Chip Perry, who has been with AutoTrader.com since its inception has been admired by Dealers and the AutoTrader team has announced he was leaving the Autotrader Group effective May 1. Chip served as president and CEO of AutoTrader.com, was the company’s first employee in 1997 when asked by Manheim to launch the company. Since then, AutoTrader.com has grown to become the world’s largest automotive marketplace and Chip Perry has become widely recognized as a pioneer of the online automotive industry.

Mr. Sandy Schwartz  will assume the role of President of AutoTrader Group.

dE believes Mr.Schwartz will continue reporting to Mr. Jim Hayes the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cox Enterprises. Sandy Schwartz became President of Manheim in mid 2011. Before Manheim, Mr. Schwartz served as President of Cox Media Group.

In researching Mr. Schwartz's business history we believe he joined Cox in 1985 and served in many functions including President of Cox Arizona Publishing, Executive Vice President of the Austin American-Statesman, Vice President and General Manager of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Executive Vice President of Cox Newspapers and Vice President of business development for Cox Enterprises.

Mr. Schwartz’s automotive experience has been limited other then working with AutoTrader. He served as President of Cox AutoTrader, comprised of both AutoTrader.com and AutoTrader Publishing. He also has been on the board of AutoTrader.com for several years.

Chip Perry has done a wonderful job growing dealer relationships, sales, marketing, product development, information technology,customer service efforts and AutoTrader team member development.

As we are sure that the dE team members and AutoTrader team will welcome Sandy with open arms, we will also miss Chip and wish him all the best.