Transitioning from Staff Sergeant of an armored Cavalry brigade to a new car sales experience manager might seem like a leap, but not to Bryan Woodard of Mansfield. “If I learned one thing in the Army it was to be adaptable,” explained Woodard. Now a new car sales experience manager at Park Place Motorcars Arlington, Woodard has turned his attention to helping others. Woodard grew up in Arlington and graduated from Mansfield Summit High School in 2004. He enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Cavalry Scout in 2006 and deployed for a 15-month tour of Mosul, Iraq. His first assignment was in a scout platoon with I Troop 3/3 Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas. Over the next nine years, Woodard would complete two more tours of duty in the Middle East, rise up the ranks to a Staff Sergeant (E-6), and teach marksmanship to Basic Trainees.
“Each client’s situation is different. So I need to be flexible to help them figure out what will best fit their personal needs.” Woodard has his work cut out for him. Mercedes-Benz is introducing 10 new vehicles in 2016: including a new 4-door mid-sized SUV, several new diesel models, a plug-in hybrid C-Class and a sleek new SLK roadster. “With all the different products and price ranges, there’s really no ‘typical’ Mercedes-Benz client,” said Woodard. “We see everyone from first-time car buyers to long-time clients buying cars for their kids or grandkids.”
Opening November 2, Park Place Motorcars Arlington is the 18th dealership for Park Place and will be located on Interstate 20 and Beltway Place. The company recently launched a new program that simplifies the purchase experience for the client and will be available the first day the dealership opens. “I’m very excited about Park Place’s new “One Touch experience,” said Woodard. “When a client comes to Park Place, the sales experience manager will help the client through the entire process; from the initial welcome and finding the right vehicle to meet their specific needs to making the numbers work, all the way through the contracts and driving out with their new car. This is going to be a game changer for the automobile industry.”
Woodard and his wife, Kalee, who also grew up in Arlington, were childhood friends. They married in 2010, and have a two-year-old daughter (Monroe) and another girl due in January. Employing those who served our country and are now ready to serve the Mercedes-Benz community, is just one of many intriguing stories you’ll find among the “Experts in Excellence” at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.