Expert Talks: Insights and Innovations in Automotive

In this exciting episode, Yossi Levi, founder of Car Dealership Guy, joins host Shasta Haddock to reflect on his game-changing year since revealing his identity at NADA 2024 and discuss what’s next for 2025. 🚀 ✅ The journey to NADA & why 2024 was a milestone year ✅ What happened after revealing his identity ✅ The importance of knowing your strengths, staying humble & always learning ✅ Key trends & focus areas for Q1 & Q2 of 2025—where is the industry headed? ✅ What’s next for Yossi? His biggest...

📢 "Dealers should get in the game or plan their exit strategy." — A wake-up call for the automotive industry! In this powerful episode, Glenn Lundy joins hosts Shasta Haddock & Michelle Phelps to discuss the high-stakes future of car dealerships in 2025. 🚀 ✅ The tough reality of 2024 and why dealers must scale—FAST ✅ Glenn’s partnership experience—why he sold his shares after just 90 days ✅ The 800% Elite Club—scaling dealerships at massive volume with a team of experts ✅ The new success m...

📢 "If the data doesn’t move the way it should, it holds us back." — A bold statement that defines the future of the automotive industry! In this episode, Stephen Cottrell (Founder & CEO of Authenticom) and Mike Stanton (President & CEO of NADA) join host Shasta Haddock to discuss: ✅ How the automotive industry showed resilience despite challenges, including a winter storm 🌨️ ✅ The infancy of the NADA Vault—a 12-year journey to becoming an industry-standard product ✅ The importance of clean...

Mike Dorazio is a self-made entrepreneur, husband and father of 5. He has spent the past 35 years advancing his career and building his brand within the Automotive Industry. He started his Sales journey in Altoona, PA and worked his way up to becoming a Sales Manager, Finance Manager, General Manager and eventually a partner in a small Ford Store. Mike sold his interest in the Ford store and decided to change his career path. He accepted a position with Westlake Financial. He helped sign a...

In this episode of Chicks in Charge, we’re excited to have Sleiman Serhan join us. Sleiman leads the Automotive division at Inmar, transitioning from a finance and hedge fund background to automotive leadership. A CFA charterholder with a Masters in Quantitative Management and Business Analytics from Duke Fuqua, he joined Inmar's Automotive team in 2021. Sleiman actively contributes to Inmar Intelligence's Data Science and AI innovation lab, leveraging his expertise to drive advancements in auto...

This episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast is brought to you by Authenticom, and we’re excited to be podcasting live from their booth at NADA 2025—Booth #3319! Our guest today is Michelle Phelps, an accomplished leader with over a decade of experience in strategic planning and sales leadership within the automotive industry. As the Director of Sales at Authenticom, Michelle leads a dynamic team focused on driving revenue growth and client retention through innovative strategies. Her experti...

In this episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we are joined by Darrell Steed, a seasoned innovator and consultant in automotive dealership strategies. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Darrell has seen the challenges dealerships face and founded Smartwolf Consulting to provide transformative, sustainable solutions that break the cycle of repetitive mistakes. Darrell's journey started in the trenches of automotive sales and management, where he identified gaps in training a...

In this episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Erielle Gabay, a true Houstonian with a heart as big as Texas. Erielle brings style, passion, and purpose to everything she does—from her role as Marketing and BDC Manager at Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land to her unwavering advocacy for women’s empowerment, animal rights, and diversity. With a background in Communications from St. Edwards University and a Digital Marketing Certification from Rice University, Erielle is a po...

Robin Wilson is a successful entrepreneur and founder of SCP Agency and Epic BDC and now SOCIAL GRENADE. She has been serving the automotive community since 2013, offering innovative solutions and delivering outstanding results. With a passion for the industry and a drive to succeed, Robin has established herself as a leader in the field. Now introducing Social Grenade to the automotive sales industry, solving organic social media lead generation where it matters most!

In this episode of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we sit down with Kendra Southern, Fleet Services Manager at Big Star Ford and a seasoned professional with 27 years in the vehicle service industry. Kendra’s journey from service technician to service director—and now to fleet services leader—showcases her exceptional ability to drive growth and innovation in dealership operations. With a proven track record of increasing service revenue by 53% through streamlined procedures and team culture, K...

In this TEDx Southlake edition of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we’re joined by Justin Atherton, a seasoned law enforcement professional turned leadership and communication expert. With nearly two decades of experience as a detective, SWAT breacher, patrol sergeant, and training lieutenant, Justin brings a unique perspective on uncovering truths and developing authentic leadership. As the founder of Confidence Unchained, he empowers professionals to break through self-deception, strengthen their...

In this special TEDx Southlake edition of the Chicks in Charge podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome back the inspiring Kaylee Jewert—this time as a 13-year-old TEDx speaker! Kaylee's achievements in leadership, entrepreneurship, and public speaking are nothing short of remarkable. From winning a Gold Medal in Leadership Skills with the Colorado State Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and finishing in the top ranks nationally, to representing Colorado in Financial Literacy at the FBLA natio...

In this inspiring episode of the Chicks In Charge podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Kerri Wise, Chief Marketing Officer at AutoFi and a true trailblazer in the automotive industry. With a 25-year career spanning major brands like TrueCar, Edmunds, and J.D. Power, Kerri brings a wealth of insight into automotive sales and financing, digital transformation, and the evolving marketing landscape. Beyond her professional achievements, Kerri is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion, particul...

In this episode, we sit down with Becky Squyres, the dynamic National Director of Sales at Dealer Blue Sky. With over a decade of experience in sales leadership, Becky has consistently driven innovation and success for dealerships through cutting-edge marketing solutions and proprietary technology. As a champion for women in the automotive industry, Becky is committed to fostering inclusion and empowering others to succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her leadership journey spans key...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dana Nusbaum, an Account Executive at Cherokee Media Group with over a decade of experience in the automotive remarketing industry. Dana has been helping clients strategically target their marketing messages and elevate their branding across the automotive sector since 2021. Starting her career at IAA Wilmington, Dana went on to become a top sales professional at ADESA Raleigh, where she earned prestigious awards like Auction of the Year and Sales Team of the Yea...

In this episode, we sit down with Kim Baker, an automotive industry veteran whose career spans over two decades of leadership and success. Kim started his journey in sales at a Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile franchise in 1998, quickly rising through the ranks. By 2002, he was promoted to the Finance and Insurance department, where he managed operations and launched Special Finance initiatives. His leadership led to the growth of an independent dealership from 50 units to over 300 per...

In this episode, the Chicks In Charge chat with Stacey Ellison, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in the retail automotive sector. Stacey’s journey through the industry has seen her excel in various roles, from selling cars and building award winning Internet Sales Departments to working as a service advisor and transitioning to an independent consultant. Her deep understanding of tailored solutions has made her a trusted partner for top dealerships, OEMs, and automotive v...

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Cala, a veteran in the automotive industry with over 25 years of experience in sales training and consulting. Known for his infectious positivity and strategic sales insights, Joe has played a pivotal role in shaping successful automotive training platforms that continue to empower thousands of sales professionals across the United States and Canada. As a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Joe brings a unique blend of faith and purpose to his work, gui...

In a special episode of "Chicks In Charge," Robin takes over the mic to interview a very special guest —Trinity, the 10-year-old daughter of Jess, who is one-half of the dynamic duo behind the podcast. Jess, who juggles her role as the CMSO at Epic BDC and SCP Agency, has faced the challenges of being a C-suite executive while navigating the complexities of motherhood, especially with children who have medical needs. Trinity shares her personal journey, discussing the health challenges she bega...

On this episode, we sit down with Brooklynne Morse, a rising star in the automotive industry. Brooklynne's journey began at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, where she excelled in the Honda PACT program, graduating on the dean's list with 100% of her self-studies completed. Her dedication paid off in January 2020 when she became a certified Honda Master Technician. But she didn't stop there—Brooklynne quickly advanced to become a Super Technician the following year. Tune in as she shares h...

With 15 years of Automotive and technology leadership, David has an accomplished career in building and sustaining revenue, having led sales teams at various high volume Automotive dealerships as well as organizations such as ServiceMaster and tech start up Rodo. Patrick O’Brien is an experienced automotive professional with 27 years in the industry, bringing extensive expertise across all departments. A dedicated family man, he also serves as a special project manager for Gravity Enterprises, ...

In this episode of "Chicks In Charge," we are excited to welcome Fleming Ford, NCM's Director of Business Talent Solutions. Fleming is responsible for designing and implementing leadership development and executive coaching programs that equip progressive leaders with the tools, models, mindsets, and people strategies to recruit, grow, and retain high-performing teams. Fleming believes that when leaders grow, companies grow. Her mission is to unlock leadership potential by challenging managers ...

In this episode of "Chicks In Charge," we are thrilled to welcome Lyamen Savy, a distinguished entrepreneur and digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience. As the CEO and Founder of Blabber, a groundbreaking referral marketing software designed for companies with sales teams, Lyamen is transforming the way businesses leverage word-of-mouth marketing. Before founding Blabber, Lyamen made her mark as the Founder of 321 Ignition, the first mobile-first SaaS website provider in the a...

In this episode of "Chicks In Charge," we welcome the phenomenal Cindy Zieba from Ascent Dealer Services. Cindy is a passionate and dedicated professional with a specialization in enhancing F&I operations for dealers. Her expertise and commitment have propelled her to become one of the top agents at Ascent Dealer Services, where she consistently exceeds expectations. Known for her relentless work ethic and servant-leading heart, Cindy is an unstoppable force in her field. She approaches every t...