Category: Members

Gene Ellison always had a thing for Mercedes-Benz cars. 

“While I’m a native Texan, my family moved to Southern California in the late ‘60s where Mercedes were very popular. I would see them on the streets all the time. They were different and sophisticated.”

In the early ‘70s Gene moved to the Rio Grande Valley where his parents bought a farm. “Out of necessity I had to learn how to work on our equipment. I learned a little about diesel engines and got pretty good with them. The saving grace for a young car enthusiast like me was a MB dealership in San Benito. When my girlfriend (and future wife) and I went on dates, I would talk her into stopping by the dealership to check out the cars.”

In 1975, Gene got a job as a mechanic at that dealership, where he was trained by the owner, a Swiss man who had apprenticed at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Stuttgart. “I took to the work quickly and was sent to a number of technical schools. I enjoyed working on what we now call “classic” Mercedes from the ‘50s and ‘60s. We worked in an open-air shop in the sub-tropics, and every time I went to the parts counter, the window would slide open and cool air would flow out. So, in 1977 when a parts position opened up, I jumped at the chance to move inside. A short time later, the parts manager quit, and I got my first job as parts manager.”

In 1990, Gene joined Park Place. “I’ve been privileged to help grow the business and enjoyed meeting the challenges that were part of that growth. Today’s challenges include material shortages in the supply chain. We’ve managed this challenge by aggressively purchasing in advance of demand whenever possible.”

Gene’s advice to someone just starting out: “Sign on, dig in, learn everything about the business you can, think of the client first, and go for the long haul.” Away from work, Gene loves photography and the outdoors. He also has a collection of antique bottles that he started as a kid

Rod Moreno, Service Director at Lexus Plano, has been with Park Place for 22 years. He started as a Sales Assistant/Porter at Lexus Grapevine.

“It was the most luxurious dealership I’d ever seen,” he said. “I was an ASM at Lexus Grapevine when they told us we would be applying for the Malcolm Baldrige award. I had never heard of the award. It didn’t really hit home until we spent months and months preparing and executing our processes. Then we won, and all the hard work paid off.”

In addition to being an expert in the service department, Rod is also a very talented woodworker.

“I love woodworking!” he explained. “I converted my two-car garage into a shop. I’ve always had an interest dating back to middle school woodworking class. I enjoy building any project that my wife and daughters will love… dollhouses, play kitchens, barn doors, nightstands, etc.”

Born and raised in Fort Worth, he graduated from Southwest High School in 1996 and attended two years of college while working at a Fort Worth Lexus dealership.

“I live in Trophy Club with my wife Reagan and our three daughters Sylvie (11), Natalie (8), and Dylan (5). I am an only child. My mom said I was too bad for her to have more.”

When asked what advice he would give to someone just starting at Park Place, he answered, “Patience. Have patience when you are trying to grow in a company. Make yourself the obvious choice when the opportunity presents itself.”

Since its founding in 1987, Park Place has remained devoted to creating an exceptional automotive purchase and ownership experience.  From numerous manufacturer and industry accolades to becoming the first-ever dealerships to be awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Park Place Dealerships has created a culture of excellence that endures.  

“We have repeatedly evolved to stay at the forefront of the automotive industry. We want to highlight who we have been, who we are, and who we are becoming.” Tony Carimi, Park Place Dealerships Managing Director

Our purpose is “To create and province extraordinary experiences.” The core values help build and redefine the company’s brand:

Experts
Drawing on our experience to actively innovate with optimism and determination.

Exemplary
Leading by example with integrity and always doing the right thing.

Expressing Care
Respecting our team members, clients and community with a genuine spirit of serving.

Excellence-Driven
Taking ownership, anticipating needs and exceeding expectations.

Every year the company recognizes members who have gone above and beyond to create extraordinary ownership experiences every day. Our members are truly the X factor in Experts in Excellence.

Below is the 2021 Member of the Year Winners

Park Place Managing Director Tony Carimi has been named one of Dallas’ Top 500 leaders by D CEO magazine. Now in its seventh year, the annual publication is the culmination of six months of research by the editors of D CEO and includes 197 new names to the revered list which include Mark Cuban and George W. Bush. 

Along with their toughest challenges and strategies for success, leaders shared what they order at their favorite restaurants, their hobbies, passions, and what they’d choose as their walk-up song. Tony highlighted the amazing Members who come to Park Place every day to serve clients and the community. Congratulations, Tony! 

See below to read Tony’s full interview, which was featured in the D CEO December issue and contributed to the choosing of being in the 500 leaders by D Ceo. 

2022 Dallas 500 Interview Q&A

1. What was your first job, and what did you learn from it?
   •  Working for my grandfather’s oil distributorship in Odessa, TX.  He provided a front-row example showcasing the value of a client, the importance of relationships, and hard work.  
2. What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career?
   •   “Seek humility before humility finds you.”  It is critical to understand your own capabilities in relation to others and the situations that you face.  Always surround yourself with passionate talent and leverage the group to evolve your organization while ensuring that the experience for your team members and clients that you serve remain the driving force.
3. If you could have dinner with any two DFW business leaders, who would you choose and why?
   • Carl Sewell and Ken Schnitzer. In my 27-year career in the automotive industry, I have had the honor to work for and learn from two of the best.  Not just leaders in automotive but retail as a whole.  As time has progressed, you recognize the value of mentors and the importance of healthy competition that continues to push you and your team to enhance the experience.  In the end, your team and the consumers are the ones that benefit.  
4. What are some of your favorite destinations/places to visit?
   • It is hard to beat Aspen in the summertime.  New York City also holds a very special place.  
5. Is there a nonprofit cause that has special meaning to you? Please tell us about it.
   • Through Park Place Cares, we are able to provide a dynamic outreach program that supports over 250 organizations throughout the DFW area.  We provide all of our team members 5-days of paid volunteer time every year to support Arts, Medical Research, Advocacy, and Education.  We must pursue the highest standards of corporate responsibility in everything that we do by supporting and empowering our teams to improve the quality of life in the communities where we do business.       
6. If you could give your favorite person any gift this year, what would it be and why?
   • Time and presence.  As we continue to mature, we recognize the true commodities of value to others and ourselves.  
7. What’s your hobby/passion?
   • I love to run and exercise.  The “think” and recharge time is imperative. 
8. What is your favorite DFW-area restaurant and what do you order there?
   • Homewood – Matt McAllister and his team do such an amazing and creative job utilizing quality ingredients while maximizing flavors and textures.   
9.  What would people be surprised to learn about you (fun fact)?
   • I was a member of the Singing Cadets during my time at Texas A&M University  
10. If you could drive one car for a day, what would it be and why?
    • That is the easiest question of all.  It would be a Park Place vehicle.  The badge stands for luxury and excellence which is exemplified in all of the brands that we serve.  
11. What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome?
    • Navigating the ever-changing challenges of the pandemic while working to ensure the safety of our team members and clients is always at the forefront of all the decisions that are being made. 
12. What has been your/your company’s most significant success over the last 12 months?
    • Seeing Park Place’s team members unite and build a home in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.  This was Park Place Cares largest organizationally-combined initiative in our 34-year history.  We pursue the highest standards of corporate responsibility in everything that we do – and that includes supporting and empowering our team members to improve the quality of life in the communities in which we do business.     
13. What is the most interesting trend you’re seeing in your industry? What’s driving it, and how does it impact your company?
    • Electrification.  In the emerging market of electric and hybrid automobiles, manufacturers that Park Place represent are rolling out new vehicles which capture the cutting edge of this rapidly evolving technology which will define the future of the automotive industry.   
14. What is one thing you would change about Dallas to make it even better?
    • As Dallas continues to attract top companies and talent, we must ensure that we provide the necessary resources and strategy to focus on the development and education of our children.  Our public education system needs to match and be reflective of the nation-leading business environment that we have created.  
15. As you enter your office, what would you choose to be your walk-up or theme song and why?
    • Don’t Stop Believing – Journey.  Every day brings opportunity and challenges.  The key is to have a clear focus on your purpose and values while owning the responsibility that you have to those that you serve. 
16. What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why?
    • Start With Why – Simon Sinek.  His comment of, “What if we showed up to work every single day to be better than ourselves?  For no better reason than to want to leave the organization in a better state than we found it?”  We must all be responsible stewards of our business.  The Park Place legacy is bigger than any individual and our leaders all understand the importance of protecting and evolving that legacy. 
17. What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
    • Allowing our leaders to take risks.  It was hard to let go and understand the possibilities and growth that is attained when you allow your team to try new things and new processes.  True growth does not come without failure and learning.  That failure is what creates improvement and innovation.
18. Name one item on your bucket list.
    • To have the ability to experience and be a part of my daughters attaining their personal and professional dreams.  Their display of their servant heart in life and in their fields of Healthcare and Education provides a sense of pride that could not be duplicated by any other experience. 
19. What has you most excited about the future?
    • Watching the growth of our teams and the individual accomplishments that are both personal and professional that our members achieve.  The legacy of Park Place is relationship-based.  Though trends, products, and technology will change, keeping focused on the fact that we are in the people business will ensure that Park Place is positioned for success for many years to come. 

Rooty, as he’s known by his teammates, is a humble man. He’d rather talk about his co-workers than himself.

His teammates describe Rutilio as one of the most likable guys, and say, he goes out of his way to greet everyone with a smile. They describe him as a team player and a delight to work with every day. 

Bryan Martin, his supervisor, says. Rutilio is the ideal employee. He’s a pillar of integrity. Always has a positive attitude and is never late. That says a lot about a man who starts work every day at 7 a.m.

Rutilio joined Lexus Plano in 2009 as a car washer, and he loves his job. I love my team, he says. And, more than anything, I love my schedule. While he comes in at 7, he also leaves at 4 p.m.

When he’s not working, you might find him taking care of one of his kid’s cars. Rooty is married with three children: a son 27; and two daughters – 23 and 21. He likes to ride his bicycle and watch football (the Dallas Cowboys of course) and boxing.

He says Park Place is a good place to work. There are lots of opportunities for anyone who wants to grow.

Although he was born in a small town outside of Philadelphia, Matt Overs considers himself a full-on Texan!! His family actually had a big influence on him. Most of his family has been in the automotive industry since he could remember. Particularly, his family has been in repair shops, which is why working at a repair shop came naturally to him. Before coming to Park Place, he used to work as a technician at a repair shop called Christian Brothers. He heard about Park Place when he was in high school. It was through an outreach program that Park Place had at the time. I guess Park Place stuck with him because he has been with the company for 10 years.

Matt has had various roles at Park Place. He started as a technician and stayed in this role for two and a half years. Then, he was a technician leader for three years. After that, he became a shop foreman, which he has lasted 5 years in. One of the things he enjoys the most about being a shop foreman is being able to develop his own strategies to fix a problem. Recently, Matt has become chairman of the Technical Advisory Board. Being a part of the Technical Advisory Board means providing insights on the strategies that help contribute to solving problems. “It is satisfying when you can find the hard problem, and you can actually fix it,” he says.

Career growth has always been in his vision. Maybe in the future, he hopes the company opens an executive position as a technician director. He says, “One of the biggest challenges we face is the integration of full-electric vehicles into traditional workshop equipment and repair processes. I think the company would benefit from an executive-level position that oversees technical directives.”

A great moment he experienced within Park Place is being Coach of the Year in 2016. This moment was so dear to him because you have to be voted to become Coach of the Year. “It is not easy to impress your peers,” he adds on.

Although he says he is an introvert, he has an adventurous side to him. He has a passion for mountain biking. Especially, anything with two wheels. He has a dirt bike and a street bike. A fun fact is that he takes a yearly trip to Colorado. He loves going to a place called The Chicago Basin in Colorado. When he is there, he enjoys his time mountain biking, rafting, and hiking.

One advice he would give a new hire is “Everybody is approachable, so ask questions.” He brags about the Park Place culture. “Park Place has worked a culture of members helping each other.” He truly believes that you have the power to solve problems. His quote to others would be “Listen First.”