Glenn Jackson was a young man who wanted to make some good cash when he saw an ad in the newspaper for an auto dealership, offering an exciting future and promised financial prosperity for solid employees. Glenn Jackson answered that ad in 1977.
Today he?s the general manager of both of its stores, Tate Dodge and Tate Chrysler-Jeep.
“It was really off the cuff,” said Jackson of his response to the ad. “It was not something I planned. I just saw it and took the plunge.”
Jackson?s solid professional background in finance and insurance helped him move quickly up the company ladder.
In fact, he could have moved faster, but he enjoyed the finance end of the business and was reluctant to leave for a sales manager position until it was offered multiple times.
“I was just really comfortable with what I was doing,” said Jackson. “Taking that next step, there was a degree of uncertainty and mystery. But I decided to take the challenge.”
Today when Jackson talks to job candidates, he always tells them that despite the naysayers in the business, a career in auto dealerships can be very lucrative.
“If you have the ability to sell, there are a lot of benefits,” he said. “You have unlimited ability to move in the organization. I?m a prime example of that.”
Serious financial incentives and the challenge of an ever-changing agenda for each day are some of the other benefits, he said.
Of course, it?s also important to join an organization that values their employees.
Jackson said Tate proves they are a solid organization by their low employee turnover and high repeat customer business.
“We are very consumer-oriented, and we?re always striving to meet consumer needs,” he said. “This dealership has been in business 50 years in this market. We have a solid reputation and we are going to keep it.”
Ron Ward, general sales manager of Tate Dodge New Cars and Trucks, said that tone is set throughout both dealerships.
“What makes us different is honesty,” said Ward. “That sounds funny in the car business, but it?s true of what we do here.”
Contact info
Tate Dodge New Cars and Trucks
» 7139 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie
» 410-766-2560
» www.tatedodge.com
Tate Chrysler-Jeep
» 74299 Richie Highway, Glen Burnie
» 410-761-1560
» www.tatechryslerjeep.com
