Brian DeFord
Oak Ridge,NC
Summary
I am looking forward to joining a team of professionals, dedicated to operational excellence. I am a great troubleshooter and enjoy fixing complex issues.
Self-motivated professional successful in seizing viable opportunities for expansion and innovation in business. Background in increasing profits, reducing costs, and transforming customer service standards. Experienced in leading and supervising operational and sales teams.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner
ActionCoach -Barnabas Culture
04.2023 - Current
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Monitored market conditions to set accurate product pricing and take advantage of emerging trends.
- Established foundational processes for business operations.
- Organized and attended trade shows and special events to showcase products, network with other businesses and attract new customers.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
- Identified and qualified customer needs and negotiated and closed profitable projects with high success rate.
General Manager
Asbury Automotive Group
09.2020 - 06.2022
- Performed all aspects and responsibilities of a dealership General Manager
Market Managing Director
Asbury Automotive Group
12.2019 - 04.2022
- Management and oversight responsibilities for Asbury Automotive Group (ABG) for the Greensboro NC market
- This included Crown Honda, Crown Nissan, Crown C-D-J-R, Crown BMW, Crown Acura and Crown Paint and Body
- Managed all area of Variable Operations and monitored management performance
- Supervised Regional Management team including Fixed Operations, Finance and Insurance, Marketing and Accounting
- Held monthly budget meetings with Regional Managers to set performance expectations for each dealership and market
- Held one on one meetings with eth GM's to communicate corporate KPI's and ROI objectives
- Held monthly P/L review meetings with dealership department managers to ensure NTG targets and operational best practices are met
- Implemented monthly asset review meetings to facilitate appropriate utilizations of assets with department managers
- Communicated with OEM representatives as needed
- Monitored and adjusted staff schedules based on changing operational demand
- Analyzed and optimized sales, marketing and promotional strategies using industry expertise
- Recommended and implemented procedural changes to enhance services for customers
General Manager
Ilderton D-C-J-R-FIAT
09.2013 - 12.2019
- Created and implemented innovative business strategies to drive record sales growth
- Analyzed store reports to evaluate performance, increase sales and reduce controllable expenses
- Monitored team member performance, conducting evaluations and recommending promotions
- Enforced adherence to operational guidelines, brand standards and service expectations
- Addressed customer service issues with detailed and timely responses to escalated complaints
- Collaborated with senior management to develop KPIs, build operating dashboards and monitor performance
General Manager
Asbury Automotive Group/Crown C-D-J-R
11.2005 - 08.2013
- Oversee daily operations of the dealership
- Analyze financial statements to determine deficiencies in the operation
- Evaluated the performance of team members and took corrective action when needed
- Lead the team to manufacturer compliance in regards to MSR
- Restored profitability and stability to an underperforming store
General Manager/ Consultant
Palmer Dodge-Hyundai
01.2005 - 08.2005
- Performed all operations of a general manager in both dealerships
- Prepared business plans for Hyundai and Chrysler to correct out of compliance conditions
- Restored profitability to the Hyundai dealership and increased profitability at the Dodge dealership
Owner/Dealer Principal
Frankfort Ford
07.2000 - 11.2004
- Operated the dealership as an active owner
- Negotiated credit facilities for the dealership
- Established policies and procedures to ensure safe and ethical operations
Owner/Dealer Principal
DeFord D-C-J-R
05.1996 - 11.2004
- Operated dealership as the GM supervising all the activities of the dealership
- Negotiated floorplan lines and credit facility for the operation
- Communicated with banking institutions and boards
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business
Indiana Wesleyan Univerity
Marion, IN12-1992
Skills
- Leadership
- Sales and Marketing
- Financial analysis
- Complex problem solving
- Public Speaking
- Vision Casting
- Social media control
- Marketing tactics
- Customer relations
- Competitive analysis
- Market trend awareness
- Human resources
- Sales management
- Business planning
- Labor relations
- Bidding processes
- Budget development
- Client service
- Sales strategy development
- Accounting expertise
- KPI management
- Cash flow optimization
- Relationship building
- Budget administration
- Key partnership cultivation
- Business management
- Profit and loss analysis
- Sales leadership
- Hiring and staffing
- Financial planning
- Strategic project planning
Certified Flight Instructor
I soloed an airplane before I could had my driver's license. All of my family has a love a flying. I currently hold instructor ratings in SEL and Gliders.
Avid Boater
I acquired my first boat 6 years ago and I have since upgraded to a bigger boat (of course). My wife and I love our days on the lake entertaining our friend and family
Timeline
Owner
ActionCoach -Barnabas Culture
04.2023 - Current
General Manager
Asbury Automotive Group
09.2020 - 06.2022
Market Managing Director
Asbury Automotive Group
12.2019 - 04.2022
General Manager
Ilderton D-C-J-R-FIAT
09.2013 - 12.2019
General Manager
Asbury Automotive Group/Crown C-D-J-R
11.2005 - 08.2013
General Manager/ Consultant
Palmer Dodge-Hyundai
01.2005 - 08.2005
Owner/Dealer Principal
Frankfort Ford
07.2000 - 11.2004
Owner/Dealer Principal
DeFord D-C-J-R
05.1996 - 11.2004
Bachelor of Science - Business
Indiana Wesleyan Univerity
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