Meet The Elite FI Family

At EliteFI Partners, we are more than just consultants. We are your partners in growing your finance department and maximizing your profits. We have decades of hands-on experience in the finance office and know what it takes to succeed in the competitive automotive market. We are passionate about helping dealerships like yours reach their full potential and deliver exceptional customer service. We don’t just tell you what to do; we show you how. We offer customized solutions tailored to your specific needs and goals. We also provide continuous training and coaching to keep your team on track and motivated. We are Elite FI, the ultimate solution for your F&I needs.

Emilia Aufmuth with Elite FI Partners

Emilia Aufmuth started her professional journey in 1998 as a medical administrator. After gaining valuable experience in the healthcare sector, she ventured into the automotive industry as a part-time assistant to the variable operations manager at a local dealership. She soon realized her passion and talent for the car business. She transitioned to a full-time role at the dealership, managing various aspects of the daily operations. During this period, Emilia also obtained her license as an insurance broker. After working for over 11 years at the dealership and honing her finance and sales skills, Emilia joined Michael in 2013. She relocated to Georgia to launch their general agency. Together, they grew their business and established a reputation for excellence and integrity. In 2019, Emilia and Michael co-founded Elite FI Partners, which provides innovative and customized solutions for dealerships nationwide. Emilia oversees the operations and ensures that every dealer partner receives the best service and support possible.

Rob Varney with Elite FI Partners

Rob Varney - Rob began his professional journey in the automotive industry in 2012 when he joined a large franchise dealer group in East Michigan as a sales consultant. He quickly proved his sales skills and attracted the attention of an independent dealership that offered him a unique opportunity to work in a hybrid sales-to-finance role, catering to subprime customers. There, Rob learned the ins and outs of sub-prime lending and deal structuring and developed a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this market segment. After four years of working in the subprime niche, Rob decided to broaden his horizons. He accepted an offer to relocate to northern Michigan and join another franchise auto group as a full-time finance manager. He worked with various brands, including Ford/Lincoln, Chrysler Jeep Dodge & Ram, and Chevrolet/Buick/GMC/Cadillac. He excelled in his role, achieving group-leading customer satisfaction, product penetration, and profitability metrics. He also built strong relationships with lenders and customers alike. Rob is a car lover who enjoys learning new things and sharing his knowledge with others. He is driven by process and results and always strives to deliver the best possible service and solutions to his clients.

Julio Mendoza with Elite FI Partners

Julio Mendoza - Julio’s journey in the aviation industry began in 2015 when he started working as a ramp agent at an airport while studying for a degree in business administration at the Technological Institute of Sonora. He gained valuable experience in customer service and operations during his four years in this field. However, in 2019, he decided to pursue a new career path in the automotive industry and landed a sales position at one of the largest independent dealerships in Arizona. He quickly impressed his managers and customers with his excellent sales skills and was promoted to the finance department within a few months. He faced a new challenge: creating a sub-prime department for the dealership. To accomplish this task, Julio dedicated himself to building new lender relationships and adjusting the dealership’s inventory to match the lender programs. He also trained and coached other finance managers on how to work with sub-prime customers. He succeeded in this role, and 2021, Julio received an offer to establish and manage the finance department at a dealership in east Tucson, Arizona. He accepted the offer and applied his extensive knowledge of dealer systems and integration tools to create processes that resulted in his dealership achieving leading metrics within the group. Julio joined the Elite FI team in August 2022 as a bilingual individual fluent in English and Spanish. He has been instrumental in training and developing dealer partners on using Elite FI products and services effectively. He has also been able to communicate with a diverse range of customers and lenders and provide them with exceptional service. Julio’s passion and expertise make him a valuable member of the Elite FI team.

Jake Melson with Elite FI Partners

Jake Melson - Jake’s passion for the automotive industry began in 2015 when he worked as a sales associate at a family-owned dealership. Having grown up in dealerships as a second-generation car enthusiast, Jake had a natural affinity for the industry. After years of honing his sales skills and learning the ins and outs of the dealership business, Jake earned a promotion to a full-time finance role in 2020. Over the next two years, he devoted himself to acquiring as much knowledge and experience as possible. He mastered various finance products and services, built strong relationships with lenders and customers, and delivered outstanding results for his dealership. Eventually, Jake was given an opportunity to work for a much larger company that operated multiple dealerships across the state. He seized the opportunity and quickly established himself as a lead performer, consistently exceeding expectations and setting new records. Jake discovered his true passion during that time: cultivating and developing others to grow and excel. He found great satisfaction in coaching and mentoring others, helping them to overcome challenges and achieve new levels of success in the finance office. He also enjoyed sharing his best practices and insights with his peers and managers, creating a culture of collaboration and excellence. Jake joined the Elite FI team in September 2022 with his passion and expertise in finance and training. He has provided high-quality training and support to our dealer partners, helping them optimize their finance operations and increase their profitability. He has also been a great team player, contributing to our internal development and innovation. We are thrilled to have Jake on the Elite FI team and look forward to his continued success.

Blake Fisher with Elite FI Partners

Blake Fisher - Starting in his family’s auto salvage business, Blake quickly learned the ropes of inventory management and online sales, utilizing platforms like eBay to expand their reach. In 2020, amidst the challenges of the pandemic and graduating with a degree in business management, Blake entered the automotive arena with gusto. Alongside his college studies, he began selling vehicles on the side to support his education and deepen his understanding of the industry from a grassroots level. Blake’s dedication and knack for automotive sales were noticed. He swiftly earned a position on the sales team at a dealership in West Michigan, where his enthusiasm and commitment propelled him into a leadership role. His innate understanding of the financial aspects of the business soon led to a promotion, highlighting his potential and setting the stage for his career in automotive finance. The journey to recruit Blake to our team spanned two years, driven by his exceptional experience and genuine passion for the automotive industry. By his second week on the Elite FI Partners team, Blake’s passion for the automotive industry was evident. He had already signed 4 new dealer partners, showcasing his dedication and effectiveness in expanding our network. Blake’s trajectory has been marked by consistent growth and excellence throughout his career. His transition to a pivotal role as a finance manager further solidified his expertise and commitment to delivering top-notch service. We are thrilled to have Blake Fisher as a valued member of Elite FI Partners. With a wealth of experience, a proven track record in automotive finance, and an entrepreneurial spirit rooted in his family’s business, Blake embodies the dedication, innovation, and continuous growth that define our company values.

Michael Aufmuth with Elite FI Partners

Michael Aufmuth - In 1997, Michael embarked on his automotive career with his family’s auto dealerships in Tucson, Arizona. He held various roles within the dealership, including sales, sales management, finance, and general store management. For 13 years, Michael primarily focused on setting up and running the dealership’s finance department, and he developed a dealer management system to automate the deal structuring process. Michael’s computer science background helped him create a software system that streamlined every aspect of the dealership, which led him to connect with a team of agents on the vendor side. In 2013, Michael and Emilia became general agents working with a larger agency focused on F&I development and training. They implemented product knowledge and finance process training for Mazda and Volvo in Georgia and Michigan. Over time, their relationships grew, and in 2019, Michael and Emilia founded Elite FI Partners. Today, Michael primarily focuses on providing industry-leading products, training, and support to dealerships nationwide.

To learn more about each incredible team member and their unique contributions, visit our Team Elite FI page. Here, you’ll find links to individual profiles where you can get to know the experts behind our success.

Thank you for being a part of our journey. We look forward to continuing to serve you with the highest dedication and professionalism.