Welcome to Autura Spotlight. This series of posts is dedicated to shining the spotlight on the talented, experienced, and dynamic individuals that make up the Autura community. We love sharing the personal and professional stories, advice, humor, and perspective that each featured employee brings. We hope you enjoy these opportunities to get to know us better!
Today’s post has Dennis McGowan stepping into the Autura Spotlight!
Q: What Is Your Business Title? Can You Share a Brief Description of Your Role?
I am the Principal Product Strategist at Autura. I help define and shape the long-term product direction for our platform, turning real-world customer and industry needs into clear product strategy. My role sits at the intersection of operations, data, and technology. I work closely with product, engineering, and leadership to ensure we’re building tools that actually solve problems and scale with the business.
Q: What Is a Quote that Means a Lot to You? Why?
“To build something important, you need time, patience, and people who are ready to suffer together.” — Antonio Conte
Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned came from the difficult parts of the work… not the easy wins. This quote resonates with me because real progress usually comes from shared effort, patience, and teams that are willing to work through challenges together. I’ve learned to value steady progress over urgency, and collaboration over individual credit. When people stay aligned, communicate honestly, and keep moving forward, even hard work has purpose.
I have also seen that the strongest teams are built over time through trust and consistency. Showing up, doing the work, and supporting one another through uncertainty creates momentum that lasts. That perspective shapes how I approach challenges, collaborate with others, and think about building things that are meant to endure.
Q: What Is One Project or Achievement You’re Particularly Proud Of?
One project I’m particularly proud of is launching The Tow Trend Podcast. Shelli Hawkins and I had previously worked together on a podcast, and this project gave us the opportunity to build on that experience with a more thoughtful, intentional approach. We wanted to create space for deeper conversations around technology, operations, and the future of the towing industry.
What made this project especially meaningful to me was the chance to raise the level of conversation. I focused on asking better questions, listening closely, and helping translate complex topics into discussions that are practical and useful for the industry. It reinforced my belief that progress comes from:
- Shared learning
- Honest dialogue
- A willingness to engage directly with hard problems
Q: What Is the Latest Book, Podcast, or TV Show You’ve Enjoyed?
I just finished Quiet Leadership by Carlo Ancelotti. I really enjoyed it. What resonated with me most was the idea that effective leadership doesn’t rely on volume, ego, or constant control. Ancelotti emphasizes calm presence, trust, and emotional intelligence as tools for getting the best out of people — especially in high-pressure environments.
The book reinforced my belief that leadership is often about creating clarity and stability rather than commanding attention. Ancelotti talks about understanding individuals, adapting communication styles, and knowing when to step in and when to step back. That approach aligns closely with how I think about leading projects and working with teams.
“When people feel trusted and supported, they tend to take more ownership and do better work.”
The book was a good reminder that consistency, respect, and composure can be just as powerful as intensity when it comes to driving results.
Q: Which One of Autura’s Company Values Speaks to You the Most and Why? How Do You See It Show Up in Your Everyday Work?
Of our REAL values — without a doubt — it’s the “L“… which stands for Led by Frontline Technology.
This value resonates with me because technology only matters if it produces real results for the people using it. I’ve learned that the best outcomes come from starting with how work actually happens, then building technology that supports those workflows in a meaningful way, removing unnecessary toil from the day-to-day.
I see this in my everyday work by staying focused on impact… not just ideas. I spend a lot of time pressure-testing assumptions, asking how decisions will hold up in real-world use, and making sure what we build actually reduces friction. For me, being led by frontline technology means delivering tools that make work easier, decisions clearer, and outcomes stronger.
Related: Read what the other letters in Autura’s REAL values are in our blog post unveiling our updated mission and tagline.
Thank you to Dennis McGowan for sharing today! If you are interested in learning about career opportunities at Autura, view our current job openings.
