DEARBORN, Mich. -

Todd Fites describes his hometown of Auburn, Ind., as being a “thriving small automotive town” some 90 years ago and the home of the Auburn Automobile Co. that produced such classics as the Cord.

This car-town and Hoosier-state native told Auto Remarketing that he had always been interested in large companies, particularly automakers, so it’s no wonder his first job after graduating from Purdue University was with Ford, a company he has called home for almost 25 years.

And for his new job, Fites has taken on the role of heading up certified pre-owned for the Blue Oval.

As Ford recently reshaped its CPO leadership, Fites officially stepped into the newly created role of national CPO sales manger on Dec. 1.

Ford also revealed that Renee Godfrey has replaced Glenn Burke as the Ford CPO brand manager. Meanwhile, Rob Martin — previously with Volkswagen CPO — joined the company as the new Lincoln CPO brand manager in September.

Godfrey, Martin and five area CPO sales managers report to Fites.

Additionally, Fites noted: “Robert Powell is the Ford Motor Credit Co. CPO brand manager and is also a vital member of the team. Robert reports to Mike Kuhn, who is a VP of Ford Motor Credit Co.”

Moving along, Fites shared with Auto Remarketing on Thursday his goals for the position, background in the industry and more.

“My primary goal is to grow our share of the certified pre-owned business to the levels of our new vehicle share,” he said. “We have a lot of work to do, but the company is committing the people and resources to achieve this long-term goal.”

Fites was previously retail marketing manager for the Great Lakes market area. In that position, he headed up contests and incentives for the market area and five regions, Fites said.

His nearly 25-year career with Ford includes time in the customer service division, independent channel sales (Motorcraft) and the sales division.

While in the customer service and sales divisions, Fites spent most of his time in the field working in the in Cincinnati, Kansas City, Chicago and Memphis, Tenn., regions. He has background in all disciplines working as a zone manager and department manager in marketing, market representation and sales operations, he said.

Additionally, Fites worked from 1998 to 2011 on an ISE assignment in England with Jaguar and the PAG group, serving as distribution strategy manager.

So how did get into the car business in the first place?

“A Ford Motor Co. executive made a presentation in one of my classes at Purdue,” Fites said. “He piqued my interest in the company. I followed up for an interview and went to work June 1, 1987.”

When asked what his favorite part of the business he has worked in for almost 25 years, Fites put it simply: the people.

“I thoroughly enjoy interacting with the dealer body. They are all great business people. Many risked everything at one point in their lives to build a successful business,” he shared. “My colleagues at Ford Motor Co. are also fantastic. Great people with great business acumen.”