# Shelley Washburn

> Shelley Washburn is Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Group 1 Automotive, where she leads marketing, customer experience, engagement, and digital transformation across a large dealership network in the United States and United Kingdom. Her career spans more than 30 years in automotive manufacturing, retail, consulting, technology, and agency work, including leadership at Gulf States Marketing and service on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles board.

- **Role:** Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Group 1 Automotive
- **Organizations:** Group 1 Automotive, Gulf States Marketing, Force Marketing, Gulf States Toyota, Ford Motor Company, MSX International, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Child Advocates, United Way
- **Education:** Bachelor of Business Administration, The University of Texas at Austin, Dealer Candidate Academy graduate; class president, NADA Dealer Candidate Academy
- **Known for:** Promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Group 1 Automotive in September 2024., Led Gulf States Marketing through its 2021 acquisition by Force Marketing and remained to oversee the transition and controlled growth strategy., Appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Board of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and served from 2019 to 2021.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2001** — Held roles at Ford Motor Company and MSX International and spent three years in dealership retail positions.
- **2001-2004** — Served as District Service Manager at Gulf States Toyota.
- **2005-2014** — Served as Vice President, Account Services at Gulf States Marketing.
- **2014-2022** — Led Gulf States Marketing as president, including its 2021 acquisition by Force Marketing.
- **2019-2021** — Served on the Board of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles following appointment by Governor Greg Abbott.
- **2022-2024** — Worked in corporate strategy at Gulf States Marketing and as a strategic adviser to Force Marketing.
- **2024-01** — Joined Group 1 Automotive as Vice President, Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer.
- **2024-09** — Appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Group 1 Automotive.

## Achievements

- Promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Group 1 Automotive in September 2024.
- Led Gulf States Marketing through its 2021 acquisition by Force Marketing and remained to oversee the transition and controlled growth strategy.
- Appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Board of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and served from 2019 to 2021.
- Received a Houston Business Journal Women Who Mean Business award in 2019 in the professional services category.
- Recognized by the Houston Diversity Council among its Top 20 Women in Business in 2015.
- Served in leadership roles with Child Advocates and participated in a United Way Women's Initiative.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Helped open Group 1 Automotive UK's first Women in Leadership Level 5 development apprenticeship cohort.
- **2025-02** — Presented Group 1 Automotive's marketing strategy at its analyst day, focusing on cluster markets, share of garage, aftersales opportunities, and store naming.
- **2024-09** — Appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Group 1 Automotive.
- **2024-01** — Joined Group 1 Automotive as Vice President, Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer.

## Links

- Website: https://www.group1corp.com/shelley-washburn
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyprangewashburn

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/shelley-washburn
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-14