Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2022 Women in Retail honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Used Car Week this fall in San Diego.
With these awards, we specifically recognize top leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors
Over the next few weeks, AR will be posting Q&As with each of the honorees on this website.
Next up is Lauren Castanos, general sales manager of Beverly Hills Porsche.
Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in retail automotive, and what would you change?
Castanos: I love changing people’s perception of automotive dealers. I would change the way appointments/test drives are handled.
AR: What is the top trend you’re watching in retail automotive this year?
Castanos: The top trend that I am watching and following is how/what I am looking for in a sales person. I prefer hiring people with no sales/car background and training them.
AR: What piece of career advice would you give your younger self?
Castanos: You can’t change someone unless they want to change.
AR: What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive?
Castanos: The top key to my success in the fact that I genuinely care about everyone around me, from the employees to the clients
Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2022 Women in Retail honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Used Car Week this fall in San Diego.
With these awards, we specifically recognize top leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors
Over the next few weeks, AR will be posting Q&As with each of the honorees on this website.
Next up is Michelle Petrenko, general manager, Penske Automotive Group/Mercedes-Benz of North Scottsdale.
Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in retail automotive, and what would you change?
Michelle Petrenko: Working in retail automotive allows to me to connect and build relationships with so many amazing people. I have been blessed to have so many great team members, peers, clients, and mentors in my life. Retail automotive encompasses everyone — not just a select group — and I learn every day from all the great connections I make.
I really enjoy impacting my team members lives by helping them achieve their career dreams in a dealership I manage, and it’s very fulfilling when they enjoy achieving their personal goals while achieving the financial metrics of the store as well. In today’s world I think it’s really important to provide a fun, high-energy and positive environment for both the team and the client.
Life is tough enough for everyone without making buying and servicing a car stressful. One of the things that I would change is the impression that some women have that they still need to bring a man into a dealership to get help in sales or service. I still hear it all the time and I think it’s really important that women feel empowered to come in and buy, sell or service their car without any hesitation on their part. It’s a personal mission of mine that ALL people who walk into any dealership I manage feel like they are welcomed, respected and appreciated.
AR: What is the top trend you’re watching in retail automotive this year?
Petrenko: Used-car acquisition! With the volatile inventory levels we are all experiencing, I spend hours weekly looking at auction trends, market trends, lending trends and vehicle sourcing. I am constantly reading articles, listening to podcasts, and studying to make sure that I am fully aware of anything that might impact my dealership, my team and my client. I am always trying the best source to acquire a good pre-owned automobile for the right price so that I may provide my customers with the best pre-owned inventory in the market.
I have also spent a lot of time learning about the most current trends for on-line marketing to expand my client base and to ensure their ease of being able to purchase without having to spend hours in the dealership.
AR: What piece of career advice would you give your younger self?
Petrenko: The career advice I would give my younger self is the same I would give anyone in any career path: and that is to be vulnerable and be your genuine self. By being vulnerable, I mean being open to admitting the things you don’t know or you might be weak in instead of constantly trying to prove yourself and your worth. When I first got out of college, there weren’t a lot of women in the car business. I always felt like I had to work so hard and make sure I didn’t admit to any weaknesses or everyone would think I wasn’t worthy of that next promotion and I often adapted my personality to suit what I thought the expectation was of how I should behave, dress, and manage people. It wasn’t what people were doing to me that caused this; it was my own insecurities.
Once I learned that the absolute best way to navigate my career was to be my goofy, happy genuine self and just work super hard and ask a lot of questions about anything and everything that I didn’t know, everything became so much easier and my career really benefited. I have been a general manager for 10 years and to this day, I am constantly asking my sales and service teams, my techs, and my parts teams questions all the time and learning from them.
AR: What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive?
Petrenko: The top key to my success in retail automotive has been the ability to build great teams. As I said earlier, being vulnerable and being genuine has been a personal key I have learned but the ability to build these powerful teams by finding team members from diverse backgrounds who bring their own skill sets and mindsets with them has been huge for my success.
When you build a team and you come together for the purpose of making each individuals life better by making the entire team better, by providing a world class experience for your clients and by achieving the financial metrics that the store needs; that’s powerful. It’s all about using your energy and your intention for good; it’s absolutely the truth and it works. It is a powerful, unstoppable force when you get a diverse team together with one common focus and with that good intention and energy. I have been very blessed in my life to be the “head coach” of some of these amazing types of teams and THAT has been the key to my success in this industry.
Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2022 Women in Retail honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Used Car Week this fall in San Diego.
With these awards, we specifically recognize top leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors
Over the next few weeks, AR will be posting Q&As with each of the honorees on this website.
Next up is Stephanie Clark, who is marketing director at Bob Ruth Ford.
Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in retail automotive, and what would you change?
Stephanie Clark: The constant change and needed adaptation in retail automotive is what I enjoy the most about working in this space. Each and every day brings something new to the table — whether that be market shifts, new technologies, or process wise. The way we must operate and function truly is ever-changing on a day-to-day basis. What was working yesterday may not work tomorrow. It keeps me on my toes to say the least and I find it extremely exciting often having opportunities at tackling new challenges.
Something my dealership is working towards and making strides on changing is transparency for the consumer. We have improved our processes to make it easier, more convenient, transparent, and enjoyable all-in alignment to give consumers buying confidence.
AR: What is the top trend you’re watching in retail automotive this year?
Clark: Overall digital expansion. With certain aspects of the automotive world being outdated, there has been a huge shift in marketing strategies, process structures, website features, and so on. The automotive industry and vendors within have made great strides and technological advances beneficial to dealers. There is always something new, bigger, and better being developed.
AR: What piece of career advice would you give your younger self?
Clark: Growth will come when you step outside your comfort zone. Get uncomfortable! Learn new things, embrace the journey, make mistakes, but keep on going — and go fast! What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive? I am always learning. Adopting the good and making changes where needed has been key. Remaining open to new trends and technologies directs me when to pivot, how to pivot, and where. I am fortunate to be surrounded by an executive team that supports me, trusts me, is open to and offers resources that aids in our success as a dealership.
Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2022 Women in Retail honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Used Car Week this fall in San Diego.
With these awards, we specifically recognize top leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors
Over the next few weeks, AR will be posting Q&As with each of the honorees on this website.
Next up is Audrey Knight, who is dealer partner/general manager at Clark Nissan and Clark Hyundai.
Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in retail automotive, and what would you change?
Audrey Knight: I enjoy retail automotive for the great diversity and opportunity within the industry. We are in a diverse business with many components that factor into our success. To have success we must master many facets of retail including customer care and satisfaction, hiring and training incredible employees, motivating and empowering those employees, and ensuring we are providing top of the line technical automotive knowledge and skills to our customers. And the opportunities that come with success in retail automotive are endless.
Our growth is only limited by the parameters we set. Doing the right thing will lead to success and growth beyond the limits we may have thought possible. I would change the way we currently do business as an industry. We need to adapt to modern customer expectations. We need to recognize the strength we possess together. The better each individual dealership or retailer does, the stronger we are collectively as an industry. We need to bring the automotive industry, especially dealers, into the modern-day way of doing business and meeting customer expectations — which does include getting back to our roots — taking care of our customers and providing a stellar experience.
AR: What is the top trend you’re watching in retail automotive this year?
Knight: EV. We want to be ahead of the curve for electric vehicle customers. This includes preparing our sales force and service personnel on their expectations. We are embracing the onset of EV and educating ourselves on all aspects of EV from the customer perspective — ownership, maintenance, charging, travelling, etc. We need to be their professional resource for advice. We need to understand their needs and meet them wherever they are in the EV ownership process.
AR: What piece of career advice would you give your younger self?
Knight: “Slow down you crazy child.” My hard work and determination to succeed has been a blessing. However, it would have been a smoother road and led to more success by listening to the advice of people who have come before me. Slow down, don’t try to reinvent the wheel, enjoy it, take a deep breath, take care of yourself and most of all, trust your gut and don’t be afraid. Make decisions and learn from the fallout. A little more risk and a little more trust in other people will lead to a lot more success. So just go for it. I have learned there is always someone that is doing it better. The key is to learn from those people, adopt the idea, make it your own, fit it into your plan and your people, and give it a try.
AR: What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive?
Knight: My circle of people: our staff here at our dealerships, our ownership and leadership group, and the mentors in my professional career along the way. I would not be in this position, going in the right direction with our dealerships and making good decisions on a daily basis, without the people who have guided me and off ered exceptional advice and opportunities along the way. Incredible people had and continue to have an integral part in my success. The lessons I have learned and the opportunities that have been aff orded to me are nothing short of blessings.
I am thankful for the ability to take these blessings and turn them into opportunities for other people. More importantly, our extraordinary employees are the backbone to our success. We cannot care for our customers or our business without our staff . One great lesson I have learned over my time in this position is the importance and value of our employees. We can be good on our own but we are great in numbers. We are great when we start to multiply the number of people that share our vision and take ownership of our success as a team. The sustainability and success of our company is dependent on our people.
Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2022 Women in Retail honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Used Car Week this fall in San Diego.
With these awards, we specifically recognize top leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors
Over the next few weeks, AR will be posting Q&As with each of the honorees on this website.
Next up is Jennifer Cofini, who is director of communications at Parks Motor Group Tampa Bay.
Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in retail automotive, and what would you change?
Jennifer Cofini: What I enjoy the most about working in retail automotive is the people. Our vice president has always said, “We aren’t in the car business; we are in the people business.” I’m a people person, and I’m fortunate to do what I love on a daily basis. What I would like to see more of or change in retail automotive, is seeing more women get into the automotive industry. There are so many opportunities in the automotive, and it would be nice to see more women explore this field.
AR: What is the top trend you’re watching in retail automotive this year?
Cofini: One of the top trends that I’m watching in retail automotive is the fast-growing electric vehicle segment. I’m excited as Ford Motor Company roles out the first all-electric truck here in the United States, with the F-150 Lightning, as well as adding more electric vehicles to the lineup. It’s an exciting time right now.
AR: What piece of career advice would you give your younger self?
Cofini: The piece of career advice I would give my younger self is; believe in yourself. Don’t second guess yourself with the decisions you make. Your instincts are always right.
AR: What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive?
Cofini: The top key to my success in retail automotive is always being a team player and my ability to build relationships in the community. I like to use my creative abilities to support our team in every department. As a director of communications, I play a supportive role in most departments. Being a team player, helps the overall success of our dealerships. Relationship building has become an important role for me, and with that we have been given many unique opportunities for our dealerships because of my involvement. We are well known as an automotive group that gives back to our community.
Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2022 Women in Retail honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Used Car Week this fall in San Diego.
With these awards, we specifically recognize top leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors
Over the next few weeks, AR will be posting Q&As with each of the honorees on this website.
Next up is Candice Currey, who is used-car manager at Santa Cruz Toyota.
Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in retail automotive, and what would you change?
Candice Currey: I enjoy working in the automotive industry because I am fortunate enough to work with an array of people, from general managers with over 35 years of experience to porters just starting their own careers. Everyone brings something new to the table and are constantly showing me new perspectives and ways to improve within the industry. What I would like to see change is the idea that women are not welcome in the automotive industry and there are limited opportunities for them. When in actuality, there are plenty of possibilities for fulfilling careers and does welcome and nurture women in the industry.
AR: What is the top trend you’re watching in retail automotive this year?
Currey: I’m excited to watch as alternative fuel technologies across all product lines evolve. Now there are options for SUVs, vans and trucks while before we only had one or two options to offer our customers concerned with fuel economy and vehicle affordability.
AR: What piece of career advice would you give your younger self?
Currey: My career advice to my younger self would be to have patience. There will be ups and downs along the way but everything works out in the end and the knowledge learned through experience will be priceless. The lessons gathered through my career have given me confidence in my abilities and the perseverance to keep growing in this industry.
AR: What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive?
Currey: Not being afraid to take risks and always going with the flow. Our industry is ever changing and requires us to adapt constantly. I left one department after ten years for one that I had zero experience in. What I came to learn is that I brought a vast amount of knowledge that helped me bridge the gap between departments. Being able to pivot and evolve have been paramount in my success.
Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2022 Women in Retail honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Used Car Week this fall in San Diego.
With these awards, we specifically recognize top leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors
Over the next few weeks, AR will be posting Q&As with each of the honorees on this website.
Next up is Jennifer Harlow, who is president of A & D Motors Inc.
Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in retail automotive, and what would you change?
Jennifer Harlow: As a woman in the automotive industry, I enjoy helping people. The purchase of a vehicle is one of the most important transactions anyone will make. Having a role in an individual’s first auto purchase, or the time when they can buy the vehicle of their dreams is always enjoyable. The buy-here, pay-here industry has such a negative perspective, and I would love to help change this and point out some of the positive differences that the industry has.
Young individuals starting out on their own cannot always obtain financing and need that first trade line to begin their credit. Some people have gone through medical issues, and it adversely affected their credit and prevents them from obtaining financing. Being able to offer buy here pay here to these peoples makes a positive difference.
AR: What is the top trend you’re watching in retail automotive this year?
Harlow: Because of the COVID-19 online vehicle acquisition is a booming industry. From digital showrooms, electronic signatures, to online trade evaluations, the automotive retail industry is changing.
AR: What piece of career advice would you give your younger self?
Harlow: Slow down and enjoy every moment.
AR: What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive?
Harlow: To be successful in the automotive industry you have to have determination and drive. This drive is supported by your team. You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with.
Auto Remarketing is recognizing the 2022 Women in Retail honorees in the current issue of the magazine and at Used Car Week this fall in San Diego.
With these awards, we specifically recognize top leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors
Over the next few weeks, AR will be posting Q&As with each of the honorees on this website.
Next up is Tina Hansen, who is vice president of dealer sales at CarNow.
Auto Remarketing: What do you enjoy most about working in retail automotive, and what would you change?
Tina Hansen: Change is a constant in retail automotive. However, we have seen unprecedented shifts since the onset of the pandemic. The ability to adapt, think outside the box, and examine these challenges from every angle has made dealers reevaluate old ways and embrace new ones. Dealers who have avoided changing to a streamlined online sales process are finding it difficult to survive, while those who have welcomed change are succeeding and learning the old ways of retailing may never return.
One of the many things I love about working at CarNow is how we are adapting to these changes through innovation and bringing our Real-Time Retail platform to dealers, allowing them to meaningfully engage potential customers throughout the online purchasing process. It is both exciting and rewarding for me to be on the front lines and actively engaged in assisting dealers as they adapt to market changes. Overall, I wouldn’t change a thing! I’m thrilled to be here to help transition dealers through current and future challenges.
AR: What is the top trend you’re watching in retail automotive this year?
Hansen: Inventory shortages have been a huge setback for many dealers over the last few years, and the uncertainty is still present with no definitive end in sight. Dealers have had to examine how they can best acquire used inventory and streamline how they market new vehicles in transit. Additionally, dealers have had to make difficult choices when it comes to staffing. These dealership families are important, and we must be sensitive to their challenges and do what we can to help them through these trying times by offering our support and providing timely and effective solutions where we can.
AR: What piece of career advice would you give your younger self?
Hansen: Don’t sweat the small stuff, and when you come across a challenge, make it challenge YOU. I used to get easily agitated when things didn’t go the direction I wanted, or someone didn’t agree with my idea or plan. I now find it much easier to relax, reflect and contemplate on things before hurdling to a negative conclusion or blowing something out of proportion. I find it better to collectively work towards a communal goal and come to the table with a resolution that will support everyone and make it a win for all!
AR: What has been the top key to your success in retail automotive?
Hansen: One thing that has always been crucial to my success is surrounding myself with good people and keeping dealers’ best interests at heart. I strive to not “agenda sell” to make a quota or hit a KPI. I work to equip dealers with what they need, build value in the “why” and the product offering, and be sure to follow through on training and implementation. I never overpromise or under-deliver. I strive to couple transparency and integrity in everything I do, and I have always found pride in building and nurturing strong relationships and being a true partner to my dealers.
It was a celebration in the wholesale world for multiple reasons recently in Connecticut.
The National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) has named Garrison Hudkins as a Warren Young Fellow for 2022 and presented the award during Southern Auto Auction’s 75th anniversary celebration.
According to a news release, the honor recognizes Hudkins for his service and contributions to the wholesale auto auction industry and his leadership as part of NAAA’s executive committee.
Hudkins is NAAA president-elect and is president of Southern Auto Auction, Eastern Powersports Auction, and SAFS, Inc. He joined the East Windsor, Conn., auction in 2010, becoming the third generation in the family business founded in 1947 by his wife’s grandfather, Larry Tribble Sr.
NAAA highlighted Hudkins has spent more than a decade in management at Southern Auto Auction and brings a variety of previous business experience to the wholesale auto auction industry.
“Garrison has made significant contributions to our industry as a member of NAAA’s executive committee and as an advisor to NAAA’s joint marketing committee,” NAAA president R. Charles Nichols said in the news release. “It has been my pleasure serving alongside Garrison over the last year, and I have valued his insights and visionary leadership. I know the future of our association is bright with Garrison taking over as NAAA president next year.”
The NAAA Warren Young Fellowship was created in honor of Warren Young Sr., a pioneer of the auto auction industry. The award comes with a $2,500 donation in each fellow’s name to the NAAA Warren Young, Sr. Scholastic Foundation.
Since its establishment in 2004, the Scholastic Foundation has helped students pursue dreams of higher education. The foundation is a self-sustaining nonprofit organization and awards $52,000 in merit scholarships annually for study at accredited institutions.
“NAAA congratulates Hudkins for earning the lifetime distinction of being named a Warren Young Fellow and for joining this exclusive group of individuals who further the legacy of Warren Young, a pioneer of the auto auction industry,” the association said.
Evidently, ACV is a great place to work.
The digital automotive marketplace and data services partner for dealers and commercial partners announced on Monday that it has been named one of the Best Workplaces in New York in 2022 by Great Place to Work and Fortune.
The Fortune Best Workplaces in New York accolade is based on employee feedback collected through one of America’s largest ongoing annual workforce studies of more than 1 million employee survey responses and data from companies representing more than 6.1 million U.S. employees.
The survey results reported 78% of employees at ACV say it is a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at other U.S.-based companies.
Additionally, 90% of ACV employees feel they are able to take time off from work when they think it’s necessary, 89% are made to feel welcome when they join the company while 85% are proud to tell others they work at ACV.
“ACV is proud to be honored as a top place to work in New York, and we are so grateful to all of our teammates across the country who emanate our company’s core values each and every day,” ACV vice president of people and culture Sallie Reid said. “This recognition from Fortune reaffirms our commitment to our teammates and fostering an inclusive and empowering culture.
“Our people-first mindset helps create an environment where our teammates are supported and enabled to make a difference every day to one another and to our customers,” Reid continued.
Great Place to Work, a global authority on workplace culture, selected the list using rigorous analytics and confidential employee feedback. Companies were only considered if they are a Great Place to Work-Certified organization and headquartered in the New York state metropolitan statistical area.
Great Place to Work explained that companies are assessed on how well they are creating a great employee experience that cuts across race, gender, age, disability status, or any aspect of who employees are or what their role is.
“As employee demands and expectations have dramatically changed over the past year, these companies have risen to the occasion—and it’s not been easy,” said Kim Peters, executive vice president of global recognition, research and strategic partnerships at Great Place to Work.
“Their hard work and dedication to listen to and care for the well-being of every employee, and support them in a way that’s meaningful to all, is the standard all organizations will be held to,” Peters added.
