could come into the store and find great success, quickly. I watched this happen time and time again. Eventually, it came down to my brother and me. We came to work every day doing what was best for the company. I realized then that there were no quick fixes to make a business really successful.” He continued, “There’s nothing wrong with going outside and getting a really talented person, but even better would be to promote somebody from within your organization. An employee who has been given the tools to grow and the resources to succeed.” Today, Gary and his brother, Greg, run the dealership that was acquired by their parents in 1990. “My brother and I are deeply entrenched in the automotive industry, we work hard every day to live up to and honor the family legacy of dedication and hard work that my parents passed along to us,” he said. In 2000, Gary was entrusted to manage Toyota of El Cajon and has been dedicated to upholding the high standards and values that have defined his family’s legacy ever since. The store has received numerous honors, including the coveted Toyota President’s Cabinet Award multiple times. “This distinguished accolade is awarded to only the top 12 Toyota dealerships in the United States and acknowledges overall exceptional performance in sales, customer satisfaction and overall operational excellence,” he said. The Kaminsky brothers’ K Motors auto group also includes new car dealerships, Honda of El Cajon and Puente Hills Toyota in City of Industry, California, as well as two satellite stores, Toyota Certified Center of Santee and Honda Service Center, both in Santee, California. In addition to creating a positive culture for both customers and employees, giving back to the community is something that is important to Gary. His company’s philanthropic programs include community outreach and dealership events. One significant collaboration is with the San Diego River Park Foundation (SDRPF), for which the dealership has committed to planting a tree for every vehicle sold. “This initiative has led to the planting of more than 50,000 trees across our local area,” Gary said. “Notable projects in the Boulder Creek Preserve Habitat, Eagle Peak Ranch and Santee Lakes Recreational Preserve have helped to enhance the natural beauty of our region and contributed to preserving the environment.” The dealership also supports the future SDRPF River Center at Grant Park, a new 17-acre complex in Mission Valley that will offer hands-on nature learning experiences about the river and its wildlife to children and adults from urban communities. Toyota of El Cajon proudly sponsors the local National Night Out event, a free, family-friendly gathering aimed at building strong bonds between the community and law enforcement agencies and the Helen Woodward Animal Center’s signature events, including the Surf Dog Surf-A-Thon and Pawmicon, which raise funds for the organization’s educational programs and humane care and adoption of homeless animals. Gary has also given his employees and residents the opportunity to give back to the community by collaborating with the San Diego Food Bank annual food drive and the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program which fulfills holiday wishes for children. And he has partnered with Toyota and the Kids in Need Foundation for the “Big Summer Giveback” which provides filled backpacks with school supplies for children in low-income communities. Driving Towards a Greener Future — Toyota of El Cajon relocated in 2009 to become San Diego’s first LEED Green Dealership. From energy efficiency to reduced environmental impact, they’re committed to a cleaner future. NCDA.COM 7
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