#United States #Chicago #Cars.com #Trent Ziegler #Sonia Jain

Cars.com Announces CFO Transition

In a significant move within the automotive marketplace industry, Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS) has officially announced the appointment of Trent Ziegler as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO)-Designate. This transition will take effect on October 19, 2026, with Ziegler formally stepping into the role on November 6, 2026. His predecessor, Sonia Jain, will continue to support the company as an Executive Advisor until March 31, 2027, ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities.

Trent Ziegler joins Cars.com from FairSquare, a prominent fintech holding company, where he played a pivotal role as CFO. His extensive experience includes more than a decade at LendingTree, an online lending platform, where he successfully navigated various financial roles, including three years as CFO and seven years overseeing Investor Relations and Treasury. Ziegler’s significant contributions have consistently improved profitability, optimized cost structures, and facilitated complex financing initiatives and growth-oriented acquisitions. He is known for his adept financial planning and analysis skills, particularly his ability to translate financial insights into informed decision-making and enhanced business performance. Ziegler's career commenced at Ally Financial Inc., further substantiating his deep-rooted expertise in the financial sector.

Expressing excitement about his new appointment, Cars.com's CEO Tobi Hartmann stated, "We are excited to welcome Trent as Cars.com’s next CFO. He brings deep marketplace experience along with a robust combination of strategic perspective, financial discipline, and operational execution. He will help strengthen our performance and create value for our shoppers, customers, and shareholders." Ziegler himself expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, noting, "Cars.com has strong fundamentals and real opportunity ahead. I look forward to collaborating with the team to scale the business further, drive disciplined capital allocation, and enhance shareholder value."

Hartmann also took a moment to acknowledge the contributions of Sonia Jain, highlighting her instrumental role in guiding the company through a critical transitional phase post-spin-off. Jain’s efforts in advancing financial infrastructure, value-based pricing, and fortifying the balance sheet have positioned the company favorably for future growth. "We want to thank Sonia for her partnership and contributions to Cars.com. We are well positioned to build on that progress, and we wish her well," Hartmann concluded.

Cars.com, a trusted marketplace for automotive sales, has been a staple in the industry for over 25 years. It combines extensive reviews, straightforward answers, and effective tools to help customers make confident car purchasing decisions. With an integrated marketplace enhanced by technology, data, and media, Cars.com offers dealers and original equipment manufacturers everything necessary to boost their car sales and streamline operations. As they embark on this new chapter with Trent Ziegler at the financial helm, Cars.com aims to maintain its position as a leader in online automotive sales and services.

To learn more about Cars.com and its offerings, visit their website for comprehensive insights into automotive buying and selling.