Independent Dealer University recently announced fixed operations as the latest addition to its growing educational offerings.
IDU has contracted with Billy Darr, a longtime auto industry veteran and acknowledged fixed ops expert, to create and teach the curriculum. The courses begin with Fixed Ops 100, an in-depth introduction to fixed ops that includes the positions/players, terminology and why it matters, systems and processes, types of service work and more.
“Billy has been a fixture in the industry for decades, and he is dedicated to passing that experience and expertise on to independent dealers and helping them improve,” IDU founder and CEO Justin Osburn said in a news release. “His insights into fixed ops will provide a competitive advantage for IDU subscribers.”
IDU highlighted Darr’s experience spans 44 years and includes everything from hands-on repair work to pulling together multi-million dollar deals for large dealer groups. He is currently owner and CEO of Collision Center Rehab, helping business owners realize their true potential in fixed ops management.
“Justin Osburn is in the top five of smartest people I’ve met in my career in the automotive industry,” Darr said. “This opportunity to partner with him and help independent dealers across America realize their dreams and potential in fixed operations culminates my life’s work.”
In addition to creating content for IDU, officials said Darr will also provide consulting services on fixed ops and body shop operations for Automotive Reinsurance Concepts and IDU.
IDU is a subscription-based online education platform designed to put next-level training easily within reach of independent retail dealerships of all sizes. Its comprehensive program offering a full curriculum of on-demand interactive video classes covering all areas of dealership operations — sales, F&I, accounting, fixed ops and much, much more — taught by industry experts.
For more information or to subscribe, visit idutuskers.com.
Black Book started the new year by promoting two of its executives to senior leadership roles.
Kyle Luck, who was most recently vice president of product management and software development, has been named senior vice president of product and technology, with responsibilities in both the U.S. and Canada.
Susan Moritz, most recently vice president of sales, has been named senior vice president of sales. Moritz has been with Black Book since 2020 and has worked in the auto industry for nearly 30 years.
Luck has been with Black Book since 2013, when he came aboard as senior product manager.
Luck was among Auto Remarketing’s “40 Under 40” honorees in 2019, while Moritz was among the “Women in Remarketing” honorees in 2016.
“Promotion from within remains a key tenant of Black Book’s success,” Black Book president Jared Kalfus said. “Susan and Kyle are both tremendous assets to not only our company, but to our customers as well.”
Kalfus said of Luck: “Kyle continues to exemplify the type of leadership we love to have at Black Book. His new role expands into managing not only the creation of, but the maintenance and care for our products and data, which will enable Black Book to continue to innovate and ensure our customers remain on the cutting edge of the industry.”
Regarding Moritz, he said: “Susan has a strong background of leadership and a wealth of knowledge in almost all of the industry verticals Black Book serves. Since joining Black Book, she has built on the success we have had over the years, and instilled new processes around operational efficiency and customer interaction, which have helped us achieve even greater success. Her deep understanding of the automotive industry, and this new position gives Black Book’s customers greater access to both.”
Stellantis is making an executive move for its Chrysler brand. Christine Feuell, who was previously chief commercial officer at Honeywell Safety and Productivity Solutions, will become the new Chrysler brand CEO on Monday. .
The new Stellantis hire will report directly to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.
"Christine heading Chrysler is great news for Stellantis, and I'm convinced that she will play an integral and strategic role in setting the new impetus and direction for this iconic brand and unleash its great potential," said Tavares in a news release.
Stellantis outlined that Feuell comes with extensive experience in automotive, omni-channel supply chain automation systems and smart building technologies industries. She has also climbed the ladder and responsibilities within sales, marketing, product management and profit and loss leadership at Ford, Johnson Controls and Honeywell. According to Stellantis, the new Chrysler brand CEO coms with a "strong track record of delivering profitable growth through integrated products, software and services."
And her experience in building and developing advanced product, marketing and business model strategies will help the Chrysler brand to deliver "customer-centric insights and innovative solutions,"according to the press release.
In other news from Stellantis, SubPrime Auto Finance News reported earlier this month, the automaker has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire F1 Holdings Corp., parent company to First Investors Financial Services Group, a leading independent auto finance company that specializes in the subprime market.
Right after announcing a decision involving dividends, Penske Automotive Group promoted one of its executives who likely is quite involved with the execution of those funds going to shareholders among many other decisions for the company’s finances.
This week, Penske said Michelle (Shelley) Hulgrave, the company’s senior vice president and corporate controller, has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer. According to a news release, the promotion is effective on June 1.
Hulgrave will replace J.D. Carlson, who is retiring effective June 1 from his role as executive vice president and chief financial officer.
Penske recapped that Hulgrave joined the company in 2006 as corporate accounting manager, was promoted to vice president and corporate controller in 2015 and was promoted again to senior vice president in February 2020.
Prior to joining Penske, Hulgrave held various positions for DaimlerChrysler Financial and Ernst & Young.
“Ms. Hulgrave has a strong operational and technical background in finance and accounting and her experience and tenure with the Penske Automotive organization will help maintain the integrity and discipline of our worldwide financial operations, and provide a solid foundation for success,” the company said in the news release.
The company also announced another executive move this week as Penske promoted Aaron Michael to executive vice president of financial services and global risk management while continuing as treasurer.
Michael has served as Penske’s senior vice president of financial services since 2014 and has been the company’s treasurer since 2006.
In this role, Penske explained Michael will continue to manage the company’s capital structure, relationships with lending partners and real estate portfolio. He is also assuming the additional responsibility of oversight for the company’s risk management function.
From 2001 through 2006, Michael was employed by Penske in various finance and treasury roles. Prior to working with Penske, Michael was a commercial lender for Comerica Bank.
“Mr. Michael has been instrumental in reducing the company’s leverage and optimizing its capital structure during the challenging pandemic year,” Penske said.
