The Cobalt Group, a provider of e-business software and services to the automotive retail market, announced Jan. 31 it has named Peter Kretzman as its new vice president of information services and information technology. Kretzman brings more than 25 years of technology and business experience to the newly created executive position that directs Cobalt's information technology infrastructure and internal business systems.

"Peter brings an impressive background in IS and IT to Cobalt," said John Holt, president and CEO of The Cobalt Group. "Peter's focus on streamlining data processes and metrics will improve internal efficiencies and support Cobalt's development of innovative e-business solutions for the automotive industry."

Kretzman, who will report to Cobalt's executive vice president and chief technology officer Rajan Krishnamurty, is an experienced executive skilled in building, integrating, and streamlining information technology efforts across a variety of platforms, languages and environments. Kretzman co-founded Management Bridge International LLC in Kirkland, Wash., in 1998, an interim executive management consulting firm, where he completed several assignments, including serving as director of development for Getty Images and vice president of information technology at F5 Networks, both of Seattle. His background also includes a six-year tenure as director of customer care systems at AT&T Wireless from 1990-1996 and executive director of product engineering from 1996-1997 at Metapath Software Corporation.

Kretzman holds a master's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a bachelor's degree from Stanford University.

About The Cobalt Group

The Cobalt Group works exclusively in the automotive retail market to help manufacturers and dealers develop integrated e-business programs by leveraging its technology, broad range of services and deep domain knowledge.

Cobalt offers a broad range of products and services developed specifically for the automotive marketplace including enterprise software for manufacturers and dealers; customer relationship management (CRM) software applications; online automotive commerce applications; OEM parts locating and marketing service; dealership e-business best practices training, consulting, and process compliance analysis; and wholesale used vehicle remarketing services.

According to Cobalt, the company operates a dealer network larger than any other technology provider in the automotive retail industry including 12,000 franchised dealers and 70 of the 100 largest dealer groups. Cobalt is the only software technology provider ever endorsed by 14 manufacturers and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).

With headquarters in Seattle, Wash., Cobalt has offices in five U.S. cities, and a field sales and services force in 30 states, including all major U.S. metropolitan sales areas (MSAs).

For more information, please visit www.cobaltgroup.com or call (800) 909-8244.