Bridgewater State University and the Mandela Washington Fellowship

Ennio Manto draws on his years of experience to lead Automotive Finance Solutions. Ennio Manto holds an MBA and a bachelor of science in business administration from Bridgewater State University. Among other international academic programs, Bridgewater participates in the Mandela Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

On June 20, 2017, Bridgewater State University welcomed 25 fellows to the Mandela Washington Fellowship welcome dinner on its campus. The Mandela Fellowship for Young African Leaders program brings 1,000 young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa to various colleges and universities in the United States to complete a six-week Academic and Leadership Institute. Students choose from three academic tracks during their studies: Civic Leadership, Business Entrepreneurship, or Public Management. 

Following their studies at the Institute, the students visit Washington, DC, for the Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit, which includes networking opportunities and panels with U.S. leaders from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. A select group of 100 students remains in the country to undertake a six-week Professional Development Experience related to their career interests and goals.

This is the second year that Bridgewater State has participated in the program. During the welcome dinner, President Frederick W. Clark, Jr., shared his excitement with the visiting students and encouraged them to do their best to change the world by starting locally when they return home after the experience.

State of the American Pre-owned Vehicle Industry

An executive with extensive experience in used car financing, Ennio Manto formerly led Automotive Finance Solutions as president. During his tenure, Ennio Manto helped a myriad of qualified individuals with poor credit secure automotive loans to purchase pre-owned vehicles. 

As of May 2017, the US pre-owned vehicle marketplace shifted to benefit car dealers and buyers. The change centers on the supply of used cars, largely determined by the number of vehicles coming off lease.

Due to the Great Recession, many car manufactures had reduced the number of affordable leases they would offer. This meant that fewer cars would eventually pass on to pre-owned vehicle lots. However, now the dynamic has shifted such that millions of off-lease, pre-owned vehicles have come to market. 

Some estimates predict the trend lasting well into 2019. While this boon plays to the advantage of consumers, who can expect lower pre-owned car prices, it negatively impacts car manufacturers. With buyers enticed by reasonably priced pre-owned options, they will be less likely to purchase newer factory products.