Ernest 'Ernie' C. Garcia III is an American entrepreneur, the self-made billionaire co-founder, President, and CEO of Carvana (NYSE: CVNA), the disruptive online used car retailer. Born circa 1982, he is the son of the controversial auto finance magnate Ernest Garcia II (owner of DriveTime).

Garcia III's background is elite and technical: he earned a bachelor's degree in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University in 2005. He began his career in investment banking at RBS Greenwich Capital before joining his father's company, DriveTime, in 2007. His vision was to transform the used car market by creating a seamless online-first experience, leveraging technology to overcome the complexity and poor customer reputation of traditional used car sales.

Ernest Garcia III co-founded Carvana in 2012 (initially as a subsidiary of DriveTime) with Ryan Keeton and Ben Huston. His strategic vision centered on eliminating the physical friction of car buying through its pioneering Vending Machines and end-to-end online platform, offering direct home delivery. Carvana was successfully spun out from DriveTime and executed its IPO in 2017.

Under his leadership as President and CEO (and later Chairman), Carvana achieved massive scale, becoming a major player in online automotive retail. The family maintains full control over the company through super-voting shares and his father remains the largest shareholder. Despite facing significant stock volatility and bankruptcy concerns in 2022, Carvana's long-term growth and market disruption secured Garcia III's multi-billion dollar fortune. He was recognized as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2016 and one of Fortune's 40 Under 40.

Ernest Garcia III's social impact is structural, stemming from Carvana's role in modernizing and increasing transparency in the traditionally opaque used car market. His platform provides a seamless e-commerce experience for consumers, creating thousands of jobs in logistics, technology, and customer service.

His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives. His career is a testament to the profitability of leveraging fintech solutions to transform established brick-and-mortar industries.

Ernest Garcia III maintains the professional, energetic style of a young tech CEO. His attire is consistently modern and high-quality, favoring tailored business suits and smart casual wear. His aesthetic is one of confident, disruptive authority, reflecting his success in challenging the traditional retail auto market.

Residing in Phoenix, Arizona, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to leveraging technology and his personal drive to dominate the high-stakes world of online automotive retail.