To paraphrase the late, great Notorious B.I.G. circa 1997, “more inventory, more problems”…and while that’s sometimes true in a general sense, you really have no reason to fear because your friendly neighborhood Inventory Management team is here! We are a dedicated department at Dealer Inspire that’s focused on being active subject matter experts that are responsible for a variety of production, support, and general inventory maintenance tasks.
We play very well with others as we juggle requests from virtually all teams on the auto side of DI as well as clients and third parties. We’re the ones responsible for configuring inventory accounts, feed exports, vehicle pricing displays, incentives and rebates, and a wide array of other inventory data troubleshooting responsibilities.
Who’s on our team?
When the squad isn’t rocking out their inventory related tasks, you can find them cuddling with their kids, cats & dogs, hitting the slopes, and creepily obsessing over Harry Styles. We asked the team to introduce themselves to you, so let’s go meet them all right now!
Jenny Decker: Inventory Management Supervisor
I majored in Communications at Western Illinois University then went on to earn my MBA at Lewis University before joining the Dealer Inspire team in September of 2015. After a brief stint with Project Management department at DI, I found a love for inventory, data, and processes. After I found that niche, I was able to help build this awesome department and haven’t looked back since!
Reading, running, and listening to true crime and paranormal podcasts are ways I pass the time when I’m not working. Small (and not in any way concerning) obsessions include my sweet dog, and Harry Styles, formerly of One Direction.
Fun Fact: My dog, my Ford Escape, and a majority of my houseplants are named after Harry Potter characters: Tonks, Luna, Severus, Trelawny, and Dobby, respectively.
Sara Rieck:Inventory Specialist
I went to Northern Illinois University and graduated in 2007 with a BA in Sociology. Shortly after I got married and moved to Germany where I lived with my German husband and our mini dachshund for 9 years. I lived in four different cities: Dresden, Hamburg, Malente and Berlin. While living in Berlin I attended the Free University of Berlin where I graduated with a Masters in Sociology with a focus on data analysis. In September 2016 my family moved back to the USA and I started working for DI! It’s been totally awesome working with the inventory team ever since.
Hobbies: I love to run and spend time with my family
Fun Fact: There are 16 different ways to conjugate ‘the’ in German, depending on the gender and case of the subject. Also, I used to teach English and work as editor when I live in the EU.
Bethany Muscat:Inventory Specialist
I have been with DI since Feb. 2017 – so a little more than a year and half! Before I worked here I worked at a bar for about 8 years and I still like stopping by to see all the old peeps I used to work with. For fun I like to bowl and I’ve been in a bowling league for about 4 years now. I also love to have Netflix on in the background while I work, so if anyone has any suggestions (preferably thrillers or scary ones) I’m all for it!
Fun Fact: I have a weird food OCD thing were I can’t end a meal on a on a potato product. I don’t know why, I just can’t!
Sam Froehlich:Inventory Specialist
I am an 80% remote employee up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin who happens to be a puppy mom, coffee enthusiast, and Netflix guru. I’ve been with Dealer Inspire for just over 2 years, starting out as DI’s very first OEM Tier I Support Specialist. Now, I’ve been with the Inventory team for a year.
Fun Fact: I once rocked a mohawk hairstyle, back in college..wild times.
Mike (Mikey) Brouder:Associate Inventory Specialist
I’m a recent college graduate from Colorado State University where I majored in Economics and I’ve been at Dealer Inspire since January of 2018. For fun, I like to snowboard, golf, or snuggle with my puppy, Snoop.
Fun Fact: I was once to be able to do a backflip on my snowboard.
Karl Kestermann:Inventory Specialist
I’m a proud father of two little girls (8 & 6 yrs old). I’ve been part of the DI family since Feb 2018 and part of the inventory team since May. I’m also an experienced Bass Guitar player (No slappa da bass jokes please!), all around musician and I’m trying to break into the commercial/film world with my music on the side.
Fun Fact: Karl has 3 cats, 2 dogs, and a new puppy on the way!
Shavon Jordan:Associate Inventory Specialist
I love to bake and be a mother to my 3 year old son. I’ve been at Dealer Inspire since May.
Fun Fact: I had a culinary scholarship to Monroe College in New York City.
The Business Intelligence team at Dealer Inspire works to provide accurate data for individuals across the organization to inform strategy and aid decision making. Using Salesforce as the sole source of truth for customer data, billing, client performance, sales management, and operations management, this team harnesses the power of data to help internal teams work smarter, not harder. By prioritizing professional development, the Business Intelligence team uncovers new ways to collaborate, innovate, and better serve our clients.
A Day in the Life on the Business Intelligence Team
Though it may seem like this team is buried in spreadsheets all day, they actually use a variety of tools and superpowers to discover solutions others can’t. In addition to weeding out data quality issues and maintaining centrally available dashboards and reports, these left-brain thinkers also spend time educating colleagues on how data can benefit daily work flow and why accuracy is key. When they aren’t nerding out over awesome new tools and technologies to help meet DI goals, they are acting as consulting partners for growth strategies, decision support, and process improvement initiatives.
Who’s on Our Team?
When this hard-working team isn’t organizing the world’s most effective data, they are out deep-sea diving, playing music, and enjoying time with their families. Learn more!
Téa Chura
Hello, I am the Salesforce Administrator for the Business Intelligence Team! My hometown is Chicago, but I live in Santa Barbara, CA, and work full time remotely as well as go to school. Life is very sunny there! In CA, I am involved in environmental conservation/coastal awareness programs and use my skills from work to help with environmental projects.
I’ve been with DI for 1 year
I enjoy doing yoga, going to the beach, and traveling
I scuba dive
Harshal (“Hardball”) Dave
I was raised in Melrose Park, IL, and am currently living in Carol Stream. Previously I worked for McDonald’s USA where I developed an interest in Customer Experience, Insights, and Technology. I went to Roosevelt University for undergrad and completed my BA in Integrated Marketing Communications in 2008. My direct family includes father, mother and a sister, though most of my family is in India, where my mother and father immigrated from.
I’ve been with Dealer Inspire since March 1, 2016
I love playing music for Indian Weddings (sax)
I can speak Gujarati, a North Indian language
Richard Simard
After about 18 different jobs since the time I was 15, I finally settled into an industry I could sink my teeth into. I originally applied to be a content writer for an in-house marketing department in a large Boston-based dealer group. My manager soon discovered that I had more than just writing skills, and suddenly my day-to-day was filled with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. After over two years of complete market domination at Quirk Auto Dealers, managing everything from email campaigns and paid search to SEO and website development, I decided to jump the fence onto the vendor side. I originally hail from New Hampshire and my first year at Dealer Inspire was working remotely from my apartment in Dover. I have an undying love for my home state; its quaint and rustic undertones paint a cultural experience into a smorgasbord of landscapes from mountains to sea. I have two older sisters who are twins, and a mother who raised me under the mantra, “I don’t want to raise good kids. I want to raise responsible adults.” You bet I was the only nine-year-old in school doing his own laundry.
I’ve been with DI since April, 2015 — about three and a half years
For fun I like to hike, video game, enjoy a good whiskey and cigar, share rhetoric, hit the gym and play drums (though haven’t owned a kit in a couple years)
In 2007, when I was 19 years old, I backpacked through Western Europe for 30 days alone. I went back for another 30 days again in 2011 with a friend to relive the experience. On our return trip we stopped in Iceland for a few days. This little island and its people blew me away and led to my return the following two years in a row to attend the Iceland Airwaves music festival that I experienced on my first visit there by happenstance.
Katie Helgesen
Utilizing my more than 15 years of digital marketing and analytics experience, I spend my days at Dealer Inspire directing the daily operations of the newest teams at Dealer Inspire: the Business Intelligence team and the Welcome team. It’s easy for me to #lovewhatyoudo because I get to spend my working hours solving problems, coaching team members, setting priorities, learning from my brilliant co-workers, championing data integrity, improving workflows to maximize productivity, using data to justify decisions, and celebrating a lot of wins.
I’ve been with DI for 5 1/2 years – since January 23, 2013.
I’m extremely driven and goal-oriented, but also need the freedom of “me time” to relax in silence (usually laying down!) to explore all of my thoughts (INTP baby!). I’m hard-pressed to decide if I’m happier curled up on a hammock in my peaceful backyard or sitting on a raft, beer in hand, floating on our lake. I spend my evenings and weekends with my husband and four kids: Oscar, a college-bound left-handed pitcher, and three kids under 4, Mikey, Scarlett, and Isabella. When I’m not at a baseball game, feeding my children, or changing diapers, I’m contributing every Thursday to a mom blog I started with six of my DI mom friends called The Mom Hustle. My daydreams revolve around finding more “me time”, and traveling. I try to keep myself sane with naps, Netflix, and eating out as often as I can.
My real name is Katie. It’s not Katherine, Kathleen, Kaitlyn or any derivative. Adults seemed to have a hard time believing that when I was growing up.
The main function of the Analytics Team is to provide data Dealer Inspire (and our clients) can take action on. More specifically, the team works to define and implement digital measurement strategies, implement tracking, perform testing and develop reports – all in an effort to improve website traffic, leads and conversions for our clients.
Currently, the team is working on a process to create platform-wide A/B tests so that we can have solid data to strengthen our recommendations to clients and also be able to provide additional data to our sales team when they’re consulting with prospects. The Analytics Team is also really excited to collaborate with our Account, Performance and SEO teams to make overall site improvements based on these A/B tests. We can’t wait to see what comes of it.
A Day in the Life of a Data Analyst
When the words “Data Analyst” come to mind, you’re likely picturing someone with glasses reviewing numbers or graphs. (While we do look at numbers and graphs, only one-third of our team wears glasses.)
Every department at DI plays a role in the success of our clients’ sites, but the Analytics Department is at the heart of making data-driven decisions company-wide because of trends found within our data. Numbers that make sense, make cents. (Get it?)
There are two major components of our job: 1) collecting healthy/accurate data and 2) maintaining that data. We collect healthy and accurate data by setting up our new sites with Google Analytics, Clicky and Hotjar. To maintain the integrity of our data, we apply different kinds of filters and get involved with data falls to identify any number of issues with a site.
And on those rare occasions when something seems off with a clients’ data, you will find the Analytics Team at the forefront of mitigating data loss and resolving the issue.
Who’s On Our Team
It turns out our Analytics team members have multiple interests and talents above and beyond a passion for data analysis. Who can build you a boat? Who once spent a decade as a firefighter? Read on to find out!
Brook Barker (Analytics Director)
I’m originally from Southern California
I’ve worked here over 2 years
I foster dogs through a local rescue
Friends describe me as a clean freak
Jessica Feliciano (Senior Digital Analyst)
I started with LDM/DI in June and have been loving working with my team
I’m originally from Aurora, but have spent the past 10 years living in the south (Oklahoma and Texas)
In my spare time I like to brew beer and make things with my 3D printer
I’m halfway obsessed with the Game of Thrones books (and TV show) and watch theory videos on YouTube
Paige Fisher (Analyst)
I have two adopted dogs Ellie Mae and Bobby
I interned with Launch for 1 year before coming on full time
I own a bass, electric guitar, and keyboard and do not know how to play any of them. (lol)
Alex Jenkins (Associate Analyst)
I studied abroad in Ireland for a year
I enjoy building boats (one sailboat and kayak for now…)
I went to New Mexico State
Dino Vitale (Associate Analyst)
I love being outside and spending my free time outside fishing, kayaking, shooting trap and just being outdoors
I love country music!
I love live music as well! (Best live show: Florida Georgia Line – they put on an absolute SHOW it was insane)
Michael McShane (Analyst)
I have played in the Youth World Cup/Gothia Cup in Sweden
I love to sing and play guitar
I studied in Dublin, Ireland for 6 months while attending University
I was born and raised in Colorado which I support all Colorado sports teams! Go Broncos!
Paige Martin (Senior Digital Analyst)
I build custom furniture, bars being my favorite build
I am a legitimate cat lady; owning two of my own and taking care of the 16 outdoor cats behind my house
You can always catch me wearing some badass Nike high tops
I am striving to own an elephant someday
Jason Dexter (Analyst)
Saltwater fish tanks are a love of mine. I enjoy creating an ecosystem that can live and breathe on it’s own and seeing all the beauty that comes from a well made saltwater fish tank.
I love to tell Dad jokes to my much younger co-workers
Being a firefighter for 10 years helped shape me to who I am today and teach me the value of life as a whole to help me become a better father.
Orlando Gallegos (Associate Analyst)
I’m a car enthusiast, hence why I’m glad to be working in an industry that ties my marketing degree with my passion.
I love fish – I love seafood, I love fishing, and I love having fish as pets.
I either sleep for approximately 4 hours or 10-11. There’s no in-between.
Joe Wood (Analytics Intern)
I’ve worked at a BBQ restaurant since I was 15
I’m currently undefeated in ping pong at launch
I have never left the country(I hope to)
After I graduate Dayton, I hope to get my Masters in Accounting
And that’s our team – aren’t they awesome?! Feel free to share your own love for Game of Thrones, irregular sleep patterns, or favorite Dad joke in the comment section below!
Pagespeed…it’s kind of a big deal. How fast your website loads not only impacts the overall user experience, but it can have a positive (or negative) impact on your SEO as well. Here at Dealer Inspire, we take pride in how much attention we pay to pagespeed. Since 2015 we’ve had a team in place to work on pagespeed improvements for our platform, so that our dealership clients have the fastest loading website possible.
With that being said, I’m excited to tell you more about our team and introduce you to the individuals who are constantly striving to make the Dealer Inspire web platform the fastest on the planet.
About The Dealer Inspire Pagespeed Team
Our Pagespeed Team is a subset of the Features Team. The team’s goal is to improve the frontend speed of our platform by addressing many types of performance issues (both internal and external). Currently the team is working on improving “JellyFish” – a custom-built WordPress plugin – which works within our infrastructure to automate pages peed improvements.
Another function of our Pagespeed Team is to provide data we (and our clients) can take action on. With as many people we have across both Dealer Inspire & Launch Digital Marketing, the team works diligently to ensure that our teammates are trained up on all new pagespeed improvements and techniques. By communicating a clear and consistent message to all departments about pagespeed, we are able to keep our clients up to speed (pun intended) on all new platform features and improvements.
It’s also important to note that although we have a dedicated team for pagespeed, the work certainly isn’t limited to this one team. Many other cross-departmental teammates have been involved in improving the performance on our platform, and we are grateful for their efforts in making our platform better.
Something exciting that our team is currently working on is a process to create an A/B test platform-wide so that we can have solid data to backup our recommendations while providing this data to our teammates and clients alike. We’re also really excited to collaborate with our teams to make overall site improvements based on these A/B tests. We can’t wait to see what comes of it!
Meet The Pagespeed Team
We asked each member of the pagespeed team to share some fun facts about themselves with you. Please take a couple of minutes to get to know these super-heroes of pagespeed that much better.
Shawn “Kid Flash” Hubbard (Feature & Support Dev Manager)
Shawn has been with DI for over two years and manages the Features and Support Dev teams. Outside of work he can be found spending time with his wife and three sons, undertaking a variety of woodworking projects, reading, and programming.
Aaron “Sonic” Olin (Feature Developer)
Aaron has been with DI for over two years. In addition to his many contributions to our pagespeed efforts, he has created many useful tools that our clients and internal teams use every day. Outside of work he likes to spend time with his wife, Christine, and their hedgehog Ryu.
Tom “Quicksilver” Krush (Senior Feature Developer)
Tom is the Senior Feature Developer for Dealer Inspire. He started working at the company in early 2016. Tom keeps busy outside of work collecting old programming books, following his seven month old son around, and playing Tetris with his wife.
And that’s our pagespeed crew! Hopefully you’ve gotten to know each member of the team a little bit better (I know I did!). Next time around we’ll introduce you to another team here at Dealer Inspire. In the meantime, feel free to say ‘hey’ to any of our peeps in the comment section below!
Shawn “Kid Flash” Hubbard (Feature & Support Dev Manager)
Aaron “Sonic” Olin (Feature Developer)
Tom “Quicksilver” Krush (Senior Feature Developer)
