ACV Auctions has announced that Michael Waterman is the company’s new vice president of sales.
Waterman, who began his career managing dealerships, has been part of the auto industry for more than 20 years. He most recently served in product and sales management roles with DealerSocket, Dealertrack and ADESA.
"Michael's success working with dealerships is proven," said ACV chief executive officer George Chamoun. "His background running dealerships, consulting dealers on technology and helping them enhance their wholesale operation is a very unique combination. We are very proud to have Michael lead our sales in dealerships."
Additionally, ACV Auctions said the auto industry veteran brings extensive experience in market development, hiring top sales talent and working with dealerships to strengthen their wholesale process.
"I am very excited to join ACV Auctions, an already proven better way to buy and sell wholesale vehicles," said Waterman. "My objective is to bring ACV Auctions to car dealers throughout the country, with the goal of maximizing their return on wholesale vehicles. ACV Auctions was created with these needs in mind."
Waterman is expected to join the rest of the ACV executive team, including Chamoun and founder Joe Neiman, at Used Car Week, coming up Nov. 14-18 at Red Rock Resort, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas. Chamoun is scheduled to present during the CPO Forum on Nov. 14 on the benefits of using mobile technology to save time and money.
In September, ACV recruited Chamoun after securing $5 million in venture capital funding to scale the fast-growing company.
CarMax has begun its largest hiring effort to date, following an announcement that the company is opening a new Murrieta, Calif. multi-purpose facility in February.
The company is hiring more than 250 associates to staff the new location.
A majority of the positions available are roles in service operations such as inventory, service advisors and technicians. There are also open positions for auction services, sales and business office associates.
“We provide hands-on experience, mentorship and other great benefits like tuition reimbursement for those who want to become technicians,” said Rosey Sanders, Sacramento regional vice president of service operations. “CarMax values and supports growth and development; meaning associates have access to world-class training while building a great career.”
CarMax is currently recruiting for 2,500 positions in locations nationwide.
The new 35-acre location will also be CarMax’s largest multi-purpose facility, and home of its first four-lane auction facility on the West Coast.
CarMax said the location will have the capacity to stock up to 400 vehicles at a given time and operate as a reconditioning hub that supplies inventory to several of the company’s stores in Southern California.
The location will host weekly sales that local dealers can attend for wholesale used cars.
In addition to production and auction services, the property will have a separate building for selling used cars to the general public.
The inception of the Murrieta location is a continuation of CarMax’s growth in California.
In May, the company opened a San Francisco-area store in Pleasanton, and is scheduled to debut locations in Fremont and Santa Rosa in November.
CarMax will open another new store in the Los Angeles area, where the company will hire an additional 60 associates, in February.
Cox Automotive has promoted Amy Mills to senior vice president of strategy.
In her new role, Mills will work closely with Cox Automotive’s executive leadership team to identify, execute and sustain strategic initiatives to increase the company’s growth and profitability.
Mills previously served as vice president of global strategy, where she drove corporate strategic planning and business portfolio management.
“Amy is a strong team leader whose extensive knowledge of the automotive business uniquely positions her to lead Cox Automotive and our industry into the future,” said Neil Johnston, executive vice president and chief financial officer for Cox Automotive.
Mills joined Cox in 2001 as assistant marketing manager for the company’s Manheim brand. She served in a variety of marketing roles before taking over as vice president, product strategy for Manheim, where she focused on the development of new product innovations for the brand’s product portfolio. She was promoted to vice president, strategy, Cox Automotive in November 2013, helping to coordinate and drive the company’s international strategy.
Mills’ prior experience includes roles in brand strategy, advertising and marketing at Addison Whitney, a corporate brand consulting company in Charlotte, N.C., and Vanguard Media, an advertising agency in Salt Lake City.
Mills replaces Joe George, who was promoted to senior vice president, Manheim Vehicle Solutions.
Mills is also one of Auto Remarketing's 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees, who will be recognized at Used Car Week.
Dent Wizard International, which specializes in automotive reconditioning and SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair Techniques) repairs, has promoted Eric Walker to regional finance director for the south region of the company’s F&I business.
The south region includes Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Walker will focus on growing Dent Wizard’s F&I products and services with dealers, dealer groups, F&I agencies and other partners, including JM&A. Dent Wizard’s F&I products include Ding Shield, Ding Shield Preferred and Ding Shield Signature.
Walker started with Dent Wizard in 2003. He most recently served as regional business development manager, covering five southeastern states. He previously held district sales management positions with the company.
“Eric is a confident, knowledgeable, devoted team player who will bring a wealth of operational experience to his new role,” said vice president of aftersales Lindsey Bird, to whom Walker will report. “I have no doubt he will provide tremendous value to our clients and partners, and the company.”
ADESA, a business unit of KAR Auction Services, announced that Harold Chapman will lead ADESA Nashville as general manager, effective immediately.
He had served as general manager of ADESA Kansas City since 2003.
“During his time at ADESA Kansas City, Harold has proven to be a strong leader who motivates his staff to provide the highest levels of service,” said Paul Lips, chief operating officer at ADESA. “We’re pleased to have someone with Harold’s industry knowledge, skill set and successful track record join the team in Nashville.”
Chapman has more than two decades of auto auction experience, including 17 years with ADESA. As general manager of ADESA Kansas City, he oversaw the auction’s move to a newly built facility in 2009.
Under his leadership, the auction was named the General Motors Auction of the Year for both 2011 and 2012, and 2010 Most Improved Auction of the Year from Wells Fargo Auto Finance.
Chapman got his start in the auto auction industry as general sales manager with the Frankenthal Group/Louisville Auto and Cincinnati Auto Auction. He joined ADESA Indianapolis in 2000 in outside sales.
“I’m very proud of everyone at ADESA Kansas City and their many industry recognitions,” said Chapman. “I am excited to now work with the team at ADESA Nashville to further build relationships and enhance their reputation for service excellence in the local market.”
BW Dealership Advisors — a Brady Ware-affiliated retail automotive consulting firm dedicated to offering consulting, fraud mitigation, accounting and tax services — announced this week that it has expanded its services to help dealers attract and engage clients online. The new digital capabilities will be led by Nick Brunotte, who joined the firm as senior operations consultant.
With Brunotte's added expertise, BW Dealership Advisors highlighted that it can help retail automotive clients with the online customer engagement aspect of their business, including web presence management strategies, business development centers, customer relationship management software processes, website effectiveness and other digital efficiencies.
“Dealerships are increasingly seeking ways to help them stand out from their competitors and build stronger relationships with customers,” Brunotte said. “I look forward to putting my dealership operations expertise and digital experience to work for the retail automotive clients we serve at BW Dealership Advisors.”
The firm highlighted Brunotte brings hands-on experience in dealership general management and operations to BW Dealership Advisors.
The firm went on to stress that clients will benefit from Brunotte’s ability to identify and solve the specialized challenges faced by retail automotive dealers, as well as his expertise in strategies for improving the profitability of service and finance and insurance (F&I) departments.
Brunotte studied finance at the University of Cincinnati and has more than a decade of management experience. He is actively involved in the National Automobile Dealers Association and has F&I certification from United Development Systems (UDS).
Social media and digital engagement company Digital Air Strike announced the addition of two technology veterans with extensive media, data and entrepreneurial experience to their senior leadership team.
This week, Anthony Argenziano joined Digital Air Strike as chief technology officer where he will manage and drive the company’s innovation and product development. David Corchado now is with the company as chief digital officer where he will guide the company’s expansion into key strategic markets.
“We are excited that Anthony and David have joined our team,” Digital Air Strike co-founder and chief executive officer Alexi Venneri said. “Their experience in digital marketing technology paired with their track records of driving growth will be invaluable as we continue to build innovative solutions in many vertical markets.
“Anthony and David bring a wealth of enterprise retail technology experience to our company,” Venneri continued. “It is exciting to already see how their vision and passion for innovation will benefit our clients and partners.”
Argenziano has more than two decades of experience as a technology and product executive and entrepreneur with expertise in product development, professional services, business development, and operations. He specializes in creating and implementing high-performance strategies that directly impact innovation, growth, and profitability.
Prior to joining Digital Air Strike, Argenziano was the head of risk platform at Amazon and the chief technology officer at eBay Enterprises Display where he was responsible for setting the company’s product vision and strategy as well as developing software, technical operations and support.
Anthony did most of his undergraduate work at the University of Arizona before completing his B.A. in Management at Ottawa University and receiving his M.B.A. from Arizona State University.
Corchado has almost 20 years of experience in data driven consumer marketing roles. Prior to joining Digital Air Strike, he was the chief data officer at iCrossing, a division of the Hearst Corp. and also served as chief technology officer.
Before iCrossing, Corchado was group vice president at Agency.com-TBWA\Worldwide, and led global site design for major brands including British Airways, Ford, Bank of America and General Electric.
ADESA has announced changes to its management teams in Houston; Memphis, Tenn.; Seattle; and Tulsa, Okla.; effective immediately.
Michael Schenks, who was general manager at ADESA Memphis, now has the same role ADESA Houston. Ron Schritenthal, previously assistant general manager at ADESA Memphis, has been promoted to general manager of that location.
Dan Watt, who was assistant general manager at ADESA Seattle, has been promoted to general manager. Rod Thompson, dealer sales and service manager at ADESA Tulsa, has been promoted to general manager.
“Michael, Ron and Dan have dedicated themselves to providing outstanding auction management at their previous posts,” said Paul Lips, chief operating officer at ADESA. “They will continue to ensure excellent customer service and staff engagement at ADESA Houston, ADESA Memphis and ADESA Seattle.
“Rod’s leadership experience and sales expertise will enable him to work effectively for both the employees and the customers of ADESA Tulsa,” Lips continued.
Schenks joined ADESA as dealer sales manager at ADESA Sarasota in 2009. Prior to that, he held various positions for AutoNation, including used-vehicle director of North Florida. He had been general manager at ADESA Memphis since 2013.
Schritenthal has more than 30 years of experience in the auction industry, including various positions for Metro Auto Auction, now ADESA Kansas City, and Southern States Vehicle Auction, now ADESA Atlanta. He served for several years as assistant general manager and as fleet lease manager at ADESA Kansas City, and had been assistant general manager at ADESA Memphis since 2009.
Watt has been with ADESA Seattle for more than 25 years in roles including office manager, team member in operations, factory supervisor, factory manager, fleet lease manager and 10 years as commercial account manager. He had been assistant general manager at ADESA Seattle since 2010.
Thompson has nearly 30 years of experience in the automotive/powersports/auction industry, including 10 years as sales manager for his family’s Chrysler store. He spent five years as a powersports dealer and eight years as regional sales director for a major powersports manufacturer.
He made his way to the auction business eight years ago as a specialty manager and later served as assistant general manager at another auction location. He joined ADESA Tulsa in 2015 as dealer sales and service manager.
TradeRev announced it has hired Tory Swedlund and Will Farmer as regional directors in the U.S.
Farmer will lead the southeast region, whereTradeRev said that performance has flourished as a result of the strong relationships built from partnerships with several major auto groups such as Pohanka Automotive Group.
Swedlund will lead the expansion of TradeRev’s presence throughout the south central region, which includes Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
“It’s great to witness TradeRev’s rapid growth take place here in the U.S., and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome Tory and Will to the determined and energized TradeRev U.S. team,” said executive vice president Keith Crerar. “They both have the experience, leadership, knowledge, and progressive capability that will be a true advantage to leading these regions.”
Before joining TradeRev, Swedlund was the franchise executive sales manager at Dealer Socket-Inventory Plus. He previously was used car director at James Hodge Auto Group, where he controlled the purchasing, appraisals and auction units for seven stores. He also worked at Fowler Dodge and Joe Cooper Auto Group.
Farmer recently sold his privately held personal property auction company, of which he was president and owner. Prior to that, he worked in dealer sales and account management at ADESA, and was a sales director for Cox Communications.
Dealership software provider MAXDigital recently announced Patrick McMullen, previously the senior vice president of customer success, will now be the company’s senior vice president of strategy and innovation.
MAXDigital explained McMullen will be traveling the country to deliver the company’s “Stop the Drop” message, which is geared to help dealers maintain gross profits and transform the way they deliver value during every sale.
Additionally, Rebecca Oistad has joined MAXDigital as the company’s vice president of marketing.
In her new role, Oistad will focus on building brand awareness, leading marketing communications and driving demand for the company’s digital retailing and inventory management software solutions.
“To stay competitive in the new digital auto retail industry, dealers must build trust and communicate value to maintain their market-based price,” MAXDigital chief executive officer Steve Fitzgerald said.
“Patrick and Rebecca will be instrumental in sharing how MAXDigital helps dealers navigate the changing buying process and retain their profits,” Fitzgerald continued.
McMullen has more than two decades of management experience in the automotive industry and has broad knowledge and industry expertise in pre-owned and digital retail operations. Since joining MAXDigital in 2007, he has impacted the company’s growth through his leadership of a customer-focused team that is responsible for ensuring client success, optimizing the product’s value, and driving insights.
McMullen has held positions at Enterprise Rent-a-Car, CarMax, and as a sales manager in the financial services industry.
Prior to joining MAXDigital in August, Oistad was the senior director of marketing at Enlivant, a national senior living provider. At Enlivant, Oistad was responsible for leading the development of a new brand and building a new marketing operations platform and strategy.
Prior to Enlivant, Oistad was VP of digital strategy and business development at Rand McNally.
