Daniel E. Clara is the Chief Operating Officer at Asbury Automotive Group Inc., a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, overseeing more than 150 dealerships across 14 states. With nearly three decades of experience in the automotive sector, Clara began his career in dealership operations and finance, rising through the ranks at major regional groups before joining Asbury in 2014 as Vice President of Operations for the Southeast region. His early roles honed his expertise in fixed operations, customer experience, and supply chain management, earning him recognition for driving profitability in high-volume markets. Under Clara's leadership, Asbury has achieved significant operational milestones, including the successful integration of digital retailing tools that boosted online sales by over 40% during the pandemic and the optimization of parts and service revenues, contributing to record financial performance. Promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations in 2018 and then to COO in 2021, he spearheaded company-wide initiatives to enhance efficiency, such as implementing advanced inventory management systems and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across all stores. His strategic vision has positioned Asbury as a leader in omnichannel automotive retail. Clara holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida and is actively involved in industry organizations like the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), where he advocates for innovation and sustainability in dealership operations.