The Customer Experience Leadership Summit
SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
THE DEPARTMENT AT HUDSON'S
DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Join automotive retail, OEM, technology and customer experience leaders for a day of insights, networkings and innovation before the Automotive News Congress begins.
REGISTER NOW
BECOME A SPONSOR
EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS
Hear from leaders shaping automotive retail and customer experience.
PEER NETWORKING
Connect with OEMs, dealers, vendors and innovators across the industry.
CONGRESS WEEK ACCESS
Start your Automotive News Congress experience a day early.
MEET YOUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jack Hollis
Managing Partner - Accrual Equity Partners
Former EVP & COO - Toyota
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Amy Sgrignoli
Jeff Williams
Gary Schultz
John Fitzpatrick
Steve Cerny
Mike Spadafore
Michael Alf
Justin Hinderer
Steven Alf
Chad Jernberg
Bill Camastro
Cristina Cheever
CLICK ON A SPEAKER FOR THEIR BIO
ONE DESTINATION.
TWO INDUSTRY EVENTS.
Attend CXAUOT2026 and stay for the Automotive News Congress to gain three days of industry-leading insights, networking and thought leadership.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Jack Hollis
Managing Partner - Accrual Equity Partners Former EVP & COO - Toyota
As Managing Partner for Accrual Equity Partners, Jack brings together advanced mobility solutions, strategic consulting, and leadership development to serve the evolving needs of the automotive and transportation sectors. After more than three decades with Toyota, retiring as EVP and Chief Operating Officer for Toyota Motor North America, Jack has earned the reputation as one of the most well-respected, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and well-known leaders in the automotive sector. With a strong foundation in the automotive and transportation industries, Jack brings a unique blend of deep industry expertise and entrepreneurial vision to Accrual Equity Partners to drive meaningful transformation across fragmented markets. By collaborating with companies in niche sectors, he helps unlock growth opportunities and build resilient, value-driven teams. Built through intentional leadership and a people-first mindset, Jack and his colleagues leverage their experience to deliver sustainable, long- term value in complex, evolving industries.
Throughout his 33 years at Toyota, Jack held a variety of high-impact leadership roles. In his most recent role, he oversaw operations, sales, marketing, supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, and product planning for both the Toyota and Lexus brands across North America.
As Group Vice President and General Manager of Toyota Division, Jack spearheaded record-setting and industry-leading sales for over 90% of Toyota North America’s major vehicle launches. As Group VP of Marketing, he led the brand evolution during the shift to electrification and created the “Let’s Go Places” tagline and campaign. Jack also led the Scion brand, field operations, and motorsports through TRD, Gazoo Racing, and NASCAR, as well as Olympic and Paralympic partnerships.
Known for his charismatic, people-first leadership style and future-focused mindset, Jack has consistently championed innovation, customer experience, and organizational alignment. He now brings that same strategic focus and energy to his work as Managing Partner, as well as to champion and shape the future of mobility.
Jack graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Economics, was a member of Stanford’s 1988 NCAA baseball championship-winning team, and played two seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. Jack’s personal interests include running and exercise, golfing, global ministry work and serving others. He is driven by a passion for God and family, which includes his wife of nearly 35 years and four children, and he spends a maximum amount of time on both.
Amy Sgrignoli
Vice President, Connected Vehicle
As Vice President of Connected Vehicle at Subaru of America, Amy Sgrignoli leads the teams responsible for the strategy, development, and operations behind Subaru’s entire connected car ecosystem. With more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across sales, marketing, and information technology, she is known for driving transformation through thoughtful organizational design, strategic planning, and effective change management.
A passionate builder of future leaders, she serves as the executive sponsor for Subaru’s Strategy and Innovation team and the company’s LGBTQ+ employee resource group. Her commitment to equity extends beyond the workplace—she is the chair of the executive committee for the board of a school dedicated to supporting neurodivergent children and is an advocate for expanding educational access and opportunity.
A proud mother of two, she brings authenticity, vision, and a peo
Jeff Williams
Vice President
Jeff Williams is the Vice President of Williams AutoWorld and has spent more than 40 years building his career in the automotive industry. Starting in the dealership’s Parts Department in 1974, he advanced through multiple leadership roles before becoming Dealer Operator/Vice President in 2001. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising from Michigan State University and has been recognized through nominations for the Time Quality Dealer Award and the Northwood University Educational Award.
In addition to his professional success, Jeff has been highly involved in community service and industry leadership. He has served on advisory boards for Subaru of America and the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association, including serving as President from 2018–2019. He has also supported numerous educational, healthcare, and community organizations, helping raise millions of dollars for local projects and charitable causes.
Jeff remains active in education and mentorship through his work with Michigan State University, Junior Achievement, local schools, and healthcare foundations. Outside of work, he enjoys hockey, golf, cars and motorcycles, dog training, landscaping, and outdoor activities.
Gary Schultz
Head of Strategic Alliances and Relationship Management
Gary Schultz leads Strategic Alliances and Retail Auto Sales relationship activities for small, mid-market and national dealerships for Wells Fargo Auto. Wells Fargo Auto is a leading indirect auto lender offering consumers vehicle financing through a network of approximately 11,000 dealers nationwide. With a loan portfolio of over $51 billion, Wells Fargo Auto serves more than 3 million consumers’ auto financing needs.
Gary brings over 25 years of financial services experience to his role with over 20 years in the Auto Finance space. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Gary was a Managing Director at Chase Auto leading the National Accounts Sales team. He has held a variety of management positions across many disciplines including credit and originations, product development, pricing, risk management and corporate audit. Before joining Chase, Gary held various roles with increasing responsibilities in retail banking and corporate management at both Norwest and First Interstate Bank.
Gary holds an MBA from Arizona State University, and a B.S. degree from the University of Arizona. He is involved in several industry associations. Gary lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife and two daughters.
John Fitzpatrick
Head of CarBravo Certified Used Vehicle Program
John Fitzpatrick is a senior automotive leader with nearly four decades of experience at General Motors across marketing, sales, and dealer operations. Prior to field leadership roles, he led national marketing efforts for some of Chevrolet’s most iconic and profitable nameplates—overseeing Camaro, Corvette, and SS performance cars, followed by Silverado, Chevrolet’s largest and most profitable vehicle line.
John later served as Chevrolet Zone Manager for Michigan, the brand’s highestvolume zone, before transitioning in 2020 to GM’s EV Retail organization, where he led a field team helping dealers adapt to future retail models. In 2024, he was appointed to lead GM’s CarBravo Certified Used Vehicle Program. Over the past 15 months, CarBravo has doubled certified sales and expanded to more than 1,600 nationwide.
Known for aligning strategy with field execution, John brings a practical, dealerfirst perspective to retail transformation, brand leadership, and certified used sales growth.
Steve Cerny
Manager, 20 Group Operations
With more than 35 years of experience across retail and wholesale automotive operations, Steve brings a lifelong passion for the automobile business and a proven commitment to dealership success. His career spans designing and implementing innovative dealer processes, training programs, and performance strategies that strengthen sales, F&I, service, and parts operations. Central to his approach is a strong focus on customer satisfaction and retention, grounded in the belief that lasting relationships and exceptional experiences drive long-term results.
Steve has extensive experience delivering high-impact in-dealership consultations, facilitating dealer groups, and leading both small and large audiences at industry events. He is known for engaging teams, encouraging collaboration, and helping organizations achieve operational excellence. In addition, he has successfully hired, developed, and led high-performing field teams to ensure consistent execution and measurable outcomes.
Steve’s leadership philosophy centers on servant leadership, integrity, adaptability, and continuous improvement, empowering others to grow while navigating change and achieving sustainable success.
Mike Spadafore
Global Data Analytics Lead, Marketing
Mike Spadafore is an AI, marketing analytics, and product strategy/development leader with over two decades of experience driving innovation and business transformation through advanced technology and analytics solutions. Currently serving as the Director, Marketing Analytics at Ford Motor Company, Mike leads a team of one hundred product managers, data scientists, data engineers, and software engineers focused on providing marketing insight and optimization solutions via advanced analytics, AI/ML, and Gen AI. His previous roles at Ford include Customer 360 Strategy Manager, E-Commerce Analytics Manager, Quality Analytics Manager, and Marketing Product Innovation Manager where he delivered Ford’s first journey based next best action marketing platform. Mike is a frequent speaker on advanced analytics and Gen AI topics including JD Power Automotive Marketing Roundtable, Auto CX Analytics & AI Summit, PegaWorld Summit, Predictive Analytics World, and others. Mike is also a founding member of the Google Marketing AI Industry Council. Mike earned a BS from the University of Michigan studying Cognitive Psychology/Artificial Intelligence and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.
Michael Alf
Co-Owner
Bio TBA
Justin Hinderer
Owner
Bio TBA
Steven Alf
Co-Owner
Bio TBA
Chad Jernberg
Vice President, Customer Experience
Chad Jernberg is Vice President of Customer Experience at Holman Automotive, one of the nation’s largest privately held dealership groups. He leads enterprisewide efforts to modernize sales and service experiences, aligning digital innovation with humancentered design to drive loyalty, growth, and competitive differentiation. Drawing on a deep background in hospitality and digital engagement, Chad brings a customerfirst lens to the automotive industry. He partners closely with dealership leaders nationwide to translate customer insights into scalable, actionable improvements— strengthening employee engagement, elevating the guest experience, and accelerating sustainable business results.
Bill Camastro
Dealer Principal & Executive Vice President - Gold Coast Cadillac
Bill Camastro is the Dealer Principal and Executive Vice President of Gold Coast Cadillac in Oakhurst New Jersey, a position he has held since 2020. Bill has spent his entire career in Automotive Retail with leadership roles with a variety of innovative dealerships:
• Vice President & Director of Operations - Fuccillo Auto Group
• Dealer Principal & Operating Partner – Hudson Valley CDJR
• Platform Vice President - Group One Automotive
• Regional Vice President - AutoNation
• Platform Vice President - United Auto Group/Penske Automotive
• General Manager - McGrath Lexus
• General Manager - DiFeo Automotive
While at Gold Coast Cadillac, Bill has focused on creating an excellent customer experience and has led his team to 5 consecutive Cadillac Dealer of the Year awards. He has also been a member of the Cadillac Dealer Advisory Board since 2021.
Throughout his career Bill has consistently been recognized as a leading retailer with 3 Chrysler 5 Star awards, the Toyota President’s award, and the Elite of Lexus award.
Born and raised in the Bronx, NY Bill is one of 9 siblings and has been married for 36 years with 6 children of his own. He enjoys golf, 2 forms of martial arts (Tang so do Moo Duk Kwan & Tae Kwan do), and plays the guitar and piano in his spare time.
Cristina Cheever
Chief Marketing Officer
As Chief Marketing Officer of the duPont REGISTRY Group, Cristina leads the global marketing and communications strategy across the company’s portfolio of luxury automotive, media, marketplace, and experiential brands. Her work focuses on strengthening the Group’s position as a leading luxury automotive ecosystem spanning content, commerce, and community. She oversees integrated brand strategy, partnerships, experiential marketing, audience development, investor-facing communications, and strategic growth initiatives across the organization.
Cristina also plays a key role in expanding awareness of the duPont REGISTRY Group among investors, luxury partners, OEMs, collectors, and top industry talent, while helping guide the company’s evolution into a technology-driven global marketplace and lifestyle platform for the luxury automotive community.
Previously, Cristina served as Senior Vice President of Live Media and RRL at the Robb Report, the brand’s ultra-high-net-worth private membership platform. She is recognized for building high-touch experiential and partnership-driven strategies for HNW and UHNW audiences, shaping modern luxury through omnichannel brand experiences that resonate with the world’s most discerning consumers.
Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles at Porsche Cars North America, Aston Martin, and Jaguar giving her deep insight into the intersection of luxury, performance engineering, and automotive culture.
