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In 1994, three friends, Mark Johnson, Phil Stewart, and Rex Johnson shared a vision. They developed a new way for financial service companies to Connect People with People.
They believed then, as they still do today, that leveraging technology to enable conversations nurtures loyalty. This foundation is the strength which continues to guide who we are, what we believe, and how we connect with people.
We are passionate about providing remarkable experiences for our partners through our flexible solutions: underwriting, funding support, internet & indirect, loan by phone, outbound, mortgage processing, customer service, and collections.
Jeff Stewart
President & CEO
Jeff Stewart is passionate about helping financial institutions create remarkable experiences for their customers.
He started his career as a Regional Sales Manger at Stewart Associates, Incorporated (SAI) in 1994. When LSI was formed, Jeff helped sell their Loan by Phone product to Illinois accounts.
In 1998, SAI was sold to a major insurance company and Jeff stayed on as a Regional Manager - Collateral Protection Specialist.
In 2002, he left to start his own company, The Stewart Group, Inc. For the next 13 years he built and grew that company as President and CEO, developing 8 product lines and serving 54 clients.
In 2015, he joined LSI as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jeff was responsible for all sales, service, marketing, and business development efforts.
Today, Jeff serves as President and CEO of LSI.
Jeff Stewart is passionate about helping financial institutions create remarkable experiences for their customers.
He started his career as a Regional Sales Manger at Stewart Associates, Incorporated (SAI) in 1994. When LSI was formed, Jeff helped sell their Loan by Phone product to Illinois accounts.
In 1998, SAI was sold to a major insurance company and Jeff stayed on as a Regional Manager - Collateral Protection Specialist.
In 2002, he left to start his own company, The Stewart Group, Inc. For the next 13 years he built and grew that company as President and CEO, developing 8 product lines and serving 54 clients.
In 2015, he joined LSI as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jeff was responsible for all sales, service, marketing, and business development efforts.
Today, Jeff serves as President and CEO of LSI.
Andrew Deferville
Vice President, Finance & Accounting
Andrew Deferville graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from DePaul University in 2006. He joined the accounting firm of Borhart, Spellmeyer & Co. in Elgin, Illinois and earned his Certified Public Accountant License in August 2012. After seven years at Borhart, he joined LSI in August 2013 overseeing the Accounting Department and serving on several internal committees. Andrew served as the Director of Finance at LSI and today is Vice President of Finance and Accounting. He is a Member of the Illinois CPA Society.
Andrew Deferville graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from DePaul University in 2006. He joined the accounting firm of Borhart, Spellmeyer & Co. in Elgin, Illinois and earned his Certified Public Accountant License in August 2012. After seven years at Borhart, he joined LSI in August 2013 overseeing the Accounting Department and serving on several internal committees. Andrew served as the Director of Finance at LSI and today is Vice President of Finance and Accounting. He is a Member of the Illinois CPA Society.
Benny Johnson
Vice President, Lending & Business Operations
Benny Johnson graduated from Bradley University in 2009 with a double concentration in Finance and Entrepreneurship. He joined LSI in 2009 as an Account Executive specializing in managing a unique sales tax recovery program offered to LSI’s credit union clients. In 2012, Benny co-founded LSI’s sister company, Financial Abatement Services Inc. (FASI), the R&D arm of LSI. Over the next five years Benny opened new markets for LSI and launched new products. Starting in 2017 he became a Regional Vice President of Sales for LSI, managing a 10-state territory. He continued in that role until assuming the role of Vice President of Lending and Business Services in April 2020.
Benny Johnson graduated from Bradley University in 2009 with a double concentration in Finance and Entrepreneurship. He joined LSI in 2009 as an Account Executive specializing in managing a unique sales tax recovery program offered to LSI’s credit union clients. In 2012, Benny co-founded LSI’s sister company, Financial Abatement Services Inc. (FASI), the R&D arm of LSI. Over the next five years Benny opened new markets for LSI and launched new products. Starting in 2017 he became a Regional Vice President of Sales for LSI, managing a 10-state territory. He continued in that role until assuming the role of Vice President of Lending and Business Services in April 2020.
Christiann Jakresky
Vice President, Customer Service & Branch Operations
Christiann Jakresky joined LSI as a loan agent in 1996. A year later she added loan underwriting to her skill set and continued in that position until she was selected to manage LSI’s new Mortgage Division in 1999. She continued to manage the Mortgage Division for many years and took on additional managerial responsibilities in the Financial Service Division. In 2016 she was elevated to the position of Director of Financial Service and Mortgage Operations. Christiann was named Vice President of Customer Service and Branch Operations in early 2020.
Christiann Jakresky joined LSI as a loan agent in 1996. A year later she added loan underwriting to her skill set and continued in that position until she was selected to manage LSI’s new Mortgage Division in 1999. She continued to manage the Mortgage Division for many years and took on additional managerial responsibilities in the Financial Service Division. In 2016 she was elevated to the position of Director of Financial Service and Mortgage Operations. Christiann was named Vice President of Customer Service and Branch Operations in early 2020.
Dan Boutin
Vice President, Systems & Technology
Dan Boutin graduated from Western Illinois University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Business degree. From 1991 to 2008 Dan worked for several organizations doing primarily application development projects and later managing teams of developers. He joined LSI in 2008 as a Senior Applications Developer and Project Lead on the rewrite of LSI’s proprietary lending platform, LENDER. In 2010, Dan became Manager of Software Development, overseeing a team of developers for LENDER, the loan application delivery system, and the LSI customer service platform, ServiceLink. Dan became Director of IT in 2015 and was elevated to his current role, Vice President of Systems and Technology, in 2016.
Dan Boutin graduated from Western Illinois University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Business degree. From 1991 to 2008 Dan worked for several organizations doing primarily application development projects and later managing teams of developers. He joined LSI in 2008 as a Senior Applications Developer and Project Lead on the rewrite of LSI’s proprietary lending platform, LENDER. In 2010, Dan became Manager of Software Development, overseeing a team of developers for LENDER, the loan application delivery system, and the LSI customer service platform, ServiceLink. Dan became Director of IT in 2015 and was elevated to his current role, Vice President of Systems and Technology, in 2016.
Luke Kolquist
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Luke Kolquist graduated from the Lacy School of Business at Butler University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. He joined Member Assist, LLC in 2012 and spent two years there working on various marketing projects. Luke joined LSI’s sister company, Financial Abatement Services Inc. (FASI) in 2013 and continued there working on new product development until joining LSI as a Regional Vice President of Sales in 2017. Luke managed a sales territory including over 60 clients across 9 states until assuming the role of Vice President of Sales and Marketing in April 2020.
Luke Kolquist graduated from the Lacy School of Business at Butler University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. He joined Member Assist, LLC in 2012 and spent two years there working on various marketing projects. Luke joined LSI’s sister company, Financial Abatement Services Inc. (FASI) in 2013 and continued there working on new product development until joining LSI as a Regional Vice President of Sales in 2017. Luke managed a sales territory including over 60 clients across 9 states until assuming the role of Vice President of Sales and Marketing in April 2020.
Thomas Zak
Vice President, Human Resources Operations
Thomas Zak started his career in the financial services industry in 1986 and has held various positions in accounting, operations, sales, security/investigations, and HR management. Mr. Zak joined LSI in 1999 as the Manager of HR & Recruiting and has served as Vice President since 2009. Mr. Zak provides leadership and strategic direction to all Human Resources functions, including Talent Acquisition, HR Legal Compliance, Benefits & Total Rewards, as well as Career & Leadership Development.
Mr. Zak received his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Concordia University Chicago and earned the SHRM – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designations from the Society for Human Resource Management and the HR Certification Institute.
Thomas Zak started his career in the financial services industry in 1986 and has held various positions in accounting, operations, sales, security/investigations, and HR management. Mr. Zak joined LSI in 1999 as the Manager of HR & Recruiting and has served as Vice President since 2009. Mr. Zak provides leadership and strategic direction to all Human Resources functions, including Talent Acquisition, HR Legal Compliance, Benefits & Total Rewards, as well as Career & Leadership Development.
Mr. Zak received his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Concordia University Chicago and earned the SHRM – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designations from the Society for Human Resource Management and the HR Certification Institute.
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