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Meet Jordan Perez

Jordan Perez, a Sales Experience Manager since August 2020 at Motorcars Dallas, has a passion for golf. In fact, he’s been covering professional golf and writing about it for “D Magazine” since 2015.

“I got into golf because of the 2012 Masters when Bubba Watson won for the first time. He never had a lesson. So, I told myself I could learn and bought my first set of clubs the next day. I fell in love with the game and never would’ve imagined the opportunities it has provided me.”

Jordan has interviewed some of the World’s top golfers, including Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Rory McIlroy, and many more. And he’s been able to connect many Pros like Jordan Spieth and Carlos Ortiz  with a new Mercedes-Benz. 

“I’ve been trying to convince Scottie Scheffler to buy a Mercedes-Benz for years. But he drives his 2012 Yukon with 180,000 plus miles despite winning millions on the PGA Tour. Scottie is as humble as 
they come.”

Jordan was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but he “came to Texas as fast as I could.” He grew up in Coppell and attended Texas A&M. “Something that might surprise people is that I went to the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas for high school on the recommendation of one of my mentors, Roger Staubach. I currently live in Plano with my amazing wife Abigail and our four-month-old son Jason.”

“My favorite golf memory is a tie between my first Ryder Cup in 2016 when the USA reclaimed the Cup. The atmosphere on the first tee was electric! Also walking inside the ropes for the first time at a major during the 2018 PGA Championship in St. Louis, which also happened to be the 100th PGA Championship. On Sunday, Tiger Woods shot a 6-under round of 64. The gallery was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The entire golf course was pulling for Tiger, and he hit some of the most incredible shots on that final round. However, Brooks Koepka claimed victory by birdying 5 of his last 12 holes with Tiger finishing as runner up. I’ve been inside the ropes at numerous other tournaments since, but nothing has compared to that day.”

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Park Place Land Rover DFW Wins Pinnacle and Wilks Elite Awards

Park Place Land Rover DFW was one of only 12 dealerships in the United States to receive the coveted Land Rover Pinnacle Retailer Excellence Award. In addition, the Grapevine dealership also received the Wilks Elite designation for being the top in sales in the largest volume group nationwide.

“Achieving the Pinnacle Award is a testament to the dedication and performance of our entire team,” said Matt Woolsey, Land Rover DFW General Manager.  “We are all committed to delivering unparalleled service to our clients and I am incredibly proud of the team’s hard work and relentless pursuit of excellence.”

The 12 Land Rover dealerships which received the Pinnacle Award were selected based on their performance in core business categories including exceptional sales, service and customer satisfaction. Park Place Land Rover DFW has earned the Pinnacle Awards multiple times over the years.

Park Place Land Rover DFW is located at 1300 E. State Highway 114, just west of Main Street in Grapevine.

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Park Place Service Technicians Are Experts At Keeping Engines Purring, But This Is Next Level

Sometimes an ordinary day at work turns into a rescue mission with a happy ending. Sebastian Jimenez, a service valet at Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth, recently had an unexpected encounter. A client returning a loan car mentioned hearing a faint “meow” coming from the vehicle while stopped at a red light. Concerned, the client explained that he had seen several cats hiding under the car during a recent rainstorm and feared one might have become trapped.

Sebastian informed the service manager, Mauricio Zenon, who assembled a team of technicians including Jacob Munoz, Mark Hawkins, Josh Brunk, and Josh Chandler.

Equipped with tools, the team proceeded to the service drive to investigate rather than driving the car into the shop and potentially harming the kitten. Jacob, Mark, and Josh crawled under the vehicle and began removing panels. Before long, they discovered a kitten hiding under the passenger front side of the vehicle. The kitten was unharmed and in good spirits. In a heartwarming turn, Mark Hawkins decided to adopt the kitten and give it a new home.

The sweet kitten’s rescue was featured on WFAA and FOX 4 highlighting the compassion of the team at Park Place Dealerships.

Founded in 1987, Park Place Dealerships has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Meet D’Angalo Jackson

D’Angalo Jackson played basketball for Mississippi Valley State, an HBCU college where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2013. He went on to play pro basketball in Belgium, Italy and Mexico before joining Motorcars Fort Worth in 2015 as a Sales Experience Manager.

“What began as a lifelong ambition to own a Mercedes-Benz evolved into an understanding of the broader spectrum encompassing service, lifestyle and culture after retiring from basketball,” said Jackson. “During my training, the etiquette class taught me crucial insights on dining etiquette, attire, communication, and personal demeanor. I shared this experience with my father, and I can still hear his voice affirming, ‘You’re going to be just fine now.’ The level of investment the company made into training was unlike anything I could have imagined.”

In the fall of 2022, Jackson left Park Place to get his MBA at the TCU M.J. Neeley School of Business on a Leadership Fort Worth scholarship. Jackson recently completed his MBA and has returned to Motorcars Fort Worth.

“Data analytics play a crucial role in our day-to-day operations,” he says. “From interpreting data on CRM dashboards to enhancing sales strategies, I find immense value in my ability to problem-solve in an increasingly data-driven world.”

In his free time, he likes to give back to the community. “I enjoy constructing sustainable garden boxes with the South Side Community Gardens. I also mentor youth through basketball.” 

For someone just starting out, his advice is to “prioritize building relationships. Work diligently and make the most of the resources available to you. Stay true to your guiding principles and seek goals beyond your professional responsibilities. Remember, your career is a means to fulfill your purpose, so always strive to align it with your larger life goals.”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Catch Up & Read Teamed Up With Park Place Dealerships For Reading Rallies In 18 Dallas ISD Schools

As the end of the school year approached, Catch Up & Read, a Dallas-based nonprofit,sought assistance in preparing for the end-of-year awards program at 18 Dallas ISD schools. During National Volunteer Month in April, members of Park Place Dealerships joined forces with Catch Up & Read for Reading Rallies to celebrate students’ success this year. They helped the nonprofit by preparing packets and awards for the year-end celebrations at these 18 schools, as well as organizing the library and reading to children.

Catch Up & Read is the only reading intervention program in North Texas that works to close the literacy gap by analyzing data, assessing student performance, leveraging technology resources, and enhancing educator preparedness through proven practices in both English and Spanish. This nonprofit equips children in underserved communities to read at grade level by 3rd grade, with the long-term goal of helping students graduate from high school and break the generational cycle of poverty.

Park Place Dealerships was featured on “Wake Up to Something Good” with Laura Harris on NBC 5, highlighting the impact Park Place volunteers had with more than 750 students and 150 specially trained teachers. The story is linked here: Local car dealerships do something good for childhood literacy

“By introducing organizations like Catch Up & Read to our members, we aim to see if it is something they are passionate about so they can give their time and energy. We can also support with funds,” said Kara Connor, Experiential Marketing Manager at Park Place Dealerships.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.


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Thousands of North Texas Moms Get Gift Ahead of Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12 and today expectant mothers across North Texas received a special gift. Volunteers from Park Place Dealerships joined forces with the non-profit, The Vitamin Bridge in Coppell to deliver prenatal vitamins for moms-to-be with limited access to resources.

Becoming a mom is one of life’s greatest adventures, but it also comes with a lot of unknowns, especially during pregnancy. Before becoming pregnant and in the first few months of pregnancy, taking a prenatal vitamin daily that contains the right amount of folic acid, iron and calcium can reduce the risk of preterm births, low birth weights, and birth defects. The gift of prenatal vitamins helps reduce the stress for expecting moms.

The Vitamin Bridge received a grant in 2023 from Park Place Dealership’s Season of Giving campaign. Since then, Park Place has expanded its partnership with The Vitamin Bridge and today provided SUVs and volunteers to deliver 10,000 bottles of prenatal vitamins to 19 different locations throughout DFW. The parade of vehicles departed from the nonprofit’s Coppell headquarters to deliver one million doses of vitamins. 

A survey by The Harris Poll found that 43 percent of women who have been or are currently pregnant reported that the cost of vitamins affected when and whether they sought prenatal care for their pregnancy.

The Vitamin Bridge’s prenatal vitamin donation program began in September 2019. The singular focus of the organization is to provide underserved moms access to prenatal vitamins that will impact thousands of babies.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Bonton Farms in South Dallas is Beneficiary of National Volunteer Month

April is National Volunteer Month and Bonton Farms in South Dallas was the beneficiary of volunteers from Park Place Dealerships helping with maintenance today. Volunteers assisted with trimming overgrown bushes and weeds, mulching, as well as installing and staining fence panels.

The urban farm in the small South Dallas neighborhood is important to the community which is considered a food desert. More than 48% percent of residents are living in poverty and there is a significant need to have access to healthy food options. Bonton Farms has been transformed from a small garden into two fully functioning farms, a Farmer’s Market, and a Café. 

Park Place Dealerships chose Bonton Farms as one of 17 nonprofits in DFW to volunteer with this week during National Volunteer Month. 

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Dallas Residents Find Best Viewing Sites For Total Solar Eclipse Atop Of Parking Garage

People stopped to view the Total Solar Eclipse from areas with unobstructed views across North Texas on Monday. Nearly 70 people gathered on top of the parking garage at Park Place Porsche near Love Field to watch the moon pass between the sun and Earth. Guests had the perfect view of the eclipse as the sky darkened. There were ooooh and awwwws as guests looked up to see this astronomical wonder.

Before the eclipse made its debut, guests received Porsche ballcaps, SunChips, Moon Pies, Eclipse gum, and ice-cold drinks.

Park Place Porsche is located at 6107 Lemmon Avenue in Dallas.

@porsche_dallas

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Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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MEET KORTINA CHANDLER, SERVICE MANAGER, PARK PLACE ACURA

Kortina started at Park Place in 2007 working in Organizational Excellence and has since moved from Service Coordinator to Assistant Service Manager and now Service Manager at Park Place Acura.

“Technology has come a long way in speeding up our check-in process, more history on our clients’ vehicles, etc., which allows us to spend more time with our clients. I’ve attended management training and learned so much to share with my team. It’s all about giving our clients a better service experience.”

Originally from Oklahoma City, Kortina moved to Dallas in 1997 for a “bigger city and better life.” She’s married with a 30-year-old daughter and three grandchildren. After work, she loves going home, spending time with her husband and watching her “shows.”

Don’t be surprised if you catch her crying while watching the news, commercials, or movies. “I’m super sensitive and cry very easily,” she confided.

Her advice to other Park Place Members: “Make sure you are the Park Place Experience. We take great care of our clients who trust us with their vehicle. No matter whose client it is, it’s all of our client!”

Bottom line: “I’m very passionate about work and providing a great guest experience. I also want to save the whole world!”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Porsche Dallas Techs Are Solid Gold

Park Place Porsche Dallas Technicians Tony Araguz and Jade Dugurechaff recently earned the prestigious Certified Porsche Technician – Gold  (CPT Gold) designation! They join six other Gold techs at Porsche Dallas and approximately 575 Gold techs in the U.S., with less than 2,000 worldwide.

‘We are extremely proud of Tony and Jade for their commitment to this lengthy process and accomplishing their goal,” said Patrick Huston, Porsche Dallas General Manager. “Our clients will be the beneficiary of their hard work and we will continue to support each team member in their journey to hone their skills and truly be an expert in the industry.”

A Porsche Gold Technician must have a minimum of one year experience before they are eligible to take the Gold test. The candidate must work their way up from Bronze to Silver, then Gold level. It takes an average of six years to obtain all the required training courses. Testing is broken up into two parts: they must first pass a written assessment in order to be eligible to take the hands-on portion, which includes diagnosing and documenting repairs on a bugged car.

The Gold test was conducted at Porsche Training HQ in Atlanta. It is a pass or fail test. The same test is conducted worldwide. After achieving the Gold standard, the technician has to maintain certification quarterly and attend at least 40 hours of hands-on training at the Porsche facility in Atlanta every year.

“I had never so much as changed a car’s oil before becoming a tech at a Honda dealership when I was 23 years old,” said Tony Araguz. “I spent 10 years at Honda and have been a tech at Porsche Dallas since 2017. I was absolutely in awe when I started at Park Place! It’s a great shop and everyone was so helpful. It’s really a team effort!” 

Porsche Dallas is located at 6107 Lemmon Avenue, near Love Field. 

Park Place Dealerships employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Acura, and Land Rover. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA.