D CEO’s signature publication, the Dallas 500, spotlights the most influential North Texas executives across more than 50 industries. Tony Carimi, Area Vice President and Managing Director for Park Place Dealerships, has earned a place on this prestigious list, highlighting his role as a key driver of the regional economy.
A proud Texas A&M graduate, Carimi launched his career in the automotive industry with experience in both sales and service.
When asked what he would enhance about the automotive industry, Carimi emphasized the need to prioritize the consumer’s time. “If we can provide transparency and convenience, we eliminate the top frustrations. This applies to both the sales and service process. Park Place was a pioneer in the One Touch single point of contact approach and the introduction of a complete online car-buying process that can be completed in approximately 15 minutes.”
Looking ahead, Carimi is most inspired by the growth and accomplishments of Park Place’s Members.
“Watching the growth of our teams and the individual accomplishments, both personal and professional, that our Members achieve is incredibly rewarding. The legacy and Park Place brand are in strong hands. We will continue to focus our resources on training and development to reinforce our ability to deliver extraordinary experiences, both internally and externally. Though trends, products, and technology will evolve, staying people-focused will always be our priority.”
Carimi’s journey with Park Place began in 2002 as Service Director at the company’s original dealership on Oak Lawn Avenue in Dallas. He advanced to Director of Fixed Operations in 2010, then Vice President of Operations, overseeing service, parts, and collision operations across the group. In 2018, he assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer, driving process consistency and enhancing the client experience.
Today, Carimi oversees Park Place’s nine dealerships, three collision centers, auction operations, and corporate headquarters, along with six Plaza Motors dealerships in St. Louis.