Solon A. Wilson
Niceville,FL
Summary
Accomplished and proactive professional, equipped with more than 30 years of military and civilian experience in logistics, automotive retail/commercial sales, safety management, maintenance operations, and employee supervision. Effective team leader capable of interfacing with diverse professionals and boosting employee morale to optimize company productivity and promote personal growth. Highly skilled at simultaneously handling and accomplishing multifaceted tasks under budget and time constraints to meet and exceed company goals. Technically proficient with Microsoft Office, Mitchell, TekMetric, ProDemand, TAMS (NAPA) and All Data; complemented with typing speed of 40 wpm.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales Adviser / Service Manager
MOHR'S AUTOMOTIVE / NAPA SANTA ROSA BEACH AUTO PARTS
08.2022 - Current
- Focused on customer communication and satisfaction to enhance the company's social media footprint, which constantly increases our new and repeat customers
- Boosted average monthly revenue by 35% in the first two years, resulting in an additional $1.5 million in annual sales through strategic marketing initiatives and upselling techniques
- Answer multiple line telephone system and call customers to advise of any services needed, close the sale and schedule appointments
- Plan, organize or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements
- Ascertain automotive problems and services by listening to customers description of symptoms
- Develop estimates by costing materials and labor; calculate customers payment and discussing the plan going forward with the customer to ensure all needs and prices are met for both parties
- Create and maintain effective liaison with equipment and supplies vendors, to ensure timely and accurate delivery of both
- Managed a newly developed Napa Auto Care Center to include product knowledge, sales tracking, hydraulic item creation, employee training, item sales displays and part stocking
- Review applications, schedule and conduct interviews, hire and terminate when necessary
Innovation Store Manager
THE GOODYEAR TIRE AND RUBBER COMPANY
01.2017 - 07.2022
- Ensured the tracking of Goodyear's sales and profitability goals were reached and exceeded through guest and employee interactions including tire and service sales
- Made customer satisfaction our main priority by always being personable, reasonable, understanding and knowledgeable so the customer always understood what they needed done
- Conducted price negotiations with clients to reach favorable bargains for both management and the client
- Improved shop operations with modernized lifting systems, automotive tools and processes which greatly sped up our daily productions
- Never missed a reporting suspense with Goodyear Retail and our AAFES partners on Eglin
- Took care of my employees by providing constant communication with work schedules, time off, advertising promotions, safety training, automotive knowledge and Goodyear's promotion philosophy
- Conducted worker safety training in repair and maintenance techniques, operational procedures and equipment use
- Attended workshops and studied relevant publications to stay up to date with developments in the automotive industry
- Maintained customer rapport by explaining estimates and the expected return of their vehicles
Service Manager
THE GOODYEAR TIRE AND RUBBER COMPANY
03.2014 - 01.2017
- Responsible for the assignment and scheduling workloads of a 10-person automotive shop staff according to their automotive skills and physical capabilities
- Ascertained automotive problems and services by listening to customer's descriptions of symptoms; conducted inspections; took test drives; checked vehicle maintenance records and recommended services
- Verified warranty and service contract coverages by examining records and explaining the provisions and exclusions
- Inspected and monitored work areas, examining tools and equipment, and providing employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules
- Monitored employees' work levels and reviewed work performance
- Annotated both positives and needs improvements for future development and advancement
- Constantly reviewed employees training records to ensure no one fell behind Goodyear's required online courses
Automotive Maintenance Officer
UNITED STATES ARMY
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Evaluated the quality and functionality of various equipment and vehicles as the Quality Assurance/Quality Control supervisor
- Oversaw the maintenance and calibration of test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment, as well as various environmental and safety programs
- Facilitated weekly meetings with senior leadership to brief their current maintenance readiness and posture
- Competed for the Army's Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME) finishing in the top 3 against 86 other similar sized maintenance companies throughout the entire U.S
- Army
Logistics Support Team Lead
UNITED STATES ARMY
05.2010 - 01.2013
- Took responsibility in conducting scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for more than $54M worth of automotive, communications, armament, and power generation equipment that included 146 wheeled vehicles, 54 trailers, 29 generators, more than 2,000 pieces of miscellaneous tools and diagnostic machines
- Directed overall functions of more than 65 employees to ensure their conformance with all maintenance and technical support mission requirements
- Supervised the logistics of repair parts and equipment from point of origin to the point of consumption
- Generated comprehensive reports and system controls to ensure operational readiness of all tactical equipment, vehicles, and associated equipment
- Guaranteed compliance of maintenance operations with the most updated laws and regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Senior Ground Maintenance Officer
UNITED STATES ARMY
08.2011 - 07.2012
- Collaborated with the management in making decisions related to equipping and sustaining an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) based on analysis of material and logistics systems in highly hostile and stressful environments
- Exemplified keen expertise in logistical operations in extending assistance to the Operation Enduring Freedom XII, Regional Command East
- Responsible for the safe deployment of 9 Logistic Assistance Representatives (LAR) to support our IBCT in our theatre of operation in Afghanistan and our home base Fort Bliss Texas
- Rendered analytical support to the senior commander with selection, acquisition, fielding and maintenance of new technologies
- Held full accountability in coordinating the procurement, maintenance, and transportation of material, personnel, and facilities throughout the company's 14,500 square mile area of responsibility
Training and Operations Manager
UNITED STATES ARMY
01.2007 - 06.2011
- Held accountable for managing 25 soldiers and 4 DA (Department of the Army) civilians
- Supervised preparation of 112 lesson plans, training courses, Task Analysis Worksheets (TAW), and Learning Analysis Worksheets (LAW) with strict alignment to TRADOC and DA regulations
- Utilized the Training Requirement Analysis System (TRAS) and system training plans in preparing training requirement documentation
- Rendered expert support and insight to upper management regarding various Security issues such as training and doctrine, inspector general inspections, quarterly training briefings, Officer Education System (OES) graduations, and international V.I.P briefings in 52 Countries
- Performed administrative duties such as management analysis, document typing and organization, equipment maintenance in support of daily operations
Skills
- Regulatory Compliance
- Shop Safety
- Team Building
- Process Improvement
- Requisitioning and Receiving
- Customer Relation Management
- Budgeting
- Vendor Management
- Decision Making
Activities
- Jogging
- Soccer
- Disc Golf - Tournament and recreational
Professional Development
- Goodyear Retail Store Manager Boot Camp
- Airborne Course
- Action Officers Development Course
- Air Assault Course
- Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course
- Automotive Maintenance Warrant
- Maintenance and Logistics Leaders Course
- Officer Basic Course
- Contracting Officer Representative Course
Personal Information
Title: Automotive Shop Management / Operations / Logistics
References
References can be provided upon request.
Professional Highlights
- Retired/ Honorably Discharged from the United States Army with 22 years of active-duty service as a Chief Warrant Officer Two.
- Selected as the first Store Manager to open a Goodyear Service Center on any military installation. Because of our success, Goodyear has been asked to open multiple Service Centers on military installations across the U.S.
- Optimized and automated the Standard Army Maintenance System in Afghanistan, which boosted resource utilization rate from 77% to 97.6% in a span of 12 months that resulted to cost savings of more than $6M with minimal turnover.
Timeline
Sales Adviser / Service Manager
MOHR'S AUTOMOTIVE / NAPA SANTA ROSA BEACH AUTO PARTS
08.2022 - Current
Innovation Store Manager
THE GOODYEAR TIRE AND RUBBER COMPANY
01.2017 - 07.2022
Service Manager
THE GOODYEAR TIRE AND RUBBER COMPANY
03.2014 - 01.2017
Automotive Maintenance Officer
UNITED STATES ARMY
01.2013 - 01.2014
Senior Ground Maintenance Officer
UNITED STATES ARMY
08.2011 - 07.2012
Logistics Support Team Lead
UNITED STATES ARMY
05.2010 - 01.2013
Training and Operations Manager
UNITED STATES ARMY
01.2007 - 06.2011
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