Dan Kennedy is the owner of DAK Consulting LLC. Previously, Dan worked for General Motors holding various positions, the most recent, managing the GM Remarketing team. Dan retired from GM in June 2017 after nearly 40 years of dedicated service, with the last 31 years of those years in the remarketing area. During his time in GM Remarketing, the group was responsible for inspecting, vehicle acceptance, transporting, repairing and selling over 15 million vehicles. His function was also responsible for the contracting of services and training the various contracted partners to handle the vehicles, auditing results and implementing process and system improvements on behalf of GM. Following his retirement from GM, Dan joined CT Services, LLC as the Senior Vice President of Business Development in June 2017. He retired from CT Services, LLC on July 1, 2024. Dan has a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University and undergraduate degree from Oakland University. Dan was elected to the National Auto Auction Association Hall of Fame in 2011, named the National Remarketing Executive of the year in 2013, received the Industry Leadership Award in 2017 and is a Warren Young Fellowship recipient.

Mark Coleman has served as the Executive Director of the Automotive Remarketing Alliance (ARA) since 2023. Prior to his role with ARA, Mark was a VP Sales with Remarketing by GE and Remarketing by Element where, together with his teammates, he was instrumental in building the largest third-party remarketing program in the industry. Prior to GE and Element, Mark was a small business owner and held several roles with Chrome Systems. Mark lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife of 35 years and three cranky cats.

Dan Kennedy is the owner of DAK Consulting LLC. Previously, Dan worked for General Motors holding various positions, the most recent, managing the GM Remarketing team. Dan retired from GM in June 2017 after nearly 40 years of dedicated service, with the last 31 years of those years in the remarketing area. During his time in GM Remarketing, the group was responsible for inspecting, vehicle acceptance, transporting, repairing and selling over 15 million vehicles. His function was also responsible for the contracting of services and training the various contracted partners to handle the vehicles, auditing results and implementing process and system improvements on behalf of GM. Following his retirement from GM, Dan joined CT Services, LLC as the Senior Vice President of Business Development in June 2017. He retired from CT Services, LLC on July 1, 2024. Dan has a Master’s degree from Central Michigan University and undergraduate degree from Oakland University. Dan was elected to the National Auto Auction Association Hall of Fame in 2011, named the National Remarketing Executive of the year in 2013, received the Industry Leadership Award in 2017 and is a Warren Young Fellowship recipient.

Steve is the General Partner of Automotive Ventures, an early-stage Mobility-focused venture capital firm.

Steve has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive technology space. He started his career in 1999 selling software to car dealers and has overseen more than $1 billion in automotive technology acquisitions.

Steve served as TrueCar’s Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, and AutoTrader.com’s Vice President of Product Management and Business Development, overseeing the acquisitions of vAuto, Kelley Blue Book, HomeNet Automotive, VinSolutions, and DealerScience.

Earlier in his career, Steve served as Manheim’s Director of International Development, spearheading Manheim’s overseas investments, including establishing new joint ventures in Dubai, Istanbul and Beijing. 

He is the author of two books: "The Future of Automotive Retail," and "The Future of Mobility." He is also the author of the Weekly "Intel Report."

For fun, he likes to ride his three motorcycles on the racetrack and hang out with his twelve rescue cats

Dave Sutton is VP of Business Development and Industry Relations at Montway Auto Transport, where his tenure has been marked by forging strategic partnerships and tailoring transportation solutions. With a background in business development and an MBA, Dave excels in leveraging Montway's nationwide network and technology for customer advantage. Collaborative strategy development and CRM are cornerstones of his approach.

Jonathan Smoke is the Chief Economist for Cox Automotive, where he tracks the economy, new and used vehicle sales, supply, prices, retail and fleet demand, consumer credit and auto financing, and dealer sentiment to understand the key trends impacting both the wholesale and retail markets for vehicles informed by the proprietary data from Manheim, Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, vAuto, Xtime, and Dealertrack. 

For more than 28 years, Smoke has focused on translating data and trends into relevant, actionable insights. Prior to joining Cox Automotive, Smoke served as Realtor.com’s chief economist. Before that, he was the chief economist for Hanley Wood, a media and market intelligence company, and also served in a variety of roles at Beazer Homes.

Smoke is an executive member of the board for the Atlanta Economics Club and is a member of the Conference of Business Economists, Harvard Industrial Economists and the National Association of Business Economists.  He speaks at conferences such as the NADA and NIADA conventions, Automotive News World Congress, and Used Car Week. His views on the economy and the auto industry are featured regularly in industry and national news outlets such as Automotive News, Auto Remarketing, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Bloomberg, and CNBC. 

Smoke holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and religious studies from Rhodes College and a master’s degree in business from The University of Texas at Austin.

Jonathan Smoke is the Chief Economist for Cox Automotive, where he tracks the economy, new and used vehicle sales, supply, prices, retail and fleet demand, consumer credit and auto financing, and dealer sentiment to understand the key trends impacting both the wholesale and retail markets for vehicles informed by the proprietary data from Manheim, Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, vAuto, Xtime, and Dealertrack. 

For more than 28 years, Smoke has focused on translating data and trends into relevant, actionable insights. Prior to joining Cox Automotive, Smoke served as Realtor.com’s chief economist. Before that, he was the chief economist for Hanley Wood, a media and market intelligence company, and also served in a variety of roles at Beazer Homes.

Smoke is an executive member of the board for the Atlanta Economics Club and is a member of the Conference of Business Economists, Harvard Industrial Economists and the National Association of Business Economists.  He speaks at conferences such as the NADA and NIADA conventions, Automotive News World Congress, and Used Car Week. His views on the economy and the auto industry are featured regularly in industry and national news outlets such as Automotive News, Auto Remarketing, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Bloomberg, and CNBC. 

Smoke holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and religious studies from Rhodes College and a master’s degree in business from The University of Texas at Austin.

Dave Sutton is VP of Business Development and Industry Relations at Montway Auto Transport, where his tenure has been marked by forging strategic partnerships and tailoring transportation solutions. With a background in business development and an MBA, Dave excels in leveraging Montway's nationwide network and technology for customer advantage. Collaborative strategy development and CRM are cornerstones of his approach.

Mark Coleman has served as the Executive Director of the Automotive Remarketing Alliance (ARA) since 2023. Prior to his role with ARA, Mark was a VP Sales with Remarketing by GE and Remarketing by Element where, together with his teammates, he was instrumental in building the largest third-party remarketing program in the industry. Prior to GE and Element, Mark was a small business owner and held several roles with Chrome Systems. Mark lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife of 35 years and three cranky cats.

Grace Huang is president of Cox Automotive’s Inventory Solutions group, which includes Manheim, the nation’s largest wholesale vehicle marketplace, and a suite of digital solutions and vehicle services spanning the U.S. and international markets. Groups that report to Grace include Manheim’s Physical Services and Auctions, Digital Marketplace, Logistics Solutions and Cox Automotive International. 

Huang is evolving Manheim's used vehicle marketplace into a seamless experience across digital and physical platforms. This includes fueling its leading digital channels such as Manheim.com and Simulcast with data-driven tools that help clients compete more effectively and profitably. Her role also extends to strengthening Cox Automotive’s leadership and innovations in the areas of mobility, AI, vehicle imaging and EV battery health. 

Huang’s industry honors and leadership recognitions are numerous. They include Automotive News’ “100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry” in 2025 and 2020, National Auto Auction Association's "Warren Young Fellow" in 2024, Northwood University’s “2022 Distinguished Women Award,” Automotive News’ 2021 “All-Star” in Remarketing” and “Notable Champion of Diversity,”  a 2019 profile in Auto Remarketing’s “Power 300” edition, a “Women who Mean Business” in 2019 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, inclusion in Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 2018 Women Worth Watching,” and Auto Remarketing’s “Women in Remarketing” in 2017.

Huang’s leadership also extends to volunteering her time and talent to support the community and industry. She formerly chaired the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities and during her tenure, launched the capital campaign and planning of a new Atlanta House. Other leadership roles include serving on the advisory council for Endeavor Atlanta, part of a global movement that supports the next generation of entrepreneurs by promoting job and wealth creation, sustained economic growth and a culture of giving back. She also sits on the board of trustees for The Walker School in Atlanta and has served as an executive co-sponsor of Cox’s LOTUS Asian American Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (ERG). 

Lauren Baker is the Director of Growth and Operations at the Automotive Remarketing Alliance (ARA), a role she has held since 2023. With over 15 years of diverse experience in the automotive industry, including co-owning a dealership and holding leadership roles at PHH and Element Fleet Management, she brings a thoughtful, well-rounded perspective to her work. Lauren lives in Florida with her husband and their three children.

Shelly Frank has built her career in the auction and lending industries, holding various executive roles in both marketing and operations. Before transitioning to the auction sector in 2008, she gained extensive experience on the lending side as Repossession and Remarketing AVP at Fireside Bank and as Branch Manager/VP at WFS Financial.

Her work across both industries has given Shelly a unique and comprehensive understanding of the operational needs of auctions from both the lenders and auction’s perspectives. In her current role as National Accounts Director for Dealers Auto Auction of the Rockies and Dealers Auto Auction of the Southwest, she focuses on building strong relationships with credit unions and financial institutions nationwide.

Shelly’s expertise and insights have been invaluable to the auctions she represents and the clients she serves. She is actively involved in trade organizations, having served on the Board of the CCUCC Sacramento Chapter and as a member of the Compliance Team for the ARA. Her auction knowledge helps lenders better understand auction processes while offering a secure, professional, and profitable platform for remarketing vehicles.

In addition to these roles, Shelly is the co-founder and primary lead of GROW — Global Remarketing Opportunities for Women, launched in 2022, where she is dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the Auto Remarketing industry.

Tony is the Head of Policy, Title and Registration Modernization, and Chair of the eSTART Advisory Board. He has been with Carvana’s Government Affairs team since February 2022 focusing on all things “modernization” and representing ADESA. He works with state DMVs and other stakeholders to find modernization opportunities and works to implement business-friendly, modern policies and systems. Particular areas of focus include online title and registration systems, e-signatures, and e-titling.

 

Prior to Carvana, he spent 10 ½ years at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, serving in various roles, including as Regional Services Assistant Director with oversight responsibility for 8 of the department’s 16 regional offices, and Title Policy and Procedures Section Lead with responsibility for developing policies and procedures and ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.

Lisa Prestidge has over thirty-five years of experience in the automotive industry, focusing on vendor relations and customer service. Currently, the Remarketing Manager at Element Fleet Management in Canada, she has driven sales growth and managed fleet solutions for over a decade. Prior to her role at Element, Lisa spent more than 24 years at GMAC/ALLY/SmartAuction, gaining expertise in vehicle value analysis and auction processes. A passionate advocate for industry advancement, Lisa currently serves as the Co-Chair of the ARA Canadian Committee as well as a Board Member for the ARA. Her outstanding contributions were recognized when she was awarded the 2021 ARA Remarketer of the Year, acknowledged in 2022 for Women in Automotive and most recently was awarded the 2025 Consignor of the Year at CAR. She is especially enthusiastic about sharing knowledge and supporting women in automotive, whether they are just beginning their careers or have experienced long-term success. Outside of work, Lisa is a proud mom to her son Keegan, who constantly amazes her with his knowledge, charismatic presence and amazing career. She also enjoys going glamping with her fiancé, Roman.

Mark Coleman has served as the Executive Director of the Automotive Remarketing Alliance (ARA) since 2023. Prior to his role with ARA, Mark was a VP Sales with Remarketing by GE and Remarketing by Element where, together with his teammates, he was instrumental in building the largest third-party remarketing program in the industry. Prior to GE and Element, Mark was a small business owner and held several roles with Chrome Systems. Mark lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife of 35 years and three cranky cats.