Leadership Team

Scott Maybee|President

Scott Maybee is president of NextGear Capital, the automotive industry’s largest independent inventory finance company serving more than 19,000 contracted independent dealer clients in North America.

Scott brings 10 years of automotive finance experience to the position, providing strategic leadership and new opportunities for independent auto dealers to profitably operate and grow their businesses. As the industry evolves, Scott and his leadership team also are pursuing ways to optimize the digital experience to drive efficiencies in every aspect of the client relationship.

Previously, Scott was general manager of Manheim Northstar Minnesota where he was responsible for all facets of Manheim’s wholesale vehicle auction and services operation. There, he successfully established a culture of transparency and rigorous process management while positively impacting employee morale. In addition, through his leadership, Scott drove business and revenue growth, enhanced customer retention and improved operating margins.

Before joining Manheim in 2017, Scott spent 10 years with Nissan North America and Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation. Most recently, he served as vice president of sales operations for Nissan Canada Finance.

In 2021, Scott was a recipient of Auto Finance Journal’s “Auto Finance Innovators Award,” awarded to industry leaders who have made significant technological contributions to their company and the industry. Additionally, that same year, he accepted the “Auto Finance Excellence Award” for Operational Excellence, presented to NextGear Capital for its efforts to improve operations and services amid the turbulent coronavirus pandemic. Presented by Auto Finance News, the award recognizes individuals and companies within the industry who have gone above and beyond to further auto finance and its associated community.

Scott holds a law degree from Chicago-Kent College, an MBA in Finance from DePaul University, and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

When not at work, Scott enjoys time with his wife and two daughters, plays recreational hockey, and is a passionate Boston Red Sox fan.

Christy Jackson|AVP HRBP

Christy Jackson is the AVP, HRBPs for Cox Automotive leading the team that partners with Corporate Services, NextGear Capital and People Solutions. She joined Cox Automotive in March 2015 as a Director, serving as the business partner for the Finance Business Operations and Accounting organizations. Prior to joining Cox Automotive, Christy worked in all aspects of the human resources function at Cbeyond and Iron Mountain.

Christy holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Lesley University as well as a bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

David Horan|VP of Finance

David Horan serves as VP of Finance for NextGear Capital. He is responsible for executing the company’s financial and strategic planning.

Horan worked as Corporate Controller for JD Byrider Systems, the largest franchiser of auto sales/finance dealerships in the U.S. He also served as Corporate Controller for Auction Broadcasting Company, the third-largest auto auction chain in the nation. In 2005, Horan joined Dealer Services Corporation as Corporate Controller and Assistant Treasurer, designing and managing the accounting and treasury functions for DSC.

Horan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and a Master of Professional Accountancy degree from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and is an active member of the Indiana CPA Society, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Management Accountants.

Eric Wright|AVP Assistant General Counsel

Eric Wright serves as AVP, Assistant General Counsel for the Cox Automotive Financial Solutions Group.

In his role, he leads a team of legal professionals who provide support and counsel to the NextGear Capital business.

Eric has been with the company for 12 years. He has more than 30 years of experience as an attorney, including twenty-plus years in the floor planning industry.

Eric is a graduate of Carthage College with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He also holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Valparaiso University School of Law.

Floyd Alcorn|AVP of Product and Engineering

Floyd Alcorn is NextGear Capital’s Associate Vice President of Product and Engineering responsible for leading multiple software, infrastructure and production engineering teams. He brings nearly three decades of technology industry experience to the position with a proven record of delivering complex programs at scale while driving value for clients and the business.

Most recently, Floyd spent 10 years with Cox Communications, where he served in various technology leadership roles. During that time, he built and strengthened teams; directed and oversaw delivery for mission-critical applications; and managed large, complex programs, including playing a key role in Cox Communications’ network investment program. His career also includes leadership positions at several telecommunications companies, including Verizon and AT&T, and serving 10 years as a Naval Flight Officer in the U.S. Navy.

Floyd holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Principia College in Illinois and a Master of Science in Strategic Management from Georgia State University.

Jessica Lanier|VP of Marketing

As Vice President of Marketing for both Manheim and NextGear Capital, Jessica is responsible for aligning the marketing objectives of both organizations with the overall business strategy of Cox Automotive.

Jessica is a 22-year veteran of Cox Automotive, where she has guided teams across five different brands. Her passion for aligning the right tools and technology to optimize and take marketing to the next level led to her role as the Executive Sponsor for the Cox Automotive MarTech team.

Most recently, she served as Associate Vice President of Marketing for Manheim, where she created a new level of expertise within the team, restructuring it into a progressive marketing department proficient in digital strategies. Under her leadership, the team built a robust client journey mapping strategy and created both a dedicated product marketing team and a best-in-class channel and marketing technology team. All of these align with Manheim’s digital transformation and are focused on delivering industry-leading client experiences and business results.

Always looking for ways to pay forward her career opportunities and experiences, Jessica is involved in several mentoring programs across Cox Automotive.

Outside of work, you can find Jessica on her Peloton, baking sourdough bread and spending time with her husband and son.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University’s College of Business.

John Wick|SVP of Lending

John Wick serves as the SVP of Lending and for NextGear Capital.

In the role of Lending, he leads the company’s credit, risk and recovery operations that covers all facets from customer induction to dissolution.

John is one of the founding members of Dealer Services Corporation, joining the company in 2005 as General Counsel. Prior to joining the company, he was a partner in the Indianapolis law firm Lewis, Wick & Koski, where his primary areas of practice included litigation, debtor and creditor relations and business law.

John is a graduate of Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He also holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis.

Kyle Ballinger|AVP of Sales

As AVP of Sales, Kyle provides strategic leadership and vision for our sales team.

Kyle joined NextGear Capital in November of 2022 and is a 17-year Cox Automotive veteran, including his most recent role with Manheim where he led the Regional Dealer Sales team for the Midwest market. He joined Cox Automotive in 2005 as a field sales representative supporting Manheim Cincinnati and grew his career with Manheim to include roles of increasing responsibility, achieving sales growth at each stop.

Kyle is a graduate of Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts in advertising. He lives just outside Cincinnati with his wife and two children. He enjoys coaching his son’s basketball team and serving on the Board of Directors for The Dobbs Family Foundation.

Nicole Graham-Ponce|VP of Portfolio Management

Nicole Graham-Ponce serves VP of Portfolio Management. In this role, she sets the strategic vision for how the team supports and empowers clients to grow their business and maximize their success.

Nicole joined NextGear Capital in December 2022 after 24 years with Manheim leading operational and sales teams, including serving as General Manager of the Dallas-Fort Worth location for the last 10 years. In these roles, she led organizational development, directed operational activities, increased revenue and implemented efficiency improvements. As General Manager, she achieved significant gains in revenue, employee development and customer service efficiency.

Nicole attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and holds a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, a management certification that advocates a data-driven approach to business process improvement. In addition, she is the President of the National Auto Auction Association Western Chapter. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and her three dogs.

leadership Team