CARY, N.C. -

Joseph Farley’s family pedigree in the car business runs deep. Half-a-century, in fact.

His late grandfather Jerry Farley worked for General Motors Acceptance Corp. for more than 30 years.

Joseph’s father, Jim Farley, is the owner of Secure Collateral Management (no relation to the Ford executive with the same name) and has been in the car business for three decades.

Interestingly enough, it was the medical industry where Joseph Farley began his career. And he didn’t envision working in the car business.

But when SCM’s business began taking off a few years ago, it needed some help on the sales and marketing side. So Farley took the opportunity to give the family business a hand.

“Originally on board to just help with managing the sales piece, my role has grown substantially over the years,” he said. “I now help oversee every aspect of our business.

“I couldn’t do what I do without the help and support of our SVP of operations Sandi Thompson; VP of skip operations Matt Hutsell; IT manager Joe Bryant, accounting manager Sara Huddleston; and of course, our owner and my father, Jim Farley,” he said.

“I’m surrounded by great individuals who deserve every bit of credit to our growth and success as a company, and that right there is what I love most about what I do,” he said. “Although our owner is my father, everyone here at SCM and the close partnerships I’ve been able to build in the time I’ve been in this industry are family to me.”

When asked what makes him most proud about his career, Farley said: “I’m most proud of having the opportunity to work for an organization that strives each and every day to redefine our industry. Too often companies get stuck in what used to work, instead of innovating and adapting into what will work for the future. From compliance to our vendor partnerships, SCM is truly separating itself from the pack and creating industry-leading processes for all of our partners.

“Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to create some incredible business partnerships, learn from some of the industry’s best minds and build lifelong friendships,” he said. “To see that unfold into being chosen as one of this year’s 40 Under 40 is definitely another proud moment in my business career. I couldn’t thank everyone enough; I’m blessed beyond words.”

Farley said he admires folks who are innovators “within their own industry,” and counts Steve Jobs and Henry Ford among those he respects greatly. 

He pointed to the following quotes by those innovators as particularly inspirational:
 

  • “A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” — Steve Jobs (to Business Week)
     
  • “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” — Henry Ford

 

“Both of those hit home to me,” Farley said. “We must continue to adapt and continue to change and innovate within our industry, especially as technology continues to advance and compliance continues to increase.”

Joseph Farley, 27, senior vice president of sales & marketing, Secure Collateral Management.

View entire list of 40 Under 40 honorees.