40 Under 40: Walser Auto Group Honors Two on Automotive News’ List

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a year of incredible challenge and change, Walser Automotive Group is recognizing two employees named to Automotive News’ 40 Under 40. Colton Ray, CEO of FUSE Autotech, an affiliate of Walser Automotive Group, and Lindsey Trett, Walser’s Director of Service Process and Implementation, received the honor Monday. This annual program honors 40 high achievers at new-car dealerships who are under 40 years old.

Automotive News received nominations from across the U.S. and identified outstanding performers in a large field of high-quality talent at dealerships. With a broad range of titles and backgrounds, this year’s list represents a diverse group of honorees.

“The 40 Under 40 program honors dealership employees who display exceptional leadership skills and are top performers,” said Amy Wilson, retail editor of Automotive News. “The men and women on our 10^th annual list have significant business achievements, and their dealership groups are all the stronger for it.”

Ray, who started at Walser Automotive Group in 2017, oversees the company’s newest affiliate business, FUSE Autotech, an automotive finance platform which uses cloud-based predictive AI to fully retail vehicles digitally. The FUSE platform is based on infrastructure developed by Walser Automotive Group and has been implemented in all Walser brand dealerships, resulting in nearly $20 million in increased finance revenue and over $6 million in operational expense savings. FUSE Autotech currently serves 70+ dealerships in the U.S. through various FUSE SaaS products. Ray previously served as Walser’s Chief Merchandising Officer.

Trett, who started in Walser’s Business Development Center (BDC) as a part-time Phone Specialist in 2008, has made a true career journey through the company. Today, Trett focuses on the implementation of cutting-edge service processes in Walser’s Fixed Operations sector to support service retention and a better customer experience through technology and video. Trett also oversees Walser’s Service BDC.

“The recognition of Colton and Lindsey is well-deserved and a tremendous honor for Walser as a company,” said Andrew Walser, CEO of Walser Automotive Group. “Walser strives to be a changemaker in the industry and we’re proud to see these two among so many influential leaders.”

These bright stars were profiled in the July 12 issue of Automotive News, the leading news source for the global automotive industry. For complete information about Automotive News’ 40 Under 40, visit www.autonews.com/40under40.

Walser Automotive Group operates 25 new and preowned dealerships featuring major domestic and luxury brands throughout Minnesota and Kansas and Illinois.