VINCUE: CUE The Next Leader

VINCUE

Hosted by VINCUE Chief Marketing Officer, Michael Hopkins, Cue the Next Leader is a series of conversations designed to share a common journey to help automotive leaders go further, faster. Go beyond what your team is achieving today with valuable lessons from other managers and owners in our industry. “We study the successes of others deeply, so that together we rise.” – Danny Zaslavsky. For more information on VINCUE, go to https://vincue.com/podcast. 

  1. MAR 4

    Ryan Junek of Junek CDJR Triples Appraisal Volume and Expands to New Markets with VINCUE

    In this episode of Cue the Next Leader, VINCUE CMO Michael Hopkins sits down with Ryan Junek, owner and GM of Junek CDJR in Spearfish, South Dakota, to talk fourth-generation dealership legacy, used car acquisition in one of the most isolated markets in the country, and how data changed everything. With nearly 30 years behind the dealer's desk and a family business rooted in the Black Hills since the 1930s, Ryan brings a perspective on rural dealership survival that every independent operator needs to hear.

    54 min

  2. FEB 26

    Michelle Hutchinson, SYCN Auto Logistics: The Logistics Mistakes Costing Dealers Thousands

    In this episode of Cue the Next Leader, VINCUE CMO Michael Hopkins sits down with Michelle Hutchinson, Director of Strategic Accounts at SYCN Auto Logistics and founder of Leveling Up Logistics, to talk vehicle transport, dealer inefficiencies, and the hidden costs most dealerships never see coming. With nearly two decades of experience across automotive logistics, Michelle brings a perspective that every dealer moving cars across the country needs to hear.

    34 min

  3. FEB 18

    Ed Hyde of Legacy Auto Group Found His Competitive Edge with VINCUE

    In this episode of Cue the Next Leader, VINCUE CMO Michael Hopkins sits down with Ed Hyde, dealer principal at Legacy Nissan, Legacy Ford, Legacy GMC Chevrolet, and Tinker Williams Chevrolet out of London, Kentucky — and one of VINCUE's longest-tenured customers. Ed's path to dealer principal is anything but conventional: it winds through a family grocery store, his dad's transmission shop, the Marine Corps, and a used car lot he opened in 1997 before landing his first franchise store three years later. That grit and resourcefulness still defines how he runs his stores today. In this conversation, Ed and Michael dig into the real challenges of multi-rooftop inventory management, why sourcing used cars remains the toughest puzzle in the business, and how Ed's team is using VINCUE — from trade appraisals to service-to-sale outreach — to gain a competitive edge that pricing tools alone can't deliver. Ed also shares his candid take on AI in the dealership ("it's not going to eliminate jobs — it's going to make everybody's job better"), what he's learned about building a team that grows together, and why transparency might be the most powerful tool any dealer has right now.

    41 min

  4. 08/08/2025

    Chip Perry & Steve Greenfield of Autotrader with Danny Zaslavsky

    This episode of Cue the Next Leader is a special exclusive, hosted by VINCUE President Danny Zaslavsky, and joined by Chip Perry, former CEO of Cox Automotive, and his friend and colleague, and former Vice President of Product & Business Development, Steve Greenfield.  These two men are true industry titans, arguably the primary architects of the first major digital transformation in automotive. Together, they created an empire and forever changed the way dealerships appraise, acquire, manage, and sell inventory.  As advisors to VINCUE, they are again looking into the future and helping us define Vehicle Lifecycle Management for the next generation of retail automotive. We were honored to host them during a recent visit where they toured our building, met with our teams, and inspired us keep innovating.  During that visit, they sat down with Danny Zaslavsky to talk about their history in the industry, major achievements, and where they see automotive retail going in a future where AI will dramatically change everything from inventory operations to customer experience.

    33 min

  5. 06/19/2025

    Russell Tabone’s Formula: Love People, Love Cars, Use VINCUE

    In this episode of Cue the Next Leader, host Michael Hopkins sits down with Russell Tabone, General Manager and Dealer Operator at CMA’s Hyundai of Lynchburg. From 19 years in the car wash industry to leading one of the most successful dealerships at Carter Myers Automotive, Russell shares his unconventional journey, and how he went from avoiding car sales to becoming a champion of people-first leadership. Under his guidance, CMA’s Hyundai has opened a state-of-the-art showroom and is nearing completion on a cutting-edge service department expansion. Russell is a proud NADA Academy graduate and a passionate advocate for CMA’s employee-owned model. He believes that when people love where they work, whether it's employees or customers, great results follow. He talks openly about: Why perfecting the customer experience matters more than inventoryHow VINCUE has helped streamline operations, grow used inventory, and cut costsWhat it means to lead with transparency, trust, and real-time dataThe value of dealer feedback in building better techHis personal advice to new salespeople and dealers considering VINCUEWhether you’re a seasoned leader or just breaking into automotive, Russell’s perspective on culture, process, and purpose is packed with wisdom and heart. As he says: “Love people. Love cars.”

    43 min

  6. 05/29/2025

    VINCUE + AutoAlert: Right Customer, Right Equity, Right Vehicle

    In this exclusive interview, VINCUE President Danny Zaslavsky sits down with Charles McDonald, Marketing and Brand Manager at AutoAlert, to break down the integration between two of the industry’s most powerful platforms. AutoAlert is the “OG of customer insights,” helping dealers mine their database for equity and lifecycle opportunities. Now, with a direct integration to VINCUE, dealers can instantly access real-time trade values, vehicle history, and lifecycle data, all from a single screen. The result? Smarter inventory decisions, faster deals, and more confident conversations between associates and customers. “The first way to remove friction is to improve culture, and you do that by removing silos,” Danny explains. “Our mission at VINCUE has been connecting all of these steps in that vehicle lifecycle management process so that appraisal is connected to equity mining. So when a customer is coming in from online, they can pick up where they left off. All of those things used to live in separate places.” Danny and Charles discuss how this partnership eliminates guesswork, reduces friction, and empowers dealers to stop settling for what’s available and start acquiring what they actually need, based on data, demand, and strategic forecasting. If you're looking to streamline your tech stack, level up your lifecycle strategy, and win more deals with less wasted time, this interview is for you. Key takeaways: Real-time ACV sync between AutoAlert and VINCUE Full visibility into past appraisals, purchases, and sales Predictive inventory insights and model-specific planning Empowering teams with tools to act confidently, on the spotListen now or visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTjNRNVWWzs&t=1051s to see how AutoAlert + VINCUE are helping dealers stay ahead by aligning data, people, and process.

    29 min

  7. 05/09/2025

    Janssen Auto Group Runs 7 Dealerships Smarter with VINCUE

    Dave Janssen has been part of his family’s dealership group since 1998. What started as a single Chrysler store in McCook, Nebraska has grown into Janssen Auto Group, a seven-rooftop operation across four cities, representing brands like Ford, Honda, RAM, Chevy, and GMC. As owner and operator, Dave has led the group through steady, strategic growth by staying focused on efficiency, discipline, and delivering a great customer experience. But running multiple rooftops comes with serious challenges: parts shortages that slow down service, inventory imbalances that make it hard to stock the right vehicles, and inconsistent marketing that hurts turn times. On top of it all, Dave needed better visibility into what was happening at each store, and faster access to the data that drives decisions. That’s where VINCUE came in. Since implementing VINCUE, Janssen Auto Group has transformed how they operate. Real-time inventory insights, smarter pricing tools, and improved communication between departments have helped them streamline processes and boost profitability. With tools like Service-to-Sales and Description Builder, they’re turning cars faster and presenting listings that actually drive action. Dave credits their continued growth to consistency, accountability, and the right technology partner. With VINCUE, he’s built a more connected, more efficient, and more competitive dealership group, and they’re just getting started.

    47 min

  8. 05/09/2025

    Art Moehn Cuts Days to Frontline Ready and Boosts Front-End Gross with VINCUE

    Charlie Spradlin, Sales Director at Art Moehn Auto Group, helps run three rooftops across Michigan—two Chevrolet stores and a Honda dealership. He’s been in the car business for just a few years, but he’s already made a big impact. After starting his career in retail with The Buckle, Charlie brought his leadership experience into automotive, quickly rising from salesperson to Sales Director in just 18 months. Charlie is focused on growth, but not just more, smarter. He’s helped the group go from selling 275 used cars in March of last year to 330 this March. Under his leadership, Art Moehn has embraced a strong used car strategy that combines operational efficiency, culture, and the right tools. Charlie uses VINCUE to appraise every car, and says he sees an average of $500 more front-end gross compared to a nearby store still using vAuto. He’s also cut recon-to-frontline time from 14 days to 8 by using Rapid Recon, internal photo processes, and VINCUE’s inventory system. He’s a big believer in sourcing from the service lane, acquiring 10–12% of inventory there today, with a goal of hitting 25%. With 850-1,000 ROs a month, that’s a real opportunity. Charlie also credits VINCUE BOOST and social media presence for helping move inventory faster and with better margins. Charlie’s all about building strong teams and strong systems, and creating a fun culture while doing it.

    34 min
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About

Hosted by VINCUE Chief Marketing Officer, Michael Hopkins, Cue the Next Leader is a series of conversations designed to share a common journey to help automotive leaders go further, faster. Go beyond what your team is achieving today with valuable lessons from other managers and owners in our industry. “We study the successes of others deeply, so that together we rise.” – Danny Zaslavsky. For more information on VINCUE, go to https://vincue.com/podcast. 

Information

  • Creator
    VINCUE
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 VINCUE: CUE The Next Leader
  • Show Website
    VINCUE: CUE The Next Leader