Kia Canada Inc. revealed today it has appointed a new president and chief executive officer.
Chosen for the role is Min Kun Kim, who brings over 28 years of experience to his new position, including a variety of job responsibilities within both Kia Motors Corp. and Hyundai Motor Co.
"I am excited to return to Canada for the second time in my career while also having the opportunity to lead Kia Canada in this new capacity," said Kim
"Kia Canada has made tremendous gains in the Canadian market over the last 15 years and I am looking forward assisting in further growth as we progress into the future,” he continued.
And this isn’t the first time Kim has worked in the Canadian market.
For more than five years, Kim served as deputy general manager at Hyundai Auto Canada in Toronto, starting in 1995.
His most recent position was with Kia Motors America in Irvine Calif., where he served as chief executive coordinator starting in July 2012.
Prior to that, Mr. Kim served as president for the Middle East and Africa Region for Kia Motors Corp. in 2012.
Additionally, Kim served as president and CEO for Kia Motors Australia in 2010, the company shared.
Kia Canada is one of the patron sponsors of the 2014 Auto Remarketing Canada conference. See here to register for the upcoming event: https://www.signup4.net/Public/ap.aspx?EID=ARC212E/.
For more information, see http://www.kia.ca/.
Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. announced its choice for its very first chief operating office, hiring an industry veteran for the job.
Donald Romano brings over 29 years of experience in the automotive industry to the role of COO.
The company explained the newly-created position of COO “underlines Hyundai Auto Canada's recent growth in the market and is a demonstration of its ability to invest in key talent to fuel further development.”
In his new role, Romano’s key responsibilities will be sales, marketing, parts, service, product and strategic planning, and public relations.
He will report to Steve Kelleher, president and chief executive officer.
Commenting on his news, Kelleher said, “I'm delighted that Don has agreed to join us at Hyundai and I'm eager to work with him to grow our business. Sales of Hyundai vehicles have doubled in the last ten years, and our employee headcount has grown by 54 percent over the same time period. Effectively, we've grown to the point where we need additional C-level leadership.
“As I look to the future of our company, and the amazing new products that will be coming with it, Don has the opportunity to shape and nurture the Hyundai organization as it enters the next phase of its development,” he continued.
The new hire began his career in 1985 with Nissan North America as the company’s corporate product marketing manager.
Romano went on to join Mazda Motor Corp. in 2000, starting as a national brand manager. He became the managing director and president of Mazda Canada in 2006. And in 2010, his responsibilities at Mazda expanded with the added title of chief marketing officer.
In 2012, Romano became the senior managing director and chief marketing officer with ALJ International, his most recent position prior to Hyundai.
“I'm truly looking forward to becoming a member of the team at Hyundai,” said Romano. “Through the course of my career I have watched with great interest as the Hyundai business has grown to become a dominant player both in Canada and around the world. They have been —and still are — a fierce competitor with world-class products, so it's a real honor for me to become a part of this great, fast-paced, well-respected organization.”
Fleet services provider ARI announced two new executive appointments this week.
Rick Tousaw has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager of ARI Canada.
And Craig Balfour has been promoted to vice president of sales for ARI Canada.
Commenting on the new appointments, executive vice president of global operations Chris Conroy said, “We’re incredibly pleased to have Rick and Craig stepping into these new roles.
“I think both have already demonstrated that they will bring exceptional expertise and an experienced perspective to bear on behalf of ARI Canada, and I am looking forward to working with them and continuing to deliver unique, customized fleet solutions to all of our customers,” he added.
Tousaw, who most recently served as VP of sales and marketing for ARI Canada, is now responsible for all of ARI Canada’s operations, which included director oversight and support for the new North American operational team, ARI explained.
Tousaw, who joined ARI Canada in 2010 as the VP of operations, will report to Conroy.
In his first role, he was responsible for managing ARI Canada’s contact center and for supporting client retention initiatives and sales efforts.
“He also successfully developed and established industry leading strategies in a variety of areas including vendor relations, systems development and reporting, vehicle remarketing and new product development,” ARI officials reported.
Prior to joining ARI, Tousaw held key positions with several leading corporations, including Unilever, Ocean Spray and Molson Coors, where he served as area vice president.
Balfour, the new VP of sales for ARI Canada is responsible for the sales team and all sales related activities in Canada and will report to Tousaw.
Balfour joined ARI Canada in December 2012 as the director of sales development.
Balfour has extensive sales and operations experience, working first with Quaker Oats and then with Molson Coors for a decade in a variety of strategic business roles, including director of customer marketing strategy and revenue and vice president of logistics.
CarProof Vehicle History Reports announced this week it has made a hire in a brand new position: director of financial planning and analysis.
Chosen for the role is Alison Doyle, who will be responsible for analyzing company and market data to create "actionable insights," the company said.
Doyle will also work to build operating plans and track their progress.
She will be working closely with CarProof’s finance and executive teams while exploring new business opportunities.
"We are ecstatic to have Alison join our team," said Drew Forret, chief financial officer and chief operating officer at CarProof.
"Alison's experience in financial planning and analysis will play an integral part in the future growth of CarProof. We are confident that Alison's strategic business planning and forecasting abilities will enable us to identify new ways to grow and expand the brand."
Doyle has more than a decade of experience in financial analysis, forecasting and budgeting in the telecommunications industry, most recently from her time at BlackBerry.
She has served in the roles of business manager, budget and planning manager, corporate financial analyst and director of planning and analysis.
"I'm thrilled to be joining CarProof because of the incredible business potential that lies ahead," said Doyle. "I look forward to working with the team to explore these opportunities as the company expands into new markets and offers exciting new products and services."
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Manheim Canada announced this week it has chosen a new director of commercial accounts.
Joining the company’s leadership team is Steve Coulman, effective this coming Monday.
Commenting on the hire, Russ Stegall, executive director of Manheim customer management, said, “We’re very pleased to have Steve on board.
“He brings a valuable customer perspective to the role, and a great depth of knowledge about the business. He’s served on our Manheim Canada Client Advisory Board, and even has some Manheim auction experience. His background will be a great benefit to our customers and our company,” he said.
In his new position, Manheim Canada explained, Coulman will focus on the needs and opportunities of “key” remarketers in Canada.
He will be responsible for developing strategic relationships with new customers as well as continuing to enhance the experience of existing customers.
Coulman will be replacing Don Wallace, who previously led the company’s efforts in this area.
Wallace was recently made general manager of Manheim Toronto.
Coulman most recently served as national remarketing manager for BMW Group Financial Services Canada.
His experience also includes senior operations manager for Ford Remarketing Operations Center, among other business solution-oriented roles in the automotive industry.
Manheim Toronto announced a new hire this week.
Tapped for the position of general manager is Don Wallace.
In his new role as GM, Wallace will be responsible for all business operations at Manheim’s Canadian flagship location, the company reported.
Wallace has worked with Manheim Canada for two years now, leading e-business and product development for the company. In his most recent role, he served as director of national accounts.
“Don has been instrumental in enhancing our customers’ experience in Canada,” said Jerry Tassone, Manheim’s vice president of Northeast operations. “His efforts have helped to expand our product offerings and our customer opportunities, including operations in the West. I have no doubt he’ll apply the same energy and enthusiasm in his new role.”
Before joining Manheim, Wallace spent more than 20 years with Chrysler Financial Services.
Commenting on his new role as GM, Wallace said, “I have the advantage of already knowing that we have a great group of employees and customers at Manheim Toronto.
“I’m happy for the chance to build on such a solid foundation. The auction is where it all comes together for employees, customers, vehicles, technology, products and processes. I’m excited to have the opportunity to have a positive impact where the rubber meets the road,” he continued.
Dealertrack Technologies announced it has appointed a new head to its Canadian operations.
Named to the position of vice president and general manager of Dealertrack Canada is Michael McCarthy.
The new hire has an extensive background in financial services.
McCarthy is joining the company from Davis & Henderson, where he was vice president for lending services and, most recently, product commercialization, the company shared.
Prior to his latest position, McCarthy worked in a variety of positions for Scotiabank, including time as chief operating officer for their automotive leasing and fleet management subsidiary, and vice president of strategy for Scotia’s Global Transaction Banking Group.
“Michael McCarthy’s extensive management experience will help us to better position our Canadian operations for future growth and expansion, while continuing to deliver a high-level of service and support to our Canadian dealers and lenders,” said Michael Collins, vice president, lender finance solutions and Canadian operations, Dealertrack Technologies.
“We are fortunate to have such a dynamic, impactful and experienced leader joining us to direct our Canadian team and operations.”
Dealer Auction Picks New Operations Manager in Canada
In other news announced this week, Dealer Auction Ltd. — an affiliate of Manheim — has made a new hire to manage Canadian dealer-to-dealer digital sales platform, Dealer-Auction.ca.
Chosen to support franchised dealers who choose to conduct business directly with each other as operations manager in Canada is Gareth Walker.
Walker, who brings 22 years of auto industry with him into his new position, joined Dealer Auction in the U.K. two years ago as a business development manager
His background includes a range of sales and management roles at the dealership level, and 10 years in management with Close Motor Finance, a dedicated auto finance company, officials shared.
“This is a great opportunity to bring something to dealers in Canada that has proven to be a financial benefit to both buyers and sellers in the U.K.,” Walker said.
“Getting the right team in place is vital to the success of Dealer-Auction.ca and our customers,” said Clive Colyer, managing director. “I’m confident that Gareth’s industry knowledge and professionalism will prove invaluable as we grow this business in Canada.”
The move was made to make it easier for dealers to do business with each other and find vehicle inventory, as used supply remains tight in the Canadian Marketplace.
This tight supply trend is showing itself in the lanes, as prices rose in the lanes this summer.
In June, the ADESA Canada Used Vehicle Price Index was up after being adjusted for seasonality. Wholesale prices rose on average by about 0.2 percent month-over-month in June.
The story was much the same in July, as the updated ADESA Canada Used Vehicle Price Index rose on average by about 0.1 percent from June.
Tools like Dealer-Auction.ca offers dealers an alternative to traditional physical auction channels.
The Automotive Industries Association of Canada revealed a series of management changes this week — moves designed to better serve its members.
First up, AIA promoted Andrew Shepherd to senior director of industry programs and executive director of I-CAR Canada.
In his new role, Shepherd will be responsible for overseeing the I-CAR training program, direct AIA’s overall collision sector strategies, and manage all of AIA’s market research efforts in collaboration with the Market Research Committee.
AIA has also named a senior director of operations and finance and executive director of the Heavy Duty Distributor Council (HDDC). Promoted to the role is Therese Santostefano.
“HDDC recently renewed its management contract with AIA following a very successful inaugural year, and Therese will continue to assist the Board and be responsible for all activities of staff in relation to the day-to-day management of HDDC,” the organization reported.
Additionally, the will continue to oversee all of AIA’s operational and financial activities.
In light of ramped up government relations, AIA has also restructured its policy and communications team.
As of Oct. 1, Jason Kerr will act as manager of government relations and “will focus all of his energy on building partnerships with all levels of government across the country, providing input to various policy working groups, and working on issues such as telematics, provincial inspection programs, and the Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS),” the association said.
Highlighting another change within the policy and communications team, Jennifer Stewart has been named manager of communications.
This is a new position for AIA, and Stewart will be responsible for all communications-related strategies, projects and programs on behalf of the association, starting Oct. 1.
Next up, Lisa Leblanc-Hébert has also been promoted to senior coordinator of membership and programs.
And lastly, in addition to her work as assistant to the president and chief executive officer, Didina Kyenge will now assume responsibility for the administration of AIA’s scholarships and the maintenance of committee, council, task force and division listings in AIA’s new CRM database, AIA said.
The Automotive Industries Association of Canada recently announced it has a new director of collision programs.
Appointed to the position is Leanne Jefferies, who brings experience in the operation of a collision repair facility, collision media editing and publication,youth programming and college liaison, according to AIA . Jefferies will also continue in her current role as director of the Canadian Collision Industry Forum Skills Program.
The association explained in her new post, Jefferies will “play a key role” in the organization and administration of the CCIF. This forum will be officially run by AIA starting in January.
The new hire will also work to integrate new and existing collision industry initiatives, “seamlessly tying CCIF to I-CAR Canada, devising and implementing recruitment and retention programs, developing marketing and communications tools and enhancing relations with Canadian colleges,” officials shared.
Commenting on the news, Marc Brazeau, president and chief executive officer of AIA Canada, said, “Leanne will be a tremendous addition to our collision team.
“Her knowledge and experience are second to none and her strong relationships with others in the industry are sure to be highly beneficial to our organization. We are very excited to have her join AIA and we look forward to very concrete growth in the quality and diversity of services we provide to the Canadian automotive aftermarket industry,” he continued.
