VINCUE: CUE The Next Leader

In this episode of Cue the Next Leader, VINCUE CMO Michael Hopkins sits down with Ryan Junek, owner and GM of Junek CDJR in Spearfish, South Dakota, to talk fourth-generation dealership legacy, used car acquisition in one of the most isolated markets in the country, and how data changed everything. With nearly 30 years behind the dealer's desk and a family business rooted in the Black Hills since the 1930s, Ryan brings a perspective on rural dealership survival that every independent operator needs to hear.

In this episode of Cue the Next Leader, VINCUE CMO Michael Hopkins sits down with Michelle Hutchinson, Director of Strategic Accounts at SYCN Auto Logistics and founder of Leveling Up Logistics, to talk vehicle transport, dealer inefficiencies, and the hidden costs most dealerships never see coming. With nearly two decades of experience across automotive logistics, Michelle brings a perspective that every dealer moving cars across the country needs to hear.

In this episode of Cue the Next Leader, VINCUE CMO Michael Hopkins sits down with Ed Hyde, dealer principal at Legacy Nissan, Legacy Ford, Legacy GMC Chevrolet, and Tinker Williams Chevrolet out of London, Kentucky — and one of VINCUE's longest-tenured customers.Ed's path to dealer principal is anything but conventional: it winds through a family grocery store, his dad's transmission shop, the Marine Corps, and a used car lot he opened in 1997 before landing his first franchise store three years later. That grit and resourcefulness still defines how he runs his stores today.In this conversation, Ed and Michael dig into the real challenges of multi-rooftop inventory management, why sourcing used cars remains the toughest puzzle in the business, and how Ed's team is using VINCUE — from trade appraisals to service-to-sale outreach — to gain a competitive edge that pricing tools alone can't deliver.Ed also shares his candid take on AI in the dealership ("it's not going to eliminate jobs — it's going to make everybody's job better"), what he's learned about building a team that grows together, and why transparency might be the most powerful tool any dealer has right now.

This episode of Cue the Next Leader is a special exclusive, hosted by VINCUE President Danny Zaslavsky, and joined by Chip Perry, former CEO of Cox Automotive, and his friend and colleague, and former Vice President of Product & Business Development, Steve Greenfield. These two men are true industry titans, arguably the primary architects of the first major digital transformation in automotive. Together, they created an empire and forever changed the way dealerships appraise, acquire, manage, and sell inventory. As advisors to VINCUE, they are again looking into the future and helping us define Vehicle Lifecycle Management for the next generation of retail automotive. We were honored to host them during a recent visit where they toured our building, met with our teams, and inspired us keep innovating. During that visit, they sat down with Danny Zaslavsky to talk about their history in the industry, major achievements, and where they see automotive retail going in a future where AI will dramatically change everything from inventory operations to customer experience.

In this episode of Cue the Next Leader, host Michael Hopkins sits down with Russell Tabone, General Manager and Dealer Operator at CMA’s Hyundai of Lynchburg.From 19 years in the car wash industry to leading one of the most successful dealerships at Carter Myers Automotive, Russell shares his unconventional journey, and how he went from avoiding car sales to becoming a champion of people-first leadership. Under his guidance, CMA’s Hyundai has opened a state-of-the-art showroom and is nearing completion on a cutting-edge service department expansion.Russell is a proud NADA Academy graduate and a passionate advocate for CMA’s employee-owned model. He believes that when people love where they work, whether it's employees or customers, great results follow.He talks openly about:Why perfecting the customer experience matters more than inventoryHow VINCUE has helped streamline operations, grow used inventory, and cut costsWhat it means to lead with transparency, trust, and real-time dataThe value of dealer feedback in building better techHis personal advice to new salespeople and dealers considering VINCUEWhether you’re a seasoned leader or just breaking into automotive, Russell’s perspective on culture, process, and purpose is packed with wisdom and heart. As he says: “Love people. Love cars.”

In this exclusive interview, VINCUE President Danny Zaslavsky sits down with Charles McDonald, Marketing and Brand Manager at AutoAlert, to break down the integration between two of the industry’s most powerful platforms.AutoAlert is the “OG of customer insights,” helping dealers mine their database for equity and lifecycle opportunities. Now, with a direct integration to VINCUE, dealers can instantly access real-time trade values, vehicle history, and lifecycle data, all from a single screen. The result? Smarter inventory decisions, faster deals, and more confident conversations between associates and customers.“The first way to remove friction is to improve culture, and you do that by removing silos,” Danny explains. “Our mission at VINCUE has been connecting all of these steps in that vehicle lifecycle management process so that appraisal is connected to equity mining. So when a customer is coming in from online, they can pick up where they left off. All of those things used to live in separate places.”Danny and Charles discuss how this partnership eliminates guesswork, reduces friction, and empowers dealers to stop settling for what’s available and start acquiring what they actually need, based on data, demand, and strategic forecasting.If you're looking to streamline your tech stack, level up your lifecycle strategy, and win more deals with less wasted time, this interview is for you.Key takeaways:Real-time ACV sync between AutoAlert and VINCUEFull visibility into past appraisals, purchases, and salesPredictive inventory insights and model-specific planningEmpowering teams with tools to act confidently, on the spotListen now or visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTjNRNVWWzs&t=1051s to see how AutoAlert + VINCUE are helping dealers stay ahead by aligning data, people, and process.

Dave Janssen has been part of his family’s dealership group since 1998. What started as a single Chrysler store in McCook, Nebraska has grown into Janssen Auto Group, a seven-rooftop operation across four cities, representing brands like Ford, Honda, RAM, Chevy, and GMC. As owner and operator, Dave has led the group through steady, strategic growth by staying focused on efficiency, discipline, and delivering a great customer experience.But running multiple rooftops comes with serious challenges: parts shortages that slow down service, inventory imbalances that make it hard to stock the right vehicles, and inconsistent marketing that hurts turn times. On top of it all, Dave needed better visibility into what was happening at each store, and faster access to the data that drives decisions.That’s where VINCUE came in.Since implementing VINCUE, Janssen Auto Group has transformed how they operate. Real-time inventory insights, smarter pricing tools, and improved communication between departments have helped them streamline processes and boost profitability. With tools like Service-to-Sales and Description Builder, they’re turning cars faster and presenting listings that actually drive action.Dave credits their continued growth to consistency, accountability, and the right technology partner. With VINCUE, he’s built a more connected, more efficient, and more competitive dealership group, and they’re just getting started.

Charlie Spradlin, Sales Director at Art Moehn Auto Group, helps run three rooftops across Michigan—two Chevrolet stores and a Honda dealership. He’s been in the car business for just a few years, but he’s already made a big impact. After starting his career in retail with The Buckle, Charlie brought his leadership experience into automotive, quickly rising from salesperson to Sales Director in just 18 months.Charlie is focused on growth, but not just more, smarter. He’s helped the group go from selling 275 used cars in March of last year to 330 this March. Under his leadership, Art Moehn has embraced a strong used car strategy that combines operational efficiency, culture, and the right tools.Charlie uses VINCUE to appraise every car, and says he sees an average of $500 more front-end gross compared to a nearby store still using vAuto. He’s also cut recon-to-frontline time from 14 days to 8 by using Rapid Recon, internal photo processes, and VINCUE’s inventory system.He’s a big believer in sourcing from the service lane, acquiring 10–12% of inventory there today, with a goal of hitting 25%. With 850-1,000 ROs a month, that’s a real opportunity. Charlie also credits VINCUE BOOST and social media presence for helping move inventory faster and with better margins.Charlie’s all about building strong teams and strong systems, and creating a fun culture while doing it.

In this episode of Cue Next Leader, host Angela Rizzo sits down with Matt Love, Director of Dealer Services at MaxOffer by CarMax, to explore the game-changing integration between VINCUE and MaxOffer.MaxOffer is a free, no-obligation web app that delivers real-time trade-in offers in under two minutes, providing immediate insights to validate your appraisals. Now fully integrated with VINCUE, dealers can seamlessly access MaxOffer within their appraisal process, receiving instant, CarMax-backed offers directly on any appraisal or vehicle. With 19 years in the industry, Matt leads strategy and product enhancements that empower dealers nationwide. He debunks common misconceptions, including the idea that MaxOffer is only for selling to CarMax, and highlights how this collaboration provides dealers with fast, accurate vehicle data to streamline their acquisition process.Angela and Matt also discuss how this partnership supports VINCUE’s mission to modernize inventory appraisal and management - while aligning with CarMax’s core values of transparency, putting people first, and winning together. Together, they explore how these principles help drive efficiency and confidence for dealers and customers alike.Watch or listen now to discover how this innovative, best-in-class integration is reshaping the trade-in experience, why “taking the time to gain the time” is crucial for success, and what’s next for dealers in an evolving automotive landscape.Cue the Next Leader is an exclusive podcast by VINCUE where dealers, software partners, and thought leads from across the industry share insights, ideas, and innovations to help all automotive professionals grow and win. You can find all our Cue the Next Leader podcasts at https://vincue.com/resources/cue-the-next-leader-podcast/. 

In her final symbolic interview, outgoing Chief Marketing Officer and founding host of Cue the Next Leader podcast, Angela Rizzo, hands the microphone to Michael Hopkins, the person who will succeed her in both roles. Angela and Michael have a long history together and Michael credits Angela as a friend, a colleague, and a mentor for many years. They forged their decade long friendship through volunteer opportunities and shared community involvement, including the Metzler Mentor Program, started by Michael and on which Angela served as a mentor. Michael Hopkins has been with VINCUE since 2021, originally serving as Chief Marketing Officer for a year before a brief hiatus where he helped found a whiskey distillery in Kansas City. He came back in 2022 as Chief Experience Officer and worked closely with Angela and the marketing team to extend the VINCUE brand identity, messaging, and mission to current dealers and partners. During the interview, Angela shares some of her favorite memories at VINCUE and as host of the podcast, including some fun episodes with VINCUE dealers like Patrick Abad of ‪@BeaverToyotaofCumming‬   Liza Borches of ‪@CarterMyersAutomotive‬  Jose Lazo of ‪@Southdadetoyota‬  and Bob Kain with ‪@jackkain1‬ .  She also interviews Michael about plans for his new role and the future of the podcast. Michael answers that the next few years at VINCUE will be all about taking advantage of the momentum and structures in place and using them to scale sales, marketing, and onboarding exponentially. As host of the podcast, Michael plans to invite more VINCUE employees to share the mic and speak directly with #TamVINCUE dealers, partners, and automotive industry thought leaders. Cue the Next Leader is an automotive industry podcast from VINCUE, the company behind the only Vehicle Lifecycle Management solution that unifies every step of the inventory Plan, Buy, Manage, and Sell process. Cue the Next Leader is a series of conversations designed to focus on a common journey and help automotive leaders go further, faster, by learning from other operators in our industry.Find this episode, and all Cue the Next Leader episodes, at https://www.vincue.com/podcast. Schedule a Demo of VINCUE at https://www.vincue.com.

Scooter Malloy, has been running Alma CDJR dealership since 2013. The dealership is located in the middle of Michigan's lower peninsula, serving a local farming community. Scooter’s wife, Jill is the GM and they sell roughly 50 to 60 vehicles a month. It’s a small community so Scooter and Jill run into customers all of the time.Scooter is an active participant in his 20 group. Over the past few months he’s referred half a dozen dealers to VINCUE from his 20 group. Scooter reports a unit increase of $700 in his used car grosses since switching to VINCUE. Scooter appreciates the system's ability to show what other dealers have paid for their vehicles, aiding him in setting metrics. He also praised the system's live data and its ability to track a vehicle's history. Scooter expressed satisfaction with his performance manager, Brian Ball, who has been helpful and responsive. He also mentioned improvements in her business, such as better pricing and improved turn. Scooter really likes the VINCUE Vehicle Buying Center, which allows him to purchase vehicles from private parties directly from Craig’s list and FaceBook Marketplace. There are no auction or transportation fees when buying from private parties and the vehicles are in much better condition. Scooter appreciates that most about the VBC.

Beaver Toyota was looking to manage inventory effectively to balance acquisition costs, minimize aging stock, and improve sales cycles.Beaver Toyota faced significant challenges in recent years, with restricted new car inventory forcing them to rely heavily on used car sales. They struggled to acquire the right inventory, effectively engage leads, and streamline operations to maintain profitability. 

Jose Lazo, Director Digital Operations for South Dade Auto Group which includes three stores: South Dade Kia of Homestead, South Dade Kia of Miami and South Dade Toyota of Homestead.Jose Lazo shares how utilizing VINCUE has transformed dealership operations across three stores, particularly in inventory management, turn, time-to-line, and team communication. By utilizing the data, features, and third party integrations in VINCUE the stores have dramatically increased efficiency and improved performance.  Key Results: Improved Turn from 8x to 23x - The integration of the Group’s processes with VINCUE data and capabilities has improved turn by a staggering 300%.Improved Time-to-Line to from 10 days to 3.6 days - “Our time-to-line and average days in recon were a minimum of 8-10 days, sometimes as much as 30 days. With VINCUE, we are now seeing just 3.6 days time-to-line average across all three stores.” says Jose Lazo. He credits the improvements to the VINCUE data and the integration with Rapid Recon, which has facilitated better communication across the dealership. Now the BDC, Sales, and Service teams all communicate better together and directly to the customer.Real-Time Data that Empowers the Team and Improves Communication -The sales and BDC teams use VINCUE to check on vehicle status without needing to call the managers. With the comprehensive data in VINCUE, they can see if a car is in recon, in the body shop, or front-line ready. This visibility has saved time and prevented miscommunication, leading to happier employees and a better customer experience.Streamlined Appraisal Process - Before the VINCUE integration with MaxOffer, appraisers would have to jump into the MaxOffer platform to wait for an appraisal leading to delays in getting the number. With the integration, all of the data is in VINCUE so sales leaders can make decisions right on the spot without delay. And because the capability is permission-based, only those resources with the authority to put a number on a car have the access to those specific features.AI-Powered Background Removal Improves Merchandising - The AI background removal feature has been a huge win for this group. This capability in VINCUE saves time and makes the picture taking process effortless. “We used to spend time positioning cars on the lot just right for photos,” says Jose Lazo. “Now we can take any picture, clean it up instantly, saving time and making our inventory look much more professional.”With Jose Lazo and his team at South Dade embracing VINCUE’s integrations and features it has dramatically enhanced their dealership efficiency, improved time-to-line, increased turn, and ultimately driven more sales while improving team collaboration and customer satisfaction.

Discover how VINCUE and CarNow are transforming automotive retail through accurate data, innovative tools, and a focus on the consumer experience. Learn how this partnership empowers dealerships to increase engagement, streamline operations, and drive better results in a digital-first market.

In this episode of Cue The Next Leader, I had the pleasure of speaking with Diego Vargas, a seasoned automotive professional with over 30 years of experience, about his decision to join VINCUE in his role as Vice President of Dealer Services. Diego possesses a deep understanding of dealership operations and an unwavering passion for supporting dealer success in the ever-evolving automotive industry.

Discover how VINCUE and DriveCentric are helping dealerships double customer engagement to 70% while streamlining operations. Learn how real-time integrations, mobile-first tools, and AI-powered features are transforming automotive retail, driving efficiency, and improving sales potential. Watch now to see the future of dealership success.

Dealerships often struggle with communication and workflow inefficiencies between their fixed and variable operations. Used car managers and service teams operate in silos, leading to delays, missed opportunities, and lost profitability. Without a unified system, recon items, vehicle appraisals, and profitability forecasts often become disjointed, requiring manual updates and significant time investment.The integration of VINCUE inventory management platform with Rapid Recon addresses these challenges by creating a seamless connection between variable and fixed operations. This integration enables used car managers to access real-time data on recon items, prioritize tasks, and calculate their impact on gross profit—all from within VINCUE.

Patriot Auto Group faced several critical challenges that hindered operational efficiency and profitability. These included difficulties in inventory management, pricing, and vehicle acquisition. The dealership sought a comprehensive, mobile-friendly solution to consolidate operations, provide actionable data, and improve productivity across all levels of staff.

Katie has inspired audiences around the world to think differently about the female consumer, customer experience, and leadership. She has worked with globally recognized brands, including Volvo, Honda and more.

Robin Wilson is no stranger to automotive. She's spent the past 13 years of her career becoming an expert in building business that support automotive dealerships that include an outsourced BDC capability, a marketing agency, and has become an expert in social media for dealerships.Robin and her team have spent the past year creating a new application specifically designed for sales people in dealerships that allows them to drive leads by using organic social media on FaceBook. The app is called Social Grenade and is available now. Listen in to get the details and if you like what you hear, reach out to Robin directly at 417-629-8006 to learn more.

Meet Liza Borches, CEO of Carter Myers Automotive (CMA) and a dynamic leader who has transformed the company into a regional powerhouse. As the fourth generation of the Myers family to lead CMA, Liza took the reins in 2003 when the company operated just three dealerships. Under her visionary leadership, CMA has expanded to 24 dealerships across Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, with a 25th set to open in Maryland, marking its expansion into a fourth state. Representing 18 diverse brands, CMA now operates in eight markets and employs over 1,200 associates, with a steadfast focus on strategic growth and market leadership.

Glenn Lundy, founder of the 800% Elite Automotive Club and 800% Elite Auto Sales, emphasizes the importance of growth in both business performance and employee development. Drawing from his experiences, Glenn transformed a stagnant Nissan dealership in Flagstaff, Arizona, into a thriving Chevy dealership in Paris, Kentucky. He focused on growth and boosted sales from 120 to over 850 cars per month.In November 2019, he established the 800% Elite Automotive Club to help dealerships scale quickly, increasing sales by an average of 25% within the first 90 days. To further enhance his consulting, Glenn purchased an independent dealership in Lexington, Kentucky, creating a real-life testing ground for his teachings. This approach provides concrete examples and real-time demonstrations, bridging the gap between theory and practice.Glenn's strategies are crucial for navigating the evolving automotive landscape, where competition is national. His recent partnership with VINCUE equips his dealership with advanced technology and insights, giving them a strategic edge. Glenn’s people-first approach ensures a focus on personal development, team cohesion, and overall excellence.Listen to Glenn's inspiring story of transformation and resilience, as he shares how embracing growth and innovation can lead to success and fulfillment. 

With over 30 years in the car business, Scott Wilkinson, the self-described car guy, knows how to run a dealership. As the General Sales Manager at Tynan’s Volkswagen in Aurora, Colorado, Scott has honed his expertise in both cars and customer relations. In our conversation, we covered topics from his kids to cars and his secrets to running a successful dealership.Key Principles for Success:Keep it SimpleFollow Your ProcessesMeasure Your ResultsMake Friends with Your CustomersAlways Be Kind - To EveryoneEmbracing TechnologyScott is likely the number one fan of VINCUE. He appreciates the software's ease of use and how it empowers his sales team to accurately appraise cars using data and processes. The ability to work within one integrated system that provides real-time insights is a game-changer for Scott and his team.Family and Business IntertwinedPride is evident in Scott’s voice when he talks about his four grown children: daughters Morgan, Chloe, and Lillee, and his son Kole. He beams with pride as he describes Kole working alongside him at the dealership as a lot attendant.A Holistic ApproachScott’s approach to life and his dealership are deeply intertwined. His commitment to simplicity, process, customer relationships, and kindness extends beyond his professional life and into his personal values.ConclusionScott Wilkinson’s story is a testament to how leading with simplicity and kindness can drive success in the car business. We hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Rudy Padilla's journey into the car business was serendipitous. As a young husband and father, Rudy needed to support his family while waiting to apply for the California Highway Patrol. He answered a newspaper ad for a local dealership over four decades ago, intending it to be a temporary job. This "temporary" job, however, evolved into a lifelong passion for serving people and working with numbers. Today, Rudy is the Used Car Director at Berkeley Toyota in Berkeley, California, and also pursues a side gig selling real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area.From an early age, Rudy recognized the importance of building relationships and networking. Early in his career, he earned the nickname DTK, or Dealer Trade King, for his skill in establishing strong connections with other dealers to facilitate car trades.Rudy's dedication to customer service is unwavering. Whether his clients are buying cars or houses, his focus remains on providing them with the best experience and cultivating lasting relationships.In November 2023, Rudy attended UNLEASHED, the VINCUE dealer conference in Kansas City. His participation was nearly derailed by a tragedy at his store, but he made it to the conference, where he met three individuals who profoundly influenced his personal and professional life: Glenn Lundy, Danelle Delgado, and Bill Donius. Their impact on Rudy's outlook is profound, and his story is a testament to the power of connection and resilience.Please be aware that this episode contains some sensitive material.

When a car accident in 2013 sidelined Courtney Lovegreen's professional golf career, she decided to shift her career focus from swinging clubs to selling cars. After spending a few years successfully selling Range Rovers in Florida, she decided to move back home to Kirksville, Missouri to join her father and sister at their fourth-generation family dealership, Lovegreen Ford.This episode of CUE The Next Leader focuses on Courtney's journey, her passion for the car business, and all of the wonderful things she's doing in her dealership and community.  

Bob Kain is the GM of his generational dealership, Jack Kain Ford. Bob surrounds himself with family including his wife, Jan, who runs human resources and unknowingly sneaks into our podcast.Billed as one of the top-rated Ford dealerships in Versailles, KY, Jack Kain Ford provides an inviting atmosphere to their family-owned and operated dealership. Established in 1959 by Bob’s father, Jack, the dealership proudly stood as a community cornerstone, treating every customer and staff member like family. Building lifelong relationships through trust and honesty is at the heart of their business. Jack Kain, who recently passed away, was a regular visitor in the dealership at 94 years of age.The Kain’s also give back to their community by hosting a carnival every year behind the dealership. The event attracts thousands of people who get to enjoy the day with their families, friends, and dealership employees.

Matt Watson has spent his career as an innovator. He first met Danny Zaslavsky when Danny’s father purchased his first computer from Sears. Matt was his salesperson. A friendship quickly formed and Matt found himself setting up the computer and writing code for Danny’s family dealership.Fast forward a few years when Matt founded VIN Solutions. One of the first automotive CRMs that eventually sold to Cox Automotive. Since that time Matt has founded and sold Stackify and is currently leading his new company Full Scale.Listen in to hear about Matt’s journey as an entrepreneur and founder and how the sale of one computer has led to a lifelong passion for innovation and an amazing friendship. 

Tune in to this special episode of Cue the Next Leader as we honor Women's History Month with dynamic conversations featuring some of the amazing women in the automotive industry. From navigating career growth to nurturing the next wave of female leaders, join us for an inspiring dialogue with industry experts Robin Wilson, Shasta Haddock, Stacey Stewart, and Ashley Negron. Make sure you catch all the empowering insights and fantastic leadership book suggestions for yourself and your team: A Happy Pocket Full of Money - David Gikandi Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon HillThe Power of One More - Ed MylettAtomic Habits - James Clear Relentless - Tim Grover The Idea Team Player - Patrick Lencioni The Advantage - Patrick LencioniGood Leaders ask Great Questions - John Maxwell#CueTheNextLeader #WomensHistoryMonth #AutomotiveLeaders 

Angela Rizzo sat down with L.A. Williams while at Digital Dealer Las Vegas. L.A. Williams is the Vice President of Dealer Synergy and has 10+ years of automotive sales experience and has made it his mission to help, educate and level up anyone he comes in contact with. LA shares his insights on Dealer Synergy's innovative training approach, emphasizing the importance of having fun while learning. He talks about the importance of eliminating distractions and paying attention to details, a valuable lesson for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #CuetheNextLeader

Michael Hopkins, Chief Client Experience Officer at VINCUE, joined Angela on the Cue the Next Leader Podcast to discuss key moments from VINCUE's inaugural Customer Conference, UNLEASHED!Tune in for an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse of UNLEASHED and get the scoop on what to expect in next year's event! 

Glenn Lundy is not just a dealer supporter but a guru who knows the secrets to take a dealership from zero to a mind-blowing 800% growth.In this episode, Glenn unveils the 800% Elite Automotive Club, a game-changing space he created for owners and general managers to scale, grow, and learn from each other.  Glenn's 800% Club unites dealers of all sizes and brands, fostering an environment where growth is a shared reality.But there's more! Glenn, Danelle Delgado, Mike Draper, and Evan Walters are teaming up for Carmageddon on December 20th – a free webinar diving into leadership, social media, F&I, and success formulas. It's Glen's birthday celebration, and everyone in the automotive industry is invited! Listen now for more! 

Michael Cirillo, the driving force behind FlexDealer, a family business that has transformed from publishing telephone books to becoming a powerhouse in the automotive industry. Michael shares his journey of evolution and how he's embraced the automotive world with passion. He also discusses his role as Chief of Staff at ASOTU and shares the importance of caring for people within an organization. Tune in to discover Michael's approach to empowering individuals, the value of transparency in leadership, and his vision for the future of FlexDealer. Join us for an insightful and inspiring conversation with Michael Cirillo.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

It’s no secret that car dealers have had a reputation problem for years. Kyle Mountsier is on a mission to change that perception. He and his business partner, Paul J. Daly at Automotive State of the Union (ASOTU) are working tirelessly to share the real stories of people who work in dealerships. They highlight how dealership employees interact with their customers and their impact on their communities.It was the start of the COVID pandemic. Paul J. Daly was brushing his teeth one day when he asked himself, “How can I help the automotive industry during this unprecedented time?” His answer was to connect car people over Zoom to make their good stories louder and to connect progressive dealers to progressive industry partners. Before he finished his dental routine he already knew what he would call this new idea: Automotive State of The Union. Thousands of people showed up to the first live-stream. ASOTU was born.ASOTU has now grown to provide daily emails, regular webinars and podcasts, and an annual conference to thousands of subscribers. Paul and his business partner, Kyle Mountsier, recently added regional events that capture the content for an ASOTU-produced TV show called, “More Than Cars,” featuring inspiring stories showing how people in real car dealerships are changing lives. Paul describes More Than Cars as a mash-up between Comedians In Cars getting Coffee + Diners Drive-Ins and Dives + Hip Hop soundtrack. This is all designed to change the public perception of car dealerships and provide an on-ramp to draw more people interested in careers in the auto industry.As an artist and a musician, Paul is excited to work in an industry that values creativity. Users can subscribe via YouTube to watch the first episode, with more episodes to come.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

With a career spanning over 25 years, Jasen has witnessed the evolution of the industry, from pioneering internet leads to embracing cutting-edge inventory management strategies.  Over the years Jasen's career has shifted from selling cars off the internet to running internet departments for various dealerships. In this episode, we will dive into lead management, inventory optimization, data-driven decision-making, and more. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

Gabe Levy has spent the last 26 years selling Volvo’s. He loves the brand and he especially loves working at Stillman Volvo, the privately owned dealership in south east Pennsylvania. Named the #1 Certified Pre-Owned store in Philly and #11 Nationally, Gabe takes pride in the great reputation that Stillman, a multi-generational dealership, has built over the past 70 years.Gabe uses his servant-leadership style to help the team deliver on the promise of increased inventory, increased turn, and providing the one price / best price to their customers. Every pre-owned vehicle is fully reconditioned to the highest standard so that customers can count on the quality of their purchases at Stillman.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

With over ten years of experience in automotive, Kaylee Felio runs sales and marketing at PartsEdge. She is known in the industry as “The Parts Girl” bringing awareness to the importance of managing parts in dealerships. PartsEdge provides the data and insights that helps parts managers set up their DMS to be more efficient to stock their parts allowing them to buy the right inventory at the right time.Kaylee started “The Parts Girl” podcast about one year ago focused on parts because she saw a gap in the industry. People like to talk about Fixed Ops and Service, but dealerships have significant costs tied up in parts, anywhere from hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars based on the size of the dealership. She uses her podcast to get to know people in the industry and to amplify their stories. This summer she’ll be focusing on a summer camp for fixed ops, and with an emphasis on - you guessed it - parts!#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

Steve Roessler (pronounced wrestler) is the Chief Evangelist Officer for DriveCentric. DriveCentric is the leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) - the first to build A.I. (Powered by ChatGPT-4) and engagement tools into one platform. Listen in as Steve tells us about some exciting new capabilities DriveCentric recently released that leverage Chat GPT to enable interactive conversations with their customers. These AI-driven sessions will then automatically flow into conversational streams with live agents.Steve is the architect of DriveCentric's DC-20, which is held 3 times per year.  Dealers will gather in St. Louis July 17-19 to collaborate in interactive sessions to learn how to get the most value from the DriveCentric CRM.  The focus is to help dealers learn modern approaches to sell more cars such as eliminating business rules and templates, building culture with personalized video, & working with GPT4 technology. Steve and his family recently moved to Nashville to help his 18-year-old daughter, Jenna, launch her singing career. Be on the lookout for Jenna Roessler’s first 5 songs which will be available soon on Spotify.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #CuetheNextLeader

Fred Lennartz and Lou Rameriz have each been in the automotive business for over 20 years. They ended up meeting each other at the same dealership after serving in the military. Fred was Air Force and Lou was in the Army. Both quickly realized that if you hustle and put in the work then you can build an amazing career in automotive.They started the Car Guy Coffee podcast and from there a media agency. The focus of their podcast is to uplift dealers, their stories, and to share with the world how great the people are in automotive. In their agency, they work with Buy Here Pay Here dealers to multi-franchise dealership groups to solve problems and to build strong cultures for their customers.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

Pride is more than just a colorful parade; it symbolizes a movement built on authenticity, empowerment and the pursuit of equality.Our CMO, Angela Rizzo had the opportunity to sit down with Michael Hopkins, Chief Client Experience Officer of VINCUE to shed light on the importance of Pride from our personal perspectives as members of the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode, they discussed the impact Pride has on individuals, communities, and society as a whole and how Pride plays a vital role in breaking down stereotypes and challenging the invisibility often imposed on the LGBTQ+ individuals. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #PRIDE2023 #Equality #CuetheNextLeader

Wendy Reeves was born into the auto industry and considers herself a passionate BDC enthusiast. Wendy spent over 30 years on and off in the same dealership, and 4 years with DealerStrong building the client portion of their dealer portfolio and speaking at industry conventions. She founded BDC Angels in 2019 to teach others how to take their sales or BDC teams to new heights using proven processes and best practices she has honed over her 30 years in the automotive business. She also spent several months as VP of Outbound Operations with Strolid, building their outbound calling division for internet lead management, sales and service BDC, data mining and introducing Volie as a valuable campaign management tool as she continued her duties with BDC Angels.  Wendy’s team also provides resources to build and run a Vehicle Buying Center (VBC) allowing dealers to acquire cars from the public. BDC Angels focus is on building, strengthening, and sharpening the skills of the BDC, VBC, internet department, sales, marketing, and service departments for automotive, RV, and Powersports. Whether your dealership needs help onsite or remote, Wendy and her team are ready to help drive more showroom traffic to your dealership.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

Aladdin Kasran has spent over 25 years in the automotive industry. He believes his innovation, DealerCards.com will help improve customer relationships, dealership loyalty, and repeat business.The idea is simple. Automate the sending of high-impact, handwritten notes from the sales rep to their customers based on life events including birthdays, anniversaries, service reminders, car purchases, etc. DealerCards.com marries the data from the dealer DMS to set the reminders to send the cards over a 3-5 year period.Born in the real estate industry connecting brokers to homeowners, this process is now gaining traction with dealers. Aladdin likes to say, “you cannot outsource your heart,” but with DealerCards.com you can outsource the actual greeting cards. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

Starting something new is  always very exciting. Dana Randazzo, Chief Operations Officer recently celebrated her one year anniversary at Auto Hauler Exchange. Through their innovative, one-of-a-kind digital dashboard, Auto Hauler Exchange is transforming the way shippers and carriers connect with one another providing data and a level of transparency not seen to date in the auto hauling industry.Auto Hauler Exchange digitally procures only vetted, highly rated, and continuously monitored carriers to one network. There is no cost to the carrier for participating.Available shipments come directly to the carrier from the shipper. There is no middleman and carriers see available shipments. Dana is able to take her 12+ years of experience in the logistics industry and apply it to create a service that meets the needs of their customers. Dana enjoys the collaboration between customers, engineering, marketing, and sales all in an effort to streamline the processes to make them more efficient.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

At 19 years old, Tianna Mick decided to sell cars. That journey led her on a three-year journey to build her personal brand “T’s Got Your Keys.” She exploded onto the car scene leveraging TikTok to grow her followers to over 20,000. Her last post had 40,000 views and more than 1,500 interactions.In her new role as Chief Marketing Officer at Dealer Synergy, Tianna spends her time working with dealers to build their personal brand while also educating consumers on good and bad dealership practices. A very small percentage of dealerships are considered shady or bad, but they’ve given consumers the idea that most dealerships are bad - when in fact most dealerships are good!Tianna’s goal is to help teach other sales reps how to leverage social media to grow their personal brand. Her advice is simple - find your niche, stick to it, and use your favorite platform (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc.) to amplify your message.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

It was the start of the COVID pandemic. Paul J. Daly was brushing his teeth one day when he asked himself, “How can I help the automotive industry during this unprecedented time?” His answer was to connect car people over Zoom to make their good stories louder and to connect progressive dealers to progressive industry partners. Before he finished his dental routine he already knew what he would call this new idea: Automotive State of The Union. Thousands of people showed up to the first live-stream. ASOTU was born.ASOTU has now grown to provide daily emails, regular webinars and podcasts, and an annual conference to thousands of subscribers. Paul and his business partner, Kyle Mountsier, recently added  regional events that capture the content for an ASOTU produced TV show called, “More Than Cars,” featuring inspiring stories showing how people in real car dealerships are changing lives. Paul describes More Than Cars as a mash up between Comedians In Cars getting Coffee + Diners Drive Ins and Dives + Hip Hop soundtrack. This is all designed to change the public perception of car dealerships and provide an on-ramp to draw more people interested in careers in the auto industry.As an artist and a musician, Paul is excited to work in an industry that values creativity. Episode 1 of More Than Cars is set to premier on May 24, 2023. Users can subscribe via YouTube to watch the first episode, with more episodes to come.

It’s no secret that car dealers have had a reputation problem for years. Kyle Mountsier is on a mission to change that perception. He and his business partner, Paul J. Daly at Automotive State of the Union (ASOTU) are working tirelessly to share the real stories of people who work in dealerships. They are highlighting how dealership employees interact with their customers and the impact they have on their communities.The first ASOTU documentary, called More Than Cars, just released in May 2023. Of the three stories featured, one story is of a service manager who has worked at the same dealership for 27 years. Her story includes her service to three generations of the same family. She has supported the grandparents, their children and now their grandchildren. She’s considered an extended member of the family who is sometimes relied on for advice and encouragement. With over 14 years in the auto industry, Kyle believes his mission is to help people to be seen by others inside and outside of the industry. Sharing their stories is one big way that he can deliver on his mission.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

As Director, of Customer Success, Yolanda Mays is responsible for representing several brands for Emerald. These brands include Digital Dealer, Prosper, and RFID. Yolanda was interviewed at the May 2023 Digital dealer show in Tampa. She spearheaded a new Hosted Dealer Program which provided vendors three minutes to pitch their products to 50 dealers one dealer at a time. Think speed dating with dealers to assess new technology or services.She utilizes her experience in customer service and operations to connect with others. It’s easy to see why she’s so approachable and kind.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

Allie Peters started her career in automotive in 2011, after she received a call from her cousin who was in her second week interning at a dealership in Dallas. Allie’s cousin urged her to get into automotive because it played to Allie’s strengths which are staying busy and talking to people. Fast forward twelve years to find Allie running Fixed Ops at Cavender Auto Group’s Land Rover and Jaguar store in San Antonio, Texas. Allie enjoys meeting with customers and leading the associates in the shop, parts, and service drive departments. The favorite part of her role is coaching and praising associates in real-time.Allie enjoys planning for the future, setting her vision for Fixed Ops, and doing the hard work to drive her vision forward. Her focus is to provide each customer with an exceptional experience in order to properly represent the owners of the 80-year-old generational family business.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

Seven years ago, Crissy Burton patiently spent 9 hours on a Saturday in a dealership working on a deal to buy her first car. She left with a brand new car and her life changed forever. The car salesman contacted Crissy a few months later to offer her a job as his assistant, but the GM decided that Crissy was destined to sell cars. This month Crissy celebrates her largest milestone in six years at the dealership - selling 74 cars in one month.Crissy is known as “The Car Fairy” and her focus is selling cars to her community, specifically to people with a special financial situation. Crissy loves selling, she loves taking care of her family, and she loves taking care of her customers. Her goal with every customer is to have them leave the dealership with a car.In addition to selling cars at Hubler Chevrolet, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Crissy is working with Dealer Synergy to build her brand and train other dealers on her techniques. Crissy’s objective is to put a “Car Fairy” in every city in America. Now that is a great idea!#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

As the BDC Director of Wondries Toyota in Alhambra, California, Martha Alvarado leads the Sales and Service BDC. She uses her 23 years of experience and her passion for automotive BDCs to not only provide the best support to her customers but to grow her own career and to develop the people who report to her.Martha started her career in telemarketing. At the time she did not speak English. Her GM saw her potential and put her in charge of talking to the Spanish-speaking customers. Martha knew that she had to work harder and focus on being proficient in English if she was going to grow her career and support her family. She made a commitment, was disciplined in her approach, put in the work, and now she is reaping the rewards.Martha’s advice to other leaders is to believe in your people, give them the encouragement to reach their full potential and watch them grow.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

April Simmons is the Corporate Internet and Marketing Director at the Horne Auto Group responsible for 15 rooftops. With over 26 years of experience in the automotive industry, April knows her way around a dealership having spent time in virtually every function of the dealership.A self-described “human sponge” April loves to learn, lead and leverage her skills to drive her dealership forward. It’s her focus on tried and true processes and her ability to leverage new technology to improve those processes that have made her so successful. April encourages everyone to never stop learning. Whether it’s listening to podcasts, going to seminars, or taking online learning classes. She also focuses on “being a customer” by following the path a customer would follow to make sure that the customer experience is working as designed.#VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader