Nationwide Promotes Three To VP

By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 8/10/2011

Winston Salem, N.C. - Nationwide Marketing Group has promoted three key executives to VP posts.

The three are Ed Knodle, to member development VP; Frank Sandtner, to member services operations VP; and James MacAlpine, to rental division and business development VP.

James MacAlpine

Frank Sandtner

Ed Knodle

The promotions are the latest in a series of organizational changes within the buying group's senior management ranks following the ascension of Robert Weisner to CEO earlier this year.

"These recent promotions mark even more changes in the organization this year as we continue to enhance our leadership team," Weisner said. "Our team will be focused on expanding the member services we currently provide the independent dealer."

Knodle, a former retail executive, had previously served as Nationwide's member services director. In his new role, he plans to "work with other team members to find new ways to make it much easier for independents to learn about all of the benefits of membership with Nationwide and teach them how to utilize these services to build stronger more profitable businesses," the group said. He also plans to work more closely with division leaders and their field sales teams to support member development, recruitment and retention.

Sandtner's association with Nationwide began nearly four years ago, first as a consultant for the group's warranty program and soon after as a full-time staffer. He later branched into the development of Nationwide's web services program, including website development, email marketing and online directories.

In his new role, Sandtner will be responsible for the operational aspects of all member services, ranging from Nationwide's member communication system, data warehousing and services, digital signage, rebate processing and distribution initiatives.

Lastly, the group credits MacAlpine with significantly increasing the membership of Rent Direct, Nationwide's rent-to-own division, in recent years.

In his new role, MacAlpine will continue to direct all rental operations and will seek out new business opportunities such as increased promotion of the organization's second-look finance programs, which allow retail dealers to offer customers who have been denied credit an acceptance under a lease-purchase option. Another initiative is the integration of point-of- sale systems with dealers' stores.

"Over the past three years Nationwide has added hundreds of new members as well as many new programs and services," said COO Les Kirk. "As we continue to add to the scope and complexity of our offerings, it is very important to also enhance the roles of some of our key employees."

The group is holding its next PrimeTime buying show and strategic member conference Aug. 21-24 at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas. For more information call (336) 722-4681 or visit www.nationwidemarketinggroup.org.