OWL Automotive Consulting Names Sally Lopez Founder, CEO
Charleston, SC | August 20, 2026 — OWL Automotive Consulting announced that co-founder Sally Lopez has assumed full ownership of the firm and the role of Founder and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 30, 2026, following the retirement of co-founder Tom Olney. The leadership transition reflects OWL's continued commitment to delivering trusted expertise and exceptional results for automotive retailers nationwide.
The transition marks a significant milestone for OWL, a nationwide automotive consulting firm that has served hundreds of dealerships across the United States and built its reputation on delivering practical, results-driven expertise to the retail automotive industry.
Founded on the belief that dealerships deserve guidance from professionals with firsthand operational experience, OWL has grown steadily over the last eight years through referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations alone, a testament to the quality of the firm's work, the strength of its client relationships, and the trust it has earned throughout the industry.
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As sole owner and CEO, Lopez will lead the firm's continued growth and strategic direction while expanding its advisory, professional, and managed services offerings to meet the evolving needs of automotive retailers facing rapid technological and operational change.
A respected industry leader with more than 38 years of experience, Lopez has built a reputation for helping dealerships successfully navigate complex business, technology, and operational challenges. In addition to her leadership at OWL, she is widely recognized as a mentor, advisor, and advocate for the next generation of automotive professionals.
As former Chief Information Officer of Penske Automotive Group, Lopez helped lead technology strategy for one of the world's largest automotive retail organizations and played a key leadership role during the company's growth as a publicly traded enterprise. Her background also includes leadership experience with CDK Global and extensive expertise in dealer management systems, technology operations, accounting, and business transformation.
Under Lopez's leadership, OWL proudly continues as a woman-owned business dedicated to delivering exceptional client outcomes while investing in the future of the automotive industry through mentorship, collaboration, and professional development.
"OWL has always been about helping our clients succeed by providing practical guidance rooted in real-world experience," said Lopez. "What makes me most proud is the incredible team we've built and the trust we've earned from our clients across the country. As we enter this next chapter, we remain committed to delivering the same level of partnership, expertise, and integrity that has defined OWL from the beginning while continuing to grow, innovate, and create opportunities for both our clients and our people."
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With an experienced leadership team in place and a strong foundation built over the last eight years, OWL is exceptionally well positioned for continued growth. As technology, cybersecurity, data, and dealership operations continue to evolve, the firm remains focused on helping automotive organizations navigate change, improve performance, and achieve long-term success.
This transition not only represents a new chapter for OWL Automotive Consulting, but also reinforces the firm's commitment to the values that have fueled its growth: trusted relationships, operational excellence, and a passion for serving the automotive industry.
Learn more about OWL’s leadership, expertise, and the team behind our continued growth by meeting our team.