# Zach Klempf

> Zach Klempf is a keynote speaker, exited SaaS founder and host of the Used Car Dealer Podcast. He founded Selly Automotive, a CRM for independent and BHPH car dealers, grew it to hundreds of dealerships and sold it to private equity in 2022. He is Chief Strategy Officer and a board member at AutoManager.

## Key facts
- Current role: Chief Strategy Officer and board member, AutoManager
- Founded: Selly Automotive (A1 Software Inc), at age 23
- Scale: hundreds of dealerships served across North America
- Exit: 2022, Selly joined AutoManager, backed by New York private equity firm The Beekman Group
- Education: Emory University; started selling cars at 19 while a student
- Based in: San Francisco, CA
- Speaking: 25+ conferences keynoted across the United States
- Podcast: Used Car Dealer Podcast, 80+ episodes
- Media: 100+ articles and features, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNBC, TechCrunch and Yahoo Finance
- Topics: AI in car dealerships, independent dealer technology, automotive CRM and texting, Gen Z and Millennial car buyers, vehicle recalls, building and exiting vertical SaaS
- Booking: speaking, podcast guest and media requests via https://wordpress.jzantua.com/contact/

## Pages
- [Home](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/)
- [About and career timeline](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/about/)
- [Speaking topics, formats and past events](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/speaking/)
- [Used Car Dealer Podcast episodes](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/used-car-dealer-podcast/)
- [How to be a guest on the podcast](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/be-a-guest/)
- [Press coverage](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/press/)
- [Blog](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/blog/)
- [Press kit with approved bios and photos](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/media-kit/)
- [Frequently asked questions](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/faq/)
- [Contact](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/contact/)

## Signature talks
- AI and the future of the dealership
- From cold calls to cash exit: the vertical SaaS playbook
- Winning the next generation of car buyers
- The independent dealer's survival guide

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is Zach Klempf?
Zach Klempf is a keynote speaker and exited SaaS founder. He started selling cars at 19, founded Selly Automotive at 23 and grew it to hundreds of dealerships before it was acquired in 2022, backed by New York private equity firm The Beekman Group. Today he is Chief Strategy Officer and a board member at AutoManager and hosts the Used Car Dealer Podcast.

### What does Zach Klempf speak about?
AI in car dealerships and what is real versus vendor hype, the vertical SaaS playbook from first customer to private equity exit, how Gen Z and Millennial buyers shop for cars, and how independent and BHPH dealers can beat franchise groups.

### How do I book Zach Klempf to speak?
Send your event name, date, location and audience through the booking form. You will hear back within one business day.

### What is the Used Car Dealer Podcast?
A video podcast hosted by Zach Klempf with 80+ episodes of interviews with dealers, executives and technologists shaping independent auto retail. It is on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and the other major apps.

### How can I be a guest on the Used Car Dealer Podcast?
Pitch yourself or a client on the Be a Guest page. The best pitches have one specific story, real numbers, and something a dealer could try the next morning.

### Is Zach Klempf available for interviews?
Yes. He is a regular source on auto retail, dealership technology, AI adoption and vertical SaaS. Send a media request; bios and headshots are in the press kit.

### What is Selly Automotive?
Selly Automotive is a CRM and texting platform built for independent and buy-here-pay-here car dealers. Zach founded it at 23, grew it to hundreds of dealerships across North America, and it joined AutoManager in 2022.

### Where is Zach Klempf based?
San Francisco, California. He speaks at events across North America in person and anywhere virtually.

## Selected coverage
- [Zach Klempf on CNBC](https://youtu.be/QQtOdD6f6iM): CNBC, October 2026
- [Zach Klempf on Spyne](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY-NY2L03Go): Spyne, October 2026
- [Why vehicle recalls are becoming more complex and frequent](https://www.autoremarketing.com/ar/analysis/podcast-why-vehicle-recalls-are-becoming-more-complex-and-frequent/): Auto Remarketing, May 2026
- [7 Ways Technology Helps Auto Dealerships Succeed](https://www.nada.org/7-ways-technology-helps-auto-dealerships-succeed): NADA, March 2026
- [AI Isn’t Killing Software Jobs: It’s Changing Who Builds What](https://youtu.be/ML4WWDB0B0w): Product Driven podcast, February 2026
- [Is Hubstaff Right for Your Business?](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/hubstaff-review/#is_hubstaff_right_for_your_business_section): Forbes Advisor, June 2024
- [Silicon Valley Update: The Road to Autonomy](https://www.cbtnews.com/silicon-valley-update-the-road-to-autonomy-a-journey-through-the-streets-of-san-francisco/): CBT News, March 2024
- [Yes, There Is a Best Time of Year to Buy a New Car](https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/best-time-buy-car-e7b735c0): The Wall Street Journal, February 2024
- [The Latest Trend in Your Work Wardrobe Stinks](https://www.wsj.com/style/fashion/work-outfits-polyester-stinks-24664c71): The Wall Street Journal, November 2023
- [Should I Buy a Car Online or at a Dealership?](https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/buying-car-online-in-person-3c054a5a): The Wall Street Journal, August 2023
- [Auto Remarketing Podcast: Selly’s Zach Klempf on independent dealers, text messaging and the Oakland A’s](https://www.autoremarketing.com/ar/podcast-sellys-zach-klempf-on-independent-dealers-text-messaging-the-oakland-as/): Auto Remarketing, July 2023
- [A Dream on the Mound: My Ceremonial First Pitch at the Oakland A’s Game](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa4MfKzPGvg): Oakland A's, April 2023
- [How to Buy a Car in 2023: Three Questions to Answer Before You Start](https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/car-buying-tips-three-questions-b7423c68): The Wall Street Journal, March 2023
- [CRM Start-Up Merges](https://issuu.com/usedcarnews/docs/ucn082222combined): Used Car News, August 2022
- [Auto Remarketing Podcast: Inside Selly’s Focus on the Independent Car Dealer](https://www.autoremarketing.com/ar/retail/podcast-inside-sellys-focus-independent-car-dealer/): Auto Remarketing, August 2022
- [AutoManager Completes Merger with Selly Automotive](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220621005154/en/Private-Equity-Backed-AutoManager-Completes-Merger-and-Strategic-Growth-Investment-in-Leading-CRM-Software-Provider-Selly-Automotive): Business Wire, June 2022
- [Drivers Find Buying Out Car Leases Is the Smartest Financial Move](https://money.yahoo.com/buying-out-car-leases-130145286.html): Yahoo Finance, June 2021
- [CBT News Interview: Amazon and Online Car Buying](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DAQiKl_JDU): CBT News, March 2021
- [Interview with Selly Automotive CRM Founder and CEO Zach Klempf](https://sourceforge.net/articles/interview-with-selly-automotive-crm-founder-ceo-zach-klempf-on-used-car-dealership-software/): SourceForge, September 2020
- [CBT News Interview: The Importance of Dealership Texting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgQ3qAcBdQ0): CBT News, June 2020
- [Selly Aims to Help Independent Dealers Compete with Franchised Stores](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacknerad2/2019/01/31/selly-aims-to-help-independent-dealers-compete-with-franchised-stores/): Forbes, January 2019
- [Start-Ups Aim to Change How You Buy a Car](https://www.cnbc.com/2016/02/25/start-ups-aim-to-change-how-you-buy-a-car.html): CNBC, February 2016

## Podcast episodes
- [Smarter Sourcing & Fraud Prevention: Protecting Inventory and Profit w/ Ben Gill & John McNellis](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-89-smarter-sourcing-fraud-prevention-protecting-inventory-and-profit-w-ben-gill-john-mcnellis/)
- [Smarter Shop Loading: Fixed Ops Capacity, Recalls & Recon w/ Dave Anderson of EvenFlow AI](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-88-smarter-shop-loading-fixed-ops-capacity-recalls-recon-w-dave-anderson-of-evenflow-ai/)
- [AI That Helps, Not Replaces: Conversation Intelligence for Dealers w/ Jason Barrie of PromptPath](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-87-ai-that-helps-not-replaces-conversation-intelligence-for-dealers-w-jason-barrie-of-promptpath/)
- [NIADA Denver Preview, Dealer Affordability, AI & Advocacy w/ Jeff Martin of NIADA](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-86-niada-denver-preview-dealer-affordability-ai-advocacy-w-jeff-martin-of-niada/)
- [Affordability Challenges, Inventory Trends & the Growing Shift from New to Used Vehicles with Dan Ingle of UsedCars.com](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-85-affordability-challenges-inventory-trends-the-growing-shift-from-new-to-used-vehicles-with-dan-ingle-of-usedcars-com/)
- [How AI Is Transforming Car Dealership Lead Handling & Sales w/ Monik Pamecha of Toma](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-84-how-ai-is-transforming-car-dealership-lead-handling-sales-w-monik-pamecha-of-toma/)
- [AI Inventory Merchandising for Dealers w/ Sanjay Varnwal of Spyne AI](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-83-ai-inventory-merchandising-for-dealers-w-sanjay-varnwal-of-spyne-ai/)
- [Mobile Service, Recalls & Retention: The New Fixed Ops Growth Engine w/ Amit Chandarana of Curbee](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-82-mobile-service-recalls-retention-the-new-fixed-ops-growth-engine-w-amit-chandarana-of-curbee/)
- [Transparency, Omnichannel, and the Future of Digital Car Buying w/ Paulo da Silva of Cox Automotive](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-81-transparency-omnichannel-and-the-future-of-digital-car-buying-w-paulo-da-silva-of-cox-automotive/)
- [Inventory Management, AI & the Future of Used Inventory w/ Derek Hansen of vAuto](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-80-inventory-management-ai-the-future-of-used-inventory-w-derek-hansen-of-vauto/)
- [Smarter Diagnostics, Data & the Future of Dealership Profitability w/ Cole Reiken](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-79-smarter-diagnostics-data-the-future-of-dealership-profitability-w-cole-reiken/)
- [AI, Human Touch & Dealer Loyalty w/ Aaron Kleinhandler of Better Car People](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-78-ai-human-touch-dealer-loyalty-w-aaron-kleinhandler-of-better-car-people/)
- [AI in Dealerships & EV Retail Innovation w/ Ross Tinkham & Alex Lawrence](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-77-ai-in-dealerships-ev-retail-innovation-w-ross-tinkham-alex-lawrence/)
- [NIADA Convention 2025, Dealer Advocacy & Market Shifts w/ Jeff Martin](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-76-niada-convention-2025-dealer-advocacy-market-shifts-w-jeff-martin/)
- [Automotive Tariffs, Inventory & EV Trends w/ Kevin Roberts of CarGurus](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-75-automotive-tariffs-inventory-ev-trends-w-kevin-roberts-of-cargurus/)
- [Modernizing Trade-Ins and Dealer Payments w/ Tim Zierden of TradePending](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-74-modernizing-trade-ins-and-dealer-payments-w-tim-zierden-of-tradepending/)
- [Real-Time Lot Management with Mike Hanna of TrueSpot](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-73-real-time-lot-management-with-mike-hanna-of-truespot/)
- [Automotive BDC & Fixed Operations with John Traver](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-72-automotive-bdc-fixed-operations-with-john-traver/)
- [Modern Dealership Reconditioning with Randy Kobat](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-71-modern-dealership-reconditioning-with-randy-kobat/)
- [Driving Recall Accuracy with Mark Allen of AutoAp](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-70-driving-recall-accuracy-with-mark-allen-of-autoap/)
- [AI-Powered Recall Platform with Ryan Maher of BizzyCar](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-69-ai-powered-recall-platform-with-ryan-maher-of-bizzycar/)
- [Revolutionizing Vehicle Appraisals with Brian Kramer of AccuTrade](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-68-revolutionizing-vehicle-appraisals-with-brian-kramer-of-accutrade/)
- [Transforming the RV and Trailer Dealership Experience with EverLogic](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-67-transforming-the-rv-and-trailer-dealership-experience-with-everlogic/)
- [Digital Advertising, Inventory Strategies & Customer Retention w/ Jade Terreberry and Micah Tindor of Cox Automotive](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-66-digital-advertising-inventory-strategies-customer-retention-w-jade-terreberry-and-micah-tindor-of-cox-automotive/)
- [Vehicle Reconditioning, Condition Report Writing & the Recovery Industry w/ Dave Sutton](https://wordpress.jzantua.com/episode/episode-65-vehicle-reconditioning-condition-report-writing-the-recovery-industry-w-dave-sutton/)

## Official profiles
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-klempf-69802334/
- https://twitter.com/ZachKlempf
- https://www.youtube.com/@sellyautomotive