as the Director of National Operations for ValuStop (1997-1998), where he supervised the roll-out of several new dealerships and personally managed used vehicle sales in 5 dealerships located across Florida and Texas. In 1998, Mr. Fussell purchased Delray Mazda, which became the ninth-largest Mazda dealership in North America in less than a year and was a three-time recipient of the Mazda President Club distinction.

Brian G. Switalski
President

Brian G. Switalski is the President for SAFCo, and has held this position since 2008.  Prior to this post, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations, when he joined SAFCo in 2007.    Before joining SAFCo, Mr. Switalski was Manager of Retail Marketing for Ford Motor Credit.  In that position, he successfully developed the company’s retail growth strategy and tactical implementation programs, including multiple new marketing programs that increased the company’s receivable portfolio and profitability.  Mr. Switalski’s professional experience encompasses 20 years in the purchasing and management of consumer auto loans, with 14 years at Ford Motor Credit Company, and PRIMUS Financial Services, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Credit.  He has a Bachelor of Business Science from Indiana University; and, a Masters of Business Administration from Vanderbilt University.

Gary A. Stein
CFO

Gary A. Stein is the Chief Financial Officer for SAFCo.  He has held this position since joining the company in 2001.  In addition, he serves as the Senior Vice President of Finance. Prior to joining SAFCo, Mr. Stein owned and operated a car rental franchise in South Florida from 1997 – 2000.  Previously, he was employed by Alamo Rent-A-Car for 18 years, where he held a number of finance positions which lead to serving as the Controller and Vice President of Finance.  Mr. Stein holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts; and, a Masters of Business Administration from Nova-Southeastern University.  Mr. Stein is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Florida.