IRVINE, Calif. -

Autobytel went to the auto finance sector to find the newest member of the vehicle purchase request website’s board of directors.

Set to be a part of the board and its audit committee is Michael Carpenter, Ally Financial’s chief executive officer.

“We are honored to welcome Mike to the Autobytel board,” said Michael Fuchs, chairman of Autobytel’s board of directors.

“His broad business, operational and financial experience, most recently in the automotive sector, will serve us well as we continue to leverage strong demand from our manufacturer and retail customers and improving automotive industry conditions,” Fuchs continued.

Prior to joining Ally, Carpenter was chairman and CEO of Citigroup Alternative Investments from 2002 to 2006, overseeing $60 billion of proprietary capital and customer funds globally. He founded Southgate Alternative Investments in 2007.

Carpenter also was chairman and CEO of Citigroup’s Global Corporate & Investment Bank, with responsibility for Salomon Smith Barney and Citibank’s global corporate banking activities.

Prior to Citigroup, Carpenter was chairman and CEO of Travelers Life & Annuity and vice chairman of Travelers Group responsible for strategy and business development.

 From 1989 to 1994, Carpenter was chairman of the board, president and CEO of Kidder Peabody Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric. From 1986 to 1989, he was executive vice president of GE Capital Corp., and from 1983 to 1986, he was responsible for corporate business development and strategic planning as well as mergers and acquisitions for General Electric.

Carpenter has also held positions at the Boston Consulting Group and Imperial Chemical Industries, as well as serving on the boards of various private and public companies.