By: Alena Wiese
Strategic Expansion and Servant Leadership at Ascent Dealer Services
Ascent Dealer Services is proving that leadership built on integrity and service isn’t just good ethics—it’s great business. Under the direction of President and CEO Adam Marburger and newly appointed Vice President of Sales James Mercer, the company is accelerating its national growth and redefining the financial engine of modern dealerships: F&I.
With two decades of experience in the automotive finance and insurance space, Marburger has turned Ascent into a formidable force by focusing on mentorship, transparency, and customer-centric performance. Mercer, a seasoned executive with a track record of expanding regional sales operations, brings complementary strengths and a shared passion for empowering dealer success.
“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.
A Vision Fueled by Experience
Mercer joins Ascent from Protective, where he spent nearly two decades growing sales teams and leading strategy as a Divisional Sales Director. Based in Burnsville, MN, he now leads four regional managers across the central U.S. and brings a deep commitment to developing talent and building trust.
“Joining Ascent was a values-aligned decision,” Mercer says. “Adam has built something truly rare—a business that leads with culture, empowers its people, and actually delivers results.”
The partnership reflects Marburger’s bigger mission: turning F&I into a source of strategic advantage for dealerships nationwide. As he explains, “We’re not just adding another sales exec. We’re investing in long-term impact, mentorship, and growth with James. He’s the best in the business.”
Servant Leadership Meets Strategic Expansion
At the heart of Ascent’s momentum is a philosophy that challenges the old school: servant leadership. Marburger’s new book, The Servant-Leading F&I Manager, encapsulates that belief, outlining how empathy, discipline, and trust can increase profit while improving retention and culture.
“F&I has evolved from being transactional to transformational. Our managers are trained to lead from the front—with integrity, not intimidation,” Marburger said.
His sessions at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) conference have become must-attend events, offering real-time strategies that connect personal accountability with business growth. His leadership style, drawn from his time as an undefeated MMA fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, emphasizes discipline and mental clarity.
Real Results, Real Relationships
With Adam’s vision and James’s execution, Ascent is attracting high-performing agents, strengthening dealership partnerships, and delivering compliance-driven F&I programs that build long-term value. Both leaders agree: relationships drive results.
Mercer adds, “Dealers want more than products. They want a partner who listens, delivers, and stands by them. That’s what we do.”
Recognition and Legacy
As a best-selling author and host of Training Camp with Adam Marburger on CBT News, Adam’s impact goes beyond business. He’s mentoring a new generation of dealership leaders while shaping national conversations around profitability, purpose, and performance.
“His extraordinary talent, sharp strategic mind, and unwavering integrity make him a true leader in F&I training.” — Jim Fitzpatrick, CEO, JBF Business Media
From keynote stages to showroom floors, Marburger and Mercer are building more than a business—they’re building a legacy.
About the Book The Servant-Leading F&I Manager: Leadership Redefined offers dealership professionals a proven roadmap to:
- Boost sales and trust through customer-first practices
- Lead high-performance teams with humility and purpose
- Build a culture that scales with consistency and integrity
- Learn more at www.AdamMarburger.com
About Ascent Dealer Services Ascent Dealer Services provides customized F&I solutions, immersive training programs, and strategic consulting that transforms dealership operations and drives sustainable growth.
Follow Adam Marburger:
- Company: www.AscentDealerServices.com
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adam-marburger
- Instagram: instagram.com/adampmarburger
