BJ Lavota Jr.
Oconomowoc,WI
Summary
Finance services professional with strong background in financial management and insurance operations. Known for delivering impactful results and fostering successful team collaboration. Highly adaptable and reliable, excelling in dynamic environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Finance & Insurance Manager
Wisconsin Harley-Davidson
03.2020 - 10.2025
- Managed finance operations, ensuring compliance with regulations and company policies.
- Oversaw budget planning and forecasting processes to optimize financial performance.
- Develop and maintain relationships with lenders to provide financing to all clients.
- Present and contract insurance product to enhance ownership experience for consumers.
- Manage finance contracts "in transit" insuring prompt payment to the dealership from lenders.
- Maintain accurate logs recording all financial transactions and income.
Sales Manager
Hall Volkswagen / Mazda Of Brookfield
08.2018 - 03.2020
- Collaborated with marketing to devise promotional strategies that aligned with corporate goals and objectives.
- Provided ongoing training and mentorship for junior sales staff, fostering professional development and career growth.
- Elevated brand visibility, coordinating with marketing to launch successful promotional campaigns.
- Held one-on-one meetings with sales team members to identify selling hurdles and offered insight into best remedy.
- Handled customer relations issues, enabling quick resolution, and client satisfaction.
Sales Manager
Zimbrick Volkswagen Of Madison
07.2016 - 08.2018
- Developed and implemented sales strategies to increase market penetration and revenue growth.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction through targeted campaigns.
- Analyzed sales data to identify trends, enabling informed decision-making for product positioning.
- Trained and mentored junior sales staff, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
Financial Services Manager
International Autos
03.2010 - 06.2016
- Develop and maintain relationships with lenders to provide financing for all customers, including those with imperfect credit.
- Train / educate sales people on financial services products to prepare clients for “what comes next”.
- Schedule / host training meetings for Financial Services managers from other International Autos group dealerships.
- Sell insurance products designed to protect the vehicle from damage due to environment and road hazard.
- Sell service contracts designed to limit the financial exposure of repairs and routine maintenance.
- Prepare and execute all necessary paperwork pertaining to the purchase or lease of new and used vehicles.
- Manage finance contracts in transit, assuring prompt payments to the dealership from the banks.
- Maintain accurate logs recording all financial income from bank reserve and insurance products.
- Increased aftermarket product sales by an average of 18% annually since 2010
- Highest gross average profit per product 2010, 2012, 2013.
- Highest gross average profit per deal 2012, 2013, 2014.
- Highest number of products per deal average 2012, 2013, 2014
Education
Associate Degree - Marketing Communications
Milwaukee Area Technical College
MilwaukeeSkills
- Operational efficiency
- Insurance underwriting
- Cash flow management
- Credit analysis
- Portfolio management
- Pricing strategy
Accomplishments
- Reduced funding wait times from 7-10 days to 3-5 days.
- Increased insurance product penetration by 30%!
- Developed a "Walk in" Extended Service Contract program.
- Increased Finance Department revenue by 10% year over year.
- Achieved Top 5 ranking for both Extended Service Contracts and Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) HDFS
Certification
- Master Certified Sales Manager HDFS (2023-2025)
- Master Certified Financial Services Manager HDFS (2021-2025)
- Volkswagen Certified Sales Manager (2016-2020)
- Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz Certified Finance Manager (2010-2016)
Timeline
Finance & Insurance Manager
Wisconsin Harley-Davidson
03.2020 - 10.2025
Sales Manager
Hall Volkswagen / Mazda Of Brookfield
08.2018 - 03.2020
Sales Manager
Zimbrick Volkswagen Of Madison
07.2016 - 08.2018
Financial Services Manager
International Autos
03.2010 - 06.2016
Associate Degree - Marketing Communications
Milwaukee Area Technical College
PERSONAL
I am very self motivated and thrive on success. My passions away from work are my family, reading, learning, cooking, golfing and fitness.