Pub 2 2021-2022 Issue 1

GETTING TO KNOW JAY MEALEY You come from a car family, and the automotive industry would have been the obvious career choice. Did you always aspire to be part of the automotive industry? Not necessarily; I was a car enthusiast for sure, but for whatever reason didn’t see myself being a long- term “car dealer” once I graduated from college. I am not even sure why this was the case, but I just felt a need to do something a little different from my father. At that time, I already had one brother very involved in the business, and I had grown up around the dealership performing odd jobs here and there. I still find it ironic that I was the one brother who wanted nothing to do with the car business. As it has turned out, I have been the MOST involved over the past 20 years, and now I run three dealerships in Central Florida, fairly hands-on while having an absolute blast! Is your entire family in the auto industry? Not exactly. I have three brothers. At present, two of the three are involved in the auto industry and family business. My oldest brother, Kevin, is the dealer principal at Don Mealey Chevrolet in Clermont, and my youngest brother, Robert, is the dealer at Sport Subaru and Champions Powersports in Oakland, Florida. My other brother, Mark, is a professional pilot. Describe your educational background. What did you study? I graduated from UCF with a four-year business degree. After graduation, I spent a year or so in the Dealership Sales Department before ultimately following a more entrepreneurial path and opening my own automotive performance and customizing business. I mention this because THIS was the best education I could ever have hoped to prepare me to run automobile dealerships. They say you never “fail” but only succeed or “learn.” I did a lot of learning during those entrepreneurial days. Are there any specific individuals who had a major impact on your career? Obviously my father, but looking beyond that, he also had a very strong team in place as I came up through the ranks. I worked under several individuals who helped shape my perspective and approach to the 12 Pub Yr 2 | Issue 1