Pub. 1 Issue 2

VIRGINIA AUTO DEALER www.vada.com 20 Congratulations to VADA’s TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee, Ro Kody How did you become a car dealer? Did you always aspire to be part of the automotive industry? You know, I didn’t. My degree is in computer science, and I worked for IBM for 14 years after graduating from college. I had worked in the car business to earn money over several sum- mers, and developed many friendships in the industry. We also had a neighbor in the industry that my brother Tom had gone to work for after he graduated from college. In 1995, I switched careers. I was hired by a good friend, who owned a dealership in Manassas. I was fortunate, I was given the flexibility to run the business like it was my own business. I really developed a love for the business. In 2007, my brother Tom sold Richmond Ford to me, and we relocated from North- ern Virginia back to Richmond. Since that time, we added the Lincoln franchise, opened Richmond Ford West in Short Pump, Virginia, as well as Richmond Ford Commercial Trucks, the Richmond Ford Collision Center, and West Point Ford. All in the central Virginia area. Do you have family members in the auto industry? Yes, my brother Tom. Describe your education background. What did you study? I went to West Virginia University, and graduated in 1981, in computer science. Are there any specific individuals that had a major impact on your career? My brother, of course. He blazed the trail, so to speak. He was the first to get into the automotive business, and he has been very successful. He has been a wonderful mentor. Also, Joyce Koons. I worked for her organization when I first made my career change, and it was a wonderful opportunity. What is the most rewarding part of your career? The most rewarding part of my automotive career has been build- ing a group of businesses that provide stability and opportunity for our team of employees. Turning jobs into careers is a personal motivation for me. We have also been recognized as one of the top places to work in Richmond for the past two years. What do you think will be some of the dominant trends within the auto industry in the next 5-10 years? The industry changes that are coming—electric vehicles, au- tonomous vehicles, ride sharing—steal a lot of the headlines. Car ownership will clearly take on many different avenues, but the biggest changes will also deal with the utilization of tech- nology and processes to continue to make vehicle purchases and ownership as convenient and simple as possible. I think the trick will be to blend all the new technologies with personal car ownership, and as dealers, we’re on the front lines of this. I don’t think we can put our heads in the sand and pretend technology isn’t happening, but I also don’t see it being as all-in- clusive as many may think. The buying experience is still a unique people-oriented transac- tion, and I don’t see that changing. Buying a car is a big transac- tion, and I believe that customers will still value a close-to-home transaction that is backed by an organization that will be there whenever needed.