CARY, N.C. -

Below is a Q&A with Wendy Gill, division vice president at NextGear Capital and a 2017 Women in Remarketing honoree. 

Auto Remarketing: What was your path to the automotive industry, and what do you enjoy most about working in the car business?

Wendy Gill: My journey into automotive started as far back as I can remember. My dad worked in automotive, and I was always around clients, cars (specifically the classics), and car shows and races. I did it all as a kid: washed cars, laid fiberglass and wanted to have a career just like my dad. I was destined to a life working in the automotive industry.

After graduating from UCLA, I focused on being a wife and mother, and it was not until almost 10 years later that I stumbled into working in advertising. In the newspaper business, I found myself drawn to the automotive sector. Working closely with clients and ad agencies, I was hooked again.

When readership started to decline, I knew it was time to look for a new way to work with dealers. My husband, who is also in the automotive business, encouraged me to seek out an opportunity in digital media. I discovered a wonderful adventure working for Autotrader. Collaborating with our independent and franchise dealers on their digital media campaigns provided the opportunity for me to educate and help our dealer partners grow their businesses.

After a decade with Autotrader, I was offered a tremendous opportunity to join NextGear Capital. In my roles with Autotrader and NextGear Capital, I have had the good fortune to be part of Cox Automotive. I have a huge passion for working closely with my dealer partners on their business while getting to spend time envying their inventory!

AR: How is the remarketing/used-car segment of the business most different from when you first started out?

WG: I observed that buying behaviors have changed the most; digital has made the largest impact on the business. Shoppers have inventory, values and dealerships at their fingertips. No longer do you see families on a Sunday driving from lot to lot; they can take a drive down the virtual highway.

AR: How would you describe your leadership style and approach to problem solving?

WG: As a servant leader, I have a team member first motto. I strive for a culture that supports open and honest feedback. I engage with my team to derive creative ways to approach the business and solutions. The culture I create allows each team member to voice his or her ideas and opinions.

AR: What have been some of the top keys to your success in the car business?

WG: My success has been predicated on hard work, dedication and passion for cars. I hold my team and myself to the highest level of accountability.

AR: Who are some folks, whether in the auto industry or not, that you admire professionally, and why?

WG: My mom and dad have both been instrumental in my life. My dad — as a business owner in the automotive industry — held me to a high level of performance, even as a child. He set a great example for me as someone who lived to succeed.

His partner was my mom, who as a stay-at-home mom, worked harder supporting my dad and the kids than any professional women out there. My dad traveled for his business and my mom had to balance it all.

At nine, I developed Type 1 diabetes, and my mom essentially gave up her dreams to take care of me. Diabetes was the game changer for the family; everything in our life depended on my health. My dad always told me, do not let diabetes stand in the way to live your dream.

Even today, as the division vice president for NextGear Capital, my dad contacts me daily to discuss where my team is to goal. The high level of accountability continues well into my adult years.

AR: When you are able to get away from the office or work, what do you enjoy? What are your hobbies, interests, etc.?

WG: Since a young child, I have spent my free time volunteering with the American Diabetes Association. Working on fundraisers, walks and events in my spare time. Each year I strive to raise more and more donations.

My dad and I do a campaign with friends and family to raise donations each year. One year, we raised more than $3,000 for an ADA walk. On most Sundays, you can find my husband and myself at Super Car Sunday. We all take our classics to the show.

Read about all of this year's Women in Remarketing honorees in the April 1 issue of Auto Remarketing.