COLE AUSTIN ARD
Jacksonville,Fl
Summary
Customer oriented leadership professional with a focus in profitability within franchised dealerships. Skillfully navigate business through periods of accelerated revenue growth and continuous improvement.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Finance Director
Duval Ford
Jacksonville, FL
04.2023 - 08.2025
- Maintained Platinum status with Ford Credit and top market share, Duval Ford 66% YTD, Region 41% YTD, continuing to qualify as a Partners in Quality dealer for 2025.
- Submit and follow funding for every deal, 5-day funding average.
- Organized and managed deals, 3-day unbooked average.
- Provided leadership and mentorship to all seven finance team closers at Duval Ford.
- Prepared detailed financial forecasts to support strategic decision-making initiatives.
- Developed and implemented annual financial plans and budgets.
- Excellent CSI.
- Excellent relationships with all lenders.
- Assisted in negotiating and closing deals.
- Recruited, interviewed, and trained new F&I managers.
- Consistent top performer both in unit sales and F&I gross profit.
- Hired, trained, and motivated through daily meetings.
- Efficient in Word, Excel, V Auto, Vinsolutions, DLR DMV, Dealertrack, RouteOne, and FMC dealer.
- Managed annual budgeting process, ensuring alignment with company goals.
- Oversaw audits, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and internal policies.
Sales Manager
Jacksonville Chrysler Jeep Dodge
Jacksonville, FL
07.2021 - 03.2023
- Led a sales force of sales representatives, generating high sales profit in the region.
- Purchase vehicles from the auction.
- Order all new cars.
- Managed inventory of new vehicles and used vehicles.
- Organized and managed all vehicles for wholesale.
- Made sure all used vehicles were rotated, sold, or sent to the auction within 60 days.
- Price all new and used vehicles online.
- Assisted in negotiating and closing deals.
- Oversee staffing requirements, and hire and train new employees.
- Set sales objectives for each individual sales representative.
- Recruited, interviewed, and trained new sales representatives.
Finance Director
Keith Pierson Toyota
Jacksonville, FL
06.2019 - 06.2021
- Top Southeast Toyota Finance OneSource dealer maintaining 85% monthly.
- Submit and follow funding for every deal.
- Managed up to four F&I managers.
- Organized and managed all deals.
- Made sure all deals are funded in 15 days.
- Excellent CSI
- Excellent relationships with all lenders.
- Assisted in negotiating and closing deals.
- Set objectives for each individual F&I manager.
- Recruited, interviewed, and trained new F&I managers.
- Consistent top performer both in unit sales and gross profit.
- Hired, trained, and motivated through daily meetings.
- Efficient in Word, Excel, First Look, Reynolds & Reynolds, Eleads, Dlrdmv, Dealertrack, and Routeone.
Sales Manager
Jacksonville Chrysler Jeep Dodge
Jacksonville, FL
01.2016 - 04.2019
- Led a sales force of 25+ sales representatives, generating high sales volume and profit in the region.
- Managed inventory of 600+ new vehicles and 180+ used vehicles.
- Organized and Managed all vehicles for Wholesale.
- Made sure all used vehicles were rotated and sold or sent to the auction in 60 days.
- Priced all used vehicles online.
- Assisted in negotiating and closing deals.
- Oversee staffing requirements and hire and train new employees.
- Set sales objectives for each individual sales representative.
- Recruited, interviewed and trained new sales representatives.
Sales Associate
Jacksonville Chrysler Jeep Dodge
Jacksonville, FL
01.2015 - 12.2015
Parts Associate
Jacksonville Chrysler Jeep Dodge
Jacksonville, FL
03.2013 - 12.2014
Lot Porter
Jacksonville Chrysler Jeep Dodge
Jacksonville, FL
08.2012 - 02.2013
Education
Diploma -
Bartram Trail High School
St. Johns, Florida06.2012
Objective
Finance Director and Sales Manager with years of Desking and Used Car experience who adapts seamlessly to constantly evolving processes and technology. Total of over thirteen years experience in the car business. I am looking to relocate to the Tampa area and obtain a long term position with a company that offers future opportunities for advancement.
References
(Numbers available upon request)
- Andrew Server-Ford Credit
- Steve Dowling-Southeast Toyota Finance
- John Casissa-AMSI
- Jose Negron-GSM Murray Ford
- Alex Graham-Owner Duval Ford
- Adam Williams-GSM Duval Ford
- Jack Schoen-Ally Financial
- Jonathan McDowell-GM Keith Pierson Toyota
- Anderson Premdas-GSM Keith Pierson Toyota
- Hamzah Issa-Finance Director Jacksonville CJD
- Dave Tag-Used Car Director Keith Pierson Toyota
- John Giglio-Used Car Director Jacksonville CJD
- Jeff Wagner-GM Southern Palms Mazda
Timeline
Finance Director
Duval Ford
04.2023 - 08.2025
Sales Manager
Jacksonville Chrysler Jeep Dodge
07.2021 - 03.2023
Finance Director
Keith Pierson Toyota
06.2019 - 06.2021
Sales Manager
Jacksonville Chrysler Jeep Dodge
01.2016 - 04.2019
Sales Associate
Jacksonville Chrysler Jeep Dodge
01.2015 - 12.2015
Parts Associate
Jacksonville Chrysler Jeep Dodge
03.2013 - 12.2014
Lot Porter
Jacksonville Chrysler Jeep Dodge
08.2012 - 02.2013
Diploma -
Bartram Trail High School
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