Category: Community

A spontaneous decision during a visit to Park Place 15-years ago, led to a life-changing opportunity for Hesham Elgaghil, General Manager at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.  Inspired by the beautiful cars and the world-class people at the dealership, Hesham wanted to become a part of this amazing organization he only saw a glimpse of. He decided to apply for a job and let fate take its course. Park Place Dealerships took a chance on Hesham, although he didn’t have any experience in sales or in the car-business, his background spoke volumes on his behalf and Park Place believed in him.

Hesham grew up in Dallas- Fort Worth. A graduate of Richland High School, he went on to get his Bachelor’s Degree at Southwestern University, where he excelled in academics and basketball. After graduating from college, Hesham went to work in Health and Wellness before making the move to the automotive industry.

At Park Place, Hesham embraced his new job as a new car sales consultant so much that he was recognized as Sales Consultant of the Year shortly thereafter.

Less than 3 years later, he was promoted into management. The position provided him the opportunity to teach others how to build and solidify meaningful relationships. Hesham’s leadership and mentoring skills created the perfect environment for his team and contributed to his overall growth and success.

Hesham’s dedication, hard-work, and exceptional leadership put Park Place Motorcars Dallas on top, ranking in the top 5 amongst Mercedes-Benz dealerships Nationwide year after year.

Today, Hesham has an even bigger role, a role that is the pinnacle of his career and a testament to his hard work and commitment. He is the General Manager of Park Place’s brand new Mercedes-Benz dealership in Arlington.

You never know where your success story will begin, but it always begins with taking a chance.

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.

Park Place Motorcars Grapevine is proud to support the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District. Each year, two lucky Teacher of the Year winners get to spend a summer in a Mercedes-Benz. This year, Julee Vorachard of Cannon Elementary and Kristinia Haney were named 2015 Elementary & Secondary Teachers of the Year.

                        Julee Vorachard (middle) Kristinia Haney (2nd from right)

Kristinia Haney, a teacher at Collegiate Academy picked out a shiny red Mercedes-Benz GLK350 to drive for the summer.

On top of spending the summer in a Mercedes-Benz, the winners get tickets to a Texas Rangers game, passes to the Dallas Arboretum, and cool Mercedes-Benz grab bag with other goodies all courtesy of Park Place Motorcars Grapevine.