Richard Macdonald is the founder of RPM Solutions. Richard provides consulting, training and coaching services to new-car franchise stores to help them maximize their used-car department profits. For more information, contact Richard at 416-894-1475 or richard@rpmsolutions.ca.
Dale Pollak is the founder of vAuto. These entries and Pollak’s entire blog can be found at www.dalepollak.com.
Cathie Clark is the director of Automotive Insider Consulting. Over twenty years of experience in dealerships and proven performance in brand enhancement give Clark a framework for developing automotive brands.
Kevin Gordon is an international speaker and thought leader in the automotive industry, regularly speaking at conferences across North America. Kevin co-founded Convertus, a digital marketing solutions provider for dealers. Learn more at Convertus.com.
R.L. “Bud” Abraham is president of DETAIL PLUS Car Appearance Systems and has been involved in the carwash and auto industries for nearly 30 years as a consultant, manufacturer and operator. He has served on industry association boards and is presently executive director of the International Detail Association. He lectures and consults on auto detailing and car care throughout the world.
Paul Potratz is the chief operating officer of Potratz Advertising, headquartered in Schenectady, N.Y. Potratz is a full service automotive advertising agency that specializes in integrating the power of digital marketing strategies for retail automotive dealers and dealer groups across the United States.
Kathi Kruse is an automotive social media expert, blogger, speaker, coach, author and founder of Kruse Control Inc. Born in the heart of Los Angeles to a family of “car people,” Kathi’s passion for the car business spans a 30-year career managing successful dealerships in Southern California. Kathi is co-author of the book Next Up – Essential Social Media Strategies for Auto Dealerships. Her Kruse Control Blog is the leading Automotive Social Media blog in the U.S.
Kraig began his car industry career in 1980 and has worked with Chevrolet, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Subaru franchises in the Northwest. In 1989, he graduated from the NADA dealer academy with expertise in marketing, used car buying and dealership management. A creative and relevant thinker, Kraig developed an internal web hosting and design company, hosting 32 business sites. In 1993, BayFord.com was one of the first auto dealers to launch into cyberspace. As a used car buyer, Kraig began to slow his travel to live auctions in exchange for online auctions eight years ago. He is now buying 100 percent of his used inventory online. Kraig and his wife, Staci, live in Gig Harbor, Washington, with his bass guitars, a dog named Maggie, a cat named Miley, and the remaining two of five daughters.
