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Park Place Dealerships 4th Annual Season of Giving Recipients Receive a Total of $100,000

North Texas non-profits are kicking off the holiday season with a little more cheer, thanks to $100,000 in Season of Giving grants from Park Place Dealerships. The dealership group selected 21 recipients across the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area that make an impact in the community year-round.

“It’s been truly inspiring to learn about the remarkable work of numerous non-profits making a difference in our communities,” said Tony Carimi, Managing Director of Park Place Dealerships. “In addition to providing year-end grants, Park Place Members will also volunteer with these non-profit partners in the coming year, aiming to drive an even greater impact in the community.”

More than 700 non-profits applied for the 4th Annual Season of Giving grants. Each recipient aligns with one of Park Place’s Four Pillars of Giving: Education; Medical Research; Advocacy; or the Arts.

Under its philanthropic arm, Park Place Cares, the Season of Giving program awards one-time grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. Now in its fourth year, the initiative has granted a total of $400,000 to 86 local organizations, supporting the missions of non-profits dedicated to bettering North Texas communities. Over the past 37 years, Park Place Cares has contributed millions of dollars to charities through ongoing outreach and support.

This year’s grant recipients represent a broad range of causes and communities across North Texas, reflecting Park Place Dealerships’ commitment to uplifting diverse missions and making a lasting difference. The charities receiving a grant for the 2024 Season of Giving include:

Education

  • Pasos for Oak Cliff (Dallas)
  • Broken Halos Haven (Lewisville)
  • Claymore Operations (Coppell)
  • Little Hands Book Bank (Plano)
  • Gabby’s Sanctuary Ark, Inc. (Lancaster)
  • Gill Children’s Services (Fort Worth)
  • Rainbow Days (Dallas)
  • Girls on the Run (Dallas)

Medical

  • Enabling Movement Foundation (Flower Mound)
  • David Nicklas Organ Donor Awareness Foundation (Grand Prairie)

Advocacy

  • Bikers Against Child Abuse (Fort Worth)
  • Lambie’s Love (Dallas)
  • DFW Angels (Dallas)
  • Serving Our Seniors (Richland Hills)
  • Metrocrest Services (Carrollton)
  • Patriot PAWS Service Dogs (Rockwall)
  • Streetside Showers (McKinney)
  • Second Chance Dog Rescue (Mansfield)

Arts

  • New Song Community Choir (Dallas)
  • Brown Girls Do Ballet (Fort Worth)
  • Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth (Fort Worth)

“This is truly one of our favorite times of the year as we come together to review the incredible applications from local non-profits,” said Kara Connor, Park Place Dealership’s Experiential Marketing Manager. “Beyond providing financial support, we’re excited to strengthen our connections with these inspiring organizations that make such a meaningful impact across North Texas.”

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All in the Family

Motorcars Dallas Pre-Owned Sales Manager Mike Wasserman is passionate about nurturing and developing the Park Place ‘family’ culture. “I’ve spent more than half of my life here,” he said. “And I don’t see myself stopping anytime in the near future.”

Celebrating 30 years at Park Place, Mike’s story really is a family affair. Mike’s wife Linda spent 17 years in sales at Lexus Plano. And for the past year and a half his daughter Ashley has worked as a Sales Experience Manager at Porsche Dallas.

“I remember from the time I was little visiting Lexus Plano and talking to one of the Members who is still at the dealership,” says Ashley. “She’s like an older sister to me. When I got my first car, Park Place always treated me right as a client. Then, coming to work here, it’s like my life has come full circle.”

After graduating from UNT with a degree in Hospitality Management, Ashley started as a greeter but quickly moved into sales. “Personalization is important,” she says. “People don’t want to be treated as a number. That’s true of how we treat our clients, and also how we treat each other. Other Members don’t treat me as Mike’s daughter. They treat me as an individual. In my experience, Park Place is different than other dealerships.”

Mike has seen a lot of change over the years in the automotive industry, but what hasn’t changed is Park Place’s dedication to culture. “You have to experience change in order to grow,” he says. “But you can still build on the legacy of those who came before you. We’re not in the car business. We’re in the people business. Take care of the people – both our clients and fellow Members – and success will follow.”

“After 30 years at Park Place, I feel a certain obligation to protect our culture and nurture new Members for the benefit of our clients. We have so many Members who are tenured here. It’s our responsibility to adopt the new Members and lead by example. It’s important we walk the walk and not just talk the talk.”

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Tony Carimi Named to the Dallas 500 by D CEO Magazine

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.

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Park Place Dealerships Lends a Helping Hand for Back-to-School Efforts Across North Texas

Park Place Dealerships continues its long-standing commitment to community support by partnering with several local organizations for a series of back-to-school initiatives. These efforts include volunteering at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County’s Back to School Fair, along with school supply drives benefitting students in Dallas, Arlington, and Fort Worth.

Park Place team members volunteered at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County’s Back to School Fair. The event provided backpacks and essential school supplies to children in need, ensuring they are prepared for the upcoming school year. Park Place members worked directly with families, distributing supplies and sharing in the excitement of helping children start their school year with confidence.

In addition to volunteering, Park Place Dealerships has organized multiple school supply drives across its North Texas locations:

  • Park Place Motorcars Dallas and Porsche Dallas partnered with For Oak Cliff, an organization focused on enhancing opportunities in South Dallas, to collect school supplies for students in the community.
  • Park Place Motorcars Arlington supported Pearcy STEM Academy and the Boys & Girls Club of Arlington through a school supply drive, aiming to provide these young scholars with the tools they need to thrive.
  • Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth collected supplies for The Welman Project, which helps redirect surplus materials from businesses to schools and nonprofits, ensuring under-resourced classrooms are well-equipped.

“Our commitment to education and the next generation is at the core of our community engagement,” said Kara Connor, Experiential Marketing Manager of Park Place Dealerships. “By supporting local schools and organizations through these supply drives, we aim to ensure that every child starts the school year with the resources they need to succeed.”

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. 

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Local Resident Places First In Statewide Auto Body Association Competition

Dallas technician Adrian Ortiz recently won first place in the Paint Competition at the Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) BIG SHOTS Competition at the Irving Convention Center.

“The best part was I got to try new products and learn new things,” said Ortiz. “These are things I can apply daily in my job. The biggest opportunity was being trusted to step into the booth to show what I had learned over the course of my career thus far.”

Ortiz has worked for Park Place Bodywerks for 18 years. He is a certified painter for Bentley, McLaren, and Mercedes-Benz automobiles.

“It is a great honor that our Members can publicly show their strengths and represent Park Place in such a good light,” said Brandon Gillespy, Bodywerks Dallas Shop Manager. “We celebrate their accomplishments and value their commitment to excellence.”

Born and raised in East Dallas, Ortiz graduated from Woodrow Wilson High and the Autobody Tech program at Eastfield Community College. He married his high school sweetheart, Johanna, and they live on the east side of White Rock Lake with their two children. In his free time, Ortiz is restoring his high school car: a 1962 Chevy Nova.


When asked what advice he’d give someone just starting out in the business, Ortiz answered, “Be a sponge and ask questions…learn as much as possible. We have some of the best technicians in the country that reside within the walls at Park Place.”

Other Bodywerks Dallas members representing Park Place in the annual statewide competition included Philip Glass, who placed third in the Estimating Competition out of 25 participants, and Bodywerks Estimator Davis Richards, a two-time winner in the competition. After his first place win last year, Richards volunteered to judge the 2024 estimating competition.

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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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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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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.