VINCUE: CUE The Next Leader

Robin Wilson is no stranger to automotive. She's spent the past 13 years of her career becoming an expert in building business that support automotive dealerships that include an outsourced BDC capability, a marketing agency, and has become an expert in social media for dealerships. Robin and her team have spent the past year creating a new application specifically designed for sales people in dealerships that allows them to drive leads by using organic social media on FaceBook. The app is called Social Grenade and is available now. Listen in to get the details and if you like what you hear, reach out to Robin directly at 417-629-8006 to learn more.

Meet Liza Borches, CEO of Carter Myers Automotive (CMA) and a dynamic leader who has transformed the company into a regional powerhouse. As the fourth generation of the Myers family to lead CMA, Liza took the reins in 2003 when the company operated just three dealerships. Under her visionary leadership, CMA has expanded to 24 dealerships across Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, with a 25th set to open in Maryland, marking its expansion into a fourth state. Representing 18 diverse brands, CMA now operates in eight markets and employs over 1,200 associates, with a steadfast focus on strategic growth and market leadership.

Glenn Lundy, founder of the 800% Elite Automotive Club and 800% Elite Auto Sales, emphasizes the importance of growth in both business performance and employee development. Drawing from his experiences, Glenn transformed a stagnant Nissan dealership in Flagstaff, Arizona, into a thriving Chevy dealership in Paris, Kentucky. He focused on growth and boosted sales from 120 to over 850 cars per month. In November 2019, he established the 800% Elite Automotive Club to help dealerships scale quickly, increasing sales by an average of 25% within the first 90 days. To further enhance his consulting, Glenn purchased an independent dealership in Lexington, Kentucky, creating a real-life testing ground for his teachings. This approach provides concrete examples and real-time demonstrations, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Glenn's strategies are crucial for navigating the evolving automotive landscape, where competition is national. His recent partnership with VINCUE equips his dealership with advanced technology and insights, giving them a strategic edge. Glenn’s people-first approach ensures a focus on personal development, team cohesion, and overall excellence. Listen to Glenn's inspiring story of transformation and resilience, as he shares how embracing growth and innovation can lead to success and fulfillment.

With over 30 years in the car business, Scott Wilkinson, the self-described car guy, knows how to run a dealership. As the General Sales Manager at Tynan’s Volkswagen in Aurora, Colorado, Scott has honed his expertise in both cars and customer relations. In our conversation, we covered topics from his kids to cars and his secrets to running a successful dealership. Key Principles for Success: Embracing Technology Scott is likely the number one fan of VINCUE. He appreciates the software's ease of use and how it empowers his sales team to accurately appraise cars using data and processes. The ability to work within one integrated system that provides real-time insights is a game-changer for Scott and his team. Family and Business Intertwined Pride is evident in Scott’s voice when he talks about his four grown children: daughters Morgan, Chloe, and Lillee, and his son Kole. He beams with pride as he describes Kole working alongside him at the dealership as a lot attendant. A Holistic Approach Scott’s approach to life and his dealership are deeply intertwined. His commitment to simplicity, process, customer relationships, and kindness extends beyond his professional life and into his personal values. Conclusion Scott Wilkinson’s story is a testament to how leading with simplicity and kindness can drive success in the car business. We hope you enjoy listening to this podcast as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Rudy Padilla's journey into the car business was serendipitous. As a young husband and father, Rudy needed to support his family while waiting to apply for the California Highway Patrol. He answered a newspaper ad for a local dealership over four decades ago, intending it to be a temporary job. This "temporary" job, however, evolved into a lifelong passion for serving people and working with numbers. Today, Rudy is the Used Car Director at Berkeley Toyota in Berkeley, California, and also pursues a side gig selling real estate in the San Francisco Bay Area. From an early age, Rudy recognized the importance of building relationships and networking. Early in his career, he earned the nickname DTK, or Dealer Trade King, for his skill in establishing strong connections with other dealers to facilitate car trades. Rudy's dedication to customer service is unwavering. Whether his clients are buying cars or houses, his focus remains on providing them with the best experience and cultivating lasting relationships. In November 2023, Rudy attended UNLEASHED, the VINCUE dealer conference in Kansas City. His participation was nearly derailed by a tragedy at his store, but he made it to the conference, where he met three individuals who profoundly influenced his personal and professional life: Glenn Lundy, Danelle Delgado, and Bill Donius. Their impact on Rudy's outlook is profound, and his story is a testament to the power of connection and resilience. Please be aware that this episode contains some sensitive material.

When a car accident in 2013 sidelined Courtney Lovegreen's professional golf career, she decided to shift her career focus from swinging clubs to selling cars. After spending a few years successfully selling Range Rovers in Florida, she decided to move back home to Kirksville, Missouri to join her father and sister at their fourth-generation family dealership, Lovegreen Ford. This episode of CUE The Next Leader focuses on Courtney's journey, her passion for the car business, and all of the wonderful things she's doing in her dealership and community.

Bob Kain is the GM of his generational dealership, Jack Kain Ford. Bob surrounds himself with family including his wife, Jan, who runs human resources and unknowingly sneaks into our podcast. Billed as one of the top-rated Ford dealerships in Versailles, KY, Jack Kain Ford provides an inviting atmosphere to their family-owned and operated dealership. Established in 1959 by Bob’s father, Jack, the dealership proudly stood as a community cornerstone, treating every customer and staff member like family. Building lifelong relationships through trust and honesty is at the heart of their business. Jack Kain, who recently passed away, was a regular visitor in the dealership at 94 years of age. The Kain’s also give back to their community by hosting a carnival every year behind the dealership. The event attracts thousands of people who get to enjoy the day with their families, friends, and dealership employees.

Matt Watson has spent his career as an innovator. He first met Danny Zaslavsky when Danny’s father purchased his first computer from Sears. Matt was his salesperson. A friendship quickly formed and Matt found himself setting up the computer and writing code for Danny’s family dealership. Fast forward a few years when Matt founded VIN Solutions. One of the first automotive CRMs that eventually sold to Cox Automotive. Since that time Matt has founded and sold Stackify and is currently leading his new company Full Scale. Listen in to hear about Matt’s journey as an entrepreneur and founder and how the sale of one computer has led to a lifelong passion for innovation and an amazing friendship.

Tune in to this special episode of Cue the Next Leader as we honor Women's History Month with dynamic conversations featuring some of the amazing women in the automotive industry. From navigating career growth to nurturing the next wave of female leaders, join us for an inspiring dialogue with industry experts Robin Wilson, Shasta Haddock, Stacey Stewart, and Ashley Negron. Make sure you catch all the empowering insights and fantastic leadership book suggestions for yourself and your team: A Happy Pocket Full of Money - David Gikandi Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill The Power of One More - Ed Mylett Atomic Habits - James Clear Relentless - Tim Grover The Idea Team Player - Patrick Lencioni The Advantage - Patrick Lencioni Good Leaders ask Great Questions - John Maxwell #CueTheNextLeader #WomensHistoryMonth #AutomotiveLeaders

Angela Rizzo sat down with L.A. Williams while at Digital Dealer Las Vegas. L.A. Williams is the Vice President of Dealer Synergy and has 10+ years of automotive sales experience and has made it his mission to help, educate and level up anyone he comes in contact with. LA shares his insights on Dealer Synergy's innovative training approach, emphasizing the importance of having fun while learning. He talks about the importance of eliminating distractions and paying attention to details, a valuable lesson for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #CuetheNextLeader

Michael Hopkins, Chief Client Experience Officer at VINCUE, joined Angela on the Cue the Next Leader Podcast to discuss key moments from VINCUE's inaugural Customer Conference, UNLEASHED! Tune in for an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse of UNLEASHED and get the scoop on what to expect in next year's event!

Glenn Lundy is not just a dealer supporter but a guru who knows the secrets to take a dealership from zero to a mind-blowing 800% growth. In this episode, Glenn unveils the 800% Elite Automotive Club, a game-changing space he created for owners and general managers to scale, grow, and learn from each other. Glenn's 800% Club unites dealers of all sizes and brands, fostering an environment where growth is a shared reality. But there's more! Glenn, Danelle Delgado, Mike Draper, and Evan Walters are teaming up for Carmageddon on December 20th – a free webinar diving into leadership, social media, F&I, and success formulas. It's Glen's birthday celebration, and everyone in the automotive industry is invited! Listen now for more!

Michael Cirillo, the driving force behind FlexDealer, a family business that has transformed from publishing telephone books to becoming a powerhouse in the automotive industry. Michael shares his journey of evolution and how he's embraced the automotive world with passion. He also discusses his role as Chief of Staff at ASOTU and shares the importance of caring for people within an organization. Tune in to discover Michael's approach to empowering individuals, the value of transparency in leadership, and his vision for the future of FlexDealer. Join us for an insightful and inspiring conversation with Michael Cirillo. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

It’s no secret that car dealers have had a reputation problem for years. Kyle Mountsier is on a mission to change that perception. He and his business partner, Paul J. Daly at Automotive State of the Union (ASOTU) are working tirelessly to share the real stories of people who work in dealerships. They highlight how dealership employees interact with their customers and their impact on their communities. It was the start of the COVID pandemic. Paul J. Daly was brushing his teeth one day when he asked himself, “How can I help the automotive industry during this unprecedented time?” His answer was to connect car people over Zoom to make their good stories louder and to connect progressive dealers to progressive industry partners. Before he finished his dental routine he already knew what he would call this new idea: Automotive State of The Union. Thousands of people showed up to the first live-stream. ASOTU was born. ASOTU has now grown to provide daily emails, regular webinars and podcasts, and an annual conference to thousands of subscribers. Paul and his business partner, Kyle Mountsier, recently added regional events that capture the content for an ASOTU-produced TV show called, “More Than Cars,” featuring inspiring stories showing how people in real car dealerships are changing lives. Paul describes More Than Cars as a mash-up between Comedians In Cars getting Coffee + Diners Drive-Ins and Dives + Hip Hop soundtrack. This is all designed to change the public perception of car dealerships and provide an on-ramp to draw more people interested in careers in the auto industry. As an artist and a musician, Paul is excited to work in an industry that values creativity. Users can subscribe via YouTube to watch the first episode, with more episodes to come. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

With a career spanning over 25 years, Jasen has witnessed the evolution of the industry, from pioneering internet leads to embracing cutting-edge inventory management strategies. Over the years Jasen's career has shifted from selling cars off the internet to running internet departments for various dealerships. In this episode, we will dive into lead management, inventory optimization, data-driven decision-making, and more. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

Gabe Levy has spent the last 26 years selling Volvo’s. He loves the brand and he especially loves working at Stillman Volvo, the privately owned dealership in south east Pennsylvania. Named the #1 Certified Pre-Owned store in Philly and #11 Nationally, Gabe takes pride in the great reputation that Stillman, a multi-generational dealership, has built over the past 70 years. Gabe uses his servant-leadership style to help the team deliver on the promise of increased inventory, increased turn, and providing the one price / best price to their customers. Every pre-owned vehicle is fully reconditioned to the highest standard so that customers can count on the quality of their purchases at Stillman. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

With over ten years of experience in automotive, Kaylee Felio runs sales and marketing at PartsEdge. She is known in the industry as “The Parts Girl” bringing awareness to the importance of managing parts in dealerships. PartsEdge provides the data and insights that helps parts managers set up their DMS to be more efficient to stock their parts allowing them to buy the right inventory at the right time. Kaylee started “The Parts Girl” podcast about one year ago focused on parts because she saw a gap in the industry. People like to talk about Fixed Ops and Service, but dealerships have significant costs tied up in parts, anywhere from hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars based on the size of the dealership. She uses her podcast to get to know people in the industry and to amplify their stories. This summer she’ll be focusing on a summer camp for fixed ops, and with an emphasis on - you guessed it - parts! #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

Steve Roessler (pronounced wrestler) is the Chief Evangelist Officer for DriveCentric. DriveCentric is the leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) - the first to build A.I. (Powered by ChatGPT-4) and engagement tools into one platform. Listen in as Steve tells us about some exciting new capabilities DriveCentric recently released that leverage Chat GPT to enable interactive conversations with their customers. These AI-driven sessions will then automatically flow into conversational streams with live agents. Steve is the architect of DriveCentric's DC-20, which is held 3 times per year. Dealers will gather in St. Louis July 17-19 to collaborate in interactive sessions to learn how to get the most value from the DriveCentric CRM. The focus is to help dealers learn modern approaches to sell more cars such as eliminating business rules and templates, building culture with personalized video, & working with GPT4 technology. Steve and his family recently moved to Nashville to help his 18-year-old daughter, Jenna, launch her singing career. Be on the lookout for Jenna Roessler’s first 5 songs which will be available soon on Spotify. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #CuetheNextLeader

Fred Lennartz and Lou Rameriz have each been in the automotive business for over 20 years. They ended up meeting each other at the same dealership after serving in the military. Fred was Air Force and Lou was in the Army. Both quickly realized that if you hustle and put in the work then you can build an amazing career in automotive. They started the Car Guy Coffee podcast and from there a media agency. The focus of their podcast is to uplift dealers, their stories, and to share with the world how great the people are in automotive. In their agency, they work with Buy Here Pay Here dealers to multi-franchise dealership groups to solve problems and to build strong cultures for their customers. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #dealership #CuetheNextLeader

Pride is more than just a colorful parade; it symbolizes a movement built on authenticity, empowerment and the pursuit of equality. Our CMO, Angela Rizzo had the opportunity to sit down with Michael Hopkins, Chief Client Experience Officer of VINCUE to shed light on the importance of Pride from our personal perspectives as members of the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode, they discussed the impact Pride has on individuals, communities, and society as a whole and how Pride plays a vital role in breaking down stereotypes and challenging the invisibility often imposed on the LGBTQ+ individuals. #VINCUE #VINCUEauto #PRIDE2023 #Equality #CuetheNextLeader