Former Cox Automotive and KAR Global vice president Tim Zierden has joined TradePending as its new chief operating officer.

The company said Zierden will lead its operations through the customer lifecycle and will be responsible for sales and marketing, onboarding, customer support and customer success.

“I am committed to supporting automotive customers in a dynamic, ever-changing marketplace with go-to-market strategies that help drive revenue and profitability,” Zierden said. “The prospect of joining TradePending is exciting, and I look forward to collaborating with key stakeholders to develop new client-centric solutions.”

TradePending, a sales enablement and consumer experience software platform for car dealerships, is backed by Capstreet, a Houston-based lower middle market private equity firm.

“TradePending has undergone a transformation over the past couple of years, and we’re excited to bring on someone of Tim’s caliber to help us maximize efficiencies and find new avenues to unlock value,” CEO Brice Englert said.

“Having spent his career in auto industry software and data solutions, Tim has a deep understanding of our business. I look forward to working with him as we develop and implement new strategies for growth.”

Zierden, whose career spans more than 30 years, most recently served as Cox Automotive’s vice president of client solutions, at Cox Automotive. That followed a five-year stint with KAR Global as vice president of dealer consignment and senior vice president of dealer sales and services.

His resume also includes a role as Dealertrack’s assistant vice president and general manager of inventory solutions.

“Tim has comprehensive experience across all facets of automotive retail and wholesale,” said Rick Pleczko, CEO of Capstreet’s operating executive group and TradePending’s executive chairman, “including helping companies integrate new acquisitions, which will be important as TradePending pursues its inorganic and organic growth strategy.”