Dan Nilsestuen
Sussex,WI
Summary
Over 33 years of experience in sales and finance within the automotive industry, demonstrating a proven track record of success across all departments. Expertise in adapting to evolving business practices while maintaining core sales principles. Strong leadership skills have driven growth in finance and sales management at top-rated dealerships. Knowledgeable in both traditional and digital marketing strategies, effectively engaging diverse consumer demographics.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
General Sales Manager
Rosen Automotive Group
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
06.2023 - Current
- Direct sales strategies to enhance customer engagement and drive revenue growth.
- Manage daily operations of sales team to ensure high-performance standards.
- Develop training programs for new hires to improve product knowledge and skills.
- Analyze market trends to identify opportunities for expanding sales initiatives.
- Collaborate with marketing team to create promotional campaigns for new and pre-owned vehicles.
- Oversee inventory management processes to maintain optimal stock levels and availability.
- Implement customer feedback systems to enhance service quality and satisfaction.
- Foster relationships with key clients to strengthen loyalty and service retention.
- Hire and motivate team members, working closely with salespeople and customers to negotiate and close deals.
- Utilize expert negotiation, closing and marketing skills while ensuring dynamic customer response and follow-up.
- Follow up with existing customers to generate new prospective buyers through referrals.
- Identify areas needing improvement in order to maximize efficiency.
- Encourage team members to meet and exceed objectives by setting goals, track performance daily and implement improvement strategies.
- Maintain department profitability while controlling expenses and promoting customer satisfaction.
- Maintain accurate records of all transactions in the company's CRM system.
- Review inventory data to make adjustments, evaluate forecasts and meet demands.
- Review KPIs daily and implemented critical adjustments to increase performance for each metric.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to sales activities.
- Utilize established sales techniques and persuasive communication skills to meet personal sales objectives.
- Coordinate with other departments to ensure timely delivery of products or services to customers.
- Analyze competitor strategies to gain an edge over them in the marketplace.
- Implement effective incentive programs for sales reps to boost productivity levels.
- Reduce inventory day supply, driving additional revenue from floor plan credit.
General Sales Manager
John Amato CDJR
Glendale, WI
02.2020 - 05.2023
- Drove revenue growth through strategic sales execution, customer engagement, and expert negotiation.
- Led daily sales operations by setting goals, monitoring KPIs, and implementing performance improvement strategies.
- Recruited, trained, motivated, and managed sales staff to maintain high productivity and accountability.
- Analyzed market trends, competitor activity, and customer feedback to identify growth opportunities and improve efficiency.
- Collaborated with marketing and internal departments to execute effective promotions and ensure timely product delivery.
- Oversaw inventory management, forecasting, and turnover to optimize stock levels, reduce day supply, and increase profitability.
- Built and maintained strong client relationships while driving customer retention, referrals, and satisfaction.
- Maintained departmental profitability by controlling expenses, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maximizing operational effectiveness.
- Managed CRM accuracy, sales documentation, and follow-up processes to support consistent customer communication.
Used Car Sales Director
Ewald Automotive Group
Oconomowoc, WI
02.2018 - 02.2020
- Analyzed market conditions to identify low inventory and high demand merchandise.
- Monitored lead source performance and allocated advertising budget accordingly.
- Collaborated with business development center to respond effectively to internet and phone inquiries.
- Researched auctions for low supply inventory based on demand, quality, options, and colors.
- Evaluated competitor strategies to enhance inventory visibility.
- Set competitive pricing while ensuring profit margins were maintained.
- Streamlined reconditioning processes from acquisition through inspection to online presentation.
- Trained sales team on complete sales process, conducting weekly one-on-ones to address weaknesses.
Finance Director
Sommer's Automotive
Mequon, WI
02.2015 - 01.2018
- Led a 8 manager team, securing financing through multiple lenders
- Nearly 3,600 sold and delivered units in 2018
- Streamlined finance process creating a smoother transition from sales to finance office
- Secured and maximized profits by presenting additional products including service/maintenance plans GAP coverage and physical damage plans
- Audited all deal jackets for proper documentation
- Minimized funding compliance issues
- Trained finance and sales staff on structuring deals properly to maximize profits
- Process all required federal and state documents
- Stayed in compliance with all OFAC, Red Flags, Risk Based pricing regulations
- Reinforced the importance of privacy and followed up that all personal information is secure
- CVR registration of every bought car
- Held weekly and monthly meetings with the staff to discuss current numbers and how they relate to the monthly objectives and goals
- Watch video playback of the team's deliveries to better pin point problem areas
- Monitor banking site checking for any held or rejected contracts and resolve any issues
General Sales Manager
Kayser Nissan
Madison, WI
06.2010 - 01.2015
- Desked/negotiated all sales transactions
- Appraised all potential trade-in vehicles
- Bought all used car inventory and wholesaled unwanted units
- Monitored and authorized used car safety inspections
- Created the annual dealership sales forecasts. Estimated total vehicle sales, gross and operating profits and expenses for the new-and-used sales departments
- Met with vehicle sales staff to plan and implement objectives for achieving sales and gross profits
- Hired and monitored performance of department managers
- Held weekly sales meetings and conducted sales training
- Oversaw standards for display and merchandising both new and used vehicles
- Coordinated the appropriate supply of new and used vehicles and ordered/acquired vehicle inventory accordingly
- Met monthly with the dealership’s owner to review forecasts and profits for each department
- Worked directly with the owner, making recommendations on both short and long-range advertising plans, sales promotions, staffing needs, lease promotions and compensation plans
- Tended to customer complaints, ensuring high level customer satisfaction was obtained
- Maintained department profitability while controlling expenses and ensuring customer satisfaction
- Achieved dealership growth by advising the owner on short and long-range advertising plans, sales promotions, staffing needs and lease promotions
Finance Manager/Director
Russ Darrow Group
Milwaukee, WI
01.2003 - 06.2010
- Specialized in sub-prime credit applications
- Offered vehicle financing and insurance to customers and provided them with a thorough explanation of aftermarket products, extended warranties, manufacturer and dealership service procedures and policies
- Sought new lending institutions and maintained good working relationships to secure competitive interest rates and financing programs
- Processed financing and leasing deals accurately and secured approval through the proper federal, state and corporate channels
- Understood and complied with federal, state and local regulations that affect the new and used-vehicle and finance departments including red flags, fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering
- Created and maintained programs with the sales department that ensured all new/used sales are referred to the F&I department
- Trained and provided the sales team with information on finance and lease programs and the benefits of the dealership’s financing and extended service programs
General Sales Manager
Falls Chevrolet
Menomonee Falls
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Structured and negotiated all vehicle sales transactions to maximize gross and customer satisfaction.
- Evaluated and appraised trade-in vehicles to determine accurate market value.
- Acquired used vehicle inventory and managed wholesale disposition of non-retail units.
- Authorized and monitored used vehicle safety inspections to ensure compliance and quality standards.
- Developed annual dealership sales forecasts, projecting unit volume, gross profit, operating expenses, and overall profitability for new and used departments.
- Partnered with sales leadership to establish targets and execute strategies to achieve sales volume and gross profit objectives.
- Recruited, supervised, and evaluated department managers to ensure consistent performance and accountability.
- Conducted weekly sales meetings and led ongoing sales training initiatives.
- Directed vehicle merchandising and display standards for both new and pre-owned inventory.
- Managed vehicle supply levels by coordinating and sourcing new and used inventory based on demand and forecasts.
- Reviewed financial performance and forecasts with dealership ownership on a monthly basis.
- Collaborated closely with ownership to recommend advertising strategies, sales promotions, staffing plans, lease programs, and compensation structures.
- Resolved customer concerns promptly to maintain high levels of satisfaction and retention.
- Controlled departmental expenses while maintaining profitability and customer experience standards.
- Contributed to dealership growth through strategic planning, promotional initiatives, and operational recommendations.
New Car Sales Manager
Russ Darrow Group
Milwaukee, WI
01.1995 - 01.2000
- Directed marketing strategies for 4 distinct manufacturers, including Nissan, Isuzu, Pontiac, and Kia.
- Coordinated inventory management to ensure optimal stock levels.
- Leveraged CRM database to drive customer contacts, appointments, and sales.
- Facilitated team meetings to discuss performance and set sales goals.
- Implemented training programs to improve sales techniques and product knowledge.
- Analyzed market trends to adjust pricing and promotional strategies.
Skills
OEM Liason, Sales Closing, Associate Training, Finance, Inventory Control and Merchandising and Marketing, Business Development, Hiring and Termination, Credit Analysis, Customer Relations,
Strong Leadership and Excel in Problem Solving, Relationship Building, Time Management and Communication.
Timeline
General Sales Manager
Rosen Automotive Group
06.2023 - Current
General Sales Manager
John Amato CDJR
02.2020 - 05.2023
Used Car Sales Director
Ewald Automotive Group
02.2018 - 02.2020
Finance Director
Sommer's Automotive
02.2015 - 01.2018
General Sales Manager
Kayser Nissan
06.2010 - 01.2015
Finance Manager/Director
Russ Darrow Group
01.2003 - 06.2010
General Sales Manager
Falls Chevrolet
01.2000 - 01.2003
New Car Sales Manager
Russ Darrow Group
01.1995 - 01.2000