1. ROBERT L. GATHERS
75 Innovation Dr.Apt 7119, Greenville, SC 29607 |(803) 682-0042 | robertlgathers@gmail.com
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
General SalesManager,automotiveindustry. Dynamic,competitive automotive
management professionalwith 32 years’experience in retail automotive.Imaginative and
innovative individualwith provenmanagement,sales,advertising,marketing and new
businessdevelopment skills.Broad-basedexperience in retailand wholesale automotive
environments.A history ofsignificantprofit volume and customersatisfaction
achievements,which illustrate the ability to combine cost control,revenue growthand
processimprovementsthrougheffective stafftraining and motivation.
Related areas ofexpertise are:
 Vastknowledgeof Reynolds& Reynolds
 Dealer Trackand eLEADS
 StrongDesk and T/O Skills
 DMS and CRMProgramExperience
 Physical andOnlineAuction and BidSales
 MarketAnalysis
 Team Building andStaff Development
 New and Pre-owned Car Dept.Inventory Control Experience
 AdvertisingandMarketing
 Profitability Improvementand StrategicPlanning
 Retail SiteDevelopment
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GREER OF NISSAN-MCE GROUP May 2012-June2016
General SalesManager,Greer,SC
 Sell newand used vehicles.Market a complete line of after-market automotive
productsandservices.
 Directly responsible foroverallprofitability,sales and services forthe Greer of
Nissan store.
 Define and implement long and short termobjectives; overseeand controldaily
operations,policy implementation,advertising,promotions and strategic
direction.
 Set and administerbudget; initiate cost controlto ensure profitability; recruit,
hire and motivate the staffincludingkey management andsupport personnelfor
sales,finance and insurance,service andparts departments.
 Evaluate overalland individualperformance and devise and implement
proactive managementtraining processes.
 Establish departmentalgoals with management teambasedon exceeding the
expectations ofcustomers throughcontinuously improving products and
services.
 Provide an environment ofmutualtrust andrespectand demand the highest
ethicalstandards fromstaffand management.
 Successfulin hiring,motivating and retaining quality personnelby creatinga
positive workenvironment resultingin increasedemployee retention and

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excellent customersatisfaction.
 Implement weekly forecastingand monthly reports.
ORANGEBURG NISSAN May 2006-2012
General Manager/Executive Manager,Orangeburg,SC
 Create a positive workenvironment resultingin increasedemployee retention
and excellent customersatisfaction.
 Set and administerbudget forthe store; initiate cost controlto ensure
profitability.
 Sell newand used vehicles.Market a complete line ofafter-market automotive
productsandservices.
 Implement weekly forecastingand reporting.
 Directly responsible foroverallprofitability,sales and services.
 Define and implement long and short termobjectives; overseeand controldaily
operations,policy implementation,advertising,promotions and strategic
direction.
 Recruit, hire and motivate the staffincluding key managementand support
personnelforsales,finance andinsurance,service and parts departments;
evaluate overalland individualperformance anddevise andimplement
proactive managementtraining processes; establish departmentalgoals with
management teambased on exceedingthe expectations ofcustomers through
continuously improving products and services.
 Provide an environment ofmutualtrust andrespectand demand the highest
ethicalstandards fromstaffand management.
WHATLEY AUTOMOTIVE INC. 1997-2006
General SalesManager,Toyota&Mazda Dealership,Orangeburg,SC
 Successfulin hiring,motivating and retaining quality personnelby creatinga
positive workenvironment resultingin increasedemployee retention and
excellent customersatisfaction; created andimplemented comprehensive
employee satisfactionprogram.
 Define and implement long and short termobjectives; overseeand controldaily
operations,policy implementation,advertising,promotions and strategic
direction.
 Sell newand used vehicles.Market a complete line ofafter-market automotive
productsandservices.
 Directly responsible foroverallprofitability,sales and services forWhatley
Toyota Mazda,Inc.
 Set and administerbudget; initiate cost controlto ensure profitability; recruit,
hire and motivate the staff of47 including key management and support
personnelforsales,finance andinsurance,service and parts departments;
evaluate overalland individualperformance anddevise andimplement
proactive managementtraining processes; establish departmentalgoals with
management teambased on exceedingthe expectations ofcustomers through
continuously improving products and services.
 Provide an environment ofmutualtrust andrespectand demand the highest
ethicalstandards fromstaffand management.
 Reduce totalexpenses by connectingcashflowproblems; improved inventory
turnovers; upgraded facilities to enhanceenergy savings and environmental
compliance.

3. Page3
 Create and design alladvertisingand marketing campaigns; knowledgeable in
media ventures with expertise in print and electronic marketing.
 Implement weekly forecastingand reporting.
 Create,implement and participate in various community relations initiatives,
such as Mothers Against DrunkDriving,EasterSeals,Relay for Life, Galaxy of
Star Readers,Martin LutherKing Jr.Unity Breakfast,Fellowship ofChristian
Athletes,and PartnerforYouth Program, which elevated Whatleypositions in
the community.
C & S TOYOTA MAZDA, INC. 1985-1997
Sales/SalesManager/NewCar Manager,Orangeburg,SC
 Sold new and used vehicles.Directly responsible for overallprofitability sales
and service department.Oversee andcontrolday to day operations; recruit,
hire, and fire; achieve profitability every monthsincethe inceptionofcompany
untilit was sold in 1997.
 Hired and trained staff.Establisheda managerialphilosophyofhiring persons
for the right job; provided a positive workenvironmentincludingcompetitive
compensation andincentives to retain the highest quality individuals.
 Instrumentalin developing,guiding andcoachingstafftoward empowerment
and self-management.
 Dramatically improved and maintained CSI throughthe implementation of
proactive customer-oriented sales and service management techniques with the
ultimate goalofearning customerforlife.
 Exceeded regionaland nationalCSIrating while achieving sales effectiveness
for the market area.
 Recognized top performeramong peers,trackrecord demonstrating exceptional
organization and results focus to consistently exceed expectations.
 Innovativestrategistofa diverse range ofproducts in highly competitive
market.
 Demonstratedpersuasive sales techniques in orderto surpass company
expectations.
 Strong initiative and commitment to excellence, coupled with demonstrated
experience in product andproject leadership.
 Developed excellent time management skills working with the busiest
dealership in town.
 High energy,self-motivated,teamplayer,accurate,professionalnature,
requiring minimal supervision.
 Proven record ofmaintain schedules; multitaskoriented;able to workunder
pressure,handle multiple demands and set priorities.
 Excellent public speaking and communication skills.
 Excellent at follow-up and detail.Extremely dependable.
 Effective in budgetingand long termplanning
EDUCATION AND RELATED CURRICULUM
1995-1996
1983
1982
Master’s Degree in Counseling,completed22credits SouthCarolinaState University
Bachelorof Science in Business Administration,West Virginia State University
Associatein Applied Science; Management andSupervision,West VirginiaState
University
Fixed Operation forthe Front End,General Manager,UniversityofDealership
Management
Product EducationCourses,University ofToyota
SchoolofTraining,Joe Verde’s TeamLeadership
ManagementLeadership Schools andSupervisor Leadership Schools

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PROFESSIONAL AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS
2015 Nissan ofGreer, Southeast Region,AllTime Sales Record
2014 Nissan ofGreer, Southeast Region,Largest YearIncrease Award
2013 Nissan ofGreer, Southeast Region,AllTime Sales Record of the Year
2012 Nissan ofGreer, Southeast Region,Largest YearEver Increase Award
2005 Certified Sales ManagerAward,University ofToyota
2005 Certified Expert Sales ManagerAward,University ofToyota
2005 Tacoma Product Education Award
2005 Avalon Product Education Award
2000-2005 Highest Award in SoutheastToyota Pros
2001-2004 Set Sales Excellence Award in Honorof SuperiorPerformance in the Areas ofVehicle
Sales,CustomerSatisfactionand Human Resource Management
2004 Certified Mazda Sales ManagerAward
2004 Certified Sales ManagerAward,University ofToyota
2003 Certified Sales ManagerAward,University ofToyota
2003 Certified Mazda Sales ManagerAward
2002 Certified Mazda Sales ManagerAward
2002 University ofToyota Certified Sales ManagerAward
2002 Certified Sales ManagerAward,Excellence in Completing all ProgramRequirements
2001 Certified Mazda Sales ManagerAward
2001 University ofToyota Certified ManagerAward
2001 Certified Toyota Sales ManagerAward
2001 Mazda Sales Certification Award Completing All Requirements
2000 University ofToyota Expo TourAward Celica-Echo-Avalon
2000 State ofSouth Carolina Office of the GovernorAward JimHodges Award ofExcellence
2000 Toyota Urban SafariEvent Award
1999-2000 University ofToyota Paragon Sales ManagerAward in Recognition ofOutstanding
Product Knowledge and CustomerSatisfaction
1999-2000 Toyota Sales Excellence Award in Honorof SuperiorPerformance in the Areas of
Vehicle Sales, CustomerSatisfaction andHuman Resource Management
1999 University ofToyotaPride Certified Award for Distinguished Performance in Customer
Satisfaction,Product Knowledge and Professionalism
1999 Mazda Get In and Be Moved Award forExcellence in Mazda Sales Certification
Program
1997 Mazda PassionforExcellence Award
1996 Toyota Certification Award
1996 Mazda Outstanding Performance Award
1995 Toyota Certification Award
1995 Mazda Outstanding Performance Award
1994 Toyota Certification Award
1994 Mazda President’sAward,HighestGuild of Performer Award National
1993 Mazda Product MasterFinalist Award

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1992 Selling Skills Training Award Mazda
1992 Mazda Salespersonofthe YearAward Excellence in all Requirements
1992 Mazda Gold ChapterSales Guild Award
1991 Mazda 4th
AnnualNationalPresentationCompetition ProductMasterFinalist Award
1991 Mazda MotorsofAmerica (East)Inc. Outstanding Sales Performance Award
1991 Toyota 1st
Surplus Sale MartinezCommercial Center, Augusta,Ga,Top Salesman
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
 Alpha PhiAlpha Fraternity,Inc.,President,Delta Zeta Lambda Chapter
 Alpha PhiAlpha Fraternity,Inc.,Brotherofthe Year and Charles W.Green Award of Merit
 MuscularDystrophy Association
 Claflin University,President,DistinguishedBoard
 Orangeburg Consolidated SchoolDistrict 5, Secretary,Board ofTrustees
 Orangeburg Consolidated SchoolDistrict 5, Foundation Board ofDirectors
 Orangeburg Civic Ballet Board of Directors and SchoolPerformance Coordinator
 Fellowship ofChristian Athletes,Chairman,Golf Tournament
 Orangeburg Wilkinson High School,Vice President,PTO
 New Mt.Zion Baptist Church,Public Relations Coordinator,Relay forLife Committee
 New Mt.Zion Baptist Church,Chairman/Vice-Chair, Deacon Board
 New Mt.Zion Baptist Church,Instructor,College &Career Class
 New Mt.Zion Baptist Church,Assistant Superintendent,Sunday School
REFERENCES
Available upon request