Send us a text

Kaylee Felio, better known in the industry as "The Parts Girl," brings her unique flavor of grit, smarts, and systems thinking to this Auto Collabs episode. Starting her career as a Subway manager and now pushing toward the CEO seat at PartsEdge, Kaylee's story is a testament to the unconventional paths that lead to real leadership in auto. She's not just making waves with her content and the PartsEdge Podcast—she’s redefining what it means to lead from the fixed ops side of the dealership.

In this conversation, Kaylee chats with Paul, Kyle, and Michael about how her sandwich-slinging days taught her the foundations of efficiency, how she built the educational resources the parts industry didn’t even know it needed, and what’s exciting her about tech and innovation in fixed ops. She also drops a bold vision for the future—and it starts with her becoming CEO. If you’ve ever underestimated the power of the parts department (or a meatball marinara on wheat), this episode will change your mind.

Takeaways

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier and Michael Cirillo

1:33 Kaylee Felio joins the show and shares how she became “The Parts Girl”

4:27 How managing a Subway restaurant unexpectedly trained her for auto

10:13 Why parts departments need to adopt automation and evolve their processes

14:24 Calling out the status quo: Kaylee’s bold approach to sales and change

21:00 Kaylee’s next move: positioning herself to be CEO of PartsEdge

Learn more about

Connect with Kaylee Felio at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleefelio/

Learn more about PartsEdge at https://www.partsedge.com/

⭐️ Love the podcast? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!

We have a daily email!

https://www.asotu.com

✉️ Sign up for our free and fun-to-read daily email for a quick shot of relevant news in automotive retail, media, and pop culture.

🎧 Like and follow our other podcasts:

1. Automotive State of the Union
2. ASOTU CON Sessions

Send us a text

Shane Wilson, the brain behind Connected Dealer Services (CDS), joins the crew to talk about how billions of data points, a deep background in consumer electronics, and a passion for keeping cyclists safe from autonomous vehicles are reshaping dealership service retention strategies.

The conversation kicks off with Shane’s winding path through the automotive tech world—from remote starts to launching a connected solution for dealerships that’s more than just GPS tracking. At the heart of CDS is a bold vision: empower dealers to own retention by equipping them with real-time vehicle health data, mileage tracking, and the ability to campaign directly to customers—all through a dealer-branded app. Shane also dives into the ethical terrain of data privacy, the opportunity for dealers to capitalize on wearables like tires and batteries, and why he thinks fixed ops is finally stepping into the spotlight.

Takeaways

0:00 Intro with Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier and Michael Cirillo

2:28 Shane Wilson joins the show and shares his background in auto tech

6:35 Why Connected Dealer Services was born to solve dealership inventory and retention issues

8:17 The breakthrough idea: shifting ownership of retention from customers to dealerships

12:39 Shane addresses privacy concerns and how CDS handles sensitive data

14:14 Hidden service revenue: how tires and batteries open new lanes for profitability

21:56 The next five years: EVs, AI, and 2 billion monthly data points shaping what’s next

Connect with Shane Wilson at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanebwilson/

Learn more about Connected Dealer Services at https://www.connecteddealerservices.com/

⭐️ Love the podcast? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!

We have a daily email!

https://www.asotu.com

✉️ Sign up for our free and fun-to-read daily email for a quick shot of relevant news in automotive retail, media, and pop culture.

🎧 Like and follow our other podcasts:

1. Automotive State of the Union
2. ASOTU CON Sessions

Send us a text

Adam Marburger redefines F&I leadership with a servant’s heart and a black belt mindset.

In this episode of Auto Collabs, Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael Cirillo sit down with Adam Marburger, President and CEO of Ascent Dealer Services, to delve into his unconventional journey through the automotive industry. Starting as a porter, Adam's ascent to a top-tier F&I leader is a testament to his dedication and innovative approach. His new book, The Servant Leading F&I Manager, encapsulates his philosophy of leadership that prioritizes service, collaboration, and purpose.

Adam shares insights on transforming F&I departments into hubs of trust and long-term customer relationships. He emphasizes the importance of early involvement in deals, continuous training, and the adoption of a servant leadership mindset to enhance both customer satisfaction and dealership profitability. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on how empathy and accountability can revolutionize the traditional F&I role.

Timestamped Takeaways:

0:00 – Intro with Paul J Daly, Kyle Mountsier, and Michael Cirillo.

1:47 – Adam recounts his accidental entry into the automotive industry and his progression from porter to F&I expert.

4:06 – Discussion on building a massive referral base and the significance of genuine customer connections.

7:27 – Identifying common issues in F&I departments, including lack of process and accountability.

10:04 – The necessity of continuous development and training for managerial staff in dealerships.

15:05 – Exploring the principles of servant leadership and its impact on F&I operations.

Learn more about Adam Marburger:

LinkedIn: Adam Marburger

Company: Ascent Dealer Services

⭐️ Love the podcast? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your LinkedIn or Instagram handle so we can thank you personally!

We have a daily email!

https://www.asotu.com

✉️ Sign up for our free and fun-to-read daily email for a quick shot of relevant news in automotive retail, media, and pop culture.

🎧 Like and follow our other podcasts:

1. Automotive State of the Union
2. ASOTU CON Sessions