The power of friendship is strong — and it can lead to interesting and rewarding new paths. Such was the case for Omar Rodriguez, who left the Marine Corps in 1998 and happened to visit two friends who worked at Carl Black. Two days after discussing a potential job opportunity there with his wife, Rodriguez interviewed for a sales position. The rest is history. 

“I got the job, and here we are today,” says Rodriguez, who is now dealer principal of Carl Black Chevrolet Buick GMC in Orlando, Florida. 

This Veterans Day, his story is a perfect example of the career possibilities the retail automotive segment can provide for military service members. It also showcases how professional traits instilled during military service can help elevate a car dealership to new levels of success. 

Carl Black Auto Group opened its first dealership in 1993 in Kennesaw, Georgia. According to Rodriguez, it ranked as the number-one GMC dealership in the country by 2000. Over time, the business expanded to eight stores, including the Orlando location, which opened in 2006 and quickly became the top Pontiac dealership in the southeast, Rodriguez recalls. 

When it comes to the secret of his dealership’s success, Rodriguez credits both the people who work there and the business culture. “It’s what we’ve built our company on,” he says. 

In this video, Rodriguez explains about how dedication to staff, customers and the community plays a vital role in operating a thriving business.