As VP of Portfolio Management, Nicole Graham-Ponce sets the strategic vision for how the team supports and empowers clients to grow their business and maximize their success. Nicole leads a team of regional directors, market directors and their teams of portfolio managers. Nicole also oversees our Auction Relations team who supports our auction partners helping to better serve and provide resources to our auctions and independent dealers.

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 from 2012 to 2022. 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.

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 recently served as the President of the National Auto Auction Association Western Chapter. Nicole is also a champion for Girls Inc., volunteering to inspire young girls to be smart, bold, and strong. Nicole lives outside of Dallas, Texas. In her free time, she loves to exercise, spend time with her family and her three dogs.