Meet THE PEOPLE BEHIND DEALERBUILT
At DealerBuilt, our greatest asset isn’t our technology, it’s the talented, passionate people driving it forward every day.
That’s why we created this blog series to shine a light on the team members who power our company. Through candid conversations and personal stories, we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look at their roles, career journeys, and the real impact they make on our customers, our culture, and each other.
Let’s dive in!
For Lacey Powers, databases aren’t just a job; they’re a lifelong fascination. As the Lead Developer on the Database Team at DealerBuilt, Lacey spends her days solving complex challenges that keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Her work may be behind the curtain, but its impact is felt across the development team and by every dealership using the platform.
In her role, Lacey is responsible for ensuring the health, efficiency, and reliability of DealerBuilt’s databases, a significant task considering the diverse range of data types and query patterns running through the system.
A typical day includes:
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Troubleshooting unique database issues
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Coaching and supporting team members through incoming requests and time-sensitive issues
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Driving improvements and features that support both internal teams and client-facing performance
“If the database runs smoothly, it makes everyone’s lives easier. That’s the goal.”
Her work is both reactive, addressing unexpected issues, and proactive, continuously improving the system’s performance for long-term gains.
Why Databases?
Some people fall into their careers. Lacey chased hers.
“I’ve loved databases my entire career. Data storage and retrieval—from bytes on disk to efficient queries—is just endlessly fascinating.”
While the automotive industry wasn’t her original destination, she’s found it to be a unique environment with a wide range of interesting problems to solve, and plenty of room to innovate.
Why DealerBuilt?
When Lacey discovered DealerBuilt, it wasn’t just the job description that caught her attention; it was the complexity of the data environment.
“DealerBuilt had a large number of databases with different sizes and query patterns all in one platform. I still find it fascinating.”
This variety keeps her engaged, constantly learning, and always exploring new ways to improve systems that power real-world performance.
Most Rewarding Part of the Job: Tangible Impact
While many developers work on code they never see in action, Lacey thrives on the visible wins:
“Seeing the improvements made—and how they help both the development team and the dealerships—is what excites me most.”
Her contributions don’t just make things work better; they make people’s work lives easier.
Advice for New Hires: Don’t Stay in Your Lane
In a collaborative environment like DealerBuilt, Lacey encourages new team members to speak up and seek context.
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even across teams. The work you do can affect everyone, and the more context you have, the better your results will be.”
Her approach emphasizes the importance of cross-team communication in solving shared challenges more effectively.
Off the Clock:
When she’s not fine-tuning a database, Lacey is all about fresh air and fandoms. Her favorite ways to unwind include:
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Hiking and camping
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Watching Star Trek (especially the new Strange New Worlds season—highly recommended!)
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Disconnecting from tech to reconnect with the outdoors
She’s a blend of brilliant techie and grounded adventurer, just the kind of person who keeps DealerBuilt moving forward while staying balanced along the way.
Do you want to be part of the DealerBuilt team? Check out our current openings today!
