Jeff Bernhardt Email & Phone Number

United States

After successfully launching a co-op operations program from the ground up, I am returning to my Regional Account Manager role (as was previously agreed to) and handing the reins over to people to maintain it.

Due to my extensive experience with Automotive Co-op Advertising and operationalizing it, I was asked to take a temporary leave from my Regional Account role to spearhead the building of a co-op support program from the ground up. The sole focus is Project Managing the Operations side of co-op to be able to provide dealers with the documentation that they need to submit for co-op reimbursement claims. Over the course of 1-1/2 years we are now fully operationally able to support dealers with co-op claims and documentation. I was also able to leverage my relationships to help us become a GM IMR Turnkey Approved Vendor.

Nw Ohio / Ne Indiana

Partner with over 220 Franchise and Used Car dealerships across NW Ohio and NE Indiana to ensure continued satisfaction of products and retention.

Atlanta, Ga

My team and I managed OEM relationships (and their agencies) with a focus on co-op advertising programs and compliancy across the multiple Cox Automotive Companies.

Nw, Ohio

Area Sales Manager - Western OhioI have incredibly deep and strong relationships with Dealer Principles, General Managers, Sales Managers, Finance Managers and Salespeople throughout Northwest Ohio. I’ve grown these relationships by providing SOS (Simply Outrageous Service), getting to know what keeps them up at night and providing solutions to their problems. These things are built into my DNA and because of that, with Global Lending Services, I’ve...* Grew the number of active dealers by nearly 100% within first 6 months in the field* Grew the number of cashed contracts by 200% within first 6 months in the field* Quickly became recognized as a top performer amongst all of the ASMs throughout the US

Nw, Ohio

Combining great automotive digital assets with the best radio stations to deliver measurable ROI to the dealers across Northwest Ohio.• Perform thorough Customer Needs Analysis with all clients to match the products that best fit their needs• Educate dealers on evaluating the ROI on our products in order to set the proper expectations• Be a trusted industry expert and a valued “extended team member” to all of clients• Be an expert within my local office in order to properly educate my team members on our automotive assets

Leading the vision and direction for Co-op Advertising at CarGurus while managing the Co-op Advertising Department and other Tier 1 relationships with automotive OEMs in the US and Canada.• Partner with the key co-op decision makers within all US and Canadian OEMs on Co-op Advertising programs.• Facilitate meetings with decision makers within all automotive OEMs to present CarGurus products and value proposition.• Provide training to the CarGurus field and inside sales teams in order to leverage Co-op Advertising effectively with their dealer clients to maximize revenue and reduce churn.• Facilitate sales and service support to the sales team with a focus on specific co-op products.• Manage the entire staff within the Co-op Support/Operations Department to efficiently facilitate Dealer Co-op Advertising Reimbursement Claims.• Work closely with IT Engineers and Salesforce Engineers to develop processes and reporting that maximizes efficiency within the Co-op Support/Operations Department.• Also act as liaison between the OEMs and the CarGurus corporate office on issues and topics outside of Co-op Advertising.

• Recipient of multiple “Co-op Specialist Of The Month” awards and the “2014 Co-op Specialist Of The Year”.• Partner with the key co-op decision makers within GM, Ford and Lincoln to develop products that their dealers can purchase and be reimbursed for with the use of co-op funds in order to increase Dealer sales revenue and reduce product churn.• Develop individualized products for dealers that meet the OEM’s needs and priorities.• Work closely with the Autotrader / KBB product development teams to create the products to take to market.• Provide training to the field on the products and the ability to leverage the co-op eligibility in an effectively• Provide management with detailed reporting on sales opportunities for the products developed with the OEM.• Schedule and organize effective market visits, regional and district training and book of business analysis.• Facilitate sales and service support to the regions with a focus on specific co-op products and co-op service levels.• Act as liaison between the OEMs, our dealer sales and corporate office.

Nw Ohio

Responsible for managing approximately 60 accounts with a book of business of approximately $1MM in annual revenue. Recipient of multiple awards, including “District Sales Person Of The Year” and several “District Sales Person Of The Month” and “Regional Sales Person Of The Month” awards. • Present Autotrader.com online advertising solutions to car dealerships.• Educate current clients on consumer online shopping behavior.• Manage and service current accounts (dealerships) to maximize results and satisfaction.• Build strong relationships with current accounts to ensure retention.• Developed opportunities to increase revenue and margin.• Prospect for new business.• Keep current and informed on new and upcoming products.• Manage “past due” accounts receivable.

Findlay, Oh

• Interviewed customers for the purpose of obtaining financing for their automobile purchase.• Closed automobile loans using lenders that best fit the purchaser of the vehicle.• Presented options to the customer for additional products (ie: extended warranties and insurance).• Managed “un-funded/outstanding” loan contracts.• Oversee compliance with all laws and regulations regarding automotive sales transactions.• Oversaw the merchandising of inventory on the internet and followed up on internet sales leads.

Nw, Ohio / Se, Michigan

• Managed accounts for 150+ automobile dealerships in the NW/Central Ohio area.• Increased “cashed contracts” from an average 35 per month to 100+ contracts within my first year.• Increased contract volume by nearly 300%.• Achieved “Top 20” recognition out of 300 area sales managers in contracts cashed.• Consistently in the “Top 30” in the nation.

Fostoria, Oh

• Interviewed customers for the purpose of obtaining financing for their automobile purchase.• Closed automobile loans using lenders that best fit the purchaser of the vehicle.• Presented options to the customer for additional products (ie: extended warranties and insurance).• Managed “un-funded/outstanding” loan contracts.• Oversee compliance with all laws and regulations regarding automotive sales transactions.• Oversaw the merchandising of inventory on the internet and followed up on internet sales leads.

Findlay, Oh

• Interviewed customers for the purpose of obtaining financing for their automobile purchase.• Closed automobile loans using lenders that best fit the purchaser of the vehicle.• Presented options to the customer for additional products (ie: extended warranties and insurance).• Managed “un-funded/outstanding” loan contracts.• Oversee compliance with all laws and regulations regarding automotive sales transactions.• Oversaw the merchandising of inventory on the internet and followed up on internet sales leads.