New Financial Exec at OPENLANE

OPENLANE recently promoted Itunu Orelaru to head of investor relations where she will be responsible for communicating the company’s vision, transformation, and growth to stockholders and the financial community.

Orelaru joined OPENLANE earlier this year, leading the company’s financial planning and analysis and treasury functions.

Before OPENLANE, Orelaru most recently was an investment banking associate with Goldman Sachs’ technology, media and telecommunications group where she led and participated in various mergers, acquisitions, equity offerings and initial public offerings. Before joining Goldman Sachs, Orelaru was a senior consultant for Deloitte’s risk and financial advisory practice where she served clients in various mergers, acquisitions, financial carve-outs, and financial process improvement projects.

Orelaru holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Bowling Green State University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Muskingum University.

Orelaru will report to Brad Lakhia, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“As a digital marketplace for wholesale used vehicles, OPENLANE is well-positioned for the future with a robust innovation pipeline and powerful combination of strategy, products and offerings,” Orelaru said in a July 22 news release. “We have a compelling story and value proposition to share, and I look forward to building on our investor relations program to support the needs of the company, analysts. and stockholders alike.”

Cox Automotive Elevates Logistics Leader

Cox Automotive has promoted Joe Kichler to senior vice president of digital inventory and supply chain solutions, the company announced earlier this month.

In this new and expanded leadership position, Kichler will oversee all Manheim digital tools — including the Manheim Digital Marketplace — while guiding Cox Automotive’s leading logistics businesses, Central Dispatch and Ready Logistics.au.

Kichler takes on this role at an important time in the industry — as technology and AI are beginning to enable advancements for clients in digital wholesale and vehicle transportation.

By bringing these solutions under one leader, Cox Automotive can accelerate innovation and realize the full potential of the digital marketplace faster.

In his previous role, Kichler's leadership was instrumental in digitizing Ready Logistics’ transportation solutions through a strategic partnership with DHL Supply Chain. After successfully implementing that vision, his team secured additional investment to transform Central Dispatch’s leading load board into an integrated transportation marketplace — a process that just completed its first phase.

Kichler joined Manheim in 2012 as vice president of operational excellence where he oversaw the design of new auction processes and client experiences while also leading enterprise portfolio management and operational analytics functions.

He also served as vice president of group strategy, overseeing strategic planning across the company’s wholesale and retail brands before assuming the role of vice president of logistics. Before joining Cox Automotive, Kichler held business strategy and management consulting positions with Deloitte and Boston Consulting Group.

Auction Leaders to Grow Operation with TPC Management

Airport Auto Auction in Knoxville, Tennessee recently retained TPC Management Company for strategic consulting and business development. 

Cory Helton, general manager, and Josh Benjamin, fleet/lease manager, are seasoned auto auction veterans who will be working closely with TPC to expand the company’s relationships and visibility in the market.

Airport Auto Auction is a family-owned independent auto auction that has served the remarketing community for more than 40 years. Today the auction is headed by second and third-generation owners Trent and Gabe Long.

Founded in 1981 by Paul Long, Airport Auto Auction is in Alcoa, Tennessee adjacent to the Knoxville airport.  The auction, which has 65 employees, holds a weekly sale on six lanes every Thursday at 9:15 am. 

It offers 24/7 online vehicle remarketing management for dealers and commercial accounts; reconditioning solutions including detailing and light-mechanic work; transportation services; corporate fleet maintenance programs; and specialty auto-asset marshaling.