SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TrueCar, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUE) announced that it has named Jim Menard, an experienced auto sales executive, to serve as the company’s senior vice president of dealer sales, a position that will contribute directly to strengthening dealer relationships across the TrueCar Certified Dealer network.
Previously, Menard was president and general manager of the U.S. subsidiary of Search Optics, a global digital marketing provider that specializes in the automotive industry. There he led the company’s U.S. strategy, working directly with dealers to create sales opportunities. He will report to Executive Vice President of Dealer Sales and Service Brian Skutta.
“Jim’s dealer-centric focus and breadth of experience across media, software and in-store process makes him a perfect fit for the TrueCar team,” Skutta said. “Jim’s leadership will further enhance TrueCar’s ability to engage our dealer body in order to drive profits and improve the user experience, which will result in a win-win for both dealers and consumers."
Menard joins TrueCar after spending nearly 20 years in the auto industry fostering partnerships with dealerships across the U.S., and has played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of auto classified listings as it progressed from print into the digital space.
“I’m excited about the direction TrueCar is headed and the positive impact it will have on the auto industry,” said Menard. “I will strive to build an outstanding sales organization that dealers consider an essential partner to their business. TrueCar is poised to develop an even more productive relationship with both dealers and consumers, and I look forward to being a part of the process."
Menard also served as vice president of dealer field sales at car-shopping site AutoTrader, and was vice president and general manager of dealership management software provider vAuto, where he oversaw several acquisitions and consistently delivered year-over-year performance for the company.
About TrueCar
TrueCar, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUE) is a digital automotive marketplace that provides comprehensive pricing transparency about what other people paid for their cars and enables consumers to engage with TrueCar Certified Dealers who are committed to providing a superior purchase experience. TrueCar operates its own branded site and its nationwide network of more than 11,000 Certified Dealers also powers car-buying programs for some of the largest U.S. membership and service organizations, including USAA, AARP, American Express, AAA and Sam's Club. Over one third of all new car buyers engage with the TrueCar network during their purchasing process. TrueCar is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, with offices in San Francisco and Austin, Texas. For more information, go to www.truecar.com. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
