FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Dent Wizard Announces New COO, Mid-South RVP

Addison Thomas will serve as COO and Doug Grill takes over as Mid-South regional vice president.

by Staff
May 3, 2018
Dent Wizard Announces New COO, Mid-South RVP

 

1 min to read


Addison Thomas

ST. LOUIS — F&I product provider Dent Wizard International has promoted Addison Thomas to COO and Doug Grill to Thomas’ previous position as regional vice president of Dent Wizard’s Mid-South region. These promotions come after Mike Black was promoted to CEO April 1.

Thomas will assume Black’s COO responsibilities and lead the core service operations team. He served in various roles with Dent Wizard over the past 16 years, most recently as regional vice president of the Mid-South region.

Ad Loading...

Grill is being promoted from his role as regional director of operations in the Southeast region. He has been with Dent Wizard five years, serving in sales and client service roles.

Doug Grill

“It is quite rewarding to provide upward mobility to talented and committed teammates,” said CEO Mike Black. “I’ve personally worked with Addison for over 20 years. His focus on people, process, and delivering customer value is second to none. He inherits a great group of experienced leaders who bring tremendous intellectual capital and proven performance to his senior team.

“Doug Grill’s work ethic and people skills, combined with his drive to win, make him an exceptional asset,” added Black. “He’s a perfect example of the bench strength we have throughout our organization. I’m confident that these two business leaders will bring significant value to our clients, partners, and the company in their new positions.”

More F&I

Photo of a keyring with mltiple keys, including a car key fob, on a white surface
F&IJuly 15, 2026

Integrating Nontraditional F&I Products

The niche presents a strategic advantage for auto dealerships as they move to adapt to fast-changing consumer expectations in today’s market.

Read More →
Photo of businessman's hands holding eyeglasses at a desk
F&Iby Rick McCormickJuly 7, 2026

Trust Is Personal

Technology, no matter how efficient, can’t replace what the human F&I manager can do, which is to bridge the divide between cyberspace and the in-store experience.

Read More →
Photo of executive in a sports coat and glasses
Industryby StaffJuly 2, 2026

Amplify 2026 Billed as Turning Innovation Into Results

Reynolds and Reynolds says its annual retail summit will connect dealers with practical strategies, peer insight, and technology-driven ideas.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Woman standing on stage smiling.
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceJuly 1, 2026

Own Your Outcome: F&I in the Digital Customer Journey

Finance has historically been the last step in the car-buying process, but it doesn’t have to be. The customer’s journey starts long before they arrive at the dealership, and so should F&I’s involvement.

Read More →
$100 bill and magnifying glass on top of paper that says insurance policy terms and conditions.
F&Iby Lauren LawrenceJune 29, 2026

Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums

As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.

Read More →
Red toy car sitting on top of coins.
Auto Financeby Lauren LawrenceJune 24, 2026

Smaller Loans, Longer Terms

The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Under the hood of a Toyota Prius EV Hybrid car.
F&Iby StaffJune 15, 2026

New Lifetime Battery F&I Product Meant to Drive Dealer Traffic

EFG Cos. offering is intended to create lifetime auto dealer engagement with customers.

Read More →
Several illustrations of question marks on a surface
F&IJune 10, 2026

The Psychology Behind Menus That Increase Add-On Sales

There is a science to crafting a menu that gives customers confidence in the choices presented, and moving the process outside the F&I office can further boost results.

Read More →
Man holding magnifying glass over sales volume paper.
F&IMay 29, 2026

Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You

Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of woman typing on a laptop as she sits on a couch
F&Iby Hannah MitchellMay 29, 2026

Auto Consumer Anxiety Presents Opportunity

A survey of U.S. drivers found the majority are concerned about finances and the economy, but those fears make many ready to buy vehicle-protection products.

Read More →