Leasing Industry Icon Mitch Fadel Joins DriveItAway Holdings Board of Advisors

Rhea-AI Summary

DriveItAway Holdings (OTC:DWAY), a pioneer in digital mobility and flexible vehicle lease-to-own platforms, has announced the addition of Mitch Fadel to its Board of Advisors. Fadel, the former CEO of Upbound Group (NASDAQ:UPBD) and Rent-A-Center, brings extensive experience in the lease-to-own sector, having led over $2 billion in acquisitions and built the world's largest virtual lease-to-own company.

The appointment follows DriveItAway's recent national partnership with Free2move, Stellantis' global mobility brand, which combines flexible lease-to-own technology with OEM-backed vehicle supply. The company aims to transform automotive retail by making vehicle ownership accessible to traditionally underserved markets, with plans for a future Nasdaq uplisting.

Positive

• Addition of highly experienced executive Mitch Fadel, who drove over $2B in acquisitions at previous companies
• Strategic partnership with Stellantis' Free2move for OEM-backed vehicle supply
• Potential future Nasdaq uplisting plans indicate growth trajectory
• Expansion into underserved automotive market segments with proven lease-to-own model

Negative

• Currently trading on OTC markets, indicating smaller market capitalization and potentially lower liquidity
• Operating in subprime market segment which carries inherent credit risks

Philadelphia, PA, Sept. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DriveItAway Holdings, Inc. (OTC Marketplace: DWAY) (“DriveItAway” or the “Company”), a leader in digital mobility and flexible vehicle lease-to-own platforms, today announced that Mitch Fadel, former CEO of Upbound Group (NASDAQ: UPBD) and Rent-A-Center, has joined its Board of Advisors.

Fadel is one of the most accomplished executives in the lease-to-own sector:

• During his leadership at Upbound Group and Rent-A-Center (the predecessor company of the Upbound Group), he accelerated growth, expanded internationally, created new retail partner divisions, built the world’s largest “virtual” lease-to-own company, completed over $2 billion in acquisitions, and ultimately drove tremendous shareholder value.
• Part of his lifelong career serving the non-prime consumer was spent at EZ Pawn, where he helped engineer a turnaround that increased profits 25% and more than tripled the stock price in just over a year.

“Few executives have more experience serving the subprime alternative credit market—and scaling companies profitably—than Mitch,” said John F. Possumato, Founder & CEO of DriveItAway Holdings. “With his counsel, DriveItAway is uniquely positioned to transform automotive retail, making affordable, flexible vehicle access a reality for millions traditionally shut out of ownership.”

Fadel added: “In my career at Upbound Group, Rent-A-Center, and EZ Pawn, I’ve seen firsthand the enormous demand for accessibility in underserved markets. Personal transportation is the next frontier. I’m excited to help DriveItAway capture this opportunity and build toward a future Nasdaq uplisting.”

This appointment follows DriveItAway’s recently announced national partnership with Free2move, Stellantis’ global mobility brand, integrating flexible lease-to-own technology with OEM-backed vehicle supply—creating a powerful platform for rapid expansion.

About DriveItAway Holdings, Inc.
DriveItAway Holdings, Inc. is the first national dealer-focused mobility platform that enables car dealers to sell more vehicles in a seamless way through eCommerce, with its exclusive “lease-to-own” app-based subscription. DriveItAway provides a comprehensive, turn-key, solutions-driven program with proprietary mobile technology and driver app, insurance coverages, and training to get dealerships up and running quickly and profitably in emerging online sales opportunities, to gain sales and market share.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, and may cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. All forward-looking statements reflect our good faith beliefs, assumptions, and expectations, but they are not guarantees of future performance. We caution investors not to unduly rely on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

John F. Possumato
DriveItAway Holdings, Inc.
john@driveitaway.com

FAQ

Who is Mitch Fadel and why is his appointment significant for DriveItAway (DWAY)?

Mitch Fadel is the former CEO of Upbound Group and Rent-A-Center who led over $2 billion in acquisitions and built the world's largest virtual lease-to-own company. His appointment brings valuable expertise in scaling companies and serving the subprime alternative credit market.

What is DriveItAway's (DWAY) partnership with Free2move?

DriveItAway has partnered with Free2move, Stellantis' global mobility brand, to integrate flexible lease-to-own technology with OEM-backed vehicle supply, creating a platform for rapid expansion.

What is DriveItAway's (DWAY) business model?

DriveItAway provides a dealer-focused mobility platform with proprietary mobile technology that enables car dealers to sell vehicles through an exclusive lease-to-own app-based subscription model.

What are DriveItAway's (DWAY) plans for uplisting?

The company has indicated plans for a future Nasdaq uplisting, though specific timing details were not disclosed in the announcement.

How does DriveItAway (DWAY) serve the automotive market?

DriveItAway provides a comprehensive, turn-key solution for dealerships with proprietary mobile technology, driver apps, and insurance coverages to enable online sales and lease-to-own options for traditionally underserved markets.