TradePending Fortifies Leadership to Accelerate Automotive Tech Growth

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – April 09, 2026 – TradePending, a key software provider for the automotive retail sector, has announced a significant expansion of its executive team, signaling a strategic push to deepen its market penetration and enhance its platform capabilities. The Capstreet-backed company has appointed Amanda Abarno as Vice President of Marketing, Julian Cowart as Vice President of Customer Operations, and Aloke Devalia as Vice President of Revenue Management.

These appointments come as the automotive industry accelerates its digital transformation, placing immense pressure on dealerships to adopt sophisticated tools that streamline operations and meet evolving consumer expectations for online engagement.

A Strategic Trifecta for Growth

The three new hires represent a strategic fortification of core business functions essential for a scaling SaaS company. The roles are designed to create a cohesive engine for growth, from attracting new dealership clients to ensuring their long-term success and optimizing the company's revenue streams.

TradePending CEO Jorge de Castro emphasized the immediate impact these leaders are expected to have. “With the addition of Amanda, Julian and Aloke, our customers can expect to receive the support needed to leverage our latest tools and technology, and I am pleased to welcome them to TradePending,” he stated. “Each of them brings an invaluable perspective and specialized experience that perfectly aligns with the needs of our evolving platform, making them a natural fit for their new roles.”

The company, which serves over 5,000 dealerships across the U.S. and Canada, has built its reputation on a suite of tools designed to convert website traffic into tangible revenue opportunities. Its flagship "Trade" tool, which delivered nearly 25 million trade-in valuations via its API in 2022, and its "Payments" tool, which has been shown to double first-party leads, are central to its value proposition. The new leadership is tasked with building on this foundation, driving wider adoption, and ensuring the platform's functionality keeps pace with a rapidly changing market.

Tapping Cross-Industry Expertise for Innovation

In a move that underscores a commitment to innovation, TradePending has deliberately sourced talent from well outside the traditional automotive corridor. This strategy aims to inject fresh perspectives and proven methodologies from other complex, high-growth technology sectors.

Amanda Abarno, the new VP of Marketing, brings a wealth of experience from the fast-paced worlds of cryptocurrency compliance and healthcare payments, having served as VP of Marketing at Elliptic and Patientco. Her background in demand generation for sophisticated SaaS products, including fraud prevention technology at Pindrop, equips her to articulate TradePending's value in an increasingly crowded and complex auto-tech market.

Similarly, Aloke Devalia, the new VP of Revenue Management, joins from mobile tech company Ibotta and has a deep history in strategic pricing at companies like Purchasing Power and, crucially, Equifax’s Automotive unit. His career began in the airline industry, a sector renowned for pioneering dynamic pricing and revenue optimization. This diverse experience is expected to bring a new level of sophistication to how TradePending packages, prices, and monetizes its product suite, potentially introducing more dynamic and data-driven models.

Julian Cowart, taking the helm of Customer Operations, arrives with a robust background in managing complex service logistics. His experience ranges from Cox Automotive to leading operations at Urgently, a digital roadside assistance provider, and InCharge Energy, an EV charging infrastructure company. This unique blend of automotive and emerging tech service experience positions him perfectly to scale support for TradePending’s growing dealership base while navigating new industry challenges, such as the rise of electric vehicles.

Enhancing the Dealership Journey Amidst Industry Shifts

The appointments are strategically timed as dealerships navigate a seismic shift in consumer behavior. With over 90% of vehicle research happening online and a majority of consumers now comfortable with completing large portions of the buying process from home, the need for effective digital retailing tools has never been greater. The auto dealer software market, valued at over $6 billion in 2025, is projected to double by 2035, driven by this digital imperative.

TradePending’s focus on "simple automotive" is a direct response to this trend. The hiring of Julian Cowart as VP of Customer Operations signals a renewed focus on ensuring dealerships can not only adopt but also master these new digital tools. His background is critical for streamlining the onboarding process and building a proactive customer success framework that helps dealers maximize their return on investment.

Meanwhile, the industry's growing reliance on AI and data analytics to inform everything from inventory acquisition to marketing personalization makes Aloke Devalia's role as VP of Revenue Management particularly vital. Dealerships are increasingly using data to optimize pricing and forecast market trends. Devalia's expertise will likely influence TradePending's product roadmap, leading to more advanced analytical features and pricing strategies that help dealers compete more effectively in a data-driven landscape.

The Capstreet Blueprint in Action

These executive hires are a clear manifestation of the strategy employed by TradePending’s financial backer, Capstreet. The Houston-based private equity firm is known for its "Capvalue Framework®," a hands-on approach that focuses on investing in top-tier talent and technology to accelerate growth in its portfolio companies.

Rick Pleczko, CEO of Capstreet’s Operating Executive Group and Executive Chair at TradePending, confirmed this strategic alignment. “With these appointments, the company further strengthens its leadership team, and we are pleased to support the company’s continued team expansion,” Pleczko commented. “TradePending continues to innovate and add functionality to its platform, demonstrating innovation and a commitment to better serve our dealer customers.”

By strengthening the leadership in marketing, customer operations, and revenue management, Capstreet and TradePending are building an infrastructure designed for sustainable, long-term growth. This move goes beyond simply filling roles; it's about assembling a team with the cross-functional expertise needed to out-innovate competitors and solidify the company’s position as an indispensable partner to modern automotive dealerships. The infusion of diverse, high-level talent is a clear signal that TradePending is not just responding to the market but is actively positioning itself to lead the next phase of its evolution.