LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Portfolio, one of the nation’s leading reinsurance program managers for automotive dealers, has announced that Joseph F. Najar has taken a position as reinsurance specialist on the national sales team. The position requires working closely with dealer principals on business strategy and requires a thorough knowledge of all dealership operations.

“I began my career in the technology sector serving both Fortune 500 and startup companies. After the dotcom, bust I migrated into retail automotive on my brother’s advice. I soon fell in love with the car business,” Najar explained. “I started on the sales floor, then was promoted over the years through F&I, used car and new car manager positions, and finally GSM. My background was very useful in leading my stores into today’s dealership technology strategies. I was successful all along the way, but when I learned about Portfolio from Ryan, I could see it offered me the best chance to combine my experience in retail management, finance, and strategic thinking in service to the goals of dealer-owners.”

Najar most recently was general sales manager with Rusnak Audi in Pasadena, Calif. Prior to that, he served with many franchises and dealer groups, including Van Nuys CDRJ, Audi Hawaii Jaguar Land Rover in Honolulu, Audi Auto Gallery in Woodland Hills, Calif., and both the Galpin Automotive Group and First Automotive Group in Southern California. Earlier he was a top producer for BMW and Honda franchises.

His technology roots include co-founding SageMetrics, an enterprise-wide data-mining and reporting company, managing Earthlink Networks’ DSL deployment team, and wide-ranging technology roles with Walt Disney Co.

“I am delighted that Joe agreed to sign on with us,” said Ryan Hanlon, Portfolio’s managing director. “I have known him for years and have witnessed his high performance in the stores. I was always impressed. I look forward to our mutual success in bringing the best reinsurance program and F&I support to dealers near and far. Working with a pro like Joe is going to be another reason to charge into each day to make dealers more successful.”

“Joe is an impressive industry executive,” CSO Dan Haugen added. “He embodies exactly the kind of retail veteran we want on our sales team to engage with both prospective and existing dealer clients. Ryan is a dynamo and I know he and Joe will make a great team. I look forward to great things from them.”