We’re excited to officially announce that David Long has joined Vehicle Acquisition Network (VAN) as our new Chief Operating Officer.
For those who know David, this moment has been a long time coming.
David is a 40+ year veteran of retail automotive and one of the industry’s most respected voices in used vehicle operations and acquisition strategy. Over the course of his career, he has helped launch more than 100 vehicle acquisition “buy centers” across the United States, working with dealerships across nearly every OEM brand as well as independent dealer groups.
Simply put, few people understand how to build and scale acquisition operations like David does.
A Career Built in Retail Automotive
Most recently, David served as Executive Manager at Hansel Automotive Group, one of the most respected dealer groups in the country. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside dealer principals, general managers, and used car managers to design and implement acquisition strategies that allow dealerships to source vehicles directly from consumers instead of relying solely on auctions.
His experience spans:
- Franchise dealerships across nearly every OEM brand
- Independent dealer groups
- Dedicated buy centers designed to purchase vehicles directly from the public
- Building operational processes that scale acquisition departments
David also hosts the weekly “All Things Used Cars” Clubhouse, a live industry podcast where dealers and operators gather to discuss trends, strategies, and real-world challenges in used vehicle operations.
His passion for the industry and helping dealers succeed is unmistakable.
A Long History With VAN
David’s relationship with VAN didn’t start this year.
In fact, he has been using Vehicle Acquisition Network since 2014 while building and operating buy centers for dealerships across the country. Over the past decade, he has seen firsthand how technology can transform the way dealers source inventory.
That’s why joining VAN now feels personal.
As David describes it, joining the team is both a “dream come true” and “a long time in the making.”
For David, the opportunity to work alongside VAN co-founder Tom Gregg, a pioneer in private-party acquisition technology, made the decision even more meaningful.
Why This Matters for Dealers
David’s arrival represents more than just a leadership announcement.
It signals VAN’s continued commitment to helping dealerships build scalable acquisition strategies that reduce reliance on auctions and open the door to more profitable inventory sourcing.
As COO, David will focus on:
- Expanding dealer success and operational support
- Helping dealerships build and optimize buy centers
- Scaling VAN’s acquisition processes across the industry
- Supporting product innovation and strategy
His decades of real-world experience working inside dealerships gives VAN a powerful advantage: leadership that understands exactly how dealers operate and what it takes to succeed.
Looking Ahead
Private-party acquisition has become one of the most important opportunities for dealerships looking to stay competitive in today’s market. With David Long joining the leadership team, VAN is doubling down on its mission to help dealers acquire high-margin, fast-turning inventory directly from consumers.
David brings an extraordinary depth of knowledge to the team, and we couldn’t be more excited about what lies ahead.
Welcome to the VAN team, David.
