KAR Auction Services Announces Richard Howse as Chief Commercial Officer

CARMEL, Ind., March 01, 2017 -- KAR Auction Services, Inc. (NYSE:KAR), a global vehicle remarketing and technology solutions provider, announced that industry veteran Richard Howse has joined the company as Chief Commercial Officer. Howse brings more than 30 years of automotive industry leadership to the role, which will focus on developing customer solutions that integrate KAR’s capabilities and businesses. Howse will report to Don Gottwald, chief operating officer for KAR.

“KAR is focused on simplifying used vehicle transactions for our customers and using our unique data and capabilities to help them succeed,” said Gottwald. “Rich has led growth and change in a variety of customer settings, so he has first-hand experience designing and implementing solutions across diverse operating models. He’ll work closely with our existing sales leaders to help unlock and deliver the full force of the KAR platform.”

Howse will implement new processes to enhance collaboration and coordination amongst the company’s whole car and salvage auction business units and KAR’s diverse ancillary and related services subsidiaries. Under his direction, cross-functional teams will focus on expanding communication channels and creating a direct conduit between customers and KAR’s innovation, data science and product development teams.

“KAR’s approach is to partner with our customers to completely understand their needs and address their individual challenges, issues and priorities,” said Howse. “I look forward to working with our trusted sales leaders to build on and empower those longstanding customer relationships. By convening experts from every corner of our organization and aligning resources, we’ll deliver more tailored, integrated products and services built on the strength of KAR’s end-to-end platform.”  

Prior to joining KAR, Howse served as senior vice president of marketing and business development at Volkswagen Credit, where he was previously the director of remarketing. He has also served in senior finance roles at GMAC and GE Capital and leadership positions with JD Power, Audi of America, Honda and General Motors.  

About KAR Auction Services
KAR Auction Services (NYSE:KAR) provides sellers and buyers across the global wholesale used vehicle industry with innovative, technology-driven remarketing solutions. KAR’s unique end-to-end platform supports whole car, salvage, financing, logistics and other ancillary and related services, including the sale of more than 5 million units valued at over $40 billion through our auctions. Our integrated physical, online and mobile marketplaces reduce risk, improve transparency and streamline transactions for customers in 110 countries. Headquartered in Carmel, Ind., KAR has approximately 17,400 employees across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. www.karauctionservices.com.

KAR Contacts

Media Inquiries:
Tobin Richer
(317) 249-4521
[email protected]

Analyst Inquiries:
Mike Eliason
(317) 249-4559
[email protected]