Stay tuned for our 2011 line up of speakers but in the meantime take a look out who spoke at 2010 CAR.
-Keynote Speakers-
Donald Foy
Executive Director
Manheim DRIVE Center
Donald Foy has spent a career in innovation. Before innovation was the buzz word for growth, Donald was developing products and implementing change for Landmark Publishing in the newspaper and targeted media business after leaving North Carolina State University in 1989.
He joined Cox Enterprises in 1992 and developed the preprint program at the Atlanta Journal Constitution. From there he has spent his career integrating technology into the automotive auction and remarketing business.
As program manager for manheim.com, Donald's team sold the first used car online through wholesale transaction in 1995. The next 10 years were spent on the continuous improvement of online buying and selling.
Donald became Director of Operations for Manheim's DRIVE Center in 2004, and was promoted to Executive Director in early 2006. The DRIVE Center is Manheim's primary window to future and in his role he guides the exploration of the future of dealer business and wholesale remarketing. He has the coolest job in the world.
In 2007, Donald became a member of the Advisory Board for Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Donald is also involved with Cox Enterprises’ committee for environmental sustainability, and at Manheim DRIVE has hosted events for the Henry County Chamber and Clean Cities Atlanta.
Bob Mulkey
Owner
Regal Car Sales and Credit
Mulkey, owner and president of Regal Car Sales and Credit, has more than 28 years’ experience in the used-car industry.
His career began following his graduation from the University of Missouri with a degree in hotel and restaurant management. After gaining a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, he made a bold career move and took a management position with a car dealership. During the first three years of his new career the dealership was named one of the top 100 service departments from more than 3,500 Buick dealerships nationwide.
Regal has seen similar results. Under Mulkey’s leadership it has grown into a highly reputable used-car dealer and financer with 11 locations in three states. Regal sells nearly 4,000 vehicles each year, bringing in annual revenues of nearly $40 million.
Mulkey has proven an innovative retailer devoted to treating customers with respect. This commitment has gained him not only their respect but also the respect of his peers. In 2007, the NIADA named Mulkey the National Quality Dealer of the Year and 2008 Leedom and Associates named him Buy Here-Pay Here Dealer of the Year.
Mulkey is also an active volunteer in the Tulsa community, which he has called home for over 28 years. He has served as a member of the All Saints Catholic School and the Oklahoma Independent Automobile Dealers Association boards.
Waldek Raczkowski
Residual Business Analyst
Revenue Modeling/Global Lifecycle Analytics Department (GLAD), Ford Motor Company
Waldek Raczkowski is an economist and member of Ford Motor Company's highly respected Global Lifecycle Analytics Department (better known as GLAD), where he assesses vehicle Cost of Ownership (CoO) and residual value issues for the company. In October of 2009, the entire GLAD department was proclaimed the 'New Whiz Kids' by the Detroit News for its trailblazing work in applying mathematical and econometric models to executive decision making and corporate governance at Ford. The 'Whiz Kids' is a reference to a group of 10 World War II Army Air Force mathematicians and statisticians who were hired by a then 29 year old Henry Ford II in dire need of help after he took over the Ford Motor Company from his ailing grandfather. The 'Whiz Kids', whose average age was just 30, are widely credited with saving the company by implementing sophisticated management control systems to govern the company, keep costs in line and review strategic progress.
Waldek was born and raised in Southeastern Michigan. He attended Wayne State University and the University of Michigan studying economics. He joined Ford Motor Company's North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations in January of 2001 as an analyst. Working his way through the Red Carpet Lease Department, Fleet Forecasting and Fleet Marketing he gained significant experience in the world of Fleet. Although he returned to economics in November of 2003, he is still deeply involved in Ford Fleet's Commercial Sales Operation supporting its staff analytically.
Waldek has been married for 17 years and is the father of 2 daughters. He is also a skilled angel investor involved in several successful non-automotive start-up ventures. This past January, Waldek served as commentator and contributor for several European media outlets during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Ed Tonkin
Chairman
National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
Ed Tonkin was born on November 1, 1954, in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Beaverton High School in 1972. Ed attended the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Ed graduated in 1976 with a degree in Business Administration with honors, graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma (top 5% of Business School Class).
After college Ed attended the University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington and graduated with a Juris Doctor of Law degree in 1979. He was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 1979. Ed practiced law with the firm of Black, Kendall, Tremaine, Boothe and Higgins in Portland, Oregon from 1979 through 1981. He began work full time at the Ron Tonkin Dealerships in 1981. Currently Ed is General Counsel and Vice President for the Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships.
Ed Tonkin has served as president of the Portland Oregon Auto Dealers Association in 1989. He has also served as president of Oregon Automobile Dealers Association in 1992 and was the Chairman of the Classic Wines Auction benefiting the Metropolitan Family Services in 1997. Ed has served on the Board of Portland Metropolitan Sports Authority, the Board of Directors for Metropolitan Family Services and Congregation Temple Beth Israel; he was also the co-chairman for the Jewish Federation Gala in 2000. Ed was a Board Member for United Way 2002 – 2004. Ed was a member of the Attorney Generals Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Task Force. Ed was recognized as one of Ward’s Dealer Business Magazine’s Dealer of the Year finalists for 2000, AIADA All-Star Dealer Award 2000 for customer, Industry and community service, a 2002 Time Magazine Dealer Award nominee and 2002 F&I Magazine F&I Dealer of the Year.
Ron Tonkin Dealerships is proud to have been named one of Oregon Business Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon”, for seven years in a row.
Currently, Ed is a member of the Oregon Automobile Dealers Association legislative committee. Ed is the Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association. He is the Director for the State of Oregon. Ed was a member of the Information Technology Committee, and a member of the Government Relations Committee as well as the Industry Relations Committee, serving General Motors for the Western Region. He served as Chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association Legal and Regulatory Affairs Committee for three years and was the Chairman of the Information Technology Committee in 2008.
Ed, together with his brother Brad, manages the Ron Tonkin Dealerships, employing 700 people with annual sales of more than $500,000,000. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon.
-Confirmed Speakers-
Rene Abdalah
Vice President
RVI Group
Mr. Abdalah is a Vice President at the RVI Group. In his current role, Mr. Abdalah is responsible for underwriting and risk management for all residual value insurance business in North America. He is also responsible for business and product development for RVI Analytical Services.
Rene’s area of expertise is in the analysis of the auto leasing market with particular focus on portfolio risk management; his extensive experience in residual risk management includes consulting with bank and captive lessors on appropriate reserve estimates, as well as residual setting practices.
Before joining RVI, he was a Principal at The Campbell Group in Boston, MA, and prior to this spent four years at Standard & Poor’s Global Automotive Group. Earlier in his career, he worked at World Omni’s residual risk group, and the Federal Reserve’s automotive group. Rene holds a B.A. degree in Mathematical Economics from Brown University.
Dave Alfonso
National Auction Sales Manager
Kia Motors America, Inc.
Dave Alfonso is the National Auction Sales Manager for Kia Motors America, and personally manages the auctions that conduct Kia Factory Auction sales in the Western U.S.
Dave has worked in the Auto Industry for 27 years, and in the Remarketing Industry for the past 16.
In 1990, he established and managed Mazda Motor America’s first ever Remarketing Program. During his tenure at Mazda, Dave conducted an in-depth study proving the many benefits that the Remarketing of Program Vehicles provides to its company’s dealers. While serving on an import manufacturers’ panel at the NAAA convention, he presented a portion of the study pertaining to the impact of Program Vehicles on dealer sales. Based on actual dealer data, dealerships that stocked and marketed Program Vehicles generated additional store traffic and showed a far larger increase in new car sales than dealerships that did not. It was the first time that such actual data was presented at the NAAA Convention and proved conclusively that contrary to manufacturers’ field management beliefs, Program Vehicles did not adversely affect the sale of new vehicles, but enhanced them.
In 1997, Dave established and staffed an in-house Fleet Sales and Remarketing Department for Kia Motors America, opening up sales to major car rental companies and developing a national auction sales base. He currently serves Kia as Auction Sales Manager.
Dave is an original International Automotive Remarketing Alliance Board Member and chairs its Recognition & Awards Committee.
For those who are not personally acquainted with Dave, he has been an avid racecar driver, and at age 60, came away with a second place season finish in the Southwest Championship Series driving his Lola T-492. He rides motorcycles at every opportunity, and boasts of his 40+ year marriage, two daughters and four grandchildren.
David Alyea
South/West US Wholesale Manager
Hertz Corporation
Dave is presently managing the vehicle asset liquidation process in the Southern and Western United States for the Hertz Corporation. He has been involved in the development and management of Hertz’s upstream sales process’s since early 2007. Dave is also presently the co-project manager of a new upstream vehicle liquidation process being implemented at Hertz locations nationwide.
Beginning his career with Hertz in Rental Operations at DFW Airport in Dallas, Texas in 1998, Dave has been involved in many differing aspects of the automotive business; including a successful stint as the Manufacturer Program Manager for Hertz in Dallas. Prior to being assigned to his present national sales position in early 2009, Dave managed the wholesale process in the company’s southern zone.
Previous to joining Hertz, Dave held various management positions with a major international law firm in Chicago and sales as well as regional director titles with a large real estate organization in California.
The father of two grown daughters and grandfather of three, Dave and his wife Beverly, live near Ft. Worth Texas.
David Angelicchio
President and Owner/General Manager
NAAA and Pittsburg Independent Auto Auction
Dave graduated from St. Vincent College in 1973, with a B.S. in Accounting, and began his professional career as a certified public accountant at Arthur Andersen & Co. in Houston, Texas. In 1978, he joined a publicly traded company, where he held various positions including President and CEO. In 1996 he returned to Pennsylvania and is currently Owner/General Manager of Pittsburgh Independent Auto Auction (formerly D-A Auto Auction). Dave is the President of the National Auto Auction Association.
Mike Antich
Editor and Associate Publisher
Automotive Fleet, Bobit Business Media
Mike Antich is the editor and associate publisher for Bobit Business Media’s (BBM) Automotive Fleet magazine as well serving as the editor for five other fleet-related BBM magazines. He is also the U.S. editor for Fleet Europe, a pan-European fleet management magazine headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. He is involved with a variety of fleet and remarketing industry associations, including the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA), where he serves as secretary on the board of directors and chairman of the IARA certification task force, president of the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA), and secretary of the NAFA Affiliates Committee and NAFA Foundation.
Todd August
Director, Wholesale Operations
Avis Budget Group
Todd August has been close to the Auction his whole career. Fresh out of college in 1982 Todd Auctioneered for 18 months before taking the position of Factory & Recon Manager at Manheim's High Point Auto Auction Two years later in 1985 he accepted the position of Western Car Sales Manager with Alamo Rent a Car stationed in Los Angeles. He became Director of Car Sales in 1990 and left Alamo to become the Wholesale Car Sales Manager at Avis in 1995 Todd currently serves as Director of Wholesale Operations for the Avis Budget Group. He holds a BA in Economics from Tufts University and resides in Annapolis, Maryland.
Jonathan Banks
Senior Director, Editorial and Data Services
NADA
Jonathan Banks manages NADA Used Car Guide’s data and editorial services, assuming primary responsibility for the accuracy of its used-vehicle valuations. He provides NADA’s customers with market outlook guidance based on comprehensive data collection and auto industry analysis to help them plan their business operations. Banks also serves as the company’s primary industry and media spokesperson. Prior to joining the NADA staff, Jonathan Banks worked for 13 years as a senior director and manager at Automotive Lease Guide (ALG). At ALG, he helped establish a series of successful initiatives to improve and streamline the use of used-vehicle market and pricing data to improve ALG’s forecasting model. In 2001, after receiving an MBA from Pepperdine University, Jonathan helped establish a formal consulting group at ALG and worked closely with dealer groups, OEMs and other clients to provide relevant market information and guidance tailored to their business needs. ALG’s consulting group ultimately provided guidance on over 70 percent of new-vehicle launches, and influenced pricing and volume decisions on key vehicles such as the Chrysler 300, Chevrolet Malibu and Jaguar XF.
Ricky Beggs
Vice President and Managing Editor
Black Book
Ricky has been a part of the Editorial Team at Black Book since 1981 and has been the Managing Editor since 1990. There have been many changes within the industry during this time including the number and type of products and services that are available, the amount of information to report and the format of the data provided. From printed only guides in 1955 to internet focused delivery today including almost all handheld and web browser applications, the customer can now have almost instant access to a complete source of automotive related data. The timeliness of information is extremely critical in today’s market and Black Book meets that need with DAILY updates.
Ricky oversees all covered markets within Editorial including the semi-monthly collectible and exotic market in the CPI Value Guide, the motorcycle, ATV, powersport and snowmobile market, RV Guide and class 4-8 trucks and commercial trailer guides. During the last year Ricky has provided a weekly market overview with the Beggs On The Used Car Market videos that are available on www.BlackBookUSA.com. You can follow him on Twitter @BeggsBlackBook.
Ricky enjoys college football, high school basketball, cool mountain streams, riding on two wheels and a couple of old cars from the 70s. He and his wife Vicki, both graduates of the University of Georgia, are the parents of two grown sons.
Sue Boehlke
Senior Vice President, Online Solutions and Technology
Manheim
Sue Boehlke is the Senior Vice President, Online Solutions & Technology for Manheim. In this role, Sue is responsible for Manheim's Online Solutions and Technology groups, including all aspects of OVE.com, Manheim.com and Simulcast.
Boehlke most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Online Solutions for Manheim. In this role, Boehlke oversaw the day-to-day operations of OVE.com, Manheim.com and Manheim Simulcast. Taken together, these three products form the largest wholesale vehicle marketplace in the industry.
Prior to that, Boehlke served as Chief Operating Officer of OVE.com. She joined OVE.com from AutoTrader.com, the Internet's leading auto classifieds web site, where she developed and lead strategies to mature the site's technology and process infrastructure and held a variety of roles. In her last position with AutoTrader.com, Boehlke acted as senior vice president of operations and was responsible for marketing, product management, initiative portfolio management and enterprise program management operations.
Boehlke's personal areas of expertise include strategy, planning, program management, vendor selection, IT management and IT best practices. She is a proven leader of technology and process transformation, as well as employee-oriented initiatives such as new hire orientations and career development programs.
Jeff Brasher
General Manager
Brashers Reno Auto Auction
Jeff Brasher is the G.M. of Brashers Reno Auto Auction. He worked in the auction business since his early teenage years in capacities ranging from a condition report writer, detailer, body & paint, sales rep, flooring and finance manager etc. He worked eight years in auction in Salt Lake City and then moved to Reno Nevada to run Brashers Reno Auto Auction. Brasher currently has auctions in Salt Lake City UT, Sacramento CA, Boise ID, Eugene OR, Portland OR, and Reno NV.
Steve Brewington
Director, Field Claims Operations
American National Property and Casualty Company
Steve Brewington is Director of Field Claims Operations for ANPAC and has racked-up 39 years of experience in the insurance industry in claims management and material damage. Steve has been with ANPAC for 7 years. Previously, he worked for USAA, The Hartford, American Family and Allstate.
Sherb Brown
Vice President and Group Publisher
Bobit Business Media, AutoGroup
Sherb Brown is vice president and group publisher for BBM’s AutoGroup. Sherb has covered the auto industry for more than 12 years in various positions with Bobit Business Media in Detroit and Los Angeles. Sherb is actively involved in several auto industry associations including the Automotive Fleet and Leasing Association (AFLA) and the American Car Rental Association. He has a BA from the University of Michigan and a juris doctorate from Case Western Reserve University.
Michael Bystrom
Vice President, Remarketing Operations-North America
Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
Mike Bystrom began his Enterprise career in the daily rental division in Chicago in 1991. After joining the company’s Remarketing team in Chicago, he held progressively responsible positions in western New York state and the New York City-New Jersey-Connecticut markets. Bystrom moved to Enterprise’s St. Louis headquarters in 2002 as Corporate Remarketing Manager for the north central operations and in 2004 was promoted to Assistant Vice President-Remarketing overseeing the same operations, a position he held until April 2008 when he was named Vice President of Remarketing Operations for North America.
Jay Cadigan
Regional Vice President, Operations
Manheim
Jay Cadigan is Regional Vice President of Operations, Florida Region for Manheim. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day activities of 11 operating locations in the state, as well as six locations in the Southwest and Puerto Rico.
From 2004 to 2006, he was vice president of sales and operations for the General Motors account for Manheim. Prior to this role, Cadigan served as general manager of Skyline Auto Auction in Fairfield, New Jersey. His 11 years in this position also included being general manager of the Port Newark facility.
Cadigan brings 32 years of diversified remarketing experience to his role.
Cadigan began his automotive career at a car dealership during college. After college, he became Director of used car sales for AVIS. Seven years later, he moved to Hertz Car Sales as the national retail manager. From there, he became Vice President of Car Sales for U.S. Fleet Leasing. Three years later, he became the assistant general manager of Golden Gate Auto Auction where he served for four years before moving to Skyline.
Cadigan currently serves as president-elect of the National Auto Auction Association (NAAA). In addition to this role, Cadigan serves on the NAAA’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He is also a past President of the Eastern Auto Auction Association.
He received his B.A. degree in Management from St. Mary's College of California in Moraga, California.
Kevin Calvert
CEO
Express Automotive Business Solutions
Kevin is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana with 22 years of business experience as an entrepreneur.
As CEO of Express, Mr. Calvert is responsible for and experienced in the development, growth and strategy of bringing new products and services that add value, reduces operating expense and shortens title processing cycles for the insurance total loss marketplace.
Through years of experience Kevin has acquired the ability to analyze and evaluate business opportunities, additional profit centers and under- performing assets with a high level of accuracy. Mr. Calvert is now bringing the same energy, innovation and his ability to simplify complicated processes to the automotive industry.
Kevin has been married for 11 years and is the father of three children.
David Carp
Director, Fleet and Remarketing
Kia Motors America, Inc.
With over 25 years in the Automotive Industry, David’s experience includes Retail, Wholesale, Finance, Vehicle Valuation, Fleet and Remarketing. David began his Automotive Career Retailing Buick’s and as a Wholesaler before joining the NADA Official Used Car Guide Company as the Import Vehicle Editor. David has held positions in Fleet & Remarketing with Nissan Motor Corporation North America, AutoNation USA, CarMax & Volvo Cars of North America before joining Kia in 2002. David resides in Irvine, CA.
Jeannie Chiaromonte
Vice President and Remarketing Manager
Bank of America
Currently, Jeannie seves as the Vice President and Remarketing Manager for Bank of America. Her responsibilities include day to day management of vehicle and specialty asset disposal on a National level. She is also responsible for developing all strategies associated with remarketing process and result tracking. Prior to this Jeannie held a position as the Auto Lease End Termination Officer of Bank of America. She handled the vehicle lease end termination process associated with lessee contractual responsibilities in regards to receivable origination and tracking. As early as 1991, she has held positions as Collateral Recovery Officer and Remarketing Rep at Bank of America where her primary duties were tracking and authorization of bank auto repossessions and sales and tracking of auction collateral.
Alan Crowther
CEO
Adjility Auto and Consulting
Alan Crowther is CEO of Adjility Auto and Consulting. Mr. Crowther has been a management and technology consultant for 20 years, and spent a number of years working with Automotive Remarketers on enhancing their operations, helping to develop software for the Automotive Remarketing business, and doing industry work including involvement with helping develop standards for the NAAA including the recently adopted Electronic Condition report.
Tim Deese
Owner and Chairman
Progressive Basics, Inc.
Tim Deese is Owner/Chairman of Progressive Basics, Inc. located in Orange Park, Florida. He started selling cars in 1971 on an independent used car lot. He was then picked up by a new car dealership as the Sales Manager in 1973. In 1975 Mr. Deese became the General Manager for one of the largest new car dealership in Atlanta. In 1977 he bought his first New Car Franchise at the age of 28 and was one of the youngest self-made dealers in our industry. Subsequently he sold his new car stores in 1981 to concentrate on Progressive Basics, Inc. and training of Used Car Managers. Mr. Deese currently provides training seminars monthly in Jacksonville Beach, Florida as well as quarterly training seminars in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also provides and maintains In-House training programs at many dealerships located across the United States and Canada. He is also extensively involved in speaking engagements for various 20 Groups around the nation as well as National, International, and State Associations.
Progressive Basics, Inc. trains professional dealerships used vehicle managers for complex trading, purchasing, and retailing in today’s market. Dealership monitoring is also provided.
Mr. Deese’s training accomplishments include:
- Chevrolet Dealer Academy: Taught at the GM Training Center for four years, Mr. Deese received the highest score ever attained.
- Lexus Division of Toyota: Helped design from the inception, the used vehicle marketing program for all Lexus Dealerships within the United States.
- Honda and Acura of Canada: Designed and implemented the used vehicle training program.
- Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America: Took Mitsubishi Motors from .45 to .73 used to new in less than one year.
- BMW of North America: Designed the BMW used vehicle training program.
- Subaru of North America: Took Subaru from .5 to .7 used to new in less than one year.
- Cadillac Division of General Motors:
- SAAB Cars USA: Designed and implemented the used vehicle training program.
- BMW of Middle East: Implemented used vehicle training program for 17 Arab Nations BMW Dealer Bodies
- Southeast Toyota Distributors, Inc.:
- Designed and implemented used vehicle management training programs.
- Volvo Cars of North America: Designed and implemented used vehicle management training programs for dealers.
- Volkswagen/Audi of America: Progressive Basics currently provides used vehicle management training for dealers and corporate personnel.
- Ford Motor Company Dealer Development: Designed and implemented the used vehicle training program for Dealer Development.
- Chrysler Corporation - Mexico: Designed used vehicle management pilot programs and implemented this program for Chrysler Corporation.
- Australian New Car Dealers Association: Presentation on “Why Are We New Car Dealers Talking About Used Cars.”
- BMW Carribean: Designed and implemented Pre-Owned Sales Tactics.
- Ford Motor Company of the Middle East with 14 Arab Nations: Developed Pre-Owned Program and assisted in disposal of over-aged inventory.
Mr. Deese was one of the three top rated speakers at the 1987 and 1990 NADA conventions. Moderated a panel of dealers at the 1994 NADA convention and conducted three workshops at the 1996 NADA, where Mr. Deese was in the top ten rated speakers. Mr. Deese was also the number one speaker at the 1989 and 1992 FADA conventions in Quebec and Hong Kong, as well as the Canadian Auto Dealers Association Convention in Hong Kong, along with Ford Motor Company of the Middle East. Mr. Deese was also one of the top rated speakers at the 2001 Australian Automobile Dealers Association Convention. During 2005, Mr. Deese was a speaker at the NADA convention held in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has also had speaking engagements for Chrysler of Mexico and Volkswagen of Brazil as well as more than 20 US New Car Dealer Associations, some on more than one occasion. In 2009 was a speaker at the Fenabrave Congress in Brasilia, Brazil.
Progressive Basics has trained more used car managers than any other company in the US industry, including management recognition programs for Hendrick Automotive Group, Holler Automotive Group, Ed Morse Automotive Group, Hitchcock Automotive Group, Dah Chong Hong (DCH), Duncan, Auffenberg Automotive Group, Apple Automotive Group, Max Holmes Automotive Group, Stallupi Automotive Group, and March Hodge Automotive Group.
Mr. Deese did a series on CBS with Dan Rather relating to the positive side of the New Car Dealer in America. He is the founder of the import SUV and the Automotive Tent Sale. He designed and manufactured the original Pathfinder for Nissan. Mr. Deese writes articles for many trade journal magazines and has been on the cover of the majority of the trade publications within the automotive industry.
Jim DesRochers
Vice President and General Manager
Dealers Auto Auction-Phoenix
Jim DesRochers is the Vice President and General Manager for Dealers Auto Auction –Phoenix. He is also the past president of the National Auto Auction Association and Western Auto Auction Association. Prior to Dealers Auto Auction, he worked as the Manheim General Manager for Phoenix, Fresno, and Los Angeles and performed this role in Anaheim and San Francisco from 1988-2006. He is chairman of the Remarketing Technology Committee for IARA and founding Director of Mexican Advocacy LLC. Jim has received his Bachelor of Science from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Southeastern University.
Jie Du
Director, Modeling and Scientific Programming-Global Automotive Operations
J.D. Power and Associates
Jie Du is Director, Modeling and Scientific Programming in Global Automotive Operations at J.D. Power and Associates. He is responsible for the Power Information Network (PIN) remarketing practice. He also leads a team that develops decision optimization solutions,
based on market intelligence, and researches methodologies for vehicle sales and price forecasting as well as new- and used-vehicle market interactions. Additionally, he manages the company’s product for the optimal distribution of auction vehicles and the production of CPOV Evaluation Reports and Auction Performance Reports.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Du was senior manager, Decision Optimization and senior computer scientist, Modeling and Scientific Programming.
Prior to joining J.D. Power and Associates in 1991, Mr. Du worked for the Chrysler Corporation, where he designed and developed next-generation emission test cells.
Mr. Du is a member of the American Management Association and a member of the Institute of Operation Research and Marketing Science. He has authored several articles, including “PIN Optimal Distribution of Auction Vehicles System: Applying Price Forecasting, Elasticity Estimation, and Genetic Algorithms to Used-Vehicle Distribution,”
published in Marketing Science. He has also delivered presentations at conferences, including the 2008 National AutoRemarketing Conference in San Diego and the 2007 iRemarketing Conference in Detroit. The computer system and methodologies his team developed for auction vehicles were awarded a U.S. patent in 2009.
Mr. Du is a past president and member of the Detroit Chinese Engineers Association.
Mr. Du received a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from Tsinghua University in Bejing, China, a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering and scientific computing from the University of Michigan.
Don Elliott
National Accounts Manager
Indiana Auto Auction
With 30 years of automotive industry experience, Don Elliott has covered the business from retail to remarketing. A year ago, Don joined the Indiana Auto Auction as National Accounts Manager. He works closely with auto auctions, banks, leasing companies, repossession businesses, and car dealers to provide value and efficiency within the used car sales cycle. He has also held several positions at ADESA including vice president of sales and marketing. He is very active in the community and interacts with several industry associations including NIADA, NADA, NAFA, and NAAA.
Don started his automotive career as a district manager at Chrysler Corporation in their Pittsburgh zone office. In the 80’s, he spent much of his time in and around car dealerships in various wholesale and retail positions both at Chrysler and subsequently with a group that owned several dealerships.
In 1989, Don went back to work with the factory, joining Mazda Motor of America as a national trainer for retail sales people, then in distribution allocating and ordering inventory for Mazda’s dealerships. For the last 6 years at Mazda, Don managed the company’s national fleet sales, certified used car program and auction operations.
Jason Ferreri
Vice President, eBusiness
ADESA Corporation
Jason joined ADESA in 2004 as an executive director of sales, national accounts. A year later, he was promoted to vice president of sales at ADESA Inc Carmel, Indiana-based headquarters. In early 2007, Jason assumed his current role of vice president of e-Business, sales and operations. In this position, he is responsible for the strategic direction and growth of ADESA's E-business initiatives.
Ferreri has more than 10 years of vehicle remarketing experience. He began his career with Mercedes-Benz Financial (MBF) in Fort Worth, Texas, and held various roles in vehicle remarketing with both MBF and Chrysler Financial. Following these roles, Jason held the vice president, national auction manager, position for Chase Auto Finance in Tampa, Fla.
A current member of the NAAA and the NADA, Ferreri earned his bachelor's degree in financial management from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Ralph Fisco, III
National Remarketing Manager
Toyota /Lexus Financial Services
Ralph Fisco has extensive and comprehensive experience in the automotive industry. During his 22-year career with Toyota, Ralph held national and regional management positions in corporate marketing, sales, production planning, and various field management assignments with Toyota Motor Sales, Lexus, Toyota Industrial Equipment, and most recently, Toyota/Lexus Financial Services. Currently, he oversees national strategic planning and remarketing initiatives for all Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicles.
Don Fowler
Director, Business Development
DataScan Field Services
Don Fowler is director of Business Development for DataScan Field Services (DFS), one of North America’s largest floorplan inventory verification and vehicle inspection companies. With more than 36 years in diversified automotive services, he brings a wealth of experience to today’s economic challenges.
Fowler most recently managed the Remarketing Group for World Omni Financial Corp., the parent company of DFS, providing leadership to maximize net sales and proceeds on remarketed vehicles, and evaluating and developing alternative sales channels.
Fowler, a U.S. Navy veteran, graduated from Towson State University in Baltimore, Md., with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in international finance.
David Funston
President
Funston Fleet Services
David Funston is President of Funston Fleet Services, Inc., a consulting group he formed in 2002 to assist dealers and rental companies with fleet vehicle sourcing and remarketing strategies. His career in the automotive industry includes national fleet & remarketing positions with American Isuzu, Hyundai Motor America and DriveTime Auto Sales & Finance. Additionally, he has held positions with Chevrolet Motor Division as well as several retail dealer groups in Southern California. David is a graduate of USC and resides in Riverside, CA with Susan, his wife of 25 years, and his son and daughter.
Bob Graham
Director, Vehicle Remarketing
Automotive Resources International (ARI)
Bob joined ARI in 1973. Throughout his career, he has been involved in most phases of the leasing business. He started in the New Vehicle Ordering area, moved to the Maintenance Management Department, then to Used Vehicle Sales, where he became Manager, and finally to his present position as Director of Vehicle Remarketing. Bob was instrumental in moving ARI's remarketing program to a web-based environment, which led to ARI AutoDirect, ARI's Virtual Market and other industry-leading programs. Bob is active in the industry and in 2009 was named President of the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA). Bob attended LaSalle University in Philadelphia , PA , majoring in Economics.
Jeff Grandstaff
General Manager
ShipCarsNow
Jeff Grandstaff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Capital University of Ohio. He began his career in sales, and even sold new and used cars for a time, before finding his true niche in transportation and logistics in 1986 with Ryder’s Automotive Carrier Division, which was later acquired by the Allied Automotive Group. Over the next 20 years, Grandstaff progressed in the auto haulaway business from terminal operations supervisor in Moraine, OH, to the executive level as Manager of National Accounts in Detroit, MI. In 2001, Grandstaff left the motor carrier industry to join Insight Network Logistics, a lead logistics provider for Chrysler which provides management services, control, and visibility of nearly 3 million Chrysler Group vehicles distributed annually across North America. In 2006, in response to the growing logistics needs of the auto remarketing industry, Grandstaff helped launch a new subsidiary of Insight, ShipCarsNow. Under his direction, ShipCarsNow provides multimodal transportation services for used vehicles throughout the U.S.
Frank Hackett
Executive Director
NAAA
Frank Hackett is NAAA’s fourth executive director since their founding in 1948. Frank served in various law enforcement positions including three-terms as sheriff of Kennebec County, Maine. In 1999, Hackett moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma and served six years as president and CEO of Volunteers of America.
Frank is a native of Maine and has Masters Degree from the University of Maine in public administration. He and his wife, Mary Ellen, live in Frederick with their ten year old twin sons.
Dan Heinrich
Vice President, Asset Remarketing
AmeriCredit
Dan Heinrich serves as the Vice President of Asset Remarketing for
AmeriCredit, a leading independent automobile finance company that provides financing solutions indirectly through auto dealers across the United States
Heinrich has been with AmeriCredit for over eight years in many roles including Marketing, eServices, Project Management, and Product Development. In his current role, he leads a team responsible for the liquidation of repossessed assets through the utilization of auto auctions across the United States and Canada.
Heinrich has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas.
Mark Houde
National Director, ConciergeCLAIM
Travelers Insurance
Mark Houde has held several physical damage positions with Travelers Insurance while working at the home office level. One of his current countrywide responsibilities is the 6 Travelers’ centralized Total Loss and Salvage units plus vendor management of those salvage providers. Mark is also on the Board of Directors for the American Salvage Pool Association (ASPA).
Brent Huisman
Vice President, Remarketing
HSBC
Brent Huisman started his Remarketing career in 1998 with GE Capital out of Chicago, IL where he was in charge of the Dealer Sales program in the southeast and also helped create GEAutoDirect.com. From there Brent went to run the Dealer Sales program with Bank One Credit Company in Phoenix, Arizona until he was brought over to ADESA first in operations at ADESA Phoenix then became VP of Dealer Sales North America for five years. Today Brent is VP of Remarketing for HSBC out of San Diego, CA. Brent holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in business and an MBA from Benedictine University in Chicago, IL.
Eric Ibara
Director, Residual Value Consulting
Kelley Blue Book
Ibara is responsible for synthesizing the output from the residual forecast model, analyzing activity in the used-car market, and incorporating vehicle attributes into Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values. He also provides consulting services to manufacturers, finance companies, and others in the automotive industry.
Prior to joining Kelley Blue Book, he directed the financial planning department at Mitsubishi Motors, where he architected new ways of forecasting residuals values for the lifecycle of vehicle models and improved incentive cost forecasting. Ibara holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Purdue University, a master’s degree in engineering from UC Berkeley and an MBA from UCLA.
Maryann Keller
Principal
Maryann Keller and Associates
Maryann is a principal of the automotive consultancy, Maryann Keller and Associates, serving clients in the auto, auto retail and related businesses. During a 28 year career on Wall Street Maryann was named one of the top three auto analysts on Wall Street for twelve consecutive years. Maryann has also held a position at priceline.com as the president of its fledgling Auto Services division.
Maryann continues to be a frequent speaker and contributor to business, dealer, industry and automotive publications. Maryann has appeared on numerous television and radio programs in the United States, Europe and Japan. She has appeared in Wall Street Week, Charlie Rose and Nightline. She has been a frequent guest on business and financial programs aired on BBC, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR and CNBC. A past president of the Society of Automotive Analysts (1994-1999), Ms. Keller is a recipient of the Womes’s Automotive Association International’s professional Achievement Award in 2000.
In 1989 Maryann’s first book “ Rude Awakening: The Rise Fall and Struggle to Recover at General Motors” was published by William Morrow. Columbia University awarded the book the prestigious Eccles prize. Her second book “ Collision: GM, Toyota and Volkswagen and the Race to Own the Twenty First Century” was published by Doubleday in 1993. In 2005 Royal Media Group published The Keller Report on Remarketing: A Definitive Guide for the Auto Industry.
Maryann is a member of the Board of Directors of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. In December 2009 Maryann joined the advisory board of Casesa Shapiro Group.
Dan Kennedy
National Sales Manager, GM Remarketing
General Motors Corporation
Dan began his career with General Motors in 1978 and has been a member of the GM Remarketing organization since 1986. As the National Sales Manager for GM Remarketing, a position he has held since 1999, Dan is responsible for devising and instituting all processes and programs associated with GM’s vehicle remarketing activities including auction and dealer interface and relationship management as well as the development, enhancement and execution of all sale operations, vehicle logistics, sale policies and processes.
Previously, Dan served as the Finance Manager for GM Fleet Operations where he maintained oversight of all departmental operating budgets. Prior to this, Dan was a Special Project Manager within GM’s Fleet Redistribution Staff where he served as the departmental interface with GMAC for auctions and sales consolidation and was responsible for coordinating the GM auction participation of GM’s overseas dealers.
Dan earned a B.S. degree in Business and Accounting from Oakland University and an M.A. in Management/Supervision from Central Michigan University.
Scott Kolb, CAI
Managing Director and Founder
The SKi Group, LLC
Scott Kolb, CAI is the Managing Director and Founder of The SKi Group, an automotive consultancy with auction, dealer, technology, and investment clients nationwide; focused on development and management processes for the wholesale and retail auto sectors since 2002. The firm provides analysis of the wholesale, OEM, and retail auto sectors, focusing on the auction industry, public dealer groups, lenders and Tier 1, 2 and 3 suppliers as well as expert witness testimony. Mr. Kolb has wholesale and retail auto experience including auction and dealership evaluation, mergers and acquisitions. He holds the highest designation in the auction industry, Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) and is a nationally featured speaker and trainer.
Dane Lang
Owner
Lang Motors
As owner of Lang Motors, Dane is the 3rd generation of an 86 year old family business. Lang’s career started at the early age of 12 as a lot boy. He then earned his salesman license upon high school graduation where he worked part-time. After college graduation, Dane resumed a full-time career as a salesman. Since 1924, Lang Motors has experienced significant growth and has expanded to include 11 properties and a display area that spans 3 street corners.
Michael Lasini
Vice President, Sales and Operations
Total Resource Auctions
Michael Lasini is Vice President of Sales & Operations for Total Resource Auctions, Manheim’s Salvage & Damaged Vehicle Remarketing subsidiary. In this role he oversees all, marketing, sales and operations management activities for Total Resource Auctions at both national and regional levels.
Previously, Lasini was Vice President of Sales for Manheim and was responsible for commercial account management, sales, client support functions and MAGS, Manheim’s Government Service business unit. Lasini joined Manheim Auctions in 2000 from ADT Automotive where he held the position of National Director of Sales.
He began his automotive career 25 years ago as a mechanic, moving on to manage independent repair facilities then serving in a variety of management positions with two vehicle manufacturer’s, most notably Nissan North America for a ten year period.
Lasini holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a concentration in Marketing.
Michael Linn
Executive Vice President and CEO
National Independent Automobile Dealers Association
Michael Linn, with over twenty-two years experience with automotive industry associations, is the CEO of NIADA. By adding significant value to the used motor vehicle industry with an increased Legislative/Regulatory presence in the nation’s capitol, along with Educational offerings, membership has risen beyond 20,000 members. Association programs include the Certified Master Dealer Program and the Educational Television Network (NIADA-TV). He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA).
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA), founded in 1946, and headquartered in Arlington, TX, has represented the used motor vehicle industry for 64 years.
Paul Lips
Executive Vice President, Operations and Finance
ADESA Corporation
Paul Lips has held several roles during his career with ADESA. He joined the finance department in 1996, served as corporate controller in 1997, was promoted in 2001 to chief financial officer, and in 2004 was appointed to the position of vice president of investor relations and planning.
In May 2005, Lips was promoted to serve as senior vice president of operations. Currently, he is the executive vice president of operations and finance for ADESA.
Lips holds a bachelor's degree from Ball State University. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the Indiana Certified Public Accountants Society.
Greg Lubrani
Business Line Director
OPENLANE
Greg Lubrani is Business Line Director at OPENLANE, North America’s largest online auction company for automotive dealers to purchase and sell used vehicles. He is a 24-year automotive industry veteran with a consistent record of producing exceptional results in developing and revamping sales organizations to exceed goals for revenue and profits. Previously, Lubrani facilitated The Wholesale Institute – a traveling workshop that teaches dealers how to use online resources to achieve profit goals for Manheim’s OVE.com and worked for Credit Acceptance Corporation as its national director of vehicle marketing and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Les Lynott
Manager, Vehicle Remarketing
Emkay Inc.
Les Lynott is currently Manager of Vehicle Remarketing for Emkay Inc.
Les is very active in the industry serving on numerous committees including American Automotive Leasing Association’s State Tax and License & Title Committee, International Automotive Remarketing Association’s Education and Membership Committees, as well as Adesa and Manheim’s client advisory boards.
Prior to joining Emkay, Les has held many management positions in sales and operation management across the gamut of startup organizations to Fortune 100 within several different industries; including telecommunications, bio-pharmaceutical, medical device, retail and airline catering.
Les is an alumnus of Marquette University with Bachelor’s degrees in Foreign Languages and Literature, as well as Biochemistry.
Matthew Marks
Executive Director
IARA
Matt Marks is the executive director of the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance, a position he has held since October 2002. Previously, he served for 12 years as president and CEO of I.T.S, the nation's largest independent vehicle inspection company based in Parsippany, New Jersey. Matt also worked for 17 years in the Port of Norfolk, Virginia, as an assistant general manager handling import vehicles as well as other commodities. Mark is also a retired reservist from the Naval Air Reserve, where he flew for 22 years and retired as a captain. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois, and an MBA from Texas Tech.
Tim Martin
Senior Vice President, Operations
LeasePlan USA
Tim Martin is responsible for the management of all commercial fleet operations in the US, including vehicle acquisitions, vehicle upfitting, vehicle maintenance services, remarketing, and license, title and registration services. Prior to joining LeasePlan in 2005, he held various positions in operations and remarketing with Saab Cars USA, Inc., Saab Financial Services Corp., Mercedes-Benz Credit Corp., and General Motors Acceptance Corp.
Bob McConkey
Co-Owner
DAA Northwest/Kansas City Independent Auto Auction
Bob McConkey began his career in the industry at South Seattle Auto Auction. From there, he went on to serve as General Manager of Southern California Auto Auction, doubling its size and making it the world’s largest auto auction in just three years. In 1992, he and his best friend and business partner Greg Mahugh founded DAA Northwest in Spokane, Washington. Today, DAA is one of the largest and most respected independent auto auctions in the nation.
Bob became co-owner of Kansas City Independent Auto Auction in 2009. Together with partners Doug Doll and Gregg Boswell, he is active in administering the auction’s operations and strategies.
Bob McConkey is very active within the auto auction industry. He has served on numerous National Auto Auction Association committees and has been Chairman of the Board of ServNet. Most recently, Bob championed strategic cooperation and standardization within the industry while serving as president of the NAAA in 2009. He can be seen auctioneering in the lanes every Thursday at DAA and is considered by many to be one of the finest automobile auctioneers in the west.
David Munnikhuysen
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
Manheim
David Munnikhuysen is Manheim’s Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. He is responsible for focusing on key strategic initiatives and leading the “Go Green with Manheim” effort, a companywide, long-term conservation initiative.
Munnikhuysen joined Manheim from General Electric in May of 1991 as general manager at Ohio Auto Auction. He brought with him over ten years of auction, operational support and engineering experience from auction management and design engineer positions he held at General Electric
Munnikhuysen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School of Business.
Charlotte Pyle
Owner and Vice President
Mountain State Auto Auction/Capital City Auto Auction and NAAA
Charlotte began her 22 year auction career in 1989. She and her husband own and operate two Independent Auto Auctions in West Virginia and have two boys coming into the business. She serves on numerous NAAA committees, is co-chair for the Independent Auto Auctions and is currently the Vice President to become president of NAAA in 2012. Charlotte has currently worked with the Bobit organization in planning the first joint meeting in Las Vegas for CAR.
Randy Rawlinson
Director, Remarketing
DollarThrifty Systems, Inc.
Randy has worked at DollarThrifty Sytstems, Inc for 21years and has held numerous positions with the company. He started his career in the automotive industry working with Brashers So Cal Auto Auction in the Dealer operation area. Rawlinson’s work with Thrifty Car Rental, in their rental car operations division, includes:
- West Region Field Representative - Fleet Disposal Group
- Manager of Fleet Disposal Thrifty
- Manager of Fleet Disposal DTG Operations Inc.
- Currently Director of Fleet Remarketing DTG Operations Inc.
- Oversees the sales and marketing of over 100,000 units in the DTG fleet.
He has been married for 25 years to Sherrie Rawlinson. They have three kids and one daughter in law – Brandon/Kathleen, Brittany and Brian as well as one grand child. His hobbies include: football, a little golf but most of all spending time with my wife and family.
Howard Segal
Vice President and National Remarketing Manager
Wells Fargo Auto Finance, Inc.
Currently National Remarketing Manager at Wells Fargo Auto Finance since July 2003, Howard is responsible for National remarketing process and strategies. Prior to this position, he was National Remarketing Manager for Bank of America from 1998-2003 and responsible for Indirect and Lease vehicle disposition on a National level. Before joining Bank of America, Howard served as Remarketing Manager with PNC National Bank from 1989-1998 and also worked in the retail sector for a large auto dealership group from 1982-1989.
Paul Seger
Vice President, Asset Remarketing
GE Capital- Fleet Services
Paul is a native of Chicago Illinois and has spent the majority of his professional career with General Electric’s Capital Corporation. This year he is celebrating 28 years of service within GE. For the last 21 years he has held multiple positions within the Commercial Finance Fleet and Consumer Finance vehicle remarketing divisions. During this time he was instrumental in navigating the Consumer business through one of the most challenging cycles in automobile leasing industry. He and his team were responsible for mitigating millions of dollars of forecasted residual value losses to the business while establishing a remarketing growth strategy for GE Commercial Finance’s Fleet Services. His prior experience includes a role as the Vice President of Customer Service, a Senior Risk Manager and Territory Sales Manager.
In addition, Paul has gone through Six Sigma training, participated in multiple Quality projects and is a qualified Green Belt within the organization.
Ira Silver
Economist
NAAA
Dr. Ira Silver has been in the field of Business & Economic Analysis for over 30 years.
Dr. Silver is an Associate Professor in Managerial Economics at TCU’s Neeley School of Business and Economist for the National Auto Auction Association.
Before coming to The Neeley School of Business, he was Chief Economist and Director of Strategic Planning at the JCPenney Company.
Earlier in his career Dr. Silver was an Assistant Vice President and Senior Economist at The Bank of New York. He has taught at colleges, such as Baruch College, Fordham University, and the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Silver has appeared before numerous business and professional groups, such as the Conference of Automotive Remarketing, the National Auto Auction Association, BNSF, American Airlines, and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. He has been quoted in publications, such as Used Car News, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and The Dallas Business Journal. Dr. Silver has a Ph.D. in Economics from The City University of New York and currently resides in Plano, Texas.
Linda Silverstein
Manager, Remarketing and Rental Operations
Ford
Linda Silverstein is Manager, Remarketing and Rental Operations Ford Motor Company. She has been responsible for Ford Motor Company Vehicle Remarketing since October 1, 2002. In May 2005 her responsibilities expanded to include Certified Pre-owned Vehicles and in January 2007 Rental Operations were added.
Silverstein joined the Ford Motor Company in 1982 as an analyst in Ford Division's Detroit District Sales Office. During her six years in the Detroit office she held various positions including Truck Merchandising Manager, Market Representation Manager, Distribution Manager and Field Manager.
Silverstein has held a variety of Marketing and Sales positions at Ford Division and Lincoln Mercury Division in Atlanta, Detroit and San Francisco. She also held several staff positions including work in Dealer Communications, Advertising and Cross-Vehicle line strategy.
Additionally, she held positions outside of the company’s Marketing divisions, including work in the Sales Operations Controller’s office and in the Strategy and Advanced Planning office in Product Development.
Silverstein was named Auction Department Manager in October 2001. Prior to that, Silverstein was the head of Automotive Remarketing Services where she had the opportunity to start a new business venture for the Ford Motor Company. Her team offered the company’s remarketing capabilities to external customers. Today Automotive Remarketing Services is fully integrated into Vehicle Remarketing.
Silverstein joined the Ford Motor Company in 1982 directly from Babson College in Massachusetts, where she earned an MBA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Massachusetts in 1980. Linda and her husband reside in Michigan and have one son.
Geoff Smartt
Owner
Smartt Cars
Geoff owns and operates Smartt Cars in Caldwell, Idaho. Geoff Smartt is the current president of the Idaho State Independent Auto Dealers Association for 2008. He also held this same title during 2007 and has served on the Board of Directors since 2003. The Idaho State Independent Auto Dealers Association Awarded Geoff Smartt the Quality Dealer of the Year Award for 2008-2009. Because he received the 2008-2009 Quality Dealer Award for the state of Idaho, he traveled to Orlando Florida in 2009 to compete for the National Quality Dealer of the Year Award.
"My business plan has been ever-changing but at its core are the values of hard work, honesty, business ethics and integrity with us and with others. The education I received from the State and National associations allowed us to find success in this industry. The life lessons I learned from Kirby Company, The United States Marine Corp, College, and my experiences in the shops of North Texas’s greatest new car dealerships allowed me to become a quality dealer for my state. The greatest award I have received to date was the Idaho State Independent Auto Dealer Association Quality Dealer of the Year Award. To be recognized by my competitors, colleagues and friends in that manner was overwhelming." -quote from application for National Quality Dealer of the Year National Independent Auto Dealer's Association
Geoff was born in Caldwell Idaho and went to school in Nampa and Meridian. He attended Maui Community College where he studied automotive repair. He went to work for Ford in 1994 and by 1996 was an A.S.E. Master Certified Mechanic.
In 1998 Geoff Opened Nampa Auto Clinic followed in 1999 by Smartt Cars. For the last 10 years Geoff has been providing quality pre-owned vehicles to the Treasure Valley area.
The Smartt Family has been in business in the Treasure Valley since 1972 when they opened Smartt Farms. Geoff believes that customer service is the key to a successful business. When asked what he attributed his Quality Dealer Award to he replied, "Our great customers."
Ken Smith
Executive Director, Vehicle Remarketing
Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group
Ken has been involved with vehicle remarketing since 2004 and currently serves as the Executive Director of Vehicle Remarketing for Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. After graduating from Northeastern State University, Ken started with Thrifty Car Rental in 1989. Having held various management positions in rental and licensee operations for Thrifty, Ken moved into Thrifty’s fleet operations in 1997. This bottom up understanding of the rental and fleet industries has formed the basis for the expanded sales strategy currently employed by DTAG’s vehicle remarketing division. Ken has an MBA and lives in Broken Arrow, OK with his wife, Suzanne, and 2 children.
James Spears, AIC, AIS, AAM, MSPM
Assistant Vice President, Auto Physical Damage
USAA Property and Casualty Insurance Group
Jimmy Spears is Assistant Vice President of Auto Physical Damage for USAA Property and Casualty Insurance Group, which is among the nation's most respected and well-managed insurers. Founded in 1922 by military members to serve the military community, USAA's P&C Group consistently earns the highest ratings from independent ratings agencies and consumer groups for its financial strength and exceptional level of customer service. USAA's P&C Group has more than 9,000 employees in seven locations in the United States and Europe.
Jimmy joined USAA as the AVP of Physical Damage Claims in 2008. Prior to USAA he worked for Farmers Insurance Group as the Director of Strategic Initiatives, responsible for strategic planning,vendor management, and the business process reengineering unit at their headquarters in Westlake Village, California. Prior to Farmers he worked for Nationwide Insurance on their national Auto Physical Damage leadership team at their headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.
Jimmy serves on many national advisory boards and committees in the physical damage industry. He presently serves on the:
- ICAR Board of Directors- the premier provider of collision industry training
- CCC Insurance Advisory Counsel- the nations largest collision estimating software company
- Cross Country Advisory Board- the provider of USAA’s towing and road side services
- COPART Advisory Panel- the nations largest publicly owned salvage provider
- Insurance Auto Auction Advisory Board- the nations largest privately held salvage provider
Jimmy has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Masters of Science in Project Management from City University of Seattle. He received his commision in 1985 and is a 20+ year member of USAA. He served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a Special Operations Command (SOCOM) officer supporting the 24th Infantry Division. He is a graduate of the US Army Armor school in Fort Knox, the US Army Infantry Mortar Platoon Leaders school in Ft. Benning and the JFK School of Special Warfare in Fort Bragg where he graduated as the Distguished Military Graduate of his class.
Jimmy Currently resides in San Antonio with his wife, Rebecca and son, Forrest.
David Stolt
Senior Director, Remarketing
Hertz Corporation
Currently Senior Director Remarketing at The Hertz Corporation since August 2003, David is responsible for all remarketing process and strategies in the US. Prior to this position, he spent 18 years in various positions with The Hertz Corporation in rental operations throughout the US. David earned a Master of Arts degree in Economics form DePaul University in 1983 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from University of Missouri Rolla in 1980.
Alan Stubbs
Used Vehicle Director
Sonic Automotive
Alan Stubbs presently holds the position as Used Vehicle Director in the Texas and Oklahoma market for Sonic Automotive with 28 stores both domestic and high line. He entered the automotive business while attending college and found great success in the wholesale market. In 1997, Alan left the wholesale side to work as a buyer for a major public company and entered the retail market holding multiple management positions at the store and corporate level.
David Sutton
Director, Data Acquisition
CARFAX
Dave Sutton has recently joined CARFAX as the director of data acquisition. Previously he coordinated the Used Car Strategies of VW, Audi and VW Credit and was responsible for auction logistics, sales and technical operations for VW and Audi in North America. Serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the IARA in addition to Chairing the Standards Committee. From 1994 – 2004, Mr. Sutton worked as a business strategist supporting EDS, General Motors, IBM, Cadbury-Schweppes and Volkswagen. Mr. Sutton holds a bachelors degree from Central Michigan University and MBA from the University of Phoenix.
Bob Taar
U.S. Director, Sales
SmartAuction
As US Director of Sales for SmartAuction, Bob is responsible for the leadership and management of client facing activities, and key pointed with relationships with all Rental and Dealer Group accounts to assist them with their remarketing activities.
SmartAuction helps dealers, consignors, banks and financial institutions remarket their inventory thru an efficient, cost effective on-line platform. Franchise and independent dealers of all makes and models have access to thousands of cars via SmartAuction 7 days a week.
With over 23 years of experience in the car rental, fleet and remarketing industry, Bob has a solid understanding of challenges facing remarketers in this dynamic industry. Bob has held a variety of positions in sales/sales management, field operations, revenue management and fleet/remarketing with major companies prior to joining SmartAuction in 2008. A native Minnesotan, Bob holds a BA Degree in Statistics from the University of Minnesota.
Jill Tarallo
Sr. Director, Operations
Manheim
Jill Tarallo brings 20 plus years experience in a variety of roles in the areas of accounting, financial analysis, operations and strategic management. In her current role, Jill is focused on optimizing processes, overall operational effectiveness and oversees Mission Control (program and portfolio management related to strategic initiatives), National Client Operations and Business Intelligence. She currently is a member of the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance, sits on two of their committees and is a frequent industry speaker.
Greg Thibault
Vice President, Fleet Disposal
Avis Budget Group
Greg has over 28 years of Rental Industry Experience, 20+ yrs in the "fleet" side of the business. His experience includes 13+ years with Avis Budget Group, majority of it spent at ABG Headquarters in Fleet Admin. Greg’s responsibilities include overseeing the remarketing, damaged vehicle disposal and manufacturer repurchase turnbacks of all of Avis Budget Group fleet vehicles.
Billy Threadgill
Owner
Van's Auto Sales
Billy owns and operates Van's Auto Sales Inc. in Florence, South Carolina. He currently serves as the Secretary of The NIADA Board of Directors and previously has served in every capacity of the Carolina's Independent Automobile Dealers Association. Also he has been honored as a recipient of the Hall Of Fame award for CIADA and the state association's coveted award as State Quality Dealer recipient for year 2008. One of the highlights of my career was competing for the award of the National Quality Dealer in Nashville, Tennessee. Also he has chaired and or chaired the States President Council for NIADA for 3 consecutive years previously.
On March 12, 1975 Billy's dad, Van Threadgill, started Van's Auto Sales. Previously he and his dad worked for the local Ford franchise. After beginning in a really tough economy(sound familiar) they grew and developed different facets of the automotive industry, beginning with retail sales, then purchasing a U-Save auto rental franchise, from there expanding into wholesale and from there in light of a tightening credit crunch started and developed a related finance company.
Billy was born in Florence, South Carolina and attended schools there. After attending Francis Marion University with a major in accounting, he decided to follow his love of the car industry with his highest accolade of learning being a Certified Master Dealer through NIADA.
At Van's Auto Sales, the business philosophy has been: learn everyday how we can better meet our customers needs and desires through service. As Billy was told by a mentor of his years before just remember our "reputation rides with you".
Matt Traylen
Chief Economist and Client Partner
ALG
Matt joined ALG in 1999 as an Economist, expanding the portfolio services group functions as well as moving into several other roles. In 2001, Matt helped create a whole new statistical and economic methodology for ALG while also creating a Canadian and U.S. Used Vehicle Price Index designed for the lease markets, using auction data. He has expanded the versatility of ALG’s residual data in several areas that cover the Lending and GAP industries.
Matt is the Chief Client Partner at ALG, and is actively involved in the communications function with the OEM’s as well as the general North American automotive market. He also regularly talks to major financial institutions that are directly and indirectly involved in the North American automotive markets, including the Ratings Agencies and Investment Banks.
Matthew holds a double degree in Economics, Statistics and Finance from the University of Auckland, New Zealand; He embarked on his Master’s Degree in Economics at Auckland and then transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara, to complete his research.
Charlie Vogelheim
Executive Editor
Intellichoice
Charlie Vogelheim has been involved in the Automotive Industry for over two decades. His insight and counsel is utilized by a variety of automotive related companies. In order to study trends, maintain contact with industry executives, and further product familiarity, he travels worldwide attending most International Motor Shows and Auto Industry Conventions. Charlie is often a featured speaker at automotive seminars, educational meetings and media interviews. He has been a regular correspondent on Car and Driver Radio’s weekly show, an Auto Industry commentator for Fox Business News, and contributes to numerous automotive publications and blogs.
Most recently, Charlie was Vice President of Automotive Development at J.D. Power and Associates. He was responsible for the International Automotive Roundtable, the premier forum for industry leaders and executives to share and discuss market forces affecting the automotive industry. During his tenure the Roundtable grew in attendance and relevance.
Prior to joining J.D. Power and Associates, Charlie spent 20 years at Kelley Blue Book, serving as a key member of its management team. He was the executive editor of Kelley Blue Book’s extensive used-vehicle database, the cornerstone to all of the company’s products, including books, software and Web site: www.kbb.com. He was instrumental in helping to change the Kelley identity from a regional trade publishing company to the Automotive Industry’s leading internet information provider.
He was an original contributor to the development and implementation of several other automotive web sites including the automotive sites at AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo, Google and e-Bay. Additionally he was chairman of the Automotive Internet Standards Committee regarding the development of all major automotive Internet sites.
Charlie earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. His education included one year abroad studying the formation of the Common Market/European Union.
Immediately following college, he pursued an interest in aviation, including several years as a commercial pilot, flight instructor, ground school teacher, flight club manager, Alaskan floatplane bush-pilot and one year as an air traffic controller.
Robert Wagner
National Manager, Vehicle Merchandising
Hyundai Capital America
Rob Wagner manages the asset remarketing for the captive finance arms of Hyundai and Kia under the brands Hyundai Motor Finance and Kia Motors Finance. Both are under the new umbrella of Hyundai Capital America. Rob supports all retail and lease processes to optimize the business and improve dealer relations. He recently launched HyundaiDealerDirect.com and KiaMotorsFinanceDealerDirect.com as an exclusive channel for Hyundai and Kia dealers. This channel provides lease grounding, upstream online auction and marketing to the dealers. He has over 25 years in automotive service with GE Capital, Kelley Blue Book, TRIAD, and DealerTrack. Rob was also a dealer principle for three years at Thrifty Car Sales, a franchise in Southern California.
Gus Xamplas
Vice President, Remarketing
Donlen Corporation
Gus Xamplas, Donlen Corporation’s Vice-president of Remarketing joined the organization in April 2007.
With more than 30 years in the auto finance and leasing industries, Xamplas is a former vice president of credit risk management for Wells Fargo Financial, and former senior vice president of consumer leasing at Bank of America. Prior to those roles, he served as a senior vice president of retail credit at First of America.
Xamplas holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from DePaul University and is a CPA.
Melinda Zabritski
Director, Automotive Credit
Experian Automotive
Melinda Zabritski is the director of Automotive Credit for Experian Automotive. In her role, she is responsible for the strategic development and marketing of all of Experian’s products and services specific to the automotive credit and lending industry.
Throughout her career with Experian, Melinda has overseen the marketing strategy for the development of Experian’s automotive credit vertical sales channel along with launching and managing numerous credit products geared toward automotive lenders and dealers. Additionally, she serves as Experian’s primary analyst and spokesperson regarding key automotive finance trends and is a frequent contributor to automotive and banking industry publications.
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