As he was riding his bike for 2,600 kms through nine countries in Europe, for six weeks this summer, Ted Davis didn’t think much about work. He said that was a sign that it was time for him to retire and make way for his other ambitions and passions in life.
Davis is a well-liked auto industry executive with a long career in automotive lending and vehicle financing, most recently spending the last 14 years at taq (formerly SCI MarketView) and now SCI Lease Corp. “Retirement has crept into my mind a little bit the last couple of years,” he said in an interview with Canadian auto dealer. “The cycling trip through Europe validated fundamentally that I’m ready for retirement.”
“I’ve been working for more than 40 years and I love the industry, the people I work with, and the dealers — but there’s a lot of other stuff I like to do that work just gets in the way of,” he said. “It’s been a great ride. The challenge is to stay busy, but I’m confident I’ll be able to fill my time.”
Davis said besides cycling he enjoys skiing and golf, and looks forward to doing more of those activities. He would also like to travel more. He said during his nine country visit he had only previously visited one of those countries in Europe before.
“I love what I did and who I did it with, but I am still healthy and understand I won’t be healthy forever and won’t be able to do these things,” he said, adding that both his grandfathers lived well into their nineties, so he’s hoping for a good long runway to enjoy retirement.
His company posted about Davis’ retirement on LinkedIn and he received a flood of well wishes from industry colleagues, many of whom he said have become friends. “I always challenged myself to make sure that the contributions I was making supported the company’s growth and profitability, but it goes beyond that. It is rewarding to hear you had a positive impact on someone else’s career,” he said, adding he got a little emotional reading some of the comments.
Davis credits a 40-year friendship and working relationship with Alan Bird, CEO of taq Automotive Intelligence, as one of his lasting friendships in the business. “I met some great people along the way and one of them was Alan Bird. We became friends instantly and have known each other for 40 years,” he said.
According to his LinkedIn bio, and from info provided by taq Automotive Intelligence, Davis started his career in the United States with Oxford Resources Corp (which no longer exists, but Ted can’t be blamed for that) as their sales manager.
When they decided to open a Canadian branch, Ted returned to Canada to help launch it. Over the next decade he honed his sales skills working for GE Capital and Creditor Resources Canada.
In 2000, he was recruited by Alan Bird to head up the newly-launched Curomax Dealer Development Team where he spent the next 10 years, including three years post-Curomax sale to DealerTrack. In January of 2011, Alan Bird tapped Ted again; this time he left his post at DealerTrack to head up the Retail Services at SCI, where he has been for the last 14 years.
He is leaving his post as the Executive Vice President at SCI Lease Corp, leading a team of regional sales managers across the country serving retailers and promoting leasing. Here are some comments from some of Davis’ friends and colleagues.
Alan Bird, CEO, taq Automotive Intelligence
“Ted Davis is unique, a one-of-a-kind leader who is respected and admired by all stakeholders in our industry. He has spent the last 40 years building and cultivating relationships with dealers, lenders, aftermarket providers, and OEMs and I’m so proud to have been a part of his journey. As much as I will miss working with Ted on a daily basis, I’m so excited for him to reap the rewards that retirement will bring him.”
Bill Johnston, President, Johnston Automotive Group
“I have known Ted both as a friend and as a peer for over 20 years. Ted has always been open minded, progressive and looking to help. He has a quiet demeanor, but do not get fooled; he is listening and trying to understand how he can help. He has always worked to develop and teach. There are few in our industry that can match his relationship skills.”
Howie Cobham, GM Financial
“Every day I am beyond thankful both personally and professionally for the relationship I have with Ted, which was forged a little over 34 years ago. Ted afforded me the opportunity to enter the Canadian automotive finance industry with no real experience but with a lot of passion for cars, sales, and strong work ethics. I will say it took some time and convincing to win Ted over, but our professional and personal journey began. I know I was a bit of a ‘project’ for Ted, but he never made me feel that way, even in those early days as he taught me the business. Ted ‘was’ and ‘still is’ an important mentor to me whether he realizes it or not. Most of my early sales and professional learnings came from Ted on building relationships and treating people with the utmost courtesy and respect. Ted is one of the most regarded people in our industry and I am beyond grateful to have been his student, his colleague, and most of all his friend. My family and I cannot thank Ted enough for the amazing lifetime opportunity he afforded me. I am a better person, and I know our industry is better because of Ted. A sentiment I know is widely shared!”
Here are some of the comments from colleagues who replied to the LinkedIn post announcing his retirement.
Jerome Chinner, Vice President Sales and Business Development, taq Automotive
“Congrats. What a career! Here’s to taking it easy.”
June Martin, Consultant/Career Advisor/Corporate Trainer and Human Connector.
Congratulations on an outstanding career Ted! Wishing you all the best in your retirement. If you ever need any advice or tips, feel free to reach out. Enjoy this new chapter!”
Raymond O’Kane, Strategic Advisor, Executive Coach, Automotive & Financial Services.
“Hey, too young to retire! Congratulations, hope to see you this evening and thanks for your friendship over the years.”
Randy Price, Vice President of Business Development (North America)
“Congratulations Ted. It’s been a pleasure witnessing your success and true leadership. You have been a great industry ally to me and many auto folks over the years. So happy for you and Marnie to be able to enjoy retirement together. Can’t wait to catch up on the slopes or the links whichever is soonest (choices, choices) 👏.”
Christine Bauer, Executive Leader, Wavelength Consulting Solutions Inc.
“Wishing you health and happiness in your retirement. I can’t thank you enough for all the support you provided to me in my career. I was very grateful to work with you at GE and Curomax. Congratulations on your extraordinary impact in the Automotive industry.”
Robert Varga, President & CEO of Insurance Insight Inc.
“Congratulations Ted Davis! I can say without any hesitation whatsoever that you are without a question one of the good ones in our space. You have always been a total class act and absolute Prince of a Man. I am really happy for you and you deserve ALL the accolades and kind words coming your way (and there will be many) because you have earned all of it. All the very best and we’ll figure out a way to celebrate.”
Marie-Claude Hébert, CEP Saint-Jérôme
“Thank you so much for everything Ted. Working with you was such a pleasure, you are part of the best I ever had the chance to work with. Enjoy your retirement!”
On behalf of Canadian auto dealer, enjoy your retirement Ted!
