Below is a Q&A with Grace Huang, senior vice president of inventory services at Manheim 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?

Grace Huang: My path to the automotive industry was serendipitous. I had just moved back to the U.S. from a period of work in China in a completely different industry. I was working as a consultant and a new project to look at the business potential of used car classifieds in China for Autotrader came my way.

I ended up coming on board full-time on the publishing side of what was then Cox Autotrader. Initially, I followed the media side of the business and went to Cox Media Group, but there was something attractive about the automotive space that brought me back to Cox Automotive and Manheim.

I am very pragmatic when it comes to cars, but even I get invested in it because we spend so much time preparing for, caring for and driving in this big life purchase. Especially in Atlanta, sitting in a car is such a big part of our life here that we tend to have a strong connection to our vehicles.

Manheim plays such a big role in the experience and yet is behind the scenes to most. Manheim is special because you can see and touch the work you’re doing, services you are providing and the dealers you are supporting. Leading a field organization that is so focused on providing quality service and making sure we keep the liquidity in the car market is what truly energizes me every day.

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

GH: In the short time since I came to Manheim we have seen a lot of industry changes. The high volume of inventory has really shown the industry the need to operate smarter. Everyone is getting more sophisticated because of the volume and need to protect retention values. At Manheim, we have re-imagined how our business works to maximize dollars for consignors and drive velocity and are investing in the industry of the future.

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

GH: My big priority has been about getting rid of the natural divide that can exist between field and corporate teams. We have a lot of respect for the front lines and the insights they gather from what they see every day. I strive to develop a culture of open communication and dialogue.

I make sure there is a real life lens to every decision we make. We have a lot more leaders from the field coming into corporate to lead initiatives and the corporate team is spending more time out in the field. Our GMs are company leaders and I make it a point to get their feedback and input on major initiatives early in the process and to take their feedback to heart because they live it on the front line every day.

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

GH: Three keys to success in the automotive business are: Be authentic. Be a partner. Be professional. In essence, be a good business partner and the rest should take care of itself.

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

GH: Janet Barnard is someone whom I admire for blazing a trail in the industry and being a genuine, fair, direct and bold leader. She values transparency and leads with a passion and sense of competitiveness that really makes it an honor to be a part of her team.

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

GH: Right now I am in the place where time away from home is invested in my family. I also enjoy traveling and experiencing new cultures. Southern Argentina and New Zealand have been my favorite places to visit so far. One place I haven’t been yet is Spain, and I would like to spend more time in Italy and the Galapagos Islands. Now that my children are older, we are looking forward to doing some international travel with them. I also enjoy trying and discovering foods from various cultures and cities. Wherever I travel, I try to find the most non-touristy, local hole-in-the-wall to truly experience the culture and environment in a more authentic way.

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