Raj Alexander is an active new member of CFADA, and he is also the managing partner at two dealerships, Porsche South Orlando and Central Florida Lincoln. We recently talked with Raj about his life, his work and his experiences in the industry.
Please tell us about your childhood and education.
I was born in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India. I was an only child. My mom and I moved to the U.S. when I was 11 years old. We were very blessed to have a close family, which is normal in our Indian culture. My mother worked long hours in retail to provide for us, and I grew up in an extended household with my grandparents, uncle and aunt, who all had a hand in raising me. Growing up, I wanted to be a doctor; in our culture, it’s looked at favorably if one pursues a career in medicine, computer sciences or business. I had an affinity for math and sciences, so becoming a doctor seemed a natural choice. I played football and focused on my academics, which helped me attend Rutgers University to pursue my career in medicine.
During my studies at Rutgers University, I lost my motivation to pursue medicine and steered my attention to pursuing Business Management/Finance.
What interested you as a child and young man?
I loved anything related to cars. I remember going for haircuts with my grandfather, and he would buy me matchbox cars to add to my collection each time. In my teens, I would love car shows and detailing cars. In my 20s, I loved tuning my cars and going to the race track.
When did you become interested in the dealership industry?
After Rutgers, I started a management training career path with Circuit City; I quickly realized I excelled at sales in each department I was assigned to. A friend working in a car dealership convinced me to try my sales talent in the automotive world. I started out as a Top Sales Rep in my first month, soon was selling 30+ cars a month and already was focused on moving to the finance manager position. I found it easy to make friends with prospects, and I quickly earned repeat and referral sales from customers who became clients for life.
What happened next?
I migrated to South Florida and started at Braman BMW in West Palm Beach, Florida. I spent the next 18 years there growing in responsibility. I held positions as a sales adviser, finance manager, sales manager, general sales manager and director of sales and ultimately became the general manager of Braman Porsche West Palm Beach.
After that, I had an opportunity to become the general manager of Mercedes-Benz of Palm Beach, which had a pathway for me to become the VP of the Florida dealership in the automotive group. As each year passed, my dream of owning a dealership by the time I turned 40 was fading until January 2020, when an opportunity came via an unsolicited phone call, ironically on the morning of my 40th birthday. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a Saturday morning when the opportunity to become a Managing Partner on the brand I hold close to my heart (Porsche) became a reality.
Looking back, it proved to be the best move of my career. Now I just acquired my second dealership, Central Florida Lincoln, and I am looking forward to additional dealerships in the future.
Why is Orlando a great market right now?
Florida continues to lead the nation in growth. Over 1,000 people move to Florida each day, motivated by favorable taxes and a booming real-estate market. And who can complain about our weather? Central Florida has a vibrant hospitality industry and is a hub for medical and technical companies. I see tremendous growth potential in Central Florida over the next 10-15 years.
Please tell us about your mentors.
My greatest mentor in life is my mother. She is my hero and my best friend. She is my biggest fan, and from a young age, I always wanted to make her proud. She has worked in the sales industry for many years, and I learned everything I know about sales from her. She has a work ethic to this day that I admire, and I love that she has always followed her heart in all that she does. My grandfather, uncle, stepfather and countless other managers I have worked for over the years have
had a profound impact on the person I am today.
Why did you join CFADA, and how have you been involved in it since then?
CFADA has a vested interest in supporting dealers. Evelyn Cardenas recently helped me plan an event that would allow us to get more empowered women involved in our community to our dealership. We are also planning some events for the annual CFADA auto show to engage the people who attend.
Why is membership in CFADA important? What are the benefits?
CFADA builds relationships with legislators and protects dealer interests. The leaders and staff can answer legal or business questions and advise you about investing in your business or growing more effectively. CFADA also invests in helping dealers recruit and educate younger people about opportunities in the auto business. It creates pathways into the industry for people, especially young people.
What is your biggest career accomplishment so far?
I am proud of the culture we have in our dealerships. We share our passion with our clients and stay involved in giving back to our local community. It is important to me that we help our employees have balance in their lives. They are my number one resource, and I never lose sight of that. Without them, we have nothing.
What are the three most valuable career suggestions you would give someone you wanted to mentor?
- To be successful, do what you love. Be passionate and engaged.
- Stay true to your values and your principles.
- Be patient enough to learn but impatient enough to take risks.
What has been the secret to your success and growth in the industry?
I learned early that I could only go so far on my own. So I surround myself with the best people, pay them well, and remove hurdles so they can succeed.
Tell us about your family?
I have a son (12) and a daughter (10). They are amazing young people who are smart, kind and faith-driven. My daughter loves animals, and my son loves the arts. I push them to do what they love; there is no do-over in life.
What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t working?
I don’t have as much free time being a dad, and my business commitments take up most of it. However, I enjoy golf and racing cars on the track when I can fit them in. Most of all, I love my family time with my children.
What is your favorite car? Also, what are you driving now?
My all-time favorite car is the Porsche Carrera GT. It’s a V10, manual transmission supercar the likes of which will never be made again. I would love to have that in my collection someday. I currently own a Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. I believe it’s the ultimate daily driver that is also a supercar.
Do you have any last words for those reading your article?
I love what I do. There isn’t a day I don’t wake up that I feel so humbled and blessed for all the opportunities I have had, the people I have met and the dedication I have seen. The last 22 years in the automotive industry have been a dream come true. I look forward to all that is ahead for us all, with incredible hope for a better and brighter future.
