John Elias and Peter Krall of Allied Solutions returned for another special sponsored episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast. Elias and Krall recapped some of the most notable developments in auto finance from the first quarter of 2026. The Allied Solutions executives also discussed early signals of loan health and how lenders can ensure refunds, insurance lapses, or repossession indicators don’t slip through the cracks.

James Virgoe, senior vice president and managing director of GWC Warranty, appeared on another special sponsored episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast at a time when domestic and foreign turbulences have added even more complexities to the car business. Virgoe sifts through the noise to help dealers maintain a stable path toward inventory management while building value and trust with potential buyers.

On this episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast, Bill Zadeits has a conversation with Vanessa Rocha, VP, All-American Bonds and Insurance and a Board member with the Florida Independent Auto Dealers Association. Vanessa speaks to some of the big issues facing dealers in today's used car market and also offers a special invitation (in English and Spanish) for them to join her at the Used Car Summit, April 13-15 in Miami. Enjoy this great episode with Vanessa Rocha.

Our conversations with the 2026 Automotive Intelligence Award winners wrap up with Satyan Merchant, who is senior vice president, automotive and mortgage business leader at TransUnion. Merchant recollected how his interest in data started when studying statistics on the back of baseball cards as a youngster and how it translated into a career of explaining complex trends backed by concrete information.

Concluding our inaugural Industry Elite: The C-Suite honoree series is a conversation with Tony Rimas, who is vice president of global revenue at XPEL Inc. Rimas — an avid biker who swam and ran track & field and cross country in college — talks with Cherokee Media Group senior editor Joe Overby about a career journey spent on both the investment and operational sides of automotive, blending servant leadership with a "no tomorrow" outlook, mentorship from Red McCombs and Chase Fraser, plus much more. Rimas and his fellow Industry Elite honorees will be recognized in the May edition of Auto Remarketing and at the Used Car Industry Summit, which runs April 13-15 at the InterContinental Miami.

Next up in our inaugural Industry Elite: The C-Suite honoree series is a conversation with Mike Thomas, who is chief executive officer of Resolvion. Thomas shares memories with Cherokee Media Group senior editor Nick Zulovich about working in construction and managing building projects and how that foundation set him on a successful path to working in auto-finance technology as well as a stint orchestrating mergers and acquisitions.

Next up on in our inaugural Industry Elite: The C-Suite honoree series is a conversation with Jennifer Turnage, who is chief executive officer of Primeritus Financial Services. Turnage talks with Cherokee Media Group senior editor Nick Zulovich about the importance of having accurate financial statements to running any business. She also reflects on her passion to help other women in leadership positions.

Next up on in our inaugural Industry Elite: The C-Suite honoree series is a conversation with Kelly Wyatt, who is chief digital officer with GM Financial. Wyatt shares a conversation with Cherokee Media Group senior editor Nick Zulovich about being with the company for 25 years and the colleagues and mentors who have impacted her during that span. Wyatt also touches on the complexities of auto-finance technology.

Next up on in our inaugural Industry Elite: The C-Suite honoree series is a conversation with Sean Morgan, who is executive vice president of finance and operations at Westlake Financial. Morgan talks with Cherokee Media Group senior editor Joe Overby about his career and the folks who have impacted that journey, the challenges and opportunities in auto finance, and his aspirations. The Industry Elite honorees will be recognized in the May edition of Auto Remarketing and at the Used Car Industry Summit, which runs April 13-15 at the InterContinental Miami.

Our conversations with the 2026 Automotive Intelligence Award winners continue with Tom Kontos, who now is analytics advisor for Auto Auction Holdings. Convinced to come out of retirement and get back in the business last fall with the growing wholesale operation, Kontos reflected on how he transformed his education and early professional positions in minerals and natural resources into a career in automotive that has now stretched to more than three decades. Kontos also touched on the colleagues and clients who have impacted him as he became one of the industry’s top experts, connecting together automotive wholesale, retail, finance and the general economy into the Kontos Kommentary and other projects.

Next up on in our inaugural Industry Elite: The C-Suite honoree series is a conversation with Mike Clark Jr., operations manager of C& C Cars in Pinellas Park, Fla. Clark is a third-generation dealer and helps run the family business with his dad and sister. He talked with Cherokee Media Group senior editor Joe Overby about road trips to the auto auctions, finding camaraderie through dealer associations (like FIADA) and 20 Groups and what he's learned about project management from being a dealer. Clark and his fellow Industry Elite honorees will be recognized in the May edition of Auto Remarketing and at the Used Car Industry Summit, which runs April 13-15 at the InterContinental Miami.