Our Story

Buying a car is not fun. But what if it was? Rather than spending 6 hours at a dealership, what if you could buy a car the way you actually wanted to? You would pick your new or pre-owned car from your couch, skip the “let me check with my manager”, have the car delivered, and enjoy a 5-day return period to ensure you love it.

With Joydrive, now you can.

We are automotive, technology, finance and consumer industry veterans, and we are passionate about creating an experience that is easy, fast, online, and actually fun. It’s time to get your weekend back. Stay home, buy online, and start having fun!

Leadership Team

  • Hunter Gorham

    Founder, CEO

    Why did you start Joydrive?

    I love creating simple solutions to complex problems—from helping lead the start-up of a digital auto lending business at a $13B finance company to securing four patents for my photographic art frames. After 14 years working in the automotive industry, I decided to follow my passion and create a simple solution to the greatest problem facing the auto industry: the car buying experience. My unique intersection of auto, digital, finance and entrepreneurship gave me the vision and courage to start Joydrive.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    Prior to Joydrive, I had 14 incredible years with Ally Financial, formerly GMAC, the largest Automotive Finance Company in the nation. My career gave me insight into several distinct areas of the industry, including leading consumer and commercial operations, financing corporate bond exchanges during the 2009 bailouts, and most recently helping lead Ally's National Digital Auto business. I learned the valuable lessons that: 1) relationships matter and 2) working with dealers, rather than circumventing them, may actually lead to a simpler solution.

  • Gavin Tronset

    Technology

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    I have a passion for building new tools to solve existing problems, and I love using technology in everyday life. During my seven years at one of the largest car dealerships in the nation, I came to appreciate the overwhelming challenges of buying a car. Given the opportunity to help build the tool which solves these problems, I quickly joined the Joydrive team.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    Over the course of my career, I led several teams that utilized technology to help a dealership scale from one store to seven. I became an expert in many of the systems powering the dealer industry and developed custom digital solutions to fit our individual dealer's needs. That experience gave me the skill set required to lead the creation of Joydrive's technology platform, which seamlessly integrates with dealers to deliver an easy experience for customers.

    What excites you?

    I'm a big foodie, love board games, and have a weakness for sparkling water.

  • Crystal Adkins

    Technology

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    The way we buy everything has changed dramatically, but buying a car has been essentially the same since its inception. It’s generally been inconvenient, time-consuming, and exhausting from start to finish. For me, joining Joydrive allows me to be part of a team that is finally working to make a difference to car buying by bringing it to the 21st century. I get to be part of the change I have wanted to see for quite some time! If the work I do can help just one person spend more time doing what they love while they still get something they need, I’m very happy about that.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    Being a software developer is about tackling challenges and solving problems every day. This has been the thing I love the most about what I do. I graduated with an AAS in information security and network administration but quickly realized hardware wasn’t my passion. Ever since I have been a developer and have even created curriculum and taught others how to code. Getting to use the skills I have acquired over the years to help Joydrive bring a new and easy-to-use platform together for customers is something that makes me really excited!

    What excites you?

    Netflix/Hulu binge nights with my daughter, playing video games with my son, new technologies, and MMO RPG’s.

  • Dana Daldoss

    Technology

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    Buying a car the traditional way is a pain. I believe that this team has created a better approach to buying cars and I’m excited to help them leverage cutting-edge technology to bring it to the market.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    I was raised by small-business owners. In my previous experience as a freelance developer, I was involved in all aspects of my clients’ projects—from hardware and deployment, up to high-level business decisions. In my career, I have worked almost exclusively with startups to continually provide great products for customers and expand their businesses.

    What excites you?

    Being a new dad, hiking around Colorado, and traveling abroad.

  • David Bernazal

    Technology

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    I wanted to learn more about the car industry and was interested in the problems of delivering a great online purchasing experience. Buying cars is never a fun process but it doesn’t have to be like that!

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    I’ve been writing software across the stack for close to 15 years. I've worked on everything from user interface to backend development and everything in between. I love working with smart people, am an obsessive learner and I love tackling new problems.

    What excites you?

    Watching my kids grow up and experience the world. I love the feeling of learning and improving over time. Currently, I’m diving into sprint kart racing. Having barely changed my own oil over the past ten years it’s been a challenging but fun nut to crack.

  • Eric Hsieh

    Technology

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    I joined Joydrive because it is the perfect intersection of people, technology and vision. A group of talented and humble people coming together, armed with cutting-edge technology to build towards a vision of making the car buying and selling experience as enjoyable as possible. I'm thrilled to be a part of this wonderful journey.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    As a long time software developer, I have a solid track record of delivering quality software in multiple industries such as auto, real estate, and global e-commerce. I constantly push myself to learn new skills and explore new ideas on the most effective way to produce software that helps people enrich their lives. Joydrive's fast-paced and collaborative culture allows me to put my knowledge and skills to full use to help my team succeed.

    What excites you?

    Time with family, great shows/movies, iced latte with a fresh-baked cookie.

  • Pralie Dutzel

    Technology

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    The last time I purchased a car was a few years ago, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget spending all day at the dealership despite knowing exactly what car I wanted going in. Most everything I buy these days is online, so why shouldn’t car buying? I’m looking forward to helping the team at Joydrive continue to make the online buying experience not only possible, but also intuitive, easy, and quick.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    Although my educational background is in game design, I got my start designing and building websites in middle school. Since then, I’ve done design and front-end development work across a number of spaces, including advertising, travel, product, and real estate. I’m excited to be able to apply these experiences to the work that Joydrive is doing and craft an awesome experience for our customers.

    What excites you?

    Hanging out with my corgi, playing video and board games with friends, working on craft projects, baking, and checking out all the fantastic restaurants around Austin.

  • Sebastian Nitu

    Technology

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    I’ve never had a pleasant experience buying a car, so the opportunity to change that for people excites me. Joydrive has changed the car buying game in the best way possible—by empowering us to buy cars on our own terms. The opportunity to help build that tool and remove a stress point in our lives is why I joined Joydrive.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    I’ve been a user interface designer and front-end developer for over ten years. My primary goal is to make web applications as intuitive and painless to use as possible. I’m excited to be able to bring this perspective to Joydrive and help build a car buying tool that’s fun and simple to use.

    What excites you?

    Spending time with my family, drawing, reading books that challenge me and talking to people who do the same.

  • Brad Lynch

    Marketing & Analytics

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    After working for seven years in the automotive industry, knowing every facet of how the business works, even I had to sit in the dealership for 6 hours to complete a purchase. I was thrilled to join the Joydrive team to make the process easier for everyone.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    During my seven years at one of the largest dealerships in the nation, I worked across several roles including marketing, sales, and business development, touching every facet of the business. Doing so gave me the experience to understand dealer needs—their pain points and their desire to improve the customer experience. All of that has helped me in my current role of managing dealer relationships to provide a hands-on experience which ensures every customer is treated with professionalism and respect.

    What excites you?

    Spending time with my wife & little girl, puzzles and RazzApple Fun Dip.

  • Johnny Bennerson

    National Director of Dealer Growth

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    It’s simple! I joined Joydrive because this is a game changer for the automotive industry! People are busier than ever in life and Joydrive makes what’s a necessity in many cases easy.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    I was in the military prior to being in the auto industry for 24 years. I’ve worked all sales and executive management positions in the industry. I have worked for some of the largest dealers in the country and have seen first-hand how excited customers are for a new buying experience like Joydrive.

    What excites you?

    I’m a big golfer (but not that good!) and have a great family. Oh yeah, and my 3 dogs are awesome!

  • Charlotte Deardorff

    Strategy

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    I recently purchased my first pickup truck. The dealership experience was 1) waaay too looooong 2) stressful 3) annoying. I’m thrilled to work for a company whose main goal is to take the hassle out of an event that should be fun and super exciting. Why wouldn’t you want to join a movement like this!? I’m ALL IN.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    First and foremost, I’m a MOM. This basically means I can do anything, anytime, anywhere… PERIOD. My life is filled with experiences of being an entrepreneur, campaigner, mediator, advocate, architect, logistician, and an adventurer. I wear bossy pants really well and I’m not afraid to roll my sleeves up and do what it takes to get it DONE.

    What excites you?

    Louis Vuitton, Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream, a full-bodied glass of cabernet, warm tortilla chips with a mean salsa, running, chillaxin’ in the pool with my cute family.

  • Sofia Sadegi-Kharazi

    Customer Leader & Analyst

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    I joined Joydrive because I was excited to be a part of something innovative. All of my experiences with the car-buying process have been lengthy and unpleasant, so I was completely intrigued when I learned that Joydrive wanted to upgrade and simplify the process.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    I have over ten years of customer service experience, so it has always been a main interest of mine. With that front-facing history comes an understanding of what customers are looking for, and I have learned that we have less time in our personal lives to get everything done, and few people want to spend that time at a dealership. I am excited to be able to assist customers in a new, quick, and easy process like Joydrive.

    What excites you?

    I love trying new foods, exploring the city with friends, and playing video games in my spare time.

  • Ian Waak

    Customer Leader & Analyst

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    Shopping online is the new norm. It only makes sense that buying a new or used vehicle should be something you can do online with the peace of mind that comes with shopping from a reputable dealer, and Joydrive is breaking the mold when it comes to the car-buying process.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    I’m a Navy vet with three years of experience working at dealerships, so I am very familiar with the stress and headaches that come with buying a new car. I also have a computer science background, and I was a math tutor while I was in college. Being able to communicate effectively is paramount in those industries, and my experience will allow me to help you find the perfect vehicle.

    What excites you?

    Spending time with family and friends, soccer, football, basketball, hiking, auto racing, and video games.

  • Keirstyn Johnson

    Customer Leader & Analyst

    Why did you join Joydrive?

    I wanted to be a part of the positive change that Joydrive has and will continue to have on the car industry. I buy almost everything online, so joining a company that allows you to easily buy and sell your car online was very exciting to me.

    How has your background prepared you for Joydrive?

    Every job I have ever worked has helped mold me into a person that provides excellent customer service. I worked for years at a dealership learning the ins-and-outs of the car buying and selling process. I have also worked at an auto auction where I saw a whole different side of the car industry. And I worked for a company that has a cheer about putting customers first and ensuring they’re cared for. All of this has supplied me with the knowledge and experience I need to excel in my position at Joydrive.

    What excites you?

    Adventures. Food. Wine. Family. Friends. Animals. Video games. Binging shows. Mostly, exploring and navigating through life with the love of my life.

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