Jeffrey E. Snyder, President & COO of Mission Financial Services in Orange, California is the 2006 recipient of AFSA's Outstanding Independent Award. Snyder received the award during this year's Independents Conference and Exposition held in San Antonio, TX.

Snyder started his business career with the Conoco Oil Company. In 1983, he moved into banking as a commercial bank officer for Bank of America and by 1992 was Vice President, Commercial Banking Manager for the San Gabriel Valley Regional Bank. In 1995, he moved to Union Bank's Orange County Commercial Office as Vice President, Senior Commercial Officer.

In 1996, Snyder became a principal at Mission Financial. After joining Mission, he started an affiliate company—Anaheim Financial Services Corporation -- that originated auto loans for financial institutions and is now involved with commercial financing.

Snyder served as Chairman of the AFSA Independents Section during its 20th Anniversary. Most recently, he was instrumental in recruiting many new members from the California Financial Services Association as part of the AFSA new membership program working through State Association Affiliate members.

He currently serves as a member of the AFSA Board of Directors as well as serving on the state Board of Directors of the California Financial Services Association (CFSA) and is a Past Chairman of CFSA's Independents Section.

Jeff's civic activities include serving as Director, Vice President and Treasurer of the Alzheimer's Association in Orange County and is a member of the Board of Directors for California State University at Fullerton's School of Business. He also served as an Adjunct Professor of Finance at the University and as a Director of the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation Board.

In 1985, AFSA's Independents Section established an annual Outstanding Independent Award to honor an individual who has contributed to the success of the financial services industry and Independents Section through active involvement and participation at the community and association levels.