About Us
OUR EDUCATORS
Our educators are automotive experts with extensive dealership experience and have educated thousands of dealers nationwide. Because they understand today's automotive businesses, they add value by offering practical application and real-world solutions in dealer workshops and local market meetings.
OUR MISSION
The AutoTrader.com Dealer Learning team's mission is to support the educational needs of our Dealer Customers through hands-on learning. We help you leverage the Internet as a tool to drive car shoppers to your showroom, as well as integrate online best practices with in-store processes to maximize operational efficiency.
THE TEAM
Jason Jager / Director, Industry Relations & Dealer Learning
Jason serves as the Industry Relations "go-to" guy. With razor-sharp attention to detail and a special talent for managing multiple projects with grace, Jason has uncompromising standards. For partners, this commitment to excellence means results they can count on. It's no surprise that Jason ended up in the automotive industry.
Born and raised in Southeast Michigan, you could say it's in his blood. He began his career in automotive marketing over 10 years ago at McCann Erickson agency. While there, he oversaw the planning and execution of over $12 million in marketing funds for Buick in 10 Southeastern markets. Jason joined AutoTrader.com in April 2006. He oversees the creation and implementation of educational programs. He is also instrumental in developing new educational opportunities within the industry. Jason earned a bachelor's degree in Advertising from Michigan State (Go Spartans!). His first car was a 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. It had a vinyl top.
read more ›Eddie Cawley / Director, Dealer Learning
Eddie brings 20 years of automotive experience to serve the dealer community as the head of the Dealer Learning team. A true visionary, Eddie has helped thousands of dealers nationwide maximize their success in online advertising through various roles at AutoTrader.com. In the past nine years, he has led the company’s Midwest Region as the Regional Sales Manager and Director. He has also served as an Internet Consultant to local Utah dealers, helping drive their success with AutoTrader.com solutions.
Prior to joining AutoTrader.com, Eddie had a successful career in automotive retailing. He began selling cars in 1991 for a large Subaru dealership in Utah. While in retail, he gained invaluable experience as the F&I Director, Used Car Manager, New Car Manager, General Sales Manager, General Manager, and Partner. During his retail tenure, Eddie became known as the “turnaround” guy for quickly helping non-profitable dealerships become market leaders.
Eddie graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Accounting. During his free time, he enjoys cycling, running, soccer, his 2003 HD Road King Classic, hiking/climbing, Facebook, playing video games, reading, and watching movies (with lots of popcorn!). He currently resides in Chicago with his family.
read more ›Howard Polirer / Director, Industry Education
Howard brings more than 15 years of experience as a dynamic automotive sales educator to dealer audiences across the nation. As one of the nation's premier automotive educators, Howard has taught thousands of dealers about effective online innovation and Internet advertising at hundreds of conferences for national, state and local dealer associations. He has also served as a dealership consultant for over 25 major dealer groups.
Previously, Howard owned his own automotive sales training and consulting company and was also the Executive Vice President of an automotive training company serving automotive clients, OEMs and associations. With over 30 years of experience in the retail automotive business, Howard has extensive dealership expertise, having grown from a Salesperson at a Toyota dealership to Sales Manager and then to General Manager for a Volkswagen, Subaru and Chevrolet dealership.
read more ›Glenn Pereira / National Dealer Educator
Glenn has more than 24 years of experience in the automotive industry, and his dedication to continuous improvement and a positive attitude have been the cornerstone of his career. For dealers, Glenn’s innovative insights and real-world automotive retail background make him particularly relatable as a dealer educator.
Prior to joining AutoTrader.com, Glenn was the Director of Operations for a large dealer group. In addition to his retail experience, Glenn has also worked for a major automotive manufacturer and consulting firm.
In 2007, Glenn graduated from the NADA Dealer Academy. This course work allowed Glenn to enhance his knowledge of retail operations and provide further value to dealers. During his free time, Glenn enjoys motorcycles, boating, ice hockey and playing the drums. He resides in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.
read more ›Randy Johnson / National Dealer Educator
Randy has over 23 years of automotive advertising and marketing experience. With a keen eye on leveraging new technologies to maximize profits, Randy has been a driving force behind many dealers making the transition from traditional media to effective online marketing platforms. As a National Dealer Educator for AutoTrader.com, Randy brings enhanced educational services, support and thought leadership to the dealer community via local market workshops, indealership education and 20 Groups.
Over the past five years Randy has served AutoTrader.com is the District Sales Manager for Chicago and as the Management Development Trainer for the West, Midwest and Northeast Divisions. Prior to joining Autotrader.com, Randy led the Midwest in a variety of Management and Sales positions in cable and broadcast television and introduced some of the first online automotive advertising products to dealers.
Always at home in front of an audience, Randy is a certified meeting facilitator and a dynamic speaker. He has been a participant in the Toastmaster’s Development Program and is a Graduate of Iowa State University. In his free time, Randy enjoys golf, ice hockey, traveling and spending time with his family.
read more ›Mike Martin / National Dealer Educator
Mike brings 14 years of experience at AutoTrader.com to the Dealer Learning team. As a National Dealer Educator, he has trained thousands of dealers over the past 5 years in local market workshops, In-Dealership workshops and national industry conferences such as the Interactive Dealer Summits. He consults with dealers nationwide each week on how to effectively market online with a strong focus on customer communications and how to incorporate online outof- the-box practices to generate an increased ROE (return on experience).
Mike joined AutoTrader.com in 1999 as an Advertising Consultant in the Detroit market and moved up to become District Sales Manager a few years later. As part of the Sales group, he serviced a variety of dealerships ranging from the multipoint franchise dealership to independent and "Buy-Here Pay-Here" dealers. In 2007, Mike was promoted to Senior Manager of Dealer Support where he served as the primary lead on a large dealer services team.
During his free time, Mike enjoys riding his motorcycle, playing golf and traveling. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia.
read more ›Shawn Nehrir / National Dealer Educator
Shawn’s career in the automotive industry spans more than three decades. He’s worked for Ford, GM, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus in everything from parts and service to various management positions, including F&I manager, new car sales manager, used car director, Internet director, general sales manager and general manager. Most recently, he was the Internet director for Wilson Auto Group. He has also consulted with Penske Auto Group, Fletcher Jones Motorcars and Sullivan Auto Group in their transition to the Internet. He largely credits his partnerships with AutoTrader.com and KBB as big contributors to his success in the industry.
Shawn was born in Shiraz, Iran, and grew up in State College, Pennsylvania. He has a degree in business from Williamsport College. He lives in Southern California with his three sons, where he enjoys road cycling, golf and other outdoor activities. Shawn’s first car was a 1965 Pontiac GTO.
read more ›FEATURED VIDEO TUTORIAL
How to engage, influence and convert online new car shoppers into offline new car buyers.
FEATURED DOWNLOAD
What You Need to Know about Millennials & Why It Matters
An analysis of Millennial car shoppers & buyers to understand their car-shopping behavior.
LATEST RESOURCES
2013
22
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Do You Really Know What Your Customers Are Saying about You?
Word-of-mouth has gone viral and so has your ... read more.
2013
25
Cox Enterprises Names Sanford Schwartz President of Manheim & AutoTrader Group
CEO Chip Perry to retire May 1.
Stay In Touch
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay current with our latest events, news and resources.
Your privacy is important to us.