Brian Lee Knight
Summary
Senior automotive retail executive with extensive experience in financial and business leadership. Demonstrated success in driving multimillion-dollar profitability and expanding market share while enhancing customer experience and developing future leaders.
Overview
1
1
Certification
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager - McCarthy Olathe Hyundai
McCarthy Auto Group
Greater Kansas City Area
04.2026 - 08.2026
- Led McCarthy Olathe Hyundai through GM realignment, overseeing dealership performance in variable and fixed operations, personnel management, customer experience, expense control, and profitability.
- Oversaw daily operations and ensured smooth dealership functionality.
- Managed staff recruitment, training, and performance evaluation processes.
- Developed and implemented strategic marketing plans to enhance brand visibility.
General Manager - McCarthy Chevrolet Lees Summit
McCarthy Auto Group
Greater Kansas City Area
01.2018 - 03.2026
- Generated $8.1M in bottom-line net profit after expenses in 2024 and $7.4M in 2025 - $15.5M combined over two years.
- Increased annual variable gross profit 58%, from $2.6M to $4.1M, while maintaining approximately 200 retail vehicle sales per month and ~2,400 annual units.
- Expanded market share and led the dealership to become the #1 new-vehicle Chevrolet dealer in the South Central Region and #1 Chevrolet dealer in the Kansas City market.
- Earned back-to-back Chevrolet Mark of Excellence Awards - the first consecutive wins in company history - while sustaining strong sales effectiveness and exceptional CSI.
- Maintained 78-82% fixed absorption with 30 main-line and lube technicians; enhanced customer-pay business through MPI discipline, video technology, Service Advisor training, body shop performance, and internal reconditioning.
- Developed internal leadership pipeline, mentoring employees into Finance Manager, Sales Manager, and General Manager roles within McCarthy Auto Group.
- Led a high-volume Chevrolet dealership with approximately 100 employees and full accountability for sales, F&I, service, parts, collision, reconditioning, customer experience, and financial performance.
General Manager - McCarthy Hyundai
McCarthy Auto Group
Greater Kansas City Area
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Secured consistent Top 3 ranking for store among Hyundai retailers in Kansas City market, maintaining strong sales effectiveness and exceptional CSI.
- Led dealership performance rebuild and competitive positioning after promotion from Finance Manager.
- Managed sales teams to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction.
- Oversaw daily operations of multiple automotive dealerships.
- Developed strategic marketing initiatives to promote dealership services.
Finance Manager
McCarthy Auto Group
Greater Kansas City Area
01.2007 - 01.2015
- Managed financial reporting and analysis for automotive operations.
- Oversaw cash flow management and forecasting processes.
- Developed annual budgets aligned with company goals and objectives.
- Oversaw F&I operations, optimizing deal structure, strengthening lender relationships, ensuring compliance, enhancing product penetration, and improving customer experience.
Finance Manager
Van Tuyl Automotive Group
Kansas City Area
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Managed financial planning and analysis for automotive sales operations.
- Oversaw cash flow management and liquidity strategies for the organization.
- Developed annual budgets and forecasts for departmental spending.
- Applied financial background to dealership finance, lender relationships, deal structure, compliance, and profitability after relocating from New York City to Kansas City.
Portfolio Manager - Private Equity Division
Morgan Stanley
New York, NY
01.1996 - 01.2004
- Secured $250M in client assets under management for Morgan Stanley's high-net-worth investment platform.
- Directed investment strategies across multiple vehicles, focusing on capital growth, preservation, risk management, and alignment with long-term client objectives.
- Managed diverse investment portfolios for high-net-worth clients at a leading financial firm.
- Developed strategic asset allocation plans to align with client financial goals.
- Analyzed market trends and economic indicators to inform investment decisions.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Accounting and Finance
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PASkills
- Dealership management
- Dealership P&L Management
- F&I
- Fixed Operations
- Pre-owned operations
- Sales Effectiveness
- Profit Growth
- Customer-Pay Growth
- Expense Control
- Market share analysis
- Operations management
- Strategic planning
- Team leadership
- Customer satisfaction
- CSI
Personal Information
Title: Automotive Retail Executive | General Manager | P&L & Operations Leader
Accomplishments
- $15.5M Net profit 2024-2025
- 58% Variable gross growth 2025
- #1 Chevrolet - South Central Region & Kansas City
- ~2,400 Annual retail units
- 100 Employees led
- $250M Client assets raised Morgan Stanley
Certification
- Series 7 NASD
- Series 63 NASD
Affiliations
- Kansas City Running Club
- St. Therese Catholic Church
Timeline
General Manager - McCarthy Olathe Hyundai
McCarthy Auto Group
04.2026 - 08.2026
General Manager - McCarthy Chevrolet Lees Summit
McCarthy Auto Group
01.2018 - 03.2026
General Manager - McCarthy Hyundai
McCarthy Auto Group
01.2015 - 01.2018
Finance Manager
McCarthy Auto Group
01.2007 - 01.2015
Finance Manager
Van Tuyl Automotive Group
01.2004 - 01.2007
Portfolio Manager - Private Equity Division
Morgan Stanley
01.1996 - 01.2004
Some College (No Degree) - Accounting and Finance
Pennsylvania State University