Pub. 6 2017-2018 Issue 4

10 San Diego Dealer How did you become a car dealer? Did you always aspire to be part of the automotive industry? The weather actually had a lot to do with it. My dad was a Senior VP for Ford Motor Credit Leasing Corp., in the early 70`s, working with leasing airplanes and ocean liners, big stuff like that. So, I knew what cars were, and the fact that he always had new cars in the driveway was very cool. I mostly grew up in Chicago, left high school and joined the Marine Corps. I finishedmy tour, and ended up in San Diego, needing to figure out what my next step was going to be. The weather in San Diego is amazing – I think that’s the first thing everyone says about San Diego, right? So, consideringmy options of Chicago vs. San Diego, it quickly became pretty obvious. Insanely cold weather? Amazing weather? Easy decision there. The start of my automotive career sounds crazy, but I met the general sales manager for Cal Worthington in a bar and over a two- month period he convincedme that I was a salesperson. To this day, I amextremely grateful that I believed him, because, I applied for and got a job at Jim Finney Pontiac Mazda GMC in Carlsbad. It was a great fit. I loved the industry. Do you have family members in the auto industry? After I had started in sales in the car business, my brother got into it too. He was a sales manager for Pearson Ford for 15 years, and now is a sales manager at a VW dealership in Tampa, Florida. Describe your education background. What did you study? I joined the Marine Corps right out of high school. I learned a lot in the Marines. I was really young when I joined, and like many young men and women, did a lot growing up while in the service. Are there any specific individuals that had a major impact on your career? My dad, Bernard McKenna. He had a tremendous work ethic, and it was drilled into us from a very young age to do things well. He always used to say that if youwork hard and do things right, good things will happen, and I have come to not only appreciate the advice but, to agree with it as well. Luck is a combination of preparation and opportunity. And I have found it to be true. Inmy case, the harder I have worked, the luckier I have been. What is the most rewarding part of your career? For me, it’s knowing that I have made a difference, an impact, if you will. For instance, I started in sales and moved into management. Along the way, I had a great opportunity to work for Carl Burger, who not only sent me through the NADA Dealer Academy, but mentored me as well. Carl went through it all as a car dealer more than once. He had seen it all; so he could give great advice from a place of experience. Not sure if he ever knew, but Carl made such an impact in my life and career. When I can do something similar for someone, it makes my day. I think for the most part, it’s human nature to want to positively make a difference. But, I think in this business it’s a bit more immediate. You see the rewards in real time. Inter view wi th Incoming Chai rman, Paul G. McKenna