James Ayers
Kansas City,USA
Summary
Experienced Automotive Fixed Operations Professional with 32-years total experience in the Automotive business, 25 years with Hendrick Automotive Group in Kansas City. Overseeing 6 service departments, Hendrick Toyota, Hummer of Kansas City, Hendrick Chevrolet, Hendrick Nissan, Hendrick Collision center and Hendrick Buick Cadillac. With a combined service gross of $17.4M+, managed operations with teamwork, precision, dedication and great employees. With 32+ years total in the Automotive field, I drive growth, foster operational excellence, adapt to modern technologies, and mentor top performers. My dedication to daily improvement and efficiency sets me apart, while my work ethic and leadership make me valuable in any work place environment. Skilled in developing internal processes and establishing strong relationships my expertise in strategic marketing initiatives and customer engagement strategies further strengthens my capability to drive business growth and achieve exceptional results.
Advertising professional with proven track record in crafting and executing impactful marketing campaigns. Known for fostering team collaboration and driving results through innovative strategies. Reliable and adaptable, consistently meeting changing market needs with creativity and precision. Skilled in media planning, brand development, and client relations.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Independent Fixed Operations Consultant
Ayers Enterprises LLC
Kansas City, Missouri
10.2024 - Current
- Facilitated collaboration with dealership fixed operations departments to conduct comprehensive financial analysis and formulate effective pricing strategies.
- Optimized service menu pricing to improve gross profit and strengthen advisor performance.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to streamline workflows and deliver training that improved consistency, staff development, and operational efficiency.
- Trained technicians to produce user-friendly inspection reports, improving clarity and supporting necessary service actions.
- Trained staff on best practices and standardized service procedures to raise operational performance.
- Enhanced client advisor and technician communication and presentation strategies to elevate service recommendations.
- Facilitated training sessions that strengthened team dynamics and promoted consistent work practices among staff.
- Refined communication methods and presentation styles to deliver impactful service recommendations and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Analyzed operational workflows to identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements.
- Developed training materials to enhance team understanding of operational procedures.
Advertising Director
Market One
Kansas City, Missouri
01.2013 - 2023
- Directed a team of 13 field sales agents to execute client-facing sales and marketing strategies.
- Collaborated with creative teams to design innovative campaigns aligned with client objectives.
- Analyzed market trends and consumer insights to refine advertising approaches and maximize impact.
- Oversaw digital marketing initiatives, optimizing performance through data-driven decision-making.
- Fostered relationships with clients, ensuring alignment of advertising goals with overall business strategy.
- Managed sales promotions and marketing strategies on major social media sites.
- Conducted weekly training sessions for agents on cold calling product presentations and ad map development to enhance sales effectiveness.
- Developed and maintained partnerships that contributed to achieving business goals and fostering deeper client connections.
- Executed marketing strategies for lost, inactive, and new dealership customers through digital campaigns, direct mail, recalls, paid search, and recovery efforts, boosting revenue by an average of 27%.
- Implemented tailored customer solutions that improved acquisition, loyalty, and brand recognition.
- Partnered with dealers and sales teams to improve profitability, protect revenue, and strengthen market performance.
- Managed database and website development to support more personalized client interactions and improve user experience.
- Analyzed market trends with sales teams to increase product visibility and adapt strategy to customer demand.
- Led cross-functional employee meetings along with quarterly performance reviews to improve communication, efficiency, and team performance.
- Developed innovative advertising strategies that enhanced brand visibility across multiple channels.
- Led cross-functional teams to execute integrated marketing campaigns effectively and efficiently.
- Developed and executed comprehensive advertising strategies to enhance brand awareness and engagement.
Fixed Operations Director
Hendrick Automotive Group
Kansas City, MO
05.1989 - 12.2014
- Fixed Operations Director at Hendrick Automotive Group for 25 years.
- Oversaw six service departments: Hendrick Chevrolet, Hendrick Toyota, Hendrick Nissan, Hendrick Hummer of KC, Hendrick Buick Cadillac, and Hendrick Collision Center.
- Led over 446 employees and 9 managers across six rooftops, generating more than twenty million in labor gross and 1 M in parts and accessories monthly.
- Developed and executed attendance performance-based pay strategies, successfully lowering absenteeism to 16.2% across six rooftops.
- Implemented customer loyalty programs for oil changes, tires, brakes, batteries and wiper blades, increasing retention and revenue of quick service departments by over 36% each
- Developed and implemented an apprentice program for 'C' type technicians, enhancing workforce retention and skill development.
- Improved financial stability and profitability by raising technician efficiency and labor effectiveness.
- Chevrolet store earn GM Mark of Excellence for eight consecutive years. Toyota 12 years. Hummer 5. Caddy 11
- Led the Chevrolet store to rank second in net profit among 109 Hendrick dealerships for 4 consecutive years and earn Hendrick Presidents Awards for performance excellence, recognized by Rick Hendrick in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- involved in hiring decisions and conducted quarterly employee performance reviews.
- Developed departmental budgets that supported service quality, financial stability, and each departments profitability.
- Led operational strategy to enhance service department efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Developed training programs to improve team performance and skill advancement.
- Traveled as needed to other Hendrick Service departments to help with pressing pain points in fixed operations
- Oversaw Hendrick AUTOGUARD claims in Kansas City for claims in-excess of $2850 to help control cost.
- Developed and lead a 24 hour Used Vehicle mechanical recondition and Detail team
- Streamlined fixed operations processes to enhance service efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated with executive leadership to align departmental goals with overall business strategy.
Education
MBA - Automotive Engineering
Pittsburgh State University
Pittsburg, KS06.1991
Skills
- Core Automotive Skills
- Product presentation
- Automotive Fixed Operations
- Team Leadership
- Operational Efficiency
- Technician Training
- Customer Service
- Financial Analysis
- Strategic Planning
- Process Improvement
Certification
- National Automotive Dealers Association
- NADA National Automotive Dealers Association
- GM Service Management College
- General Motor 2010 Houston Texas
- NADA class #29002
- Kansas City
- ASE Automotive Council 2012
- Hendrick Automotive Future leaders training
- General Manager
- Charlotte North Carolina
- ASE automotive service excellence
- ASE 5 Courses
TRAINING / COURSES
- Automotive Management Future Leadership Courses in Automotive management.
- Hendrick University, Charlotte North Carolina
- GM mark of excellence
- General Motors
- Toyota Presidents Award
- Toyota USA
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
- Revenue Growth Through Advisor Sales Execution
- Increased annual revenue by 38% year over year by strengthening advisor walk-around execution and improving how teams handled customer objections during the sales process.
- Top-Tier Net Profit Performance
- Ranked second out of 109 Hendrick domestic dealers in net profit, demonstrating disciplined expense control, effective fixed operations leadership, and sustained financial performance.
- Fixed Operations Leadership at Scale
- Directed 6 New car Franchise Dealerships parts and service operations, overseeing parts and labor revenue while driving performance across departments.
- Implemented sales improvement strategies, increasing customer base by over 28%
- Opened New Hummer franchise
- Hendrick Chevrolet, Hendrick Toyota, Hummer of Kansas City, Hendrick Nissan, Hendrick Buick Cadillac, Hendrick Collision Center.
- Founder Hendrick University
Timeline
Independent Fixed Operations Consultant
Ayers Enterprises LLC
10.2024 - Current
Advertising Director
Market One
01.2013 - 2023
Fixed Operations Director
Hendrick Automotive Group
05.1989 - 12.2014
MBA - Automotive Engineering
Pittsburgh State University