Car-Mart hires DriveTime exec Jamie Fischer as COO

Rogers-based America’s Car-Mart Inc. has named Jamie Fischer as chief operating officer, according to a Tuesday (Sept. 24) news release. She starts Oct. 7. Fischer has more than 20 years of operations and leadership experience in the auto retail industry.

Since 2021, Fischer has been head of operations at DriveTime Automotive Group Inc., where she was responsible for 149 dealerships and more than 15 reconditioning centers. Fischer will report to Car-Mart CEO Douglas Campbell.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jamie Fischer to our executive team,” Campbell said. “On our last earnings call, I spoke about the importance of talent and rounding out the executive team. She has a breadth of experience and has led operations on a large scale. Jamie’s achievements in her career are impressive, and her breadth of experience in operations and inventory management will accelerate our progress on current and future initiatives.”

From 2018 to 2021, Fischer was senior managing director of retail and inventory operations for DriveTime. Between 2012 and 2018, she worked in various leadership roles in operations and human resources management for DriveTime and its automotive warranty affiliate, SilverRock Inc. For nearly a decade before joining DriveTime, she worked in the auto retail industry, focusing on operations and leadership development.

Fischer earned a bachelor’s degree in management and organizational leadership from St. Petersburg College and a master’s degree in human environmental sciences from the University of Alabama.

“I am truly honored to join America’s Car-Mart Inc., a company with a long-standing commitment to delivering value and exceptional service,” Fischer said. “I look forward to collaborating with the team to build on the company’s strong foundation and leverage my experience to advance our success. I’m excited to engage with the community and contribute to the company’s mission. Together, we will achieve our purpose in keeping our customers on the road.”

Leonard Walthall, the former chief operating officer for Car-Mart, transitioned to senior vice president of field operations last year. His base salary was $400,000. According to a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, Fischer’s base salary will be $400,000. She will receive $350,000 in shares and a $200,000 signing bonus. In fiscal 2025, which ends April 30, Fischer will be eligible to receive a cash bonus of 100% of her base salary and up to 120% of her salary, based on her and the company’s performance.

The filing shows Fischer will work at the company’s corporate office in Rogers and travel as needed.

Shares of Car-Mart (NASDAQ: CRMT) were trading Tuesday morning at $43.20, up 13 cents or 0.3%. In the past 52 weeks, the stock has ranged from $40.60 to $93.63.