The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association found its new chief executive officer in another part of the Lone Star State.
The NIADA board of directors selected Jeff Martin, the executive director of the Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association, to lead the 75-year-old dealer-driven association.
According to a news release distributed on Monday morning, Martin will be starting his new role on March 20.
“Jeff is absolutely the right person to carry us forward,” said Scott Allen, president of the NIADA board of directors. “In our search for a CEO, we explored our options, and there was one particular person who checked all the boxes. Jeff has a servant’s heart, is full of integrity and has empathy for our community and industry.”
Martin has more than 20 years of experience working in the association industry, including serving as the executive director of TIADA since 2006. He’s helped TIADA grow its annual budget from $630,000 to more than $2 million and increased membership from 850 to nearly 1,300.
Martin started his career as a field representative with the Association of Texas Professional Educators, rising to director of member services and helping the association grow from 65,000 to 107,000 members.
“I could not be more excited to join NIADA,” Martin said. “There is a very talented, professional and dedicated group already at NIADA, and I can’t wait to be a part of that team. I look forward to working with the dealers, industry partners, staff and state executives to build the association they all deserve.”
Since mid-December, Melanie Wilson has served as NIADA’s interim CEO. She previously was the CFO for the association.
“I want to applaud Melanie and the entire NIADA staff for their professionalism and focus during this interim,” Allen said. “I look forward to seeing what the NAIDA team will accomplish moving forward.”
Coinciding with the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association and Buckeye Dealership Consulting announcing an integration of the NIADA 20 Groups with Buckeye’s Dealer Performance Groups, NIADA is welcoming back one of its previous moderators.
According to another announcement from NIADA, David Brotherton is back with the association, having worked with NIADA prior to June 2021.
“To me, this merger represents an opportunity to prove to everyone that we are in fact, better together,” Brotherton said. “This merger shows a renewed commitment to the buy-here, pay-here industry that dealers need to see, as well as bringing additional resources, infrastructure, and vigor and enthusiasm for the 20 group model to help all of our dealers grow and thrive, both retail and buy-here, pay-here.”
Brotherton began his professional career in small loan lending and collections before moving to mortgage lending. In 2000, joined the BHPHP industry, spending 12 years in the Byrider system before becoming a consultant and 20 Group moderator for the Leedom Group and NIADA.
“We are lucky to have David rejoin NIADA as a Senior 20 Group moderator,” said Jeremy Beck, NIADA vice president of dealer development. “David was instrumental in developing the Dealer Performance Groups program, including their composites. Adding his knowledge and experience to our program enhances what we already have with our current team of moderators.
“Our vision to grow and innovate our program takes a significant leap forward with David and Dealer Performance Groups integrating into our program. Together, we truly are better for our industry and our dealers,” Beck went on to say.
NextGear Capital closed the opening month of the new year by announcing the promotion of three individuals from Cox Automotive to fill key roles on its client-facing team. The moves are aimed strengthen its partnerships and further its commitment to independent dealer success.
The three executive promotions include:
• Kali Gipson joins NextGear Capital’s sales team as a regional sales director. He started at Cox in 2013 and spent the last seven years at Manheim Houston where he led the dealer sales team.
• Lori Shaw has been promoted to portfolio director. She joined NextGear Capital in 2013, working primarily in risk management. Most recently, she served as portfolio manager for the Virginia Beach territory.
• Tracy Warner has also been promoted to portfolio director. With a background in banking, Warner joined NextGear Capital in 2012 as a portfolio manager in Syracuse, N.Y., where she co-created the field chapter of Women with Drive, a national networking group that serves the automotive space by supporting women to pursue careers in the motor industry.
“Our people are the key to our success, and I could not be more excited about these team members stepping into new roles that serve our valued clients,” NextGear Capital president Scott Maybee said in a news release.
“These leaders bring a proven track record of success to NextGear Capital and Cox Automotive, and I know they will help us develop even stronger relationships that will help drive mutual success,” Maybee went on to say.
Cox Automotive is shifting one of its auction general managers into an executive role with its floorplan provider.
On Tuesday, NextGear Capital appointed former Manheim general manager Nicole Graham-Ponce as vice president of portfolio management, following the recent appointment of former Manheim regional sales manager Kyle Ballinger as associate vice president of NextGear Capital sales.
In her new role, the company said Graham-Ponce will set the strategic vision for how the portfolio management team supports and empowers clients to grow their business and maximize their success.
Graham-Ponce joined Cox Automotive in 1998. She quickly progressed in roles of increasing responsibility with Manheim, leading operational and sales teams in positions that included general sales manager, dealer sales manager and assistant general manager.
In these roles, she led organizational development, directed operational activities, increased revenue and implemented efficiency improvements. Since 2012, Graham-Ponce has served as general manager of Manheim Dallas-Fort Worth, achieving significant gains in revenue, employee development and customer service efficiency.
Graham-Ponce currently serves as president of the National Auto Auction Association’s Western Chapter and was recognized as a Women in Remarketing honoree by Auto Remarketing in 2018.
“I have known Nicole for many years and I’m excited to add her to our leadership team,” NextGear Capital president Scott Maybee said. “Her understanding of independent dealers and their needs, along with her experience leading large teams and the partnership success she’s achieved, will be invaluable assets to our team.”
Earlier this month, Douglas Campbell became president of America’s Car-Mart.
This week, the buy-here, pay-here dealership chain by naming two more leading executives, filling the newly formed role as director of acquisitions as well as picking a chief digital officer.
In the first of separate news releases, Car-Mart announced that as part of an acquisition made two years ago, Steve Taylor will transition into that new position as the company looks to expand.
“Acquisitions of well-managed dealerships provide significant growth opportunities for America’s Car-Mart. Steve Taylor has been an outstanding operator in our industry for over 25 years. After helping us complete the March 2020 acquisition of his company, Taylor Motors, Steve will be moving to this new role leading Car-Mart’s acquisitions strategy,” Car-Mart chief executive officer Jeff Williams said in a news release.
“Steve will leverage his extensive industry knowledge and his long-established relationships with strong operators and help us expand our footprint. We are truly fortunate to have Steve leading the charge,” Williams continued.
Taylor described what it’s been like for him and his dealership since becoming part of the Car-Mart network.
“Exit strategies have always been a challenge for dealers in our industry. The acquisition of my company by America's Car-Mart has been a very positive experience for my team here in Illinois,” Taylor said.
“As an acquired dealer myself, I’m in a unique position to talk to other dealers and share my personal experiences. I’m excited to start talking to good operators who are interested in hearing about exit options that may exist for them as we continue to expand the Car-Mart brand.”
Williams then elaborated about the opportunities Car-Mart might to make similar moves.
“We expect acquisitions to continue to generate outstanding returns for our shareholders, an exit strategy for owner-operators and future growth opportunities for their associates. In every town where we operate, customers are largely accessing credit through three different avenues: first, from used car dealers who provide indirect financing via third party finance companies, second, from regional ‘buy-here-pay-here’ companies, and third, from smaller owner-operated dealerships,” Williams said.
“In our markets, the best competitors have generally been a subset of the owner-operated dealerships — those operated by individuals who have chosen not to borrow excessively, focus on getting a sound automobile to their customers on reasonable terms, and provide both friendly service and disciplined collections. We believe we have developed a successful acquisition template which works for both parties,” he went on to say.
And in other company news, Car-Mart also welcomed the addition of Holly Thomson as chief digital officer, bringing a vast banking background to the position.
Car-Mart noted that Thomson joins the company with more than 20 years of experience in financial services, having led large digital transformation initiatives in successive leadership roles.
Most recently, Thomson was senior vice president of digital product and strategy at Wells Fargo, responsible for direct-to-consumer products and customer offers.
Prior to Wells Fargo, Thomson held several senior leadership roles at Ally Bank, including senior director of auto and dealer financial services, managing the digital experience for millions of customers and thousands of dealers across the country.
Car-Mart also highlighted Thomson also played an instrumental part in building an award-winning user experience (UX) team that launched Ally Bank in 2009 and directly led the UX creative team that won a Forrester “Outside In” Award in 2013 for the design of Ally’s Mobile Banking App.
“I am honored and excited to join such a talented group of industry leaders and professionals at America's Car-Mart,” Thomson said in the other news release. “Their passion for delivering the best customer and associate experience is as impressive as the line-up of digital initiatives the team currently has underway to become the best integrated auto sales and finance company.”
Like what he did on the acquisition front, Williams elaborated about what bringing Thomson to Car-Mart’s executive team could do for the company’s technology offerings.
“Opportunities in the digital and data areas of our business are enormous and Holly Thomson will be a critically important leader for America’s Car-Mart. Her broad and extensive Automotive Industry experience together with her strong team-oriented approach will allow us to maximize important growth initiatives,” Williams said.
“Holly will drive the completion and roll-out of our new Loan Origination System (LOS). The LOS will improve our customer experience by providing enhanced on-line pre-approvals for financing, allowing us to increase the funnel of potential customers to our dealerships. She will also be instrumental in our initiatives around the utilization of data in all areas of our business. Holly is a fantastic addition to our team,” Williams went on to say.
Douglas Campbell possesses significant used-car experience at franchised stores as well as remarketing vehicles after they’ve been in a rental car fleet.
Now Campbell is about to embark on a professional chapter within another part of the used-vehicle market — the buy-here, pay-here space.
America’s Car-Mart announced on Monday that Campbell will serve as the company’s president effective on Oct. 3.
“Doug’s 25 years of marked successes in the automotive industry will bring new perspective to our ever-evolving work to better serve customers and communities,” Car-Mart chief executive officer Jeff Williams said in a news release. “In this current environment, outside perspective is invaluable to overcoming key challenges as we evolve our business as an integrated sales and finance company.
“We are delighted to add a leader of Doug’s caliber to our dedicated executive team, and we look forward to the impact that he will have on our efforts around product, capitalizing on significant market growth opportunities in the coming years,” Williams continued.
Car-Mart highlighted Campbell brings extensive industry and automotive experience, enhancing its executive team with his leadership skillset.
Campbell spent 15 years at Coral Springs Auto Mall, where he progressed quickly from finance manager to increasing leadership responsibilities, eventually serving as executive general manager over several franchised operations and the group’s pre-owned superstore in 2014.
Campbell then joined AutoNation as the used vehicle director for the Eastern region with responsibility for three markets and multiple dealerships in Florida, piloting innovative national programs for vehicle disposal and acquisition. He moved to a new territory as general manager of AutoNation Honda Dulles where his team was recognized as being among the top AutoNation Honda dealerships nationally for sales and service experience.
Most recently, Campbell has been with Avis Budget Group serving first as vice president of remarketing for the Americas, where he was responsible for the company’s wholesale and factory program disposals. He was charged with the strategic growth of their direct-to-consumer initiative where he opened multiple retail locations and developed an online direct sales platform. He and his team helped build a new business-to-business website for vehicle disposals.
In 2021, Campbell was promoted to head of fleet services for the Americas, with responsibility for both the company’s acquisition of new and used vehicles and its vehicle disposal strategy. Earlier this year, he was promoted to senior vice president and head of fleet services.
“I am honored to join the talented America’s Car-Mart leadership team as together we build on their more than four decades of achievements,” Campbell said. “Given all the change within automotive — from digitization to electrification — Car-Mart is uniquely positioned within the industry for growth within the communities they serve for years to come, regardless of the economic environment.
“Over the last 25 years, I have brought my passion for people and automotive to well-known brands, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to bring what I have learned to the Car-Mart team and their customers as we build for an exciting future,” he went on to say.
Editor's Note: A headline in the Auto Remarketing Today enewsletter incorrectly listed Cambpell's former employer as Hertz. The former employer was Avis Budget Group.
The process pf searching for and interviewing candidates took three months, but the Florida Independent Automobile Dealers Association (FIADA) board of directors is giving full support to its new executive director who previously served the organization.
FIADA announced the appointment of Ejola Cook as its new executive director on Wednesday. Cook is an attorney and former chief administration officer of Off Lease Only, one of the largest independent retailers in the country, as well as a previous member of the FIADA board of directors.
Cook replaces Lisette Mariner, who resigned the position on Jan. 1.
“Ejola will be a huge asset to our association. Her previous roles as vice president and general counsel for Off Lease Only are going to bring so much value to independent dealers in Florida as we face new challenges,” FIADA president Jason March said in a news release.
“She has more than 17 years’ experience in the independent automotive retail industry. She understands every facet of dealership operations and the role our association plays in assisting dealers with their businesses," March continued.
Cook said she realizes the importance of strong leadership for the state’s independent dealers, especially during this period of rapid change and challenges facing independent dealers now and in the short term.
“We have seen how quickly dealers’ rights as business operators can quickly evaporate in recent years,” Cook said, “and we must make sure state and local legislators understand we will protect those rights. We must be sure they understand the value of services we provide.”
She added that the association should and must play a key role in adding value to its members and the industry as a whole in Florida.
“We must focus on the basics like increasing membership,” Cook said, “but we must also assist in bringing together our members with vendors that can provide vital services such as financing, floorplans, capital, tech, as well as accounting and legal services.”
March said that providing the host of services FIADA members have come to rely on and being a source of timely, accurate information is vital but without members to serve, there is no point.
“We must make sure the rights of the independent dealer are not so easily swept away as they were during the pandemic,” March said. “As important as industry education and training are for our members, we’re going to intensify our focus on lobbying, legal efforts, and developing close relationships with those who oversee our industry.”
Cook also is the founder of E Cook Consulting, a trade association consultancy, and will bring her staff members Ashley Eggers and Elizabeth O’Malley to assist her and FIADA’s day-to-day operations.
“Ejola is no stranger to going up against large and powerful entities,” March said. “She is an excellent negotiator and has proven throughout her career that she can achieve mutually beneficial compromises.”
At the outset, Cook will, at the direction of the board, streamline association operations and get the maximum efficiency from existing and available resources for FIADA members.
Cook said her years working closely with dealers and her time spent on the FIADA board of directors gives her a unique perspective on the needs, both short- and long-term, for the independent retailer in Florida.
“There are numerous challenges facing retailers — legal, regulatory, economic — and our job is to ensure a strong and lasting future for our members,” she said.
Kinetic Advantage promoted two of its executives to be senior vice presidents in moves that became effective on May 1.
The floor plan provider announced this week that Will Chandler was given the role of senior vice president of sales and operations, while Jennifer Davis-Fink was elevated to senior vice president of IT portfolio management.
Kinetic Advantage highlighted that Chandler will guide the growth and success of the field sales and operations teams and align them under a unified strategy to propel the growth of the company’s dealer partners.
Chandler enjoyed success as a leader within the organization in his previous roles as a regional vice president of field operations, and most recently as the vice president of field operations.
The company said that Chandler has a wealth of industry knowledge and experience “and his strength lies in his ability to skillfully negotiate and interact with partners, as well as lead large field teams.”
Chandler previously served as the vice president of financial solutions for NextGear Capital before joining Kinetic.
“I am so excited to see Kinetic Advantage continue to build on the momentum we have created in the marketplace,” Chandler said before elaborating what makes his work meaningful.
“It really is all about building a positive experience for our dealer partners,” he continued. “Aligning our dealer-facing teams is critical to providing our dealers with a first-class enrollment and floor planning experience.”
Now as as senior vice president of IT Portfolio Management, Davis-Fink will lead software engineering through innovative, strategic and tactical projects.
Davis-Fink has been with Kinetic since the business was founded and led the product/project management and software teams as the vice president of IT portfolio management.
“Her career journey has provided her with valuable expertise that has helped Kinetic Advantage since the business’s conception,” the company said while highlighting that Davis-Fink has extensive industry experience having served as the director of project management for NextGear Capital and director of IT-auction services group at ADESA.
“I am honored to help direct top-notch and dedicated Software Engineering and Product teams at Kinetic as we are focused on delivering a world-class experience for our dealer and auction partners,” Davis-Fink said. “The investments that Kinetic is making in technology reflect Kinetic’s goal to help our dealer partners succeed.”
Buckeye Dealership Consulting welcomed its newest teammate this week.
The provider of reinsurance services, education and consulting, and performance groups for independent dealers named Stephen Carter as a new sales representative.
Buckeye said through a news release that Carter will work closely with independent dealers across the country, with a primary focus on dealers in Texas and surrounding states.
Carter will also attend industry events tailored to the used-vehicle industry.
“Stephen brings a deep well of knowledge and expertise to our team,” Buckeye executive vice president Shaun Petersen said in the news release. “He understands the nuances buy-here, pay-here dealers face in running their businesses and is uniquely able to assist them in maximizing the benefits of a custom reinsurance program.”
Carter has nearly a decade’s worth of experience as a licensed insurance agent, helping clients protect assets and manage claims. He has also worked as a senior sales executive with a payment kiosk technology firm serving BHPH dealers and municipal entities.
“I am honored to join the dedicated staff of professionals at Buckeye Dealership Consulting,” Carter said. “The company’s products and services mesh well with my sales and insurance expertise, and its focus on customer satisfaction is second to none. I look forward to putting my experience to work for such a great company.”
An executive who spent more than 10 years at AmeriCredit and GM Financial now is part of the executive team at Agora Data.
The company that offers crowdsourced securitizations, reducing interest rate lines of credit and a technology platform supplying book value of paper for the subprime auto finance industry hired auto finance veteran Brett Beebe as senior vice president and head of corporate business development.
Agora Data said through a news release on Monday that Beebe will leverage his vast industry experience to expand Agora’s reach through joint ventures and other strategic partnerships.
“As Agora grows, we seek to identify, partner with, and, in some cases, acquire companies that complement our mission of enabling independent dealers to maximize their growth potential,” Agora Data chief executive officer Steve Burke said in the news release. “Brett is the ideal person to lead this charge. He knows how to create win-win relationships between dealers, consumers, and the industry.”
After being in sales and business development leadership roles at AmeriCredit and GM Financial, Beebe later held multiple senior leadership positions — including president and chief operating officer — at DriverUp, an online auto finance marketplace.
Agora welcomes Beebe’s deep industry knowledge and track record at a fintech start-up.
“Agora has already surpassed many significant milestones while providing attractive funding solutions and in-depth portfolio analytics to independent dealers and finance companies,” Beebe said.
“The next logical step is to expand the company’s strategic partnerships and joint venture opportunities,” he continued. “It’s time to level the playing field for even more dealers and positively transform the auto industry.”
