CARY, N.C. -

When Debbie Stokes gets time away from the office, one of her hobbies is golf.

While certainly a game of precision at any point on the course, each of its different tasks — driving, chipping out of a sand trap, putting, etc. — requires a diverse set of skills (and clubs, for that matter).

The same is true for Stokes in her role as national remarketing manager at PAR North America.

“My job has a variety of responsibilities that include meeting customer needs, working with a wide range of automobiles, not only requiring detailed auto knowledge, but multiple analytical skills for the work product completion, and staff training and management,” said Stokes, a 2016 Women in Remarketing honoree. 

And sometimes, that skill set can be a moving target. For example, we asked Stokes what she has seen the car business change the most: “Automation in all areas has been the biggest change during my career. This is not only reflected in the conversion of written analysis and data to computer systems, but also to online auction sales.”

Whether it’s adjusting to industry changes or wearing multiple hats in a leadership role, Stokes’ path in the remarketing business certainly seems to have prepared her quite well for such responsibilities.

She has been the remarketing manager at PAR for four-and-a-half years, having spent the previous six with ADESA. Stokes was commercial accounts manager for ADESA Tampa before moving up to assistant general manager.

Her career in the remarketing business began at Florida Auto Auction in Orlando, where she was a driver before moving up to vehicle check-in and eventually the factory department.

Stokes had started the job while taking community college courses at night, and she continued her work in the business while a student at the University of South Alabama.

“Upon graduation I entered the Manheim Management Training Program and was advised I was the first female to complete the entire program,” she said.

Stokes worked for Manheim for 12 years and then Citi Financial Auto for two-and-a-half. Then, she got the ADESA job and has been in the KAR Auction Services family ever since.

“My advice for those interested in the auto industry is to work hard every day and learn as much as possible to understand the work flow between people, businesses, departments, and automobiles,” she said.

Stokes certainly has aced the hard work and learning game throughout her career.  

Check out the April 15 edition of Auto Remarketing to learn more about the entire class of 2016 Women in Remarketing honorees.

These outstanding leaders will be honored at Used Car Week 2016, where we will be launching our National Remarketing Conference partnership with the National Auto Auction Association.

Used Car Week is scheduled for Nov. 14-18 at the Red Rock in Las Vegas.