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Company stats
Bob Rohrman Auto Group
Headquarters: Lafayette
Founded: 1963
Revenues, 2007: $850 million+
Employees: 1,300
Snapshot
Robert V. "Bob" Rohrman
CEO since: 1963
Birthplace: Lafayette
Education: Lafayette Jefferson High School, officer training in the U.S. Army, and many automobile training schools
First "real" job: Washing pots and pans and cooking at Midlothian Country Club in Illinois, between his sophomore and junior year of high school
Q&A
How did you decide to pursue a career in this industry?
I started selling Ford cars alter the Army at the Glenn R. Pitman dealership. After six months as salesman, I was promoted to used car manager. Six months later I was promoted to new car manager, and six months later promoted to general manager. After seven years at Pitman, I decided to venture out on my own and opened a used car dealership in 1963. In 1969, I acquired a Toyota franchise.
What is the best business advice you recall getting and who made the suggestion?
It was from the vice president of Glenn Pitman Ford. After two years of working at Pitman's, I went in to talk to the VP about quitting and starting my own dealership. The VP of Pitman told me I needed to wait awhile - it was too early. He told me to wait another five years, so I did.
What has been your most successful project?
Opening up the Schaumburg, Illinois, Honda store in 1985 as a new...