Danny Radcliffe

As the Finance Director at Unique Trucks, I had the privilege of overseeing the finance department and managing day-to-day operations. My focus was always on driving efficiency and fostering a supportive environment that allowed our team to excel. Under my leadership, the finance department earned the distinction of being ranked as the number one department by TransCity and Safeguard for two consecutive years in warranty sales, tire and wheel sales, and GAP sales. This recognition was a testament to the collective effort of the team and the strategies we implemented together.

I took great care in working closely with our General Sales Manager to structure deals that balanced profitability with customer satisfaction. By leveraging strong relationships with banks and credit unions, we were able to secure favorable financing terms that contributed to our success. I believe in the power of collaboration, and these partnerships were instrumental in achieving our financial goals.

In addition to my finance responsibilities, I worked side-by-side with our General Manager to ensure the dealership was running smoothly. I assisted with various managerial duties, always ready to step in and lighten her load wherever possible. My goal was to support the entire dealership, helping to create a cohesive and high-performing team environment.

I also took pride in leading weekly training sessions with the sales department, where we focused on skill enhancement and aligning our objectives. These sessions were designed to empower the team and contribute to the continuous growth of the dealership. While I’m proud of what we accomplished, I remain focused on how these experiences have shaped my ability to lead and support others effectively.

As Finance Manager at Courtesy Kia, I was honored to be recognized as the top finance producer of the year, consistently leading the department in gross per copy, overall revenue, and Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) scores. My success was driven by a strong commitment to my daily processes, which I took great pride in. By getting involved with deals early and actively assisting in closing them, I was able to gain traction quickly and set record numbers within the department.

I worked closely with sales managers to ensure every deal was structured for success, and I mentored sales staff to help them grow and improve their effectiveness. My attention to detail ensured that all my deals were billed, capped, and submitted for funding promptly, often on the same day. Additionally, I collaborated closely with our Finance Director, offering support with any departmental tasks to maintain smooth and efficient operations. My focus was always on contributing to the team’s success and delivering outstanding results.

I had the privilege of leading Gilroy CDJR and Hyundai for over five years, achieving significant milestones that I’m proud of. At Gilroy CDJR, I led a team that consistently sold over 500 cars a month, and our store was recognized every year as one of the top 3 CDJR dealerships for volume in all of California.

In my role, I worked closely with our owner, who also acted as the GM, ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the sales department were running smoothly so that he could focus on other strategic aspects of the business. My leadership was centered on creating an environment of productivity, positivity, and accountability, which helped our team consistently meet and exceed our goals.

In addition to leading the CDJR store, I played a key role in turning around a failing Hyundai dealership next door, taking it from selling 40 units a month to over 200+ within just 90 days. I was deeply involved in all aspects of our operations, including collaborating with our Internet Director to maintain a response time of five minutes or less, which contributed to sustaining a 14% closing ratio. I also worked closely with our used car manager to ensure our inventory was priced correctly, achieving a consistent 60-day turn rate on pre-owned vehicles. Additionally, I supported our service manager in ensuring that our vehicle upgrade department consistently met its monthly objectives.

Throughout my time at Gilroy CDJR and Hyundai, I was committed to being a leader worth following. I understood that the energy I brought to the team set the tone for everything we accomplished, and I took pride in fostering a team-oriented environment that drove our collective success. Reflecting on our achievements, I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead such a dynamic team and contribute to the continued growth of our dealerships.

My career in the automotive industry began at Capitol Mazda, where I started as a sales consultant. From the outset, my objective was not only to be the hardest working person in the room but also to provide a world-class experience to every single customer I encountered. I approached each interaction with the mindset of putting on a show—a true VIP experience tailored to their wants and needs.

With the guidance of key mentors and a relentless commitment to studying our products, I quickly developed a deep understanding of what I was selling. Within my first year, I was proud to be ranked as the number one salesperson in the entire store, consistently selling over 25 units a month. This success led to my promotion to the finance department, where I continued to excel, and eventually to the role of sales manager.

Throughout my time at Capitol Mazda, I chose every day not to make excuses but to push myself to achieve new levels of success. My focus on hard work and delivering exceptional customer experiences set the foundation for my career, driving the results that followed and shaping the leadership roles I would take on in the future.