Former Cox Automotive GM Named AutoAlert CEO
IRVINE, Calif. — AutoAlert, a provider of cloud-based data mining analytics and dealer portfolio management solutions, has named Brian Skutta as its new CEO and appointed Akshaya Mehta to the newly created position of chief technology officer. Boyd Warner, who served as CEO since co-founding the company in 2002, becomes co-chairman alongside Steve Young. “I ... Read More »
IRVINE, Calif. — AutoAlert, a provider of cloud-based data mining analytics and dealer portfolio management solutions, has named Brian Skutta as its new CEO and appointed Akshaya Mehta to the newly created position of chief technology officer.
Boyd Warner, who served as CEO since co-founding the company in 2002, becomes co-chairman alongside Steve Young.
“I am delighted to welcome Brian and Akshaya to AutoAlert at this exciting time in the company’s evolution,” Warner said. “Brian has outstanding leadership skills, strategic vision and a strong track record that will help take AutoAlert forward, while Akshaya’s expertise will be critical to the continued enhancement of our industry-leading technology platform.”
Skutta has more than a decade of experience and a proven history of successfully managing growth at Cox Automotive, officials said. Following positions in business development, management and finance, Skutta led the strategic planning and execution of the Autotrader.Com Trade-In Marketplace, where he held the title senior director and general manager.
Skutta then ran VinSolutions LLC, a founder-owned SaaS Customer Relationship Management solutions company acquired by AutoTrader.com. As vice president and general manager, he matured and scaled operations of the business, strengthened the management team, and doubled the company’s revenue in less than two and a half years. In addition, he oversaw the acquisition of Haystak Digital Marketing LLC, a founder-owned business and “tuck-in” acquisition to VinSolutions LLC that operates under its own brand.
“AutoAlert’s advanced analytics and training capabilities have reshaped how dealers can strategically and effectively engage their customers to create more sales and vehicle acquisition opportunities,” Skutta said. “I look forward to working with the team to continue to build on AutoAlert’s success in driving the massive opportunity that technology solutions create for our industry.”
Mehta brings more than 20 years of technology management and executive experience in the auto industry. Prior to AutoAlert, Mehta served as executive vice president of Technology and Strategic Planning of Vintek Corp., where he led the M&A effort that resulted in the sale of Vintek to Dealertrack. His previous auto industry experience includes tenures as EVP and COO of American Driving Records and vice president of product development and e-commerce services for the Dealer Services Division of ADP.
“Since HGGC’s investment, AutoAlert has continued its tremendous growth trajectory,” said Steve Young, co-chairman of the board of AutoAlert and managing partner of HGGC. “I have no doubt that the addition of Brian and Akshaya will help accelerate the Company’s success in delivering best-in-class solutions.”
More Industry

Penske Auto Group Deal a Record
The deal to take the dealership and transportation services company private sets a new pace for industry buy-sell transactions.
Read More →
War Toll a Damper on Used Auto Prices
Cox Automotive found wholesale depreciation to be elevated in September amid high fuel prices and this year's unusual hurricane season.
Read More →
Bridge the Maintenance Gap
With many drivers missing recommended maintenance, service departments offering transparency and efficiency have a better chance of reaching financially strained consumers.
Read More →
California Store Has New Owner
The longtime dealership in the northern part of the state is known for robust fleet sales and has served the state capital for 115 years.
Read More →
BMW Plant Pursues Cleaner Energy
BMW Group Plant Leipzig has utilized hydrogen to help power its production since 2013, but a new pipeline is planned to take it to another level.
Read More →
Auto Affordability Inches Up
The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.
Read More →
Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership
After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.
Read More →
RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →