NORCROSS, Ga. — Vehicle service contract administrator APCO Holdings Inc. today announced that J.D. Power’s Finbarr O’Neill has joined the company’s board of directors.

O’Neill announced in October his intention to retire as J.D. Power’s president and CEO, pledging to continue to guide the market research firm as a senior advisor until his replacement was named. According to officials, O’Neill was weighing his options for retirement when the APCO extended an invitation to join its board.

“Fin is a member of a select group of automotive industry executives whose expertise and integrity resound with every mention of his name,” said Larry Dorfman, chairman of APCO Holdings, parent company of the EasyCare and GWC brands. “We are looking forward to his contributions to our board as we continue to grow our business and fulfill our mission to transform the dealership experience.”

Confident in J.D. Power’s “clear strategy for the future,” O’Neill said his departure comes at the appropriate time and that he wishes to remain engaged with the industry — even as he enjoys time and travel with his wife of 40 years, their four children, and their four grandchildren.

“I’m looking for an opportunity to apply my extensive experience in helping APCO Holdings and their EasyCare, GWC, Covideo and SAVY brands find ways to grow as the world around us changes,” O’Neill said, noting that the promise of a digital future brings uncertainty about buying habits, the F&I process and the vehicles themselves. He said he believes meeting car buyers’ changing expectations will be paramount. “How can APCO Holdings help solve consumers’ issues in these coming years, and in that context, help dealers help their customers?”

A licensed attorney, O’Neill joined Hyundai Motor America in 1985 as the automaker’s general counsel. He then served as president and CEO from 1998 to 2003. He also served as CEO of Mitsubishi North America and Reynolds and Reynolds Co. before joining J.D. Power in 2009. He is credited with successfully leading the company through a period of expansion, including a successful entry into the data and analytics segment, and the 2015 acquisition of the NADA’s National Appraisal Guides (NAG).

“Larry and the team really live the principles and values their company stands for,” O’Neill said. “They are very, very clear and transparent. They love the car business and understand how it works, and they are constantly thinking of new ways to help dealers be more effective in bringing value to car buyers.”