Chicago – – September 30, 2026 -- Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS) has appointed Trent Ziegler as Chief Financial Officer-Designate, effective October 19, 2026, with formal succession to the CFO role on November 6, 2026.
Ziegler replaces Sonia Jain, who transitions to Executive Advisor through March 31, 2027
The staggered handover is designed to ensure an orderly transition of financial leadership at the automotive marketplace operator. Jain will remain available to the company in an advisory capacity for nearly five months following the formal changeover.
Incoming CFO brings decade-long tenure at LendingTree, including three years as finance chief
Ziegler joins Cars.com from FairSquare, a fintech holding company, where he served as CFO. He spent more than ten years at online lending marketplace LendingTree, holding the CFO post for three years and leading Investor Relations and Treasury for seven years prior. During that tenure, he contributed to profitability improvements, cost structure optimization, and execution of financing initiatives and acquisitions. He began his career at Ally Financial Inc.
CEO cites marketplace experience and financial discipline as reasons for the hire
"Trent brings deep marketplace experience and a strong combination of strategic perspective, financial discipline and operational execution," said Cars.com CEO Tobi Hartmann. Ziegler said he intends to focus on scaling the business and disciplined capital allocation.
Outgoing CFO credited with post-spinoff financial infrastructure and balance sheet work
Hartmann said Jain advanced the company's financial infrastructure and systems, implemented value-based pricing, and strengthened the balance sheet since the company's spinoff.