Robert Gathers Resume 2016

Robert Gathers Resume 2016

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  ROBERT L. GATHERS 75Innovation Dr.Apt 7119, Greenville, SC 29607 |(803) 682-0042 | [email protected] BACKGROUND SUMMARY General SalesManager,automotiveindustry. Dynamic,competitive automotive management professionalwith 32 years’experience in retail automotive.Imaginative and innovative individualwith provenmanagement,sales,advertising,marketing and new businessdevelopment skills.Broad-basedexperience in retailand wholesale automotive environments.A history ofsignificantprofit volume and customersatisfaction achievements,which illustrate the ability to combine cost control,revenue growthand processimprovementsthrougheffective stafftraining and motivation. Related areas ofexpertise are:  Vastknowledgeof Reynolds& Reynolds  Dealer Trackand eLEADS  StrongDesk and T/O Skills  DMS and CRMProgramExperience  Physical andOnlineAuction and BidSales  MarketAnalysis  Team Building andStaff Development  New and Pre-owned Car Dept.Inventory Control Experience  AdvertisingandMarketing  Profitability Improvementand StrategicPlanning  Retail SiteDevelopment PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE GREER OF NISSAN-MCE GROUP May 2012-June2016 General SalesManager,Greer,SC  Sell newand used vehicles.Market a complete line of after-market automotive productsandservices.  Directly responsible foroverallprofitability,sales and services forthe Greer of Nissan store.  Define and implement long and short termobjectives; overseeand controldaily operations,policy implementation,advertising,promotions and strategic direction.  Set and administerbudget; initiate cost controlto ensure profitability; recruit, hire and motivate the staffincludingkey management andsupport personnelfor sales,finance and insurance,service andparts departments.  Evaluate overalland individualperformance and devise and implement proactive managementtraining processes.  Establish departmentalgoals with management teambasedon exceeding the expectations ofcustomers throughcontinuously improving products and services.  Provide an environment ofmutualtrust andrespectand demand the highest ethicalstandards fromstaffand management.  Successfulin hiring,motivating and retaining quality personnelby creatinga positive workenvironment resultingin increasedemployee retention and
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  Page2 excellent customersatisfaction.  Implementweekly forecastingand monthly reports. ORANGEBURG NISSAN May 2006-2012 General Manager/Executive Manager,Orangeburg,SC  Create a positive workenvironment resultingin increasedemployee retention and excellent customersatisfaction.  Set and administerbudget forthe store; initiate cost controlto ensure profitability.  Sell newand used vehicles.Market a complete line ofafter-market automotive productsandservices.  Implement weekly forecastingand reporting.  Directly responsible foroverallprofitability,sales and services.  Define and implement long and short termobjectives; overseeand controldaily operations,policy implementation,advertising,promotions and strategic direction.  Recruit, hire and motivate the staffincluding key managementand support personnelforsales,finance andinsurance,service and parts departments; evaluate overalland individualperformance anddevise andimplement proactive managementtraining processes; establish departmentalgoals with management teambased on exceedingthe expectations ofcustomers through continuously improving products and services.  Provide an environment ofmutualtrust andrespectand demand the highest ethicalstandards fromstaffand management. WHATLEY AUTOMOTIVE INC. 1997-2006 General SalesManager,Toyota&Mazda Dealership,Orangeburg,SC  Successfulin hiring,motivating and retaining quality personnelby creatinga positive workenvironment resultingin increasedemployee retention and excellent customersatisfaction; created andimplemented comprehensive employee satisfactionprogram.  Define and implement long and short termobjectives; overseeand controldaily operations,policy implementation,advertising,promotions and strategic direction.  Sell newand used vehicles.Market a complete line ofafter-market automotive productsandservices.  Directly responsible foroverallprofitability,sales and services forWhatley Toyota Mazda,Inc.  Set and administerbudget; initiate cost controlto ensure profitability; recruit, hire and motivate the staff of47 including key management and support personnelforsales,finance andinsurance,service and parts departments; evaluate overalland individualperformance anddevise andimplement proactive managementtraining processes; establish departmentalgoals with management teambased on exceedingthe expectations ofcustomers through continuously improving products and services.  Provide an environment ofmutualtrust andrespectand demand the highest ethicalstandards fromstaffand management.  Reduce totalexpenses by connectingcashflowproblems; improved inventory turnovers; upgraded facilities to enhanceenergy savings and environmental compliance.
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  Page3  Create anddesign alladvertisingand marketing campaigns; knowledgeable in media ventures with expertise in print and electronic marketing.  Implement weekly forecastingand reporting.  Create,implement and participate in various community relations initiatives, such as Mothers Against DrunkDriving,EasterSeals,Relay for Life, Galaxy of Star Readers,Martin LutherKing Jr.Unity Breakfast,Fellowship ofChristian Athletes,and PartnerforYouth Program, which elevated Whatleypositions in the community. C & S TOYOTA MAZDA, INC. 1985-1997 Sales/SalesManager/NewCar Manager,Orangeburg,SC  Sold new and used vehicles.Directly responsible for overallprofitability sales and service department.Oversee andcontrolday to day operations; recruit, hire, and fire; achieve profitability every monthsincethe inceptionofcompany untilit was sold in 1997.  Hired and trained staff.Establisheda managerialphilosophyofhiring persons for the right job; provided a positive workenvironmentincludingcompetitive compensation andincentives to retain the highest quality individuals.  Instrumentalin developing,guiding andcoachingstafftoward empowerment and self-management.  Dramatically improved and maintained CSI throughthe implementation of proactive customer-oriented sales and service management techniques with the ultimate goalofearning customerforlife.  Exceeded regionaland nationalCSIrating while achieving sales effectiveness for the market area.  Recognized top performeramong peers,trackrecord demonstrating exceptional organization and results focus to consistently exceed expectations.  Innovativestrategistofa diverse range ofproducts in highly competitive market.  Demonstratedpersuasive sales techniques in orderto surpass company expectations.  Strong initiative and commitment to excellence, coupled with demonstrated experience in product andproject leadership.  Developed excellent time management skills working with the busiest dealership in town.  High energy,self-motivated,teamplayer,accurate,professionalnature, requiring minimal supervision.  Proven record ofmaintain schedules; multitaskoriented;able to workunder pressure,handle multiple demands and set priorities.  Excellent public speaking and communication skills.  Excellent at follow-up and detail.Extremely dependable.  Effective in budgetingand long termplanning EDUCATION AND RELATED CURRICULUM 1995-1996 1983 1982 Master’s Degree in Counseling,completed22credits SouthCarolinaState University Bachelorof Science in Business Administration,West Virginia State University Associatein Applied Science; Management andSupervision,West VirginiaState University Fixed Operation forthe Front End,General Manager,UniversityofDealership Management Product EducationCourses,University ofToyota SchoolofTraining,Joe Verde’s TeamLeadership ManagementLeadership Schools andSupervisor Leadership Schools
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  Page4 PROFESSIONAL AWARDS ANDCERTIFICATIONS 2015 Nissan ofGreer, Southeast Region,AllTime Sales Record 2014 Nissan ofGreer, Southeast Region,Largest YearIncrease Award 2013 Nissan ofGreer, Southeast Region,AllTime Sales Record of the Year 2012 Nissan ofGreer, Southeast Region,Largest YearEver Increase Award 2005 Certified Sales ManagerAward,University ofToyota 2005 Certified Expert Sales ManagerAward,University ofToyota 2005 Tacoma Product Education Award 2005 Avalon Product Education Award 2000-2005 Highest Award in SoutheastToyota Pros 2001-2004 Set Sales Excellence Award in Honorof SuperiorPerformance in the Areas ofVehicle Sales,CustomerSatisfactionand Human Resource Management 2004 Certified Mazda Sales ManagerAward 2004 Certified Sales ManagerAward,University ofToyota 2003 Certified Sales ManagerAward,University ofToyota 2003 Certified Mazda Sales ManagerAward 2002 Certified Mazda Sales ManagerAward 2002 University ofToyota Certified Sales ManagerAward 2002 Certified Sales ManagerAward,Excellence in Completing all ProgramRequirements 2001 Certified Mazda Sales ManagerAward 2001 University ofToyota Certified ManagerAward 2001 Certified Toyota Sales ManagerAward 2001 Mazda Sales Certification Award Completing All Requirements 2000 University ofToyota Expo TourAward Celica-Echo-Avalon 2000 State ofSouth Carolina Office of the GovernorAward JimHodges Award ofExcellence 2000 Toyota Urban SafariEvent Award 1999-2000 University ofToyota Paragon Sales ManagerAward in Recognition ofOutstanding Product Knowledge and CustomerSatisfaction 1999-2000 Toyota Sales Excellence Award in Honorof SuperiorPerformance in the Areas of Vehicle Sales, CustomerSatisfaction andHuman Resource Management 1999 University ofToyotaPride Certified Award for Distinguished Performance in Customer Satisfaction,Product Knowledge and Professionalism 1999 Mazda Get In and Be Moved Award forExcellence in Mazda Sales Certification Program 1997 Mazda PassionforExcellence Award 1996 Toyota Certification Award 1996 Mazda Outstanding Performance Award 1995 Toyota Certification Award 1995 Mazda Outstanding Performance Award 1994 Toyota Certification Award 1994 Mazda President’sAward,HighestGuild of Performer Award National 1993 Mazda Product MasterFinalist Award
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  Page5 1992 Selling SkillsTraining Award Mazda 1992 Mazda Salespersonofthe YearAward Excellence in all Requirements 1992 Mazda Gold ChapterSales Guild Award 1991 Mazda 4th AnnualNationalPresentationCompetition ProductMasterFinalist Award 1991 Mazda MotorsofAmerica (East)Inc. Outstanding Sales Performance Award 1991 Toyota 1st Surplus Sale MartinezCommercial Center, Augusta,Ga,Top Salesman PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS  Alpha PhiAlpha Fraternity,Inc.,President,Delta Zeta Lambda Chapter  Alpha PhiAlpha Fraternity,Inc.,Brotherofthe Year and Charles W.Green Award of Merit  MuscularDystrophy Association  Claflin University,President,DistinguishedBoard  Orangeburg Consolidated SchoolDistrict 5, Secretary,Board ofTrustees  Orangeburg Consolidated SchoolDistrict 5, Foundation Board ofDirectors  Orangeburg Civic Ballet Board of Directors and SchoolPerformance Coordinator  Fellowship ofChristian Athletes,Chairman,Golf Tournament  Orangeburg Wilkinson High School,Vice President,PTO  New Mt.Zion Baptist Church,Public Relations Coordinator,Relay forLife Committee  New Mt.Zion Baptist Church,Chairman/Vice-Chair, Deacon Board  New Mt.Zion Baptist Church,Instructor,College &Career Class  New Mt.Zion Baptist Church,Assistant Superintendent,Sunday School REFERENCES Available upon request