First of all, describe your educational background. What did you study? Hands-on learning. I guess you could say I’m a graduate of the University of Dad. I started at the dealership switchboard; back then, it was the cable plug-in kind! I worked in accounting, and back then, we posted manually. There’s not a job in this dealership I haven’t done. Again, I was lucky; my dad was a great mentor, so I learned from the best. How did you become a car dealer? Did you always aspire to be part of the automotive industry? I’m a second-generation dealer. I grew up watching my dad sell cars. My dad had all his kids working at the dealership in the summer – it kept us out of trouble and instilled a work ethic from when we were young. So I guess I never really thought hard about my career options. I had a path, and I recognized it. I’m lucky I found my career, or rather my career found me, at a young age. Do you have family members in the auto industry? I do. My dad was in the auto industry most of his adult life until he passed. My mom still comes in and signs checks for me and my brother, Stew, and she’s 89. Stew and I work together, running the dealership now. There are five siblings in the family, four boys and one daughter. My older brother is in the business. My brother Stew and I run our family dealership, and my sister is married to a dealer. The car business runs in the family. Are there any specific individuals who had a major impact on your career? My dad, first and foremost. He taught me it should never be difficult to buy a car, treat people fairly, and tell the truth. Those were wise words. My cousin, Ron Smith, is another person who made a big impact on my career. He often said, “Profit is not a four-letter word!” And you know, GETTING TO KNOW PAST CHAIR MIKE SMITH Orlando Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram Before the COVID-19 pandemic caused the disruptions and shutdowns in early 2020, CFADA spoke with Past Chair, Mike Smith of Orlando Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram. And prior to masks, sanitizing protocols and social distancing, we were able to chat face-to-face with this dealer who literally grew up in the auto industry. This article was originally published in 2019-2020 Issue 1. it’s not. It’s okay to run a profitable business. I believe you can do it all: treat people fairly and tell the truth. I believe the profits and success will follow. What do you think will be some of the dominant trends within the auto industry in the next five to ten years? I’ve seen the rise of technology and social media impact car sales. Our customers come into our dealership much more well-researched, if you will, than ever before. But, they still have questions that need answers. Car sales is a relationship business. It still involves people, and people still worry when they make a big purchase, like a car. They want to touch it, feel it and have someone they trust talk to them about the purchase they are about to make. It’s not a T-shirt they can order off the internet from some website. Outside of a house, a car is one of the biggest purchases we make, and people need feedback. What is the greatest importance of being a CFADA member? And what makes it beneficial? Pub Yr 2 | Issue 4 7 CFADA.ORG
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