Polly has a new CEO

Insurance startup Polly announced a “strategic leadership transition designed to accelerate the company’s innovative product-centric vision.”

Effective immediately, board member Rick Gibbs will succeed co-founder Travis Fitzgerald as CEO. Fitzgerald will pivot to the chief strategy officer role.

Gibbs was one of the founders of Dealer.com, a company that was launched to offer website and advertising services for OEMs and car dealerships. It was acquired in 2014 for nearly $1 billion in cash and stock by Dealertrack Technologies, which was later acquired by Cox Automotive in a $4 billion deal.

“I’m incredibly excited to step into this new role. The potential at Polly is immense, and I am ready to steer our dynamic team as we disrupt the industry and intensify our presence in the market. I am deeply grateful to Travis for his unwavering leadership and look forward to our continued collaboration in his new role.” – Rick Gibbs.

“Rick’s leadership style and values are the perfect match for Polly. He passionately believes in our mission, our strategy, and the way we’re achieving it. Having worked closely with Rick for quite some time, I’m confident there is no one better to promote a culture of innovation that bridges the gap between auto and insurance. As for myself, I am eager to take on the role of Chief Strategy Officer. The direction Polly is headed is highly compelling, and I am enthusiastic about the momentum of embedded auto insurance and the opportunities ahead to bring considerably more value to dealers, partners, carriers, and car buyers.” – Travis Fitzgerald.

This isn’t the only executive change – Wayne Pastore, who served as Polly’s president and COO (distribution business), is no longer with the company.