A Conversation with Joey Hughes

Q: Tell me a little bit about your career path and what led you to where you are now. How did you wind up in the auto business?

A: As a student at East Carolina University, I found a part-time job working at Dealer’s Auto Auction in Greenville, N.C. After working there for just over two years, I fell in love with the business. After leaving ECU, I spent time working within various segments of the auto industry, including within wholesale automotive, used car retail and at a franchise dealership, before opening a small dealership on my own. Shortly after this business startup, I was offered an opportunity to join the Manheim team, and my career has progressed from there.

How do you think your start as a small dealer in North Carolina sets you apart? How does it better prepare you for your role now?

At all of our Manheim operating locations, providing the best client experience is a goal we strive to meet daily. My experience working with dealer groups at Dealer’s Auto Auction, owning and managing my own business, along with my leadership roles at previous Manheim locations, gave me tremendous insight into the types of solutions that enhance the client experience. Supporting our employee team here at Manheim Pennsylvania in a way that continues to enhance our client experience is always my top priority. While many of our clients share common goals, there are some objectives that may be unique to their business alone. Understanding these differences helps us better identify and target solutions to help dealers succeed.

Let’s talk about the conservation and community service initiatives. What are they and what do you hope to bring about with them?

As one of the largest employers in Lancaster County, one of the best ways we can say thank you for providing such a great employee base is by supporting local community efforts. That said, last year Manheim Pennsylvania touched over 90 different charitable organizations, with the majority of our giving efforts focused locally. A key company value has always been to do the right thing for our employees, our clients and our communities. One way we are doing this is through conservation efforts. At Manheim Pennsylvania, we operate a water conservation center that annually treats 42,000 gallons of wastewater and reduces water demand by 60 percent.