CDG Consulting is a network of seasoned direct marketing and financial services specialists. The combination of skills present in the group lends real value on our wide range of client projects. Our training ground includes the major US banks, credit card and scoring companies.
Jeff Fread / President
Jeff Fread has over 25 years of experience in international and domestic financial services. He is a co-founder of CDG Consulting Group. Recent projects have included litigation support, portfolio valuations, design of customer based analytic systems, loss forecasting, new account acquisition modeling, best practices benchmarking studies, and customer lifetime value studies.
Jeff spent 12 years with Advanta with specific responsibilities for Decision Support, Credit, Collections and Information Technology. Early on Advanta recognized the need to use detailed customer information to optimize portfolio performance and drive innovation. Under Jeff’s direction it implemented a customer-driven analytical database to support quality decision-making. Jeff created a separate unit to extend the skills and techniques for decision support to the Mortgage, Business Card, Insurance, Great Expectations (a relationship company) and International groups of the Company. This unit designed databases, explored potential joint venture opportunities, and developed targeting, test design, modeling, and database structures for each business.
Jeff also led the international market expansion strategy for Advanta. This included the creation of a joint venture, with the Royal Bank of Scotland to market credit cards in the UK. Launched in September 1995, the unit consistently exceeded expectations.
Prior to joining Advanta, Jeff worked for Arthur Andersen & Co. as a Manager in the Audit Division. He focused on the Firm's Profit Improvement Practice, a combination of audit and business consulting services.
Jeff holds a BS in Economics and a BA in English from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Karen Harragan / Managing Director
Karen has 15 years experience in international and domestic financial services direct marketing. She consults on marketing activation, retention and acquisition programs, new product development, customer service, collections and market research.
Prior to co-founding CDG Consulting, Karen gained experience working with several companies in the financial services arena: Fair, Isaac Inc., Advanta, Auriemma Consulting Group and Chase Manhattan Bank Card Services.
Karen’s experience in almost all aspects of the credit card business – from new product development to collections - enables her to unite cross functional teams and keep projects on time and on track. She is not a “credit” or “marketing” person. Instead, she focuses on profit and bringing all sides of the profit equation to the table to work together.
Karen received an MBA in Marketing from New York University, Stern School of Business in 1994 and a BA in Economics from Cornell University in 1983.
