Meet the Team

Dave Katarski joined Feldman Automotive Group as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President in January 2017. Since joining the group, he has assisted with the acquisition of 16 dealerships with ownership in all of them.

The group also added 100 employees, beyond those added from the new acquisitions, increased spending and changed the customer relationship management system to improve tracking of leads. Dave has implemented measures resulting in increased website traffic, sales volume and revenue.

Dave was previously with AutoNation for over 16 years. He started as a sales associate at one of the group’s Ford dealerships in Atlanta in 2000, and quickly rose through the ranks to F&I Manager, New Car Sales Manager, Used Car Director, General Sales
Manager and General Manager. When he was General Manager of AutoNation Honda Thornton Road, the dealership was recognized by Automotive News as one of the Top 100 Dealerships to Work For in 2013.

By 2015, Dave had become the Market President for the Southeast Region where he led and directed AutoNation’s automotive operations in Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. This included overseeing 34 dealerships. He held the position until December 2016, when he decided to pursue the new opportunity with Feldman Automotive Group. Six months after joining the Feldman team, Dave was recognized by Automotive News on its list of 40 Under 40 in Automotive Retail for 2017.

Dave has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Carson-Newman University. He was an NCAA Division II Football National Runner-Up, a 2-time All SAC Conference football player and an NCAA Academic All American.

Dave spends his free time mostly coaching and attending both of his children’s sports and extracurricular activities. He enjoys a round of golf when free and spending as much time as possible at his place on Higgins Lake.

Marla is a second-generation automotive executive, with knowledge of all aspects of the $2 billion dollar enterprise that is the Feldman Automotive Group. She held positions in sales and finance before becoming the General Manager of Feldman Chevrolet of Novi and then later became a partner of both Feldman Chevrolet of Novi and Feldman Kia with Feldman Chevrolet of Novi being awarded the prestigious “Dealer of the Year” award in 2019, ‘20, and ’21.  

As a graduate of the NADA Academy, Marla is an active member of the NCM Associates Dealer Chevrolet 20 Group since 2007 and the Women’s Retail Network since its inception. She has also taken part in the Kia Central Region Dealer Council and sits on the board of the General Motors Women’s Advisory Council.

Marla strategically manages Feldman Automotive’s philanthropic efforts by sitting on the boards of CARE House of Oakland County and Oakland Schools Education Foundation.  

Tara is Assistant Controller for the Feldman and Mark Wahlberg Automotive Groups. A 17-year veteran in the dealer vertical, she has worked at Feldman Automotive for more than 13 years. She started as an assistant accounts payable clerk before taking over the accounting department.

In 2018, she was awarded the Jeff Wilson Legacy award, which recognizes one employee annually for their commitment, work ethic and integrity. Tara enjoys using her love of math and puzzles, and when not working she loves to travel in an RV with her husband and their pets.

Steve Abernathy is the Director of Finance for the Feldman Automotive Group. With over 11 years in the automotive industry, Steve grew organically within the organization from sales and finance positions, to store finance director, finally landing as the Director of Finance in 2018. Steve uses the knowledge and skills gained through the diverse positions he held to continually grow the finance department.

Matt Grimes is Director of Fixed Operations for the Feldman Automotive Group. A 25-year veteran in Fixed OP’s, he joined the Feldman team in 2013. Matt has been one of the key components of Feldman’s massive growth over the past several years, providing consistent principles for fixed operations across all Feldman locations. He prides himself on being a mentor and working with his Feldman Team members to help them achieve their professional goals and objectives.

Over 20 years of experience in commercial construction and automotive branding. Working with multiple OEM’s such as Volkswagen, Bentley, Alpha Romeo, Maserati, and Hyundai in senior leadership roles. Successfully implemented brand and program elements, ensured compliance with brand standards. Ensuring constructed dealerships are appealing as they are functional. A longtime member of the International Facility Management Association (IMFA) and has held his Real Estate License since 2004.