Jim L. Brown
Niles
Summary
Accomplished professional with a strong foundation in operations oversight and dealer network expansion. Recognized for delivering exceptional financial forecasting and growth strategies, directly contributing to increased market share and customer satisfaction.
Overview
45
45
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive VP /Regional Sales Manager
Midwest Automotive Designs
Elkhart
07.2012 - 10.2025
- TIM GRAY the owner worked for me for 20 plus years he asked me to come in and wear allot of hats, initially Executive VP then product development and sales.
- My initial Duties were to re-vamp products re-package and put together a marketing plan , I did so it showed his growth from 12M in sales to 60M in sales in 36 months. We hit all benchmarks.
- The initial goal was to take find a partner (Pegasus Mutual Fund) that allowed that growth we sold them 30% they were our partner for almost 4 years.
- Through Walther Block with Mercedes I found Peter Thiel and the REV team that eventually became our buyer. We had hired RSM Equico and had meetings with THOR but they bought another entity..
- At Midwest I wore many hats from Chassis, New Product, Review P&L statements, CAP Ex , plus I was responsible to set up new dealers and sell 30-35% of all produced
President of Business Development
Hy-Line Park Models
Elkhart
05.2009 - 01.2011
- I was recruited by McGladrey and Pianowski Law for the Hy-Line position they were a great little Park Trailer company that the 3 partners could not get along. The wanted to sell but no buyer would purchase, they capped themselves at 12M in sales and returned 1.2M in profits everyyear but had no growth. (Enterprise Value of 5x= 6M net worth)
- I took the position with the understanding I would receive a good salary, over-ride on sales and 10% of all we sold for over 6M. sales went to 29M Profits went to 2.9M and we sold for 15.7 M in 20 months.
- Coordinated product launches while ensuring quality standards were met throughout the process. I completely revamped products and worked with sales to facilitate the growth needed.
Product Manager
THOR / Four Winds
Elkhart
01.2008 - 03.2009
- The President of the Four Winds division (Jeff Kime) hired me to develop a B motorhome and to work with a mutual friend Scott Jacobson (Former VP sales Monoco Coach) to build 2 motorhomes that got in excess of 15 MPG
- The projects were the Ventura B and the Saranto which was built on the workhorse chassis .
- Poor timing the B was absorbed into Airstream and the small A became the Vegas Motorhome.
President CEO
Elk Automotive / Midway Commercial Vehicles
Elkhart
08.1998 - 09.2007
- Oversaw daily operations to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Led strategic planning initiatives to drive company vision and growth.
- Fostered a culture of innovation and continuous improvement across teams.
- Elk was a Dodge only account when bought it was producing 200 units a year when sold to Catlyst Hall we were doing over 5,500 Dodges and 700 Fords a year.
- We were the first manufacturer to build on the Sprinter Van Chassis I personally airfreighted the first 2 into the USA in late 2000 and built for the SEMA show.
- Midway was acquired because of the ship through and its commercial buisness (Fed Ex , Ups, DHL etc.) we worked with Mercedes and established a satelite plant in Gaffney South Carolina to rebadge the Mercedes products to either Dodge or Freightline.
President CEO
JB Properties
South Bend
01.1997 - 08.1998
- Directed strategic initiatives to enhance property management operations.
- Added and built 7 commercial buildings
- Continued position on all 3 OEM product boards (Ford, Chevy and GMC)
- Took position on Homeless shelter board South Bend it is a national model.
- Our Congressman Chris Choccola established an Rv conversion advisory board i took a 2 year position.
- The "College Football Hall of Fame' was in South Bend I took and advisory position and was VP of the Moose Krause HOF scholarship committee.
- Studebaker museum board position was also accepted
President CEO and Owner
Imperial Automotive Inc. and Starcraft Automotive
Elkhart
09.1991 - 09.1996
- Developed and executed strategic business plan to integrate all 3 OEMs (GM, Ford and GMC) into a personal use van for all 3 dealer networks. I designed and followed my design through the build cycle.
- When bought the company was doing 384 vans a year by 1994 we were in excess of 11,000 units a year.
- In 1995 we went through a strategic aquisition by Starcraft Automotive this consolidated the company into 2 locations with a 24,000 unit per year volume and entrinched us as the #3 second stage manufacturer in volumn but #1 in gross sales. I became the third largest shareholder in the final entity.
- We branched into special OEM projects that included the original 400 pace vehicles for the Brickyard 400
- Because of rapid growth we had 4 4 facilities moves I was involved in each to facilitate a good flow of product.
- I was directly responsible for sales both companies, new product, supplier relations and customer service all department heads direct line was to me
- I resigned in 1997 to spend time with the family and I built a nice real estate portfolio.
President, Board of Directors
Chariot Vans Inc. / Damon Motorhomes
Elkhart
06.1980 - 06.1991
- Coordinated work across departments to keep teams on track with company goals reviewed budgets and helped facilitate a 30% per year growth over a 10 year period.
- I took positions on both GM and Ford product boards.
- VP RVIA Conversion Standards board
- Responsible for our own seating company (D&J Seating) and we started our own fiberglass and plastics company which I was directly responsible for.
Education
Associate of Arts - Automotive Engineering
Indiana University, Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana, IN05-1972
Skills
- Product development
- Strategic planning
- Sales growth strategies
- Market analysis
- Financial forecasting
- Dealer network expansion
- Customer relationship management
- Business plan development
- Operations oversight
I am a full scope employee I not only can develop the plan I am there for each step of the implementation
Accomplishments
With all 3 Companies Owned I was #1 in quality and CSI with Mercedes, GM and Ford.
Custom Section 1
- I am a goal oriented individual and believe a Plan should be implemented and a part of that plan is accountability to each benchmark.
Timeline
Executive VP /Regional Sales Manager
Midwest Automotive Designs
07.2012 - 10.2025
President of Business Development
Hy-Line Park Models
05.2009 - 01.2011
Product Manager
THOR / Four Winds
01.2008 - 03.2009
President CEO
Elk Automotive / Midway Commercial Vehicles
08.1998 - 09.2007
President CEO
JB Properties
01.1997 - 08.1998
President CEO and Owner
Imperial Automotive Inc. and Starcraft Automotive
09.1991 - 09.1996
President, Board of Directors
Chariot Vans Inc. / Damon Motorhomes
06.1980 - 06.1991
Associate of Arts - Automotive Engineering
Indiana University, Bloomington