This article was originally published in 2019-2020 Issue 2.
Speaking to the Chairman of the Auto Show was a bit different than with the various dealers, but we learned some interesting things about George, the auto shows and his perspective on the auto industry.
Describe your education background. What did you study?
I have a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University, and a law degree I received from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago in 1969.
You have a law degree, but how did you become a car dealer? Did you always aspire to be part of the automotive industry?
I didn’t start my career in the auto industry with any plans to enter the auto industry. I had a couple of friends in college who had family members in the business, but I was in law school and planning on becoming a lawyer. One of my friends – a former college professor with a Ph.D. in Economics – had a father-in-law who had a Chevrolet dealership. One day, he put his arm around me and said, “George, come to work for me.” I explained I was in law school and had my career path set; I was going to become a big-time lawyer in Chicago. My friend pulled out the Yellow Pages and opened it up to the “big-time lawyer section.” There were a lot of lawyers. Even I could see there were a lot.
So I did get my law degree, but I also decided to give car sales a try. I started in the automotive business in 1970 as a new-car salesman at Bill Jacobs Chevrolet in Joliet, Illinois. In 1972, I was promoted to sales manager after selling more than 1,200 cars in two years. It turns out I had a knack for selling cars.
In 1973, two things happened: I sold a car to an FBI agent from Memphis. He knew people in Florida, and I got a job offer to become a general manager at a Cadillac dealership. I took it. Figured I couldn’t get a better reference than the FBI!
I purchased my first dealership in 1977, in Tavares, Florida. It was an Oldsmobile dealership – a single point dealership – and I was there for 25 years. I had a good run with them until the manufacturer killed off Oldsmobile. So, I bought a Saturn dealership in Montgomery, Alabama – which, as we all know now, also went the way of Oldsmobile. I was eventually able to turn my dealership in Montgomery into a Subaru franchise, and in 2010, I was able to negotiate a Chevrolet franchise in Wildwood, Florida. My wife, Ann, used to say, “I married a lawyer and got a car salesman.” Right before she passed away, she told me that she wouldn’t change a thing. The car industry has been good to me.
Do you have family members in the auto industry?
No family members. My cousin worked with me for years, but sadly he passed away. I am a first-generation dealer, and I came up through the ranks.
Are there any specific individuals who had a major impact on your career?
Bill Jacobs. He was the consummate teacher. There were 25 people who started their careers and came up through the ranks at his dealership, and they all became dealers and very successful in their own right. He grew dealers. Working for Bill was an invaluable experience.
Another person who made a difference in my career – and my life – was Terry York. He was one of the managers at a Bill Jacobs dealership. Terry and Ray Dennison were both mentors and good friends. Both went on to become dealers. The auto industry is a good place to learn from one another.
What are some professional moments that make you the proudest?
In 2002, I became the first person in Florida to win the TIME magazine Quality Dealer of the Year award, which is probably the most prestigious award a dealer can earn. That was a moment I was very humbled. I was also named a Northern Illinois University Husky Legend. They held the ceremony where I was honored on the football field. It was raining, but it was one of the best moments.
As you look back on your career and life, what would be three things you have learned that you would pass onto a younger member within the auto industry?
I’m a big believer in making your own luck and getting out of your own way to do it. I went to college for seven years, got a law degree and changed careers immediately. I think a lot of people wouldn’t have walked away from that kind of time and money investment in their education, but I saw an opportunity, and I took it. I think a lot of people let their perceptions of how things should be limit their abilities in terms of how things could be.
I would encourage young people to take a chance on opportunities as they come. I am proud to be a car salesman. I may be a dealer, but I am a car salesman at heart. Car dealers are doers. They have to be. They “do” for a lot of people. They are very giving people, and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of the ranks.
And then, I would encourage people to take life more as it comes. Learn to play the hand you’re dealt – but play it well. I think that’s the key.
What is the most rewarding part of your career?
As a salesman, as a sales manager and as a dealer, this is what I’ve always wanted to do. I like to sell cars.
Was there ever an “aha” moment in your career that defined you?
There have been lots of moments. Life is a culmination of moments, I think. I am driven by accomplishments. I never did anything for money. I want to be the best at whatever I do. I want to know that I did the best I could.
Are you involved in any civic or charitable organizations?
I am; I believe in giving back to our communities. I have been chairman of the Florida Citrus Sports Association for many years. I’ve been a director for the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida, as well as a member of the Eustis Rotary Club.
One of the things that I am most proud of is the ten and a half million dollars our association raised for our automotive training center, the Barbara Miller Central Florida Automotive Training Center at Seminole State College. I think we all know that we are facing a terrible shortage of trained auto technicians, and 10 years ago, we decided to do something about it.
I think a lot of young people are pushed into going to college when they would be better served to look at a trade instead. We don’t have enough people who can do things with their hands. We need to change that.
Describe your all-time favorite vehicle – it can be one you’ve owned or something on your wish list. What are you driving today?
Well, today I’m driving a used Equinox. My favorite car was the Corvette I drove when I couldn’t afford it.
What is the biggest impact of being a CFADA member? What makes it beneficial?
I’ve been a member of CFADA since I’ve been a dealer here in Florida. As dealers, we’re all involved in the communities we live and do business in. Giving back is important, making things better. Our association is very active, we’re supportive of one another, and we get things done.
What is your favorite way to spend your free time? Any unusual hobbies?
Nothing really unusual. I play some golf – not as much as I used to or would like. And I sell cars.
Tell us about your family.
My wife, Ann, passed away when she was 38 years old. Way too young. I am still single.
Car dealers are doers. They have to be. They do for a lot of people. They are very giving people, and couldn’t be more proud to be part of the ranks.
You have been the Chairman of the Orlando Auto Show for many years; what are some of the changes you’ve seen over the years?
I’ve been involved with the show for about 25 to 30 years now. You know it’s the show that helped us build the training center. There were many individual contributions, and we worked with our vendors, but the auto show was a big factor in getting that center done.
What are your thoughts on the popularity of auto shows?
I think it’s a mixed bag. I hear the comments, but people like them. If the auto show is good, people will come. I think the displays have gotten better over the years; the videos are definitely better. There are lots of things to entertain the customers. I think the concept cars are waning. I haven’t seen a really good one in years. You can have movie stars, you can have singers and dancers, but at the end of the day, it’s about the cars. People like to see the cars. They want to sit in the cars, touch the cars and see themselves in the cars. Orlando’s show is in the top 20 – we’re 18th in the country. I think we have a good show.
