An industry veteran who has experience with three different automakers most recently was involved with a large, privately held dealership group in the Northeast is now joining Kia Motors America as vice president of sales.
Kia recently announced Bill Peffer will assume his new role effective on July 24.
Peffer — who joins the automaker from Balise Motor Sales –– will oversee Kia’s regional and corporate sales operations in the United States and report to chief operating officer and executive vice president Michael Sprague.
“Bill Peffer brings vast experience and a global perspective to Kia’s U.S. operations and we are pleased to welcome him to the team," said Justin Sohn, president and chief executive officer of Kia Motors America.
“Bill’s commitment to dealers and focus on the customer experience are a perfect fit for Kia and his arrival will bolster our efforts to increase demand for our award-winning vehicles,” Sohn continued in a news release.
During the course of more than 20 years at General Motors, Nissan North America and Ford, Peffer held a number of high-profile posts such as vice president of sales and service for Cadillac and managing director and CEO of Nissan Australia.
automotiveMastermind has hired Eric Daniels as chief financial officer to reinforce a controlled financial infrastructure that provides product development opportunities within the company.
Daniels most recently served as the chief financial officer of National Response Corporation, a private equity owned environmental services company.
He brings 15 years of experience leading global finance teams of both middle-market private and public companies.
“Bringing in Eric is the right step toward building an executive team capable of making the right investment decisions and solidifying the responsible financial and legal systems of the company,” automotiveMastermind chief executive officer and co-founder Marco Schnabl said in a news release. “Innovation continues to be at the forefront of automotiveMastermind and these executive appointments will help the company grow in all aspects while supporting our current exponential growth.”
Daniels' background includes improving the operational efficiencies of companies in various industries and generating key indicator reporting to help drive growth.
He has managed acquisition integrations, financial system implementations and facilitated capital market transactions, according to automotiveMastermind.
“My previous experience has made me better able to identify a market leader and innovator like automotiveMastermind. The way the company utilizes data and passes it on to our dealer partners adds value and ROI that pays for itself four times over,” Daniels said.
“This kind of performance in the market will help us set the benchmark for how all automotive sales are transacted. The ultimate goal is to make the automotiveMastermind Behavior Prediction Score become as synonymous as a FICO score.”
CDK Global recently announced that Amy Byrne has joined the company as executive vice president and chief human resources officer.
Byrne’s nearly 25-year background includes experience leading large global human resource teams across talent, compensation and benefits, diversity, labor relations and organizational engagement.
Supporting a region of $4.5 billion in revenues and more than 17,000 employees in 12 countries, Byrne most recently led the human resources organization for the Latin America and Global Brand Marketing businesses at Avon Products, according to CDK.
“Amy’s wealth of experience in driving performance and culture is a great fit for CDK,” chief executive officer Brian MacDonald said in a news release. “Our people are at the heart of serving our customers well, and we are excited to have Amy’s leadership to help us in the ongoing evolution of our culture and our company.”
Prior to Avon, Amy held increasing human resource roles at U.S. Foodservice, The Boeing Company, William M. Mercer and Hay Management Consultants.
“I am thrilled to be joining an industry leader that is focused on creating a great customer experience through talented and engaged employees,” Byrne said.
Byrne began her career as a pension analyst for Hewitt and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as well as an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Reviver recently announced that it has appointed Fabrice Barbier as chief operations officer to oversee the product, design and development of rPlate, which recently hit markets in California.
Barbier most recently served as senior vice president of consumer devices at GoPro.
He has over 30 years of experience in technology, business strategy, product development and operations, according to Reviver.
“Fabrice’s experience heading a team whose disruptive solutions reinvented photography and camera mobility — and brought it to the masses — will be invaluable as we continue to expand rPlate's capabilities,” Reviver chief executive officer and founder Neville Boston said in a news release. “We are very excited to welcome him to our team as we positively disrupt automotive connectivity.”
During Barbier's six years at GoPro, revenues increased from $65 million to $1.6 billion, according to Reviver.
Prior to joining GoPro in 2013, Barbier spent four years at Flextronics as senior director of technology and product management, where he developed several new product line initiatives in display, computing, components and modules for mobile industries.
“It’s thrilling to join the team responsible for a fundamental shift in automobile design and connectivity – the rPlate brings change and innovation to a part of the car that has remained the same for 125 years, and will be a key component in a global ‘connected car’ eco-system,” Barbier said.
“Because Reviver worked in close collaboration with state DMVs and lawmakers while developing the rPlate, this technology is not only a reality, but also road-ready.
"I’m looking forward to working closely with the team as we develop the next generations of the rPlate,” he added.
MetroGistics has brought aboard new director of human resources Lainey Strohmeyer, who most recently served as director of human resources for Intelliteach.
Strohmeyer is certified as a senior professional in human resources by the HR Certification Institute and a senior certified professional by the Society for Human Resource Management with more than 12 years of experience in recruiting and human resources.
In her new role, Strohmeyer will oversee the integration of former AmeriFleet staff and operations, which MetroGistics Holdings and its equity partner Tailwind Capital acquired earlier this year.
“We are pleased to add a top-notch professional such as Lainey to our growing management team,” MetroGistics co-founder and managing partner William Billiter said in a news release. “Her skills, experience and enthusiasm will serve us well as our company continues to grow both organically and through strategic business opportunities.”
Prior to Intelliteac, Strohmeyer worked at Kozeny & McCubbin, and Convergys. She is also a member of the Human Resource Management Association of Greater Saint Louis.
Strohmeyer resides in University City, Mo., and is both on the Steering Committee of the Humane Society of Missouri’s Women’s Leadership Council and an active volunteer with the Humane Society of Missouri’s Kennel Enrichment program, according to MetroGistics.
White Clarke Group recently announced the appointment of David Slider as the new group executive vice president.
With more than 30 years of leadership in the auto finance industry, Slider joins the White Clarke Group leadership team to champion global client development, execute strategic acquisitions and partnerships, and solidify the company’s global expansion into target markets including North America, Asia and South America.
The company highlighted that Slider brings an impressive track record in the global software market with a specific concentration in the North American automotive finance sector. Most recently he served as managing director of automotive finance for a large, global loan origination and servicing software company, preceded by multiple executive roles with progressing responsibility and success.
White Clark Group indicated Slider’s depth of experience with core receivables, default management, originations and dealer finance systems strongly complements the company’s expansion and growth objectives.
“David’s reputation for winning and developing key client relationships, as well as architecting strategic acquisitions and partnerships, has been the cornerstone of his career. More importantly, he is well respected and endeared by clients, colleagues and competitors alike,” said White Clarke Group chief executive officer Brendan Gleeson.
“We are very proud to have David on the team and look forward to the next steps in our expansion efforts,” Gleeson continued.
Commenting about this new position, Slider added: “I’m honored to join such an impressive team of visionaries who have experienced great successes in Europe, Asia Pacific and now in the U.S. My goal is to further the market’s awareness that we are primed to serve the transformational needs of lenders today with solutions that are engineered with the future built in.
“Lenders no longer need to settle for less than agile, open, digital ready end-to-end systems that can successfully manage the complex competitive and regulatory landscape,” Slider went on to say.
XLerate Group recently announced that it has brought on Tom Francois as the new general manager of the group’s Badger State Auto Auction in Fond du Lac, Wis.
Francois succeeds Tim Netz, who is retiring after 18 years of service at the auction.
“We are grateful to Tim Netz for his leadership, service and dedication to Badger State Auto Auction and wish Tim the best in retirement. At the same time, we are excited to have Tom Francois join the XLerate Group Auction family,” XLerate chief executive officer Cam Hitchcock said in a news release. “Tom brings over 30 years in sales and auto auction management, plus extensive experience in the automotive remarketing industry, serving as the past president of the Midwest Chapter and long-standing board member at both the regional and national levels of the National Auto Auction Association.”
Francois said his ability to build and maintain strong client relationships has attributed to his success as a leader, according to XLerate.
“I look forward to linking clients with XLerate’s innovative solutions,” Francois said. “My priority is to ensure every dealer receives top-notch service and great execution.”
Francois holds a B.A. degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin – Lacrosse.
GEAA celebrates 13 years
In other auction news, Greater Erie Auto Auction recently celebrated its 13th anniversary with over 500 cars in the lanes and $10,000 in prizes for dealers during its latest sales event held this month.
“I want to thank all of our dealers and our great employees for 13 wonderful years. Without their daily and weekly support, this would not be possible,” GEAA managing partner Todd Briggs said.
On May 9, AFC and NextGear ran special floor plan promos which drew dealers from 14 states, either in-lane or via simulcast.
Dave Warren of Dave Warren Chrysler Dodge Jeep won the auction’s grand prize, a John Deere riding lawnmower.
“Everyone at GEAA strives to do what is right for our customers daily, and our staff has worked diligently to make Greater Erie a great place to be each week for dealers to buy and sell inventory,” Briggs added.
With the motivation being on empowering OEMs, LotVantage recently announced the addition of Dave Yeargin as vice president of strategic initiatives.
The company indicated Yeargin will assist in the growth of LotVantage’s Brand Manager customer footprint, with a particular focus in the powersports vertical where he has participated for the past 20 years.
LotVantage’s Brand Manager is a complete digital marketing solution that can help OEMs seamlessly market their promotions and advertisements to consumers through their dealers’ social media channels.
“LotVantage is excited to bring on a veteran in the industry with Yeargin. As our OEM Brand Manager continues to grow, Yeargin will play a vital role in our strategic partnerships,” LotVantage president and chief executive officer Matthew Brown said.
Previous to joining LotVantage, Yeargin served as director of strategic initiatives at DX1, a dealership management software division of Dominion Enterprises. Dave was co-founder of ZiiOS, one of the powersports industry's first cloud-based dealership management solutions, which was subsequently acquired by Dominion Enterprises in 2010.
“I’m passionate about delivering solutions to the industry to improve profitability using advances in technology. LotVantage provides a complete set of solutions for inventory marketing and social media. I’m extremely honored to join the team on their journey,” Yeargin said.
Prior to the time with Dominion and ZiiOS, Yeargin was an owner of two multi-line powersports dealerships in the early 2000s, learning firsthand the needs of the powersports industry. These experiences have uniquely prepared Dave for this position with LotVantage.
“Yeargin’s addition to the team will expedite the growth of LotVantage and our OEM Brand Manager,” said LotVantage vice president Jim Jabaay. “We look forward to the leadership, experience and knowledge Yeargin brings to the team.”
Motormindz has announced that Jim O'Sullivan, former president and chief executive officer of Mazda North America Operations, will join the company as a managing partner.
“We are elated to have Jim join the motormindz team and the timing could not be better,” motormindz founder and chief executive officer Jeff Van Dongen said. “He further strengthens our impressive leadership team roster at a time of rapid growth. Jim will be a key contributor in our mission to continue to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative automotive solutions.”
In 2003, he was promoted to president and CEO of Mazda North America Operations.
And shortly after his appointment, he was elected a managing executive officer of the Mazda Motor Corp. the parent company in Hiroshima Japan.
“I am thrilled to join a team of industry peers with a shared vision for innovation and entrepreneurship. It is a great opportunity to continue to do my part to drive the auto industry forward at a time of dynamic change. It's an honor to be the most recent addition to this winning team.”
O'Sullivan began his career with Ford Motor Co., where he advanced through a variety of leadership roles in finance, distribution, marketing and sales.
Dent Wizard International has promoted its chief operating officer Mike Black to president, replacing Terry Koebbe who will retain his position as chief executive officer.
In addition to his new role, Black will remain the company’s chief operating officer.
“Mike has done a phenomenal job as COO over the past six years,” Koebbe said in a news release. “His passion and commitment to success has been a key driver to Dent Wizard's growth, and his ability to connect and lead our field staff has been impressive.
“Equally important, Mike has been very effective in the management and development of relationships with several of our largest customers. It’s been exciting to see Mike's growth as a top executive at Dent Wizard, and look forward to seeing his handling of expanded responsibilities as president.”
In his new role, Black will have increased authority over Dent Wizard’s domestic and international operations and he will take on a more active role in new product development and geographic expansion.
“It is an honor to serve as Dent Wizard’s president,” Black said. “Working together, including a talented team of leaders, we’ve built an industry-leading company that remains focused on serving customers, expanding our geographic footprint and services, and supporting the front line managers and technicians that make Dent Wizard a winner. I believe in our ability to create an even better Dent Wizard, and I’m appreciative of the trust and confidence from Terry Koebbe, Gridiron Capital, and the board.”
