Doug Betts is the President of the Automotive Division at J.D. Power. He is responsible for leading the strategy and operations for J.D. Power’s entire automotive division, which includes operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.
 
Prior to joining J.D. Power in 2017, Mr. Betts was at Apple, Inc., where he helped lead the introduction of Apple’s latest product innovations. Previously, he held senior executive roles in global manufacturing and quality at FCA-Chrysler Automobiles as Senior Vice President & Global Head of Quality with responsibilities covering all Fiat and Chrysler brands and services around the world; Nissan Motor Corp, as senior vice president of Total Customer Satisfaction for North and South America including Nissan and Infiniti brands; and Toyota Motor Manufacturing as General Manager of Quality for full size trucks, SUV’s and minivans.
 
Mr. Betts received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Dave Sargent is Vice President and Head of Connected Vehicle Practice at J.D. Power. He is responsible for leveraging connected vehicle data to unlock new consumer and product insights for automakers and others.

Previously, Mr. Sargent was vice president, Automotive Quality at J.D. Power, responsible for all of the company’s vehicle quality research globally, including the Initial Quality Study (IQS); Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study; and Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), as well as vehicle quality tracking studies. Prior to that, he was the practice leader of J.D. Power’s European operations, where he established the company’s London office in 1995. Earlier, he worked in the company’s headquarters in California.

Before joining J.D. Power in 1992, Mr. Sargent worked for a UK consulting firm, as well as for Ford of Europe and the Rover Group.

Mr. Sargent holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of York and an MBA from Manchester Business School, both in the UK.

Chris Sutton is Vice President, U.S. Automotive Retail Practice at J.D. Power. He is responsible for the company’s U.S. syndicated retail studies, Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) and Customer Service Index (CSI). Additionally, his team conducts proprietary research and tracking engagements, including sales rejecter, service defection measurement, and sales, service and Internet mystery shops. The team also conducts strategic consulting engagements that support client customer experience improvement, as well as numerous in-dealership consulting engagements resulting in demonstrated improvement.

Prior to joining J.D. Power in 2005, Mr. Sutton spent 12 years at Ford Motor Company in various field and corporate positions, gaining experience in sales, marketing, dealer franchising, vehicle operations and customer experience program management.

Mr. Sutton speaks regularly at automotive industry conferences and has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal; The New York Times; Automotive News; The Washington Post; and USA Today.

Mr. Sutton earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and an MBA from Miami University in Ohio.

Kristin Kolodge is Vice President and Head of Auto Benchmarking and Mobility Development at J.D. Power. She is responsible for all of the company’s vehicle quality research globally, including the Initial Quality Study (IQS); Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study; Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS); and Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study, as well as vehicle quality tracking studies. She is also responsible for generating new solutions that help clients succeed within the future of mobility space.

Previously, Ms. Kolodge was the executive director of driver interaction and human machine interface (HMI), where she was responsible for developing a new HMI Practice at the company and monitoring customer insights, perceptions and behaviors of the consumers interacting with the technology in their vehicles and around them.

Prior to joining J.D. Power in 2014, Ms. Kolodge was senior manager of HMI and ergonomics at Fiat Chrysler. She spent the majority of her 18 years at the company developing automotive features that enhance the customer interface by optimizing ergonomics, intuitiveness and usability. She led the development of the vehicle HMI process that integrated human factors, ergonomics and cognitive analysis into actionable design direction. She also served as senior manager of product investigations and campaigns responsible for conducting technical investigations on products related to vehicle safety and compliance and making recommendations regarding potential field campaign actions.

Ms. Kolodge received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Michigan.

Elizabeth Krear is Vice President, Electric Vehicle Practice at J.D. Power where she leads activities leveraging data and insights to support clients through the transition to an electrified product portfolio with optimum business performance.

Ms. Krear comes to J.D. Power from Stellantis where she was the Global Planning Director for Jeep Grand Wagoneer and electrified body-on-frame SUVs and trucks. Her focus was on planning and developing electrified, autonomous and connected platforms for the EV transition of this important product family at Stellantis.  Prior to that, Ms. Krear was the Chief Engineer for the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator SUV vehicles, as well as the Ram 1500 Light Duty Truck portfolio.  Leading up to the Chief engineering positions, Ms. Krear held a variety of leadership roles including: Ram Vehicle Line Quality Executive, Dodge Sr. Program Manager, Impact Development, Global Manufacturing, Powertrain Synthesis and Interior releasing.  In 2020 Elizabeth was named “Top 100 Women in North American Auto Industry” by Automotive News.

Ms. Krear holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University, and a Master of Business Administration from the Michigan State University Executive MBA Program.

Jack Dolan is Vice President, Product Quality Performance Improvement at J.D. Power where he leads activity leveraging data and insights to improve client product quality and business performance.

Mr. Dolan joined J.D. Power from Lordstown Motors Corp. where he served as Chief Engineer leading new EV Programs and Value Optimization activities.   Prior to that, Jack was Executive Vice President – Americas for A2Mac1 LLC, a global automotive benchmarking firm.  Previously, he spent nearly 33 years with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in a variety of senior leadership roles in Product Development, Manufacturing, and Quality including positions as Chief Engineer, Architecture Line Executive, and Head of Advanced Engineering for the company’s North American portfolio.

Mr. Dolan holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Detroit, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Michigan – Dearborn, and a Master of Business Administration from the Michigan State University Executive MBA Program.