By: Alena Wiese
When leaders talk about growth, they mention numbers. Adam Marburger, President and CEO of Ascent Dealer Services, talks about people. And that’s exactly why his company is redefining the future of automotive finance and insurance (F&I).
With the recent appointment of industry veteran James Mercer as Vice President of Sales, Ascent is signaling a powerful commitment to mentorship, partnership, and performance. Together, Marburger and Mercer are building more than a brand—they’re building a national movement grounded in servant leadership and smart expansion.
“Adam Marburger isn’t just a leader; he’s a force of nature—an innovator, a mentor, and a once-in-a-generation trailblazer,” said Joe St. John, Chief Customer Officer at AutoFi.
The Right Hire at the Right Time
James Mercer brings nearly 20 years of experience to his new role at Ascent. Formerly a Divisional Sales Director at Protective, Mercer led successful sales initiatives across the Midwest, developing high-performing teams and cultivating dealer trust.
“Joining Ascent was a values-aligned decision,” Mercer shares. “This is a culture-first company where performance and purpose go hand-in-hand.”
Mercer now oversees four regional managers, focused on expanding Ascent’s reach and deepening dealership relationships. His appointment is part of a larger vision from Marburger to reshape the F&I space.
“This isn’t about filling a role—it’s about elevating the standard,” Marburger says. “James is the best there is. He doesn’t just grow revenue—he grows people.”
Leading With Integrity, Scaling With Purpose
At the core of Ascent’s growth strategy is an old-school principle with a modern twist: servant leadership. It’s also the focus of Marburger’s new book, The Servant-Leading F&I Manager, which challenges leaders to prioritize trust, culture, and people-first performance.
“We’re changing how F&I is done—from transactional to transformational,” Marburger explains. “You don’t have to sacrifice culture to increase profit. In fact, the right culture drives performance.”
His book outlines proven strategies for dealership managers to lead with humility and purpose while delivering sustainable results.
Performance With a Personal Touch
Ascent’s success isn’t just in its numbers—it’s in its relationships. Mercer and Marburger are leading a people-first revolution in an industry long defined by metrics. Together, they’re redefining what partnership looks like for dealers across the country.
“Dealers want more than products. They want partners who show up, listen, and follow through,” says Mercer. “That’s what we do. That’s who we are.”
Ascent’s training programs, compliance-driven solutions, and team-building strategies are helping dealer clients scale with integrity and precision.
Beyond the Business: A Legacy in the Making
Marburger’s influence extends far beyond the F&I office. As host of Training Camp with Adam Marburger on CBT News, he’s mentoring a new generation of automotive professionals, emphasizing discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking.
“His extraordinary talent, sharp strategic mind, and unwavering integrity make him a true leader in F&I training,” notes Jim Fitzpatrick, CEO, JBF Business Media.
An undefeated MMA fighter and black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Marburger brings a rare intensity and discipline to leadership, one that balances humility with high performance.
About the Book
The Servant-Leading F&I Manager: Leadership Redefined teaches dealership professionals how to:
- Build cultures of trust and accountability
- Increase sales through service-first strategies
- Lead high-performance teams with humility and purpose
- Learn more: www.AdamMarburger.com
Ascent Dealer Services is Leading the Way for F&I
What sets today’s performing dealership leaders apart isn’t just their ability to close deals—it’s their ability to lead with vision, character, and heart. Leaders like Adam Marburger and James Mercer of Ascent Dealer Services are rewriting the script for what F&I success looks like in 2025 and beyond.
As we look toward NADA 2026, the conversation is no longer about pushing products—it’s about building people. The future of automotive finance leadership is being shaped right now by forward-thinking professionals who understand that culture drives results. Through frameworks like The Servant Leading Manager, Adam and James are helping dealership teams cultivate values-based leadership that transforms F&I from a pressure zone into a performance hub rooted in trust.
This isn’t theory—it’s proven. Dealerships partnering with Ascent are seeing tangible gains: higher PVR, lower turnover, stronger CSI scores, and renewed team motivation. More than that, they’re witnessing a mindset shift: from transactional to transformational, from short-term quotas to long-term legacies.
What’s emerging is a new kind of leadership—one that fuses legacy leadership with people-first performance, and automotive finance influence with grounded emotional intelligence. It’s not about ego. It’s not about titles. It’s about building a culture where everyone—from the sales floor to the F&I office—is empowered to succeed and inspired to serve.
- This is the real F&I revolution—and leaders like Marburger and Mercer are making sure the movement doesn’t stop with
About Ascent Dealer Services
Ascent Dealer Services delivers custom F&I solutions, industry-leading training programs, and strategic consulting that drive measurable, long-term results for automotive dealerships nationwide.
Follow Adam Marburger:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adam-marburger
Instagram: instagram.com/adampmarburger
Follow James Mercer:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/james-mercer
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Ascent Dealer Services, Adam Marburger, James Mercer, or any affiliated individuals or organizations. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, no guarantees are made regarding its completeness or timeliness. Readers are encouraged to independently verify any details and consult relevant professionals before making decisions based on the information provided.
