SEATTLE -

Auction Edge shared the news Wednesday with Auto Remarketing that the company has brought in a senior vice president of strategy and operations.

New to the Auction Edge management team is Scott Heydon, whose background includes high-level positions at Starbucks.

Heydon spent four years at McKinsey & Co. prior to his time at Starbucks, where he eventually headed up the global strategy team reporting to the company’s chief executive officer.

Heydon has spent the past five years heading up the operational improvement program, and officials say his leadership has led to a boost in customer service, product quality and employee engagement throughout more than 15,000 global Starbucks locations.

As the senior vice president of strategy and operations at Auction Edge, he will be called to "drive internal operations and product innovation, and to continue to optimize deployment and support in order to achieve operational excellence for auctions in the network."

 "This industry has a lot of opportunity for growth. With smarter systems and better products we can deliver better service and enjoy greater profitability," stated Richard Gundy, chief executive officer and chairman of America’s Auto Auction, who serves as an Auction Edge director

"It’s terrific that Auction Edge is able to attract executives of Scott Heydon’s caliber. He brings a keen intellect and world class experience driving growth through operational and strategic improvement," he continued.

Heydon shared: "It'sgreat to be here. The industry is undergoing some substantial changes — shifts to online participation, the development and adoption of mobile technologies and industry consolidation.  

"Wherever there are challenges, there exist huge opportunities for companies who can move quickly and deliver what customers want," he added. "Overall auction volume is also projected to increase significantly in 2013. Auction Edge is well positioned for these opportunities."