KAR Announces Leadership Changes as Result of Recent TradeRev Purchase

Oct 18, 2017 |

KAR Names New TradeRev President and Marketing Chief and Promotes From Within for General Counsel

CARMEL, Ind. – KAR Auction Services, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), a global vehicle remarketing and technology solutions provider, announced several leadership appointments and promotions across the company’s TradeRev business unit and corporate legal and communications functions. The moves come in part due to KAR’s recent acquisition of TradeRev, a mobile app and desktop solution that facilitates real-time dealer-to-dealer vehicle auctions.

Becca Polak, who for the last 10 years has served as KAR’s executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary has been named president of TradeRev. As president, Polak will oversee all operations, sales, product and market development, and corporate functions across the company’s markets in the U.S. and Canada. Polak has also been promoted to the position of chief legal officer and secretary for KAR, where she will retain oversight responsibility for KAR’s enterprise legal and corporate communications functions. Polak joined the company in 2005 and has overseen several company acquisitions and the company’s IPO in 2009. Polak earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University – Bloomington and her juris doctorate from Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law.

“I am thrilled to see Becca Polak at the helm of TradeRev, one of our most technologically advanced and fastest growing business units,” said Jim Hallett, chairman and CEO of KAR. “I am confident she will accelerate the evolution of TradeRev and help lead the digital transformation of our company and our industry.”

Reporting to Polak is Chuck Coleman, who has been promoted to the role of senior vice president, general counsel and assistant secretary at KAR. Coleman previously served as vice president, assistant general counsel and assistant secretary for the company. Coleman was instrumental in the recent negotiation and planning of KAR’s new corporate headquarters and has led legal activities related to KAR’s recent acquisitions of TradeRev, DRIVIN and Brasher’s Auto Auctions. Coleman joined the company in 2015 from the law firm of Krieg DeVault LLP, where he was a partner and brings nearly 20 years of corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions experience to the role. Coleman earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and his juris doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law.

Tobin Richer, senior vice president of corporate communications at KAR, will take on the additional role of chief marketing officer for TradeRev. Richer reports to Polak in both capacities and now oversees an international team of communications, marketing and design professionals focused on promoting KAR and its business units. At TradeRev, Richer will be responsible for accelerating the company’s marketing efforts to amplify brand awareness and expand its market footprint. Richer joined KAR in 2016, after more than 20 years serving in executive and senior leadership roles in healthcare, government, communications, and legal and compliance functions. Most recently, Richer was the vice president for executive and clinical communications at Anthem, Inc., an Indianapolis-based Fortune 40 health benefits company. Richer earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, a juris doctorate from DePaul University College of Law and a master’s degree in public health from the Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“KAR is well positioned for growth and has the leadership bench strength to make sure we capture the many opportunities ahead,” said Polak. “Chuck and Tobin quickly established themselves as leaders in protecting and promoting KAR’s brands and supporting our diverse businesses units. It is great to see internal talent continue to grow at KAR, and I am very pleased to see them take on additional responsibilities.”

These changes are effective immediately and position KAR for continued growth.

Media Inquiries:
Gene Rodriguez
(317) 343-5243
gene.rodriguez@karauctionservices.com

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 17,600 employees across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. www.karauctionservices.com.