Many of us have a specific car or truck that when we see one, we get nostalgic. For Mandi Fang, that vehicle is a Chevrolet S10.

To paraphrase the Kenny Chesney song, she goes back to summers in college working at a General Motors plant in Moraine, Ohio.

“I worked on the assembly line and did everything from using a rivet gun to applying chassis paint. We built the Chevrolet S10,” said Fang, a 2016 Women in Remarketing honoree. “To this day, when I see an older S10 on the road, I find myself right back there on the line.”

But vehicles are more than just nostalgia for her. The car business quickly became a passion and a career path for Fang, who is now vice president of product management at vAuto.

“It happened almost immediately. I loved the fast pace, ever-changing technology and most of all, the people,” she said when asked when she knew the car business was something she wanted to pursue.

Since graduating from college in 1992, her work along the way has included industry players like Reynolds and Reynolds, AutoNation and more. She has been with vAuto for nearly a decade.

When asked about her most rewarding automotive experiences, Fang said: “The first came in the mid-1990s, when I earned the honor of being part of a team that helped AutoNation open its first mega-store concept. We were working in absolutely unchartered territory, and it was fascinating and inspiring to be part of a group that was determined to change the car business and the vendors who supported them.

“Another rewarding experience is simply the time I’ve spent at vAuto. If you know Dale Pollak, you know he is innovative, caring and a truly remarkable person. His determination and drive, and his desire to change the business for the better, create a very unique culture at vAuto,” she added. “Nine years ago, when I got the offer to work with Dale at vAuto, I jumped at the chance. vAuto remains a place where I learn, grow and get inspired, both by Dale and the great people who work there.”

During her career, Fang has enjoyed seeing the level of innovation that dealers have put into their respective businesses, particularly as the online environment and the need for greater transparency have taken hold.

“The car business has changed the most in the area of transparency. The rise of the Internet has been an absolute boon to consumers, who can now build most, if not all, of their deal online without ever visiting a dealership,” she said.

“This increase in transparency has also created equal parts challenge and opportunity for dealers. Just as it was in my early days with Reynolds and AutoNation, it’s fascinating to see the level of determination and innovation in dealerships to serve their customer clients to the best of their abilities,” she added.

But it’s not just cars or the car business that interests Fang. She’s a big fan of hiking, something she enjoys with her family, as well as lending a hand to her community.

“I thrive on the feeling of possibility and potential that arrives when you stand at the top of a mountain or look out over a vista. The views are simply breathtaking and inspiring.  We moved to Huntsville, Ala., about a year ago and my husband and I were delighted to discover the Monte Sano State Park,” Fang said. “It’s now our family’s favorite place to go outdoors and explore new trails. We also enjoy spending time getting to know our new city, and I volunteer at a local hospice.”

Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees. These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association. 

Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.