BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for American Credit Acceptance
June 25, 2026 – Boutique search firm BarkerGilmore, which specializes in building corporate legal and compliance teams, has placed Debra Noll as general counsel at American Credit Acceptance. The search was led by Stephen Bell and Alison Waters. “Deb is exceptionally well-positioned to support American Credit Acceptance as it continues to grow and adapt in a complex environment,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn post. “Congratulations to Deb and the entire team on this exciting milestone. BarkerGilmore is proud to partner with organizations and leaders shaping the future of legal and compliance.”
Ms. Noll brings over 20 years of legal and leadership experience supporting companies across financial services and emerging technologies. She has a strong track record of guiding organizations through growth, building effective legal functions, and advising on complex regulatory and transactional matters.
In her most recent role as lead counsel for financial services at Walmart, Ms. Noll served as a key partner to the business on innovative financial products and payment solutions. Earlier in her career, she held senior legal positions at Wyre and Coinbase, where she supported product development, global expansion, and the creation of legal and compliance infrastructure in evolving, highly regulated sectors.
“She is recognized for her practical, solutions-oriented approach and her ability to align legal strategy with broader business goals,” BarkerGilmore said. “Debra brings a collaborative mindset and a clear focus on enabling progress while managing risk effectively.”
American Credit Acceptance is continuing to strengthen its position within the consumer finance space by combining advanced analytics with thoughtful lending and servicing strategies. Ms. Noll steps into this role at an important time as the organization builds on its momentum and responds to a rapidly shifting regulatory and market landscape.
American Credit Acceptance is an automotive finance company headquartered in Spartanburg, SC. Founded in 2007, the company provides indirect auto financing through a nationwide network of dealership partners, focusing primarily on helping consumers with limited or non-prime credit histories obtain vehicle financing. American Credit Acceptance works with more than 2,500 dealer partners across all 50 states and has assisted more than 630,000 customers.
BarkerGilmore is a boutique firm specializing in executive search and selection in law and compliance. With a network of advisors and recruiters spanning the U.S., BarkerGilmore consistently places talent at leading consumer, energy, financial, healthcare, industrial, and technology companies.
Serving the Law and Compliance Sectors
John Gilmore, co-founder and managing partner, has over 30 years of executive search experience. He has developed trusted relationships with general counsel and C-suite leaders across the country. With a profound institutional understanding of how in-house legal and compliance departments function most effectively, Mr. Gilmore has earned a reputation as one of the top executive search consultants for general counsel and chief compliance officer placements.
Related: BarkerGilmore Fills Senior Legal Post for Firefly Aerospace
Bob Barker is co-founder, managing partner, and chair of the industrial practice at BarkerGilmore. He brings over three decades of executive search and international business experience to his clients. Mr. Barker has successfully managed general counsel and chief compliance officer engagements for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, including consumer, energy, financial, healthcare and life sciences, industrial, non-profit, technology, and private equity industries. Clients rely on Mr. Barker for advice and counseling both during and after the engagement.
BarkerGilmore Places Head of Legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions
BarkerGilmore has placed Keinan Meginniss as VP, head of legal at Vantage Elevator Solutions. “Keinan joins the organization at an exciting time as the company continues to expand its operations and strengthen its leadership team to support long-term growth and innovation,” BarkerGilmore said in a LinkedIn post. “Keinan’s pragmatic approach, strong business judgment, and ability to serve as a strategic partner position him well to support Vantage Elevator Solutions as it continues to evolve and grow. Congratulations to Keinan and the Vantage Elevator Solutions team on this exciting milestone.”
Mr. Bell specializes in recruitment of senior legal and compliance executives. His background in psychology gives him a view on what drives individuals, as well as how to form an effective and successful team. Mr. Bell focuses on highly regulated industries such as life sciences, healthcare, insurance, and financial services. He has placed the U.S. head of operational risk and SVP of risk for a Fortune 100 international banking corporation, the VP of compliance and audit with a national healthcare leader, and the chief compliance officer for an international healthcare services organization.
Ms. Waters is a project manager at BarkerGilmore, where she plays a key role in the executive search process from its earliest stages. By collaborating closely with clients, she gains a deep understanding of their unique needs and ideal candidate profiles, ensuring a personalized, strategic approach to every search. Prior to joining BarkerGilmore, Ms. Waters built a distinguished 20+ year career in the legal field, specializing in corporate and transactional law. She has extensive experience working as a senior-level paralegal in both in-house and law firm environments.
Related: BarkerGilmore Recruits General Counsel for Ardent Mills
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
