by Michael Hlista 

David Pley has spent his childhood working on cars with his grandfather since a young age, so his blood was saturated with oil early on in life and spurring a lifetime passion for all things automotive. 

Chasing the Opportunity 

So, when he saw the opportunity to join NAPA Auto Parts, a division of UAP, this CPA naturally jumped at the opportunity. “I knew that was where I wanted to be because the car industry is where I belong,” says Pley. Today, he serves as Senior Director, Strategy, focusing on developing and executing long-term corporate strategy, analyzing market dynamics and developing market strategies, as well as generating business and market analytics and intelligence.  

The Relationships Business 

And while data may be a core part of the automotive business strategy, to David, the industry remains a relationship business. “While automotive is a vast industry, people always come together. It doesn’t matter how long ago you may have met someone, if people see an opportunity they will remember, they get in touch, and we get things done. Despite all the technology and the vast size of the industry, I’m always at awe at the importance of relationships and the industry’s agility.” 

Agility in the Age of Uncertainly 

And in today’s market agility matters, because the industry is being challenged on several fronts. The industry is facing customer spending challenges caused by rising costs and inflation. It is also facing labour shortages due to aging labour force which potentially may lead to consolidation within the industry. On an organizational level, the company is managing five generations of workers. “This is historically unheard of, and it creates unique challenges in terms of catering to the different needs of these generations of workers as well as their different values and approaches to communication and collaboration.”  

As the key strategist, Pley is at the centre of developing the right solutions to these challenges, looking at technology improvements for more efficient parts distribution, finding ways to provide customers with good value, and drawing on NAPA Auto Parts’ large network for more efficiencies that will gain and retain long-term customers.