ATLANTA -

After taking the helm at Manheim in 2000, just after the company’s merger with ADT, Dean Eisner has spent a decade heading up the auction giant. He told Auto Remarketing on Tuesday that though his retirement announcement may have come as a surprise to many in the industry, it is something he’s been looking forward to for some time.

As he steps down and Sandy Schwartz steps into the role as leader of Manheim, Eisner spent some time Tuesday reflecting on his experiences in the auction industry.

“I’ve headed up Manheim since 2000, immediately following the merger with ADT. Cox has been a fantastic parent company, supporting our efforts to do what was right for our customers and making long-term investments to strengthen Manheim’s promising future. I have always appreciated how action-oriented and creative Manheim people are in getting the job done. I thoroughly enjoyed my days at Manheim and am confident about its continued success with Sandy Schwartz taking the helm,” Eisner told Auto Remarketing.

In further reflection, he revealed he is “most proud of the level of employee engagement” at Manheim.

“We began surveying employees soon after I arrived, and progressively the level of participation and the results have consistently risen. We are proud to be benchmarked above the ‘highest performing companies’ for employee engagement,” Eisner explained.

Continuing on, Eisner said his admiration of car dealers and remarketers and how quickly they react to an always evolving market place is close to without equal.

“Over the years, I’ve also come to appreciate the savvy, resourceful nature of car dealers, which constantly adapt to the changing market. For commercial remarketers, I am impressed with their growing sophistication of using information to manage what has become a very dynamic industry,” he stressed.
“Technology has also been so impactful in the business — the idea that a bidder for a vehicle can see live audio and video from an auction lane and instantaneously submit an online offer is a technological marvel. Several years ago, we wanted to demonstrate the potential of visioning the future in remarketing and created the DRIVE Center — a place for any industry member to think outside the box, and I’ve been thrilled with some of the ideas that have been generated. It seems remarketing industry leaders are finding more and more new approaches to reduce sales cycles and create better processes,” he explained.

“The next five years will be even more dynamic, and I look forward to watching (but from a beach chair instead of an office),” Eisner noted, with a smile.

Despite some of the challenges currently facing the industry, Eisner calls the future very bright.

“Sometimes challenges force organizations to work differently and drive improvements. I think more creative solutions are being developed now than ever before. Technology, mobility, process improvements and other opportunities will be refined, and the ‘Stock Exchange of Cars’ will continue to evolve and thrive.”

Though Eisner will remain a close adviser to Schwartz until his official retirement this summer, he is already lining up his retirement agenda.

“I have been preparing for this day for some time. I’m on the advisory board of a large private equity firm and will also continue investing on my own. I also am deeply committed to community initiatives, serving on several boards,” he pointed out.

“Going forward, I am excited about the opportunity to more actively support the arts, social service and education for these (community) organizations. My love of helping to guide others’ careers has opened the door for me to be involved with educational institutions, including my alma mater Michigan (where my son currently is a sophomore). During my retirement, I also look forward to enjoying my passion for travel, sailing and sports, as well as a few new-found interests. I recently started playing golf and am now losing fewer balls, and the shocker to many is how much my wife and I love our new exploration of riding motorcycles.

“Finally, I have two children, whom I adore and can’t wait to spend more time with them (whether they want me to or not),” he concluded with a grin.

As for Schwartz taking over the helm of Manheim, Eisner doesn’t think the company could be in better hands.

“With the industry changing so rapidly and Cox enhancing its investment in technology and infrastructure at Manheim over the next three to five years to better serve customers, particularly in online and mobile, it is paramount to have someone committed to leading the organization for many years into the future,” Eisner wrote in an e-mail to many in the industry.

“I know you will find Sandy Schwartz to be an effective and impactful executive. He has the technology background, familiarity with the automotive sector (Chip Perry at AutoTrader.com will continue reporting to Sandy), and leadership abilities to take Manheim to the next level,” he added.

Editor’s Note: To see the initial breaking news article from Auto Remarketing announcing Dean’s retirement, please click here.