LAPIS Signals Aggressive Growth with COO Appointment of Mark Venti

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – July 16, 2026 – In a move that signals a clear intent to accelerate its expansion and solidify its market position, LAPIS® Automotive today announced the appointment of Mark P. Venti as its new Chief Operating Officer. For investors and industry observers, this is far more than a routine executive shuffle; it is a calculated strategic maneuver designed to equip the burgeoning luxury automotive group with the operational horsepower needed for its next phase of growth.

Venti, a highly respected industry veteran, joins LAPIS after a distinguished 28-year career with Atlanta's Hennessy Automobile Companies. His appointment is effective immediately, and he will assume oversight of operations across the company's entire portfolio of dealerships in Arizona and California, which represent premier brands such as Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi.

A Strategic Play for Scaled Operations

The timing of Venti's appointment is critical. It comes on the heels of LAPIS's recent acquisition of a significant platform in Livermore, California, an expansion that underscores the company's aggressive growth ambitions. Integrating new assets while maintaining operational consistency and a high standard of service is a classic challenge for any rapidly growing enterprise. Venti’s recruitment appears to be the direct answer to that challenge.

His track record is one of proven operational excellence. During his long tenure at Hennessy, where he served as General Manager of Hennessy Porsche North Atlanta, Venti was instrumental in building a dealership renowned for both its commercial success and its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. This experience in managing a high-performing luxury dealership, which earned numerous "Premier Dealer recognition awards," provides him with a deep well of knowledge in process optimization, team building, and manufacturer relations.

LAPIS Founder and CEO Todd Blue underscored the strategic nature of the hire in the company's announcement. "Mark's skill set is exactly what LAPIS needs to take our business to the next level," Blue stated. "I am confident Mark will be instrumental as we continue to grow, strengthen our operations, invest in the guest experience, and shape the future of our organization." This is the language of a leader who is not just filling a vacancy but acquiring a specific, battle-tested capability to execute a deliberate strategy.

Redefining the Luxury Ownership Journey

In the competitive luxury automotive markets of California and Arizona, differentiation is key. With multiple dealerships often representing the same brand within a single metropolitan area, the vehicle itself is only part of the equation. The true competitive advantage lies in the quality of the customer experience—what LAPIS refers to as the "exceptional ownership journey."

This is where Venti's expertise becomes a cornerstone of the company's value proposition. His leadership at Hennessy Porsche was noted for fostering a strong community around the brand, with customer testimonials frequently citing his personal involvement in supporting enthusiast events. This ability to transform a transactional relationship into a relational one is invaluable. Venti's mandate will be to instill this ethos across the entire LAPIS network, ensuring that whether a customer is buying a Ferrari in Scottsdale or servicing a Land Rover in the Bay Area, the experience is seamless and superior.

"A culture built on accountability, focus, and delivering an exceptional ownership journey is what defines LAPIS," Blue remarked. Venti’s leadership is expected to be the catalyst that hardwires this culture into the company's operational DNA. For a group that blends ultra-luxury marques with premium brands like Audi and even the high-volume Honda line, creating a consistently excellent, brand-appropriate experience across the board is a complex but essential task for long-term success.

The Power of a 16-Year Partnership

Underpinning this strategic appointment is a personal and professional relationship that has been cultivated for over a decade. CEO Todd Blue and Mark Venti first met in 2010 through a Porsche 20 Group—an industry peer group where dealers share best practices and performance data. This long-standing connection, built on a foundation of shared professional challenges and goals, provides a powerful head start for the new leadership dynamic.

"I have known Mark for 16 years and have always admired his work ethic and commitment to customers, manufacturers, and the teams he helped build," Blue said. This history mitigates the risks often associated with senior executive transitions. There is an established rapport and a pre-existing alignment of vision.

Venti echoed this sentiment, highlighting the personal significance of the new role. "This opportunity is especially meaningful because it allows me to work alongside Todd Blue," he stated. "Throughout our years as industry colleagues, we developed a relationship built on mutual respect, trust, and transparency, along with a shared vision for what truly defines luxury in automotive retail." This synergy between a company's CEO and COO is a potent asset, suggesting that strategic decisions can be made and implemented with greater speed and cohesion. It transforms a professional arrangement into a unified partnership aimed at a common goal.

As Venti takes the operational helm, his immediate focus will be on integrating the new Livermore platform and optimizing performance across the existing dealership network. His arrival marks a pivotal moment for LAPIS, signaling to the market that the company is not only committed to growing its footprint but is also making the necessary investments in leadership to ensure that its growth is both sustainable and synonymous with excellence.