LOS ALTOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Beepi, Inc., the national marketplace to buy and sell cars online, announced today the formation of an advisory board to guide the company’s rapid growth as it dramatically improves the car buying and selling process for consumers. Following recent additions to its executive team, Beepi continues to align top thinkers and operators as it strengthens its leadership position in the auto commerce sector.
To help Beepi produce the best products for consumers and continue to bring innovation to the fragmented used-car industry, a $390 billion market, Beepi has assembled economic, government and legal heavyweights known for embracing innovation and affecting change. The three founding advisory board members will provide ongoing counsel to Beepi on trends and issues related to consumer empowerment, state and federal regulations and the automotive industry. The new advisory board includes:
Larry Summers
Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers is one of America’s leading economists. In addition to serving as 71st Secretary of the Treasury in the Clinton Administration, Summers was a central figure in the bailout of the auto industry in 2009 as the head of President Obama’s National Economic Council. He also served as President of Harvard University and as the Chief Economist of the World Bank. Summers’ tenure at the U.S. Treasury coincided with the longest period of sustained economic growth in U.S. history, and Summers has played a key role in addressing every major financial crisis for the last two decades. Summers is currently serving on the boards of Square and Lending Club.
“Making markets function by reducing friction is crucial to the performance of the American economy,” said Summers. “Beepi’s mission of transforming the $390 billion used car market is profoundly important.”
Jim Messina
Jim Messina served as Deputy Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2011, where he was integral to the passage of the landmark healthcare and economic stimulus bills. The mastermind behind President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, Messina developed strategies that defined the modern presidential campaign. In 2013, Messina launched The Messina Group, to provide strategic consulting to political campaigns, advocacy organizations and businesses. In this capacity, Messina served as senior advisor to Prime Minister David Cameron for the 2015 elections.
“Technology is a powerful change agent across industries, and the Beepi team is dramatically improving auto commerce,” stated Messina, who has done consulting work with Beepi and companies such as Uber and Airbnb. “It’s exciting to think about the positive impact this can have on the next generation of drivers – and to see the way it’s already impacting how people of all ages approach the idea of buying or selling a car.”
Marjorie Ehrich Lewis
Newly retired Gibson Dunn partner and veteran litigator Marjorie Ehrich Lewis comes to Beepi with thirty years of automotive industry experience representing major automobile manufacturers in legislative and franchise matters. She was named by the Daily Journal as one of California's “Top Women Litigators” in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012, and has been ranked by Chambers USA in its National Transportation category since 2011. Lewis served on Gibson Dunn’s Executive and Management Committees, and is currently Chairman of the Board of Para Los Ninos, a not-for-profit-serving children and families on Los Angeles’ Skid Row.
“The Beepi business model changes the economics of buying and selling used cars – benefiting consumers on both sides of the transaction and forcing the established industry to rethink the way it operates,” remarked Lewis, who previously represented the company while at Gibson Dunn. “Beepi is evolving what it means to be an automotive dealer, and the long-term potential is huge. I’m pleased to continue working with the company as it pursues its mission.”
“Bringing these great minds together is a testament to Beepi’s leadership position and long-term value,” said Ale Resnik, Beepi’s CEO and co-founder. “2016 promises to be another year of growth for Beepi, and we remain committed to delighting customers by fundamentally changing the long-outdated process of buying and selling cars.”
A peer-to-peer marketplace, Beepi’s commitment to helping people buy and sell quality cars includes an industry-leading 240-point inspection before any car is made available on Beepi.com. Beepi also guarantees listed cars will sell within 30 days, provides a free 3,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty for purchased vehicles and offers a 10-day money-back guarantee, the most generous one in the category.
About Beepi
Beepi is the first startup to take on, and successfully disrupt, the pre-owned car industry. A national peer-to-peer marketplace, Beepi is a way to buy or sell a quality car completely online, giving consumers a superior experience that is fast, secure and even fun. Beepi is a licensed dealer in all of the states in which it has operations. For more information, please visit www.beepi.com.