Lori Wittman, senior vice president of sales and finance and insurance solutions for Cox Automotive, was recognized as one of 2016’s Women Who Mean Business by the Kansas City Business Journal.

The company highlighted this exclusive list honors female entrepreneurs and executives for their outstanding professional accomplishments and for their contributions to the Kansas City community. Wittman is one of 25 women selected from a competitive field of more than 140 applicants.

Wittman was selected for her professional accomplishments as a Cox Automotive executive, as well as for her commitment to volunteerism. She joined VinSolutions in 2013 as vice president of operations with 20 years of cross-industry technology and business operations experience. Today, Wittman is responsible for the strategic direction and financial success of the dealer-facing portions of Cox Automotive’s F&I holdings, as well as VinSolutions.

In her three years at VinSolutions, she has encouraged a culture of service, from the company's annual participation in the St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer, to its “No Excuses” volunteerism program during the month of March. She is also a past board member at The Children’s Place, a child advocacy service center.

“We’re extremely proud of Lori for this well-deserved recognition,” said Keith Jezek, president of retail solutions at Cox Automotive. “Her leadership has enabled Cox Automotive to deliver innovative new solutions to our customers, and she has been instrumental in achieving VinSolutions' continued year-over-year growth. I anticipate more outstanding achievements from Lori in the years to come.”

Wittman also was among the 2015 Women in Remarketing honorees, who are highlighted during a special ceremony at Used Car Week. The 2016 contingment will be coming to this year’s Used Car Week, which is set for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

In reacting to this latest accolade, Wittman added, “I’m honored to be listed among such inspiring women making a difference in Kansas City.

“The best innovations come from diversity of thought, and the women on this list are bringing that diversity and innovation to the business world,” she went on to say.

A full profile of this year's Women Who Mean Business will appear in the Aug. 26 edition of the Kansas City Business Journal, both in print and online. Honorees will be recognized at a luncheon at the Overland Park Convention Center at 11 a.m. CDT that same day.