Why The Industry’s Next Leaders Will Come From Programs Like These With Mike Cavanaugh and Dr Matt Bennett

Fixed Ops Roundtable

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the automotive industry’s brightest thinkers sit down in one room, buckle up. This conversation feels like stepping into the control room of a rocket that’s already taking off.

In this episode, joining the conversation are two heavy hitters who are right at the center of that momentum: Mike Cavanaugh of Lithia and Driveway and Dr. Matt Bennett of Northwood University.

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What we discuss in this episode:

You’ll hear why the CAMS Industry Summit has quickly become Northwood’s Super Bowl. Matt breaks down the original vision behind bringing industry and education together, and why this bridge matters more now than ever. Mike gives us a behind the scenes look at Lithia’s DART program, career development pipelines, and what it really feels like to work inside the world’s largest automotive group. He calls it holding onto a rocket ship for a reason.

We dive into the power of partnerships, why friendships beat transactions every time, and how a simple alignment of values can create programs that shift entire career paths. You’ll get an inside look at the evolution of Northwood’s automotive executive MBA, the leaders who helped build it, and the global impact this program is already making. There’s talk of legacy, of leadership, of passing the torch to the next wave of innovators who will shape mobility for decades to come.

If you're in automotive today and want to understand where the industry is heading, this is the conversation you listen to. If you're a leader, educator, or aspiring professional, this gives you a front row seat to the people designing the future. And if you're simply someone who loves seeing what happens when collaboration becomes the catalyst, you’re going to want to hit play.

Listen to the episode featuring Mike Cavanaugh and Dr Matt Bennett for even more insights!

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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fixed-ops-roundtable/id1608656237

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15HHYoyvCo1PSFwYn02UXY

Thanks, Mike Cavanaugh and Dr Matt Bennett

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