CarMax has plans to bring on more than 2,000 new hires by the end of the year, the company announced Monday.
The used-car retailer is mostly looking for sales consultants, technicians, detailers and inventory associates companywide.
Several CarMax stores are also hiring for positions within its business offices, according to CarMax.
In addition to the headquarters in Richmond, Va., where there are open digital and technology roles, the CarMax Auto Finance operations in Atlanta has several customer service positions to fill.
“First and foremost, CarMax seeks to hire people with integrity who are passionate about customer service. Experience in the auto industry is not necessary to work at CarMax,” CarMax chief human resource officer and senior vice president Diane Cafritz said in a news release. “The company values personal growth and education which is why CarMax provides ongoing support and development opportunities for our associates.”
CarMax has been recognized 13 straight years by FORTUNE magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, according to the company.
The company said it currently employs more than 24,000 people nationwide.
Auction Edge announced Friday it has attained over 115 customers running its EDGE Simulcast platform powered by Velocicast and brought aboard new senior vice president Julie Warpool to oversee the augmentation of all the company's auction systems.
“In partnership with the developers behind Velocicast we committed to crafting an unparalleled user experience for auction user, buyer and seller. The volume of vehicles running through the system coupled with tens of thousands of buyers channeled through Edge Pipeline create a truly immersive experience for all parties,” Auction Edge chief executive officer Dan Diedrich said in a news release.
Auction Edge began offering its multi-lane, multi-auction bidding platform fitted with a modern and intuitive interface design earlier this year, according to the company.
“Since changing simulcast providers to EDGE Simulcast powered by Velocicast nearly three months ago, we have experienced nothing but good things,” said Shawn Glatz, general manager at Morton Auto Auction. “We are hearing great feedback from our online buyers as well as commercial consignors who utilize the online rep capabilities. The ease in which they both can conduct their business is what it is all about. We couldn’t be any happier with the product and the service we are receiving.”
Warpool has been in automotive remarketing for over 25 years, according to Auction Edge. She spent the last 17 years with Manheim/Cox Automotive, where she served in positions as senior director of vehicle solutions, operational excellence, product strategy and technology.
“Julie has a proven history of innovation, but as importantly, execution in our industry. Julie’s skillset, mindset and experience align perfectly with our mission to modernize and deliver the solutions our customers need,” added Diedrich. “Moreover, Julie will assist us in the evolution of all Edge products to help keep auctions relevant, resilient and on the leading edge for years to come.”
Additionally, Warpool is recognized as an architect of enterprise-wide technological and operational solutions.
She has several patents for live-bid event online auction platforms, vehicle inspection/damage estimation and digital imaging systems, according to Auction Edge.
“It’s so exciting to become part of Auction Edge and help carry out the vision of evolving the universe for independent auctions,” Warpool said.
“There are a few things that attracted me to Edge. The first is the opportunity to give back to an industry that I’ve grown up in and unleash a common vision that the Edge team’s share. Second, is the culture and the people. The folks I’ve met are excited to come to work every day and there is a buzz about what can be accomplished. It’s wonderful to see inspirational teams who give their all and think beyond the possible,” she went on to say.
Warpool began her auction career in 1992 at ADT Automotive, which was acquired by Manheim in 2000.
TradeRev announced three executive changes Thursday, including sales team promotions and additions following KAR Auction Services recent acquisition of remaining interest in the company earlier this month.
In 2014, KAR purchased a 50-percent stake in TradeRev and over the next four years, acquired the remaining interest for $50 million in cash and an additional $75 million.
The company said the new role changes are aimed at both boosting TradeRev’s market expansion and integrating KAR’s capabilities into its buying and selling experience.
TradeRev’s leadership changes include sales and operations executive vice president Keith Crerar, who will take on the additional responsibilities of leading commercial accounts sales and account management for the company's U.S. and Canada markets.
Prior to his current role, Crerar served as vice president of dealer services for ADESA, a business unit of KAR.
Crerar has more than 15 years of automotive industry experience and has been recognized through Nissan’s Club Excellence as one of the top three Sales Managers in the country for five consecutive years, according to TradeRev.
Will Farmer, who most recently served as southeast regional director, managing the southeast sales team and account management for major auto group operations, has been promoted to executive director of dealer sales for the U.S. markets, and will report to Crerar.
In his new role, he will focus on national sales growth and management of TradeRev’s five regional sales teams, according to the company.
Farmer has more than 14 years of experience as a licensed auctioneer, including being president and owner of Farmer Auctions in Virginia. Before heading Farmer Auctions, Farmer worked at ADESA East Tennessee.
Additionally, TradeRev has brought on Vince McNeal to serve as executive director of commercial sales for its U.S. and Canada markets, and he will also be reporting to Crerar.
Since 2013, McNeal has served as executive sales director at ADESA and will continue to oversee a number of KAR commercial clients while serving in his new role, according to TradeRev.
He joined ADESA in 2005 as a dealer sales representative and later transitioned to management and leadership positions, including fleet lease manager and assistant general manager at ADESA Lexington.
Last year, McNeal earned a spot on the Remarketing & Used-Car Industry’s 40 Under 40 list, and Farmer made the list this year.
When announcing the acquisition of TradeRev’s remaining interest this month, KAR officials highlighted that TradeRev brings mobile and digital technology to KAR’s portfolio of 250 whole car and salvage auctions and floorplan financing solutions.
Search Optics announced Wednesday it has appointed Tabi Elbahou as senior vice president of global enterprise sales to oversee the company’s continued international expansion.
For almost a decade, Elbahou most recently served as director of operations for AutoAnything.com, a subsidiary of AutoZone, where he led all aspects of online sales and directed customer service across the U.S. and Mexico.
“With a strong track record for team building and increasing company profitability, Tabi brings more than 15 years of global sales and management expertise to Search Optics, including eight years within the automotive industry,” Search Optics chief executive officer David Ponn said in a news release. “He brings fresh energy and innovation to this role, and is already having a valuable impact on our business. We are excited to have him on board.”
Additionally, while at AutoAnything.com, Elbahou was also responsible for domestic and international operations training, quality, supply chain, fraud prevention and recruiting functions.
“As a longstanding leader and pioneer in automotive digital marketing, Search Optics is recognized for its mobile-first focus, its breadth of technology expertise and proven strategies that deliver exceptional results to clients,” Elbahou said.
“I look forward to building upon that success by developing a best-in-class sales operation that is laser focused on delivering an extraordinary end-to-end experience to our prospects and customers.”
AutoGravity has expanded its dealer network development program with the appointment of Chuck Schofield as new vice president of dealer sales, the company announced Tuesday.
Schofield most recently served as western region senior manager for Mercedes-Benz Financial Services where he managed the U.S. finance products and services sales unit and cultivated relationships with Mercedes-Benz and smart dealership personnel.
In his new role, Schofield joins dealer network development program head Aleks Bogoeski, co-founder and vice president of dealer sales.
“From a standing start in 2016, AutoGravity is proud to have built strong partnerships with some of the largest dealer groups in America,” AutoGravity chief executive officer Andy Hinrichs said in a news release.
“Led by Aleks Bogoeski, our dealer development team has built a dealer network that spans thousands of franchises across the country. With over two decades of sales experience, Chuck will be an excellent complement to our network development efforts, deepening our relationships with our existing partners and accelerating the growth of our dealer group portfolio,” he continued.
Prior to his role at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Schofield previously worked for Chrysler Financial as the director of business vehicle finance and he began his career at Daimler Truck Financial, according to AutoGravity.
“For many months, every dealership I’ve visited has been buzzing with digitally savvy car buyers searching for monthly payments on their smartphones, many of whom were using AutoGravity.” said Schofield. “AutoGravity has taken a distinctly thoughtful approach, working in partnership with dealers to help them realize the full potential of cutting edge smartphone technology and serve their customers anytime and anywhere they want. Dealers love it, which is what makes me so excited to join AutoGravity at a time of great innovation in the vehicle buying journey.”
LeasePlan USA recently named Anthony Fina the new vice president of business development in the Northeast region to replace Gerry Tellier, who was promoted to senior vice president of business development – east.
“Gerry has been successful in his territory over the years, rising to the top as a true leader,” said Ricardo Fonzaghi, chief commercial officer at LeasePlan USA. “I’m proud to have him on our leadership team sharing his knowledge to further support our growth trajectory.”
Fina brings 25 years in fleet and has held prior roles with Merchants Fleet Management and GE Capital, where he was selected to be a part of GE’s Imagination Breakthrough Team.
“Anthony has big shoes to fill, but I am sure that he is the one to do it,” Fonzaghi added. “His expertise and commitment will truly be an asset for fleets looking to create efficiencies and reduce costs.”
Fina is the third recent addition to the LeasePlan USA business development team, according to the company.
“I am passionate about working with people and creating value for clients,” Fina said. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to combine my fleet experience with LeasePlan’s forward-thinking to make a positive impact in the Northeast region.”
JM&A Group announced Thursday that it has promoted Gavin Tennant to vice president of customer services and Mark Barovich to assistant vice president of portfolio risk management and actuarial services.
Tennant most recently lead the company's redesigned dealer portal initiative called Dealer Source.
In his new role, he will oversee all claims and customer service operations in St. Louis and Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Tennant joined JM&A Group back in 1999 to begin a college internship role that led him to positions of increasing responsibility, according to the company.
In addition to his most recent role at JM&A, Tennant has served as workforce manager, director of customer service, and assistant vice president of customer service.
Barovich also began his career with JM&A in 1999 when he joined as a senior statistical analyst. He most recently served as actuarial services director up to 2015.
“Barovich’s exceptional analytical skills and ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments are instrumental in appropriately managing the reserving and profitability of JM&A Group’s products,” the company said in a news release announcing his hire. “He is integrally involved in leading the continual improvement of our actuarial processes and systems.”
Cox Automotive announced Monday it has appointed Patrick Brennan to be senior vice president of inventory solutions, marketplace, following the recent promotion of Grace Huang to president of the inventory solutions group.
Brennan most recently served as senior vice president of logistics solutions, working to enhance the efficiency and client experience of Cox Automotive's Ready Logistics and Central Dispatch. The company said it is currently looking for a replacement to fill the position.
"Simply put, Patrick knows our business," Huang said in a news release announcing Brennan’s hire.
"He is a respected, trusted leader with a proven track record who is well equipped to drive Inventory Solutions Marketplace to deliver greater efficiencies and better serve clients and our industry."
In this new role, Brennan will oversee both auction and digital operations for the company’s inventory solutions group and report to Huang, according to Cox Automotive.
Brennan has been at the company for more than 25 years and served in operational and finance leadership roles for Manheim.
Drive Motors, a provider of ecommerce solutions for dealerships, said Tuesday it has hired former Showroom Logic executive Matt Weinberg as senior vice president of consumer experience.
Weinberg was most recently chief strategy officer for digital marketing company Showroom Logic.
“I’m excited to join the team during this pivotal phase for Drive Motors, a company that’s uniquely positioned as the online-checkout pioneer in the automotive space,” said Weinberg, in a news release. “As the company continues to develop consumer-friendly features that will streamline the future of car buying, I’m looking forward to expanding our dealership network and driving those efforts.”
Weinberg’s time in the car business goes back to 1994, where he held several auto retail and ecommerce roles for various dealerships before moving to Izmocars in 2005.
Drive Motors chief executive and founder Aaron Krane said in a news release: “Matt’s in-depth knowledge of the psychology and behavior of the American automotive consumer, combined with his passion for partnering with dealers and driving their online success, will be a tremendous asset in scaling our growth.
“With Matt newly on board and rounding out our executive team, we now can elevate our product offerings to the next level, bringing the future of car buying to dealers and consumers, today,” he said.
The company said it will be utilizing its recently announced seed funding to make the hire.
Drive Motors completed the $5.2 million round of seed funding this summer. Bullpen Capital led the round and was joined by existing investors Y Combinator, Khosla Ventures, Perkins Coie LLP and Emagen Entertainment Group, among others.
Drive Motors began providing online checkout options for dealer websites last year after finishing Y Combinator’s incubator program.
J.D. Power announced Monday it has promoted Thomas King to fill the new position of data and analytics senior vice president.
King has served in senior roles at the company since joining in 2005.
He most recently served as J.D. Power vice president of PIN OEM operations, digital marketing analytics and auto finance, where he led the company’s newly combined PIN, digital marketing analytics and auto finance practices.
King played a large role in acquisition and integration of NADA Used Car Guide and the launch of J.D. Power Residual Values, the company said.
"Over the course of many years, Thomas has proven himself as an innovative, creative and analytical business leader at J.D. Power,” J.D. Power chief executive officer and president Finbarr O’Neill said in a news release.
“Thomas is extremely qualified for this new role, and we’re very confident that his vision and execution will be crucial components to help drive our data and analytics segment to new levels beyond our existing industry-leading position. The growth of our data and analytics and advisory services further underscores the expansion initiatives underway at J.D. Power,” he continued.
In his new role, King has been tasked with leading the overall strategic direction of J.D. Power’s data and analytics segment.
He will oversee the segment’s revenue and profitability; business development initiatives; marketing; budget management and new product development, according to J.D. Power.
King will join the executive committee and report directly to O'Neill.
"It is a privilege to be selected for this important new role within J.D. Power,” King said. “I look forward to continuing to identify strategic opportunities to grow this business alongside a group of talented and dynamic professionals.”
King has also previously served as senior director of PIN consulting and analytics at J.D. Power.
He began his career as a market analyst at General Motors prior to joining J.D. Power.
