Cars.com Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

Cars.com has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, communications, operations, and market development.

Driven by innovation, Cars.com connects shoppers with dealers, providing essential data and tools to the automotive industry, shaping market dynamics from its Chicago headquarters.

Leadership Roles at Cars.com

  • Chief Executive Officer - Alex Vetter
  • Chief Financial Officer - Sonia Jain
  • President - Daniel Petchel
  • President - Roger Lippelmann
  • President - Elaine Richards
  • President - Kristen Cox
  • President - Leticia Davis
  • Chief Communications Officer - Marita Thomas
  • Chief Operations Officer - Tami Jones
  • Alex Vetter - Chief Executive Officer

    Alex Vetter, the Chief Executive Officer at Cars.com, directs the company's overarching strategy and market positioning. Vetter guides Cars.com's evolution as a digital marketplace and a vital data, tool, and resource provider for the automotive sector. This leadership involves driving innovation in how shoppers connect with dealers, ensuring a seamless transaction process. The Chief Executive Officer's focus extends to fostering strategic partnerships and expanding the company's influence within the industry. By championing a data-centric approach, Vetter ensures Cars.com remains at the forefront of automotive commerce. Alex Vetter's vision propels the company's growth and reinforces its commitment to serving both consumers and automotive professionals.
    Alex Vetter

    Sonia Jain - Chief Financial Officer

    Sonia Jain, the Chief Financial Officer at Cars.com, oversees all financial operations and strategic fiscal planning. Jain manages capital allocation, investor relations, and financial reporting, ensuring the company's fiscal health and sustainable growth. This role involves developing financial models that support Cars.com's digital marketplace and data provision services. The Chief Financial Officer's expertise is critical in navigating market fluctuations and identifying opportunities for financial optimization. Jain's leadership ensures robust financial controls and drives profitability across all business segments. Sonia Jain's strategic financial management underpins the company's ability to invest in technology and expand its market reach.
    Sonia Jain

    Daniel Petchel - President

    Daniel Petchel, the President at Cars.com, drives strategic initiatives and business development across key market segments. Petchel focuses on expanding Cars.com's digital footprint and enhancing its value proposition for automotive dealers. This leadership involves identifying new revenue streams and optimizing existing product offerings. The President's role includes fostering cross-functional collaboration to achieve corporate objectives. Petchel's efforts are directed towards strengthening Cars.com's position as a leading provider of automotive solutions. Daniel Petchel's strategic oversight contributes significantly to the company's market expansion and innovation.

    Roger Lippelmann - President

    Roger Lippelmann, the President at Cars.com, spearheads initiatives focused on dealer engagement and platform integration. Lippelmann works to enhance the tools and resources provided to automotive dealerships, ensuring their success in the digital marketplace. This leadership role involves developing strategies to deepen dealer partnerships and improve customer acquisition. The President's responsibilities include driving adoption of Cars.com's data and technology solutions. Lippelmann's focus on dealer success directly supports the company's mission to connect shoppers with sellers. Roger Lippelmann's dedication to the dealer network strengthens Cars.com's industry standing.

    Elaine Richards - President

    Elaine Richards, the President at Cars.com, leads efforts to enhance the shopper experience on the digital marketplace. Richards focuses on optimizing the user journey, ensuring consumers can easily find vehicles and connect with dealers. This leadership involves driving innovation in search technology and consumer-facing tools. The President's role includes analyzing market trends to anticipate shopper needs and preferences. Richards champions initiatives that improve engagement and conversion rates for vehicle sales. Elaine Richards's commitment to the shopper experience solidifies Cars.com's reputation as a trusted resource.

    Kristen Cox - President

    Kristen Cox, the President at Cars.com, directs strategic planning for market expansion and new service development. Cox focuses on identifying emerging opportunities within the automotive industry and translating them into actionable business strategies. This leadership involves overseeing the integration of new technologies and data analytics to enhance Cars.com's offerings. The President's responsibilities include forging strategic alliances that broaden the company's reach. Cox's vision guides the development of innovative solutions for dealers and consumers alike. Kristen Cox's strategic direction propels Cars.com's growth and market leadership.

    Leticia Davis - President

    Leticia Davis, the President at Cars.com, oversees the company's data analytics and technology infrastructure. Davis ensures that Cars.com provides robust data-driven insights and cutting-edge tools to the automotive industry. This leadership role involves managing the development and deployment of sophisticated technological solutions that power the digital marketplace. The President's focus is on leveraging data to improve efficiency and effectiveness for both shoppers and dealers. Davis champions innovation in data science and platform architecture. Leticia Davis's technical leadership ensures Cars.com remains a data and technology powerhouse.

    Marita Thomas - Chief Communications Officer

    Marita Thomas, the Chief Communications Officer at Cars.com, directs all internal and external communication strategies. Thomas shapes the company's narrative, managing public relations, corporate messaging, and stakeholder engagement. This leadership ensures consistent and impactful communication about Cars.com's role as a digital marketplace and automotive industry resource. The Chief Communications Officer's responsibilities include crisis communication and brand reputation management. Thomas cultivates strong relationships with media, industry influencers, and the public, reinforcing Cars.com's market presence. Marita Thomas's strategic communication efforts enhance brand visibility and support the company's business objectives.
    Marita Thomas

    Tami Jones - Chief Operations Officer

    Tami Jones, the Chief Operations Officer at Cars.com, manages the day-to-day operational efficiency of the company's digital marketplace. Jones oversees the execution of business processes, ensuring seamless service delivery to shoppers and dealers. This role is pivotal in optimizing the technology platforms that connect buyers and sellers of vehicles. The Chief Operations Officer's focus includes streamlining workflows and enhancing operational scalability to support Cars.com's growth. Jones drives initiatives aimed at improving service quality and operational performance across all departments. Tami Jones's operational leadership ensures the reliable functioning of Cars.com's core business activities.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Cars.com Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Cars.com?
    Cars.com is led by Alex Vetter (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Sonia Jain (Chief Financial Officer) and Daniel Petchel (President).
    Who is part of Cars.com’s executive team?
    The executive team of Cars.com includes leaders such as Alex Vetter (Chief Executive Officer), Sonia Jain (Chief Financial Officer), Daniel Petchel (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Cars.com have?
    Cars.com has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Cars.com’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Cars.com includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, President, President.