Speakers
Joel Ewanick
Vice President, Marketing
Hyundai Motor America
Joel Ewanick joined Hyundai Motor America in February 2007 as vice president of marketing. Mr. Ewanick is responsible for marketing communications and brand development.
Joel Ewanick joined Hyundai from The Richards Group where he served as director of brand planning at the marketing and advertising firm. He was responsible for overall brand and advertising strategy at Richards.
As an expert in the marketing field, Mr. Ewanick has held executive-level positions at leading firms and organizations including, Porsche Cars North America, Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., Hinckley Yachts and Saatchi & Saatchi Team One Advertising where he led the Lexus account as planning supervisor.
Joel Ewanick earned his Bachelors of Science in Marketing from California State University, Northridge and attended the Wharton School of Executive Training at the University of Pennsylvania.
Jack Hollis
Vice President - Scion
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc.
Jack Hollis is vice president of Scion, a new line of vehicles from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. He is responsible for all Scion activities.
Scion, aimed at trend-setting younger buyers, is the first new brand from Toyota since the debut of Lexus in 1989. Unveiled by TMS in March 2002, Scion's line of vehicles is aimed at a new generation of consumers who actively seek out the latest trends in style and innovation. Some of the innovations include marketing techniques, new approaches to product styling, versatility, and the sales process.
Most recently, Mr. Hollis served as corporate manager of Scion. Mr. Hollis was responsible for overall Scion operations, including sales, distribution, marketing, product development, and customer service.
Prior, Mr. Hollis served as corporate sales manager of private distributors and sales strategies where he was responsible for all aspects of business relating to Toyota's private distributors, Gulf States Toyota and Southeast Toyota.
Jack Hollis began his career with Toyota in 1992, where he served as a management trainee. Since then he has had several national and regional management positions including vehicle operations manager, sales administration manager, Lexus dealer advertising manager, customer services marketing manager, retail development manager and district manager (sales and parts).
Mr. Hollis also worked as special assistant to the president, TMS, the primary liaison for internal and external groups interfacing with the Office of the President and coordinating with Executive Committee offices while overseeing coordination of the president's daily activities.
Mr. Hollis earned his bachelor's degree in economics at Stanford University.
John A. Maloney
Vice President, Marketing & Product Planning
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC
Mr. John A. Maloney is Volvo Cars of North America LLC's vice president, marketing & product planning - a position he has held since August 2008. Reporting to VCNA's president and CEO, Mr. Maloney is responsible for all consumer facing communications including national and regional advertising, new product launches, CRM and e-business initiatives as well as all forward product planning. Prior to his current assignment Mr. Maloney was vice president, marketing communications.
Mr. Maloney joined VCNA from the Ford Motor Company in January 2000. Prior to joining VCNA, Mr. Maloney held numerous positions within the Ford Motor Company. His career with Ford began in 1983 and included a wide variety of sales and marketing assignments in the Ford Customer Service Division, Lincoln Mercury Division and Ford Global Marketing.
Mr. Maloney holds a bachelor of science in industrial management from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University.
John Mendel
Executive Vice President - Automobile Sales
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
John W. Mendel is executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., heading up both Honda and Acura Automobile Sales Divisions. Mr. Mendel is responsible for U.S. sales activities of the Honda and Acura Divisions as well as Acura Parts and Service field operations. In addition, he oversees Honda and Acura market representation, customer marketing, dealer business management, and product and sales information.
In his previous position, Mr. Mendel was executive vice president, of American Honda Motor Co., Inc, and was responsible for product planning, advertising, marketing, public relations and distribution for both Honda and Acura Automobile Divisions.
John Mendel joined American Honda in December 2004, and was promoted to executive vice president in 2007.
Prior to joining American Honda, Mr. Mendel served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for Mazda North American Operations. He began his career with Ford Motor Company's U.S. operations in 1976 and held numerous sales and marketing positions within Ford, Lincoln Mercury and Ford Customer Service. He was appointed major markets/dealer advertising manager in 1990 and regional operations manager in Chicago in 1992. Mr. Mendel served as regional manager for Ford's San Francisco and Los Angeles operations from 1993 through 1998. He then served as director of marketing with Ford of Britain from 1999 to 2002 before joining the leadership team at Mazda.
John Mendel holds undergraduate degrees in business and economics and a master of business administration from Duke University.
Mike Sullivan
Owner
Sullivan Automotive Group
Mike Sullivan owns seven car dealerships in the Los Angeles area. He started his career in 1976 as a second generation car guy. He is very excited about his kids taking over the business.
In 1995, Mr. Sullivan started LAcarGUY.com. This internet presence is growing and now responsible for 25 percent of his sales activity.
In 2008, Sullivan Automotive Group moved from 51st to 38th on the Automotive News Top 125 Dealership Groups ranking.
Mr. Sullivan sits on numerous national advertising boards.
Judith Wheeler
Director - Advertising
Chrysler LLC
Judith K. Wheeler was appointed director - advertising for Chrysler LLC in July 2008. Ms. Wheeler leads the strategy and development for the Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge brands in the U.S. and international markets. She directs teams that create assets for TV, print and outdoor advertising, in addition to catalogs, brochures and dealer point-of-sale materials for all markets globally. Prior to this position, Ms. Wheeler was director - international marketing and communications, responsible for international marketing strategies and plans for Chrysler LLC vehicles.
In 2006, Ms. Wheeler was named vice president - marketing, Chrysler Canada, and was responsible for Canadian vehicle product and volume planning, marketing strategies, brand development, National Dealer Council and customer relationship management initiatives. She has been with Chrysler since 1984.
Judith Wheeler is the chairperson / president of the Chrysler Women's Forum, which has more than 1,000 members, as well as Committee chairperson for the Company's Rise and Shine Speaker Series. She is also a member of the Automotive Women's Alliance and Tread Lightly. In September 2008, Ms. Wheeler was named to the "Top 100 under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders" list by DiversityMBA magazine.
Ms. Wheeler received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin in 1983, a Masters in Business Management from St. Mary's College in Minneapolis in 1989 and completed the Harvard Business School Executive Management Program in 2001.
