Ken Graham
Abilene
Summary
Highly driven General Manager successful at implementing strategic approaches to drive profitability and sales. Recognized for performance excellence in operations and customer care. Successful at motivating, training and developing team members to drive profitability in highly competitive environment.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Stanley Ford Sweetwater
Sweetwater
02.2024 - 03.2025
- Recruited, interviewed and hired qualified staff for open positions.
- Supervised employees through planning, assignments, and direction.
- Identified areas of improvement in current business practices and collaborated with other departments to develop action plans for implementation.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly while maintaining high quality standards of service delivery.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Increased New Vehicle Sales and Gross year over year as well as turned used vehicle inventory 150% plus every month.
Owner/Operator
True Metrics Digital
Abilene
03.2022 - 01.2024
- Created marketing strategies to drive revenue and increase brand visibility.
- Devised and implemented marketing strategies to attract new clients.
- Created this LLC. To enable myself to act as a reseller for multiple companies providing marketing and operational solutions to automotive and non-automotive businesses.
- Partnered with companies such as Edifice Automotive and Blue Gorilla Digital.
General Sales Manager
Honda of Abilene
Abilene
09.2020 - 02.2021
- Mentored employees to help achieve sales and CSI objectives.
- Coached staff members on effective communication techniques when dealing with customers.
- Developed and executed strategies to improve new vehicle sales.
- Monitored daily operations of the showroom ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures.
- Assisted customers in selecting vehicles that best met their needs while maximizing profit potential for dealership.
- This job was very good for me. Being the GSM gave me the opportunity to prove to the team and myself that I'm still very efficient in credit analysis, banking, structuring deals, and coaching salespeople through the sales process.
- The store has since been sold to a privately owned company.
- The GM of the store will provide a reference for me.
General Manager
McGavock Nissan Abilene
Abilene
01.2020 - 07.2020
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Reviewed employee performance and provided ongoing feedback and coaching to drive performance improvement.
- Maintained open communication channels between department heads so that everyone is informed on important matters affecting the dealership's success.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner while maintaining consistent quality standards.
- Improved New and Used Car sales Volume
- This was my introduction to Texas. I had a good rapport with the owner and had the opportunity to meet and work with some really good employees.
- The reason for leaving had to do with some internal issues that I found to be unacceptable, but I still rate this experience as good. My family and I made the move across the country to become Texas residents, and we call that a win.
Owner
OneSource Automotive Solutions
Spotsylvania
01.2016 - 07.2018
- Designed and executed targeted email marketing campaigns to nurture leads and enhance customer retention.
- Collaborated with creative teams to design visuals for digital marketing campaigns.
- Managed tracking and reporting of search-related activities to provide analyses to marketing executives.
- Evaluated new emerging media or technologies and made recommendations for application within internet marketing or search marketing campaigns.
- Measured and reported performance of digital campaigns to assess against goals, ROIs and KPIs.
General Manager
Pohanka Nissan, Hyundai
Fredericksburg
04.2015 - 12.2016
- Hands on General Manager responsible for all aspects of the business.
- Strong focus on recruiting and recognizing talent within the store for promoting from within.
Vice President of Operations and Strategy
Carter Myers Automotive
Charlottesville
11.2012 - 01.2015
- I started off as an operational consultant for the transitioning owner.
- Initial 6 month work agreement was extended to one year before I was offered the executive role of Vice President of operations and strategy 2nd in charge under the owner for the group.
- Notable accomplishments range from turning around the least profitable and problematic stores in the group, and posting record-high stock share increases for two consecutive years.
General Manager
Haley Toyota Scion Of Richmond
Midlothian
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Identified areas of improvement in current business practices and collaborated with other departments to develop action plans for implementation.
- Designed sales and service strategies to improve revenue and retention.
- Analyzed existing processes for effectiveness and developed new systems as needed to enhance overall productivity levels.
- Extreme focus on building the team to allow for increased volume, gross, and net simultaneously.
- Delivered a $900K net increase YOY to the owner prior to my resignation. I left on very good terms and replaced myself before leaving.
General Manager
Pohanka Honda of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Hands-on team builder that ultimately cultivated a management team where all of them were promoted from within.
- Set historical records in every department.
- Able to capitalize on being well-trained early adapters in the digital realm.
- Reduced Advertising expense while massively gaining market share.
- Grew Total Sales Volume from Approx 100 units to 485 units monthly.
- I learned a great deal about leadership and how much of a difference maker one person can make.
Executive VP/Partner
Colonial Auto Center
Charlottesville
02.2005 - 01.2007
- Facilitated executive level decision making when needed by providing timely analysis of data points.
- Represented the organization at industry events, conferences or trade shows as required.
- Conducted regular meetings with board members, senior management and other stakeholders to discuss progress and future initiatives.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant government regulations and policies.
- Hired, trained, and mentored staff members to maximize productivity.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Dealership Operations
NADA Dealer Academy
Reston, VASkills
- Ability to recognize and maximize talent in individuals
- Big-picture vision with the ability to get teams on board
- Extensive dispute resolution experience both internal and external
- Up to date hands on operator who has always been an early adapter and a pro-active leader
- Successful recruiter of top tier talent
- Provide a level of leadership that goes beyond the office
- Having a genuine concern for the well-being of employees and their families
- Humble enough to not have to always be right, and to learn from mistakes
- Overcoming adversity is my strong suit, and I can coach others through their own challenges
Affiliations
- I have been fortunate enough to be a Pro-Staff/ Leader with Ironman Outdoors Men's Ministries for more than 10 years now. We put on Men's retreats all over the United States and provide mentorship and support for Men,Fathers,Husbands. www.ironmanoutdoors.org
Timeline
General Manager
Stanley Ford Sweetwater
02.2024 - 03.2025
Owner/Operator
True Metrics Digital
03.2022 - 01.2024
General Sales Manager
Honda of Abilene
09.2020 - 02.2021
General Manager
McGavock Nissan Abilene
01.2020 - 07.2020
Owner
OneSource Automotive Solutions
01.2016 - 07.2018
General Manager
Pohanka Nissan, Hyundai
04.2015 - 12.2016
Vice President of Operations and Strategy
Carter Myers Automotive
11.2012 - 01.2015
General Manager
Haley Toyota Scion Of Richmond
01.2011 - 01.2012
General Manager
Pohanka Honda of Fredericksburg
01.2007 - 01.2012
Executive VP/Partner
Colonial Auto Center
02.2005 - 01.2007
Some College (No Degree) - Dealership Operations
NADA Dealer Academy
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