In a key complement to our Women in Remarketing and Women in Auto Finance franchises, Auto Remarketing is proud to celebrate our second annual Women in Retail awards, a program sponsored by CarGurus.

With these awards, we specifically recognize leaders on the retail side of the auto industry, including honorees from dealerships, dealer groups and third-party providers/vendors.

We spotlight these honorees in the Oct. 15 issue of Auto Remarketing, which includes Q&As with each recipient of the award. First up is Thuy Adomitis, who is  senior director of dealer solutions at TrueCar Inc.

Auto Remarketing: What was your path to working in automotive, and what do you enjoy most about the industry?
Thuy Adomitis: It was purely by accident; I definitely did not see myself in this line of work. In early 2000, I moved from Michigan to LA after getting married and needed to buy a car. This was the first time I didn’t use an OEM employee program; both my parents retired from GM and one of my brothers worked for Ford.

My husband decided he wanted a Toyota pick-up truck so off to the dealership we went. From start to finish, it took 12 hours to complete the transaction. I was exhausted mentally and physically, and thought there’s got to be a better way.

The next day, I jumped on the internet and found CarsDirect; this was also when I found out we way overpaid. After playing around on their site, I noticed they were hiring and applied. I ended up staying for nearly 10 years, learning everything I could early on about the car business and the digital aspect. I transitioned to the vendor side of the business in 2010 and have been with TrueCar ever since.

AR: What’s a typical day like in your job? (if there is such a thing as “typical!)
TA: As a wife and working mom, I have three jobs. My days start usually around 5 a.m. I set priorities and objectives for each job and ensure I dedicate enough time to each to optimize performance, either by my field team or my kids.

My Zoom meetings start at 9 a.m., and run solid through lunchtime. I dedicate 45 minutes to prepare lunch and eat with my husband and kids; this helps me reconnect with them and keep my kids on task with virtual school. The remainder of the afternoon is dedicated to my team or connecting with our dealer partners.

AR: What is a book you have read that has influenced or helped your career?
TA: I guess you could say book(s):

‘Who Moved My Cheese’ by Spencer Johnson
‘Dare to Lead’ by Brene Brown
‘Presence’ by Amy Cuddy
‘Lean In’ by Sheryl Sandberg
‘Drive’ by Daniel H. Pink

AR: What accomplishment or moment in your career are you most proud of?
TA: Winning presidents club twice in the last three years.

AR: What do you enjoy most about working in the auto industry?
TA: They say this is a people business; I get to talk to some of the most dynamic folks daily. I never feel like I’m working, but more like I’m hanging out with my friends and helping them grow their business.

AR: What advice would you have for someone just starting out in retail automotive?
TA: To be courageous; to get comfortable being uncomfortable. To push beyond your limits. Keep yourself accountable; in the end you are responsible for your career and growth.