Ex-minor leaguer Hollis is a big hitter at Scion

Running a car brand is a lot like being a cleanup hitter. You're usually trying to hit home runs.

Scion's new boss, Jack Hollis, knows a thing or two about hitting dingers. He was a member of Stanford University's NCAA champion baseball team in 1988 and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds.

In his second minor league season, Hollis was hitting .309 as an outfielder for Cedar Rapids (Iowa) in the Midwest League. But an injury caused him to pack up his spikes for good.

After a turn in the banking business, Hollis joined Toyota in 1992. He has worked in sales, marketing and operations and was a special assistant to the president of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. for two years. Hollis, already a Scion executive, was promoted to the top job in the shake-up triggered by Jim Farley's move to Ford Motor Co.

Hollis, a fan of Christian pop music, will have his hands full (and his ears ringing) hanging out with the hip-hop kids who are Scion's target audience. He spoke with Automotive News Staff Reporter Mark Rechtin.

Name: Andrew Jackson Hollis V

Title: Scion vice president, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.

Age: 40

Education: B.S. in economics, Stanford University, 1988.

Personal: Married to Jayne, four children

Major break: Assistant to Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. presidents Yoshi Inaba and Yuki Funo for a year each. "That probably was the most influential two years in my career. To sit with a CEO on a daily basis, you learn everything from a different perspective. ... That's how I learned about Scion. It was Mr. Inaba's project in his last year. I was part of the original Scion study team.

What was your big break in life?

One was the opportunity to attend Stanford, because it taught me educational and athletic competitiveness. It pushed me very hard. The second one was marrying Jayne.

Why did you quit pro ball?

I got hurt in my right (throwing) shoulder. I played center field, and one time I threw the ball and I tore up my shoulder pretty good. It took me down a level. I couldn't strengthen it enough to be a major league baseball player.

Were you headed for the Show?

I was told I was on the cusp of AAA ball and the majors. I would be a journeyman player, or a "cup of coffee" player -- always on that edge. Everyone wants to believe they are the best, but that was my level. Once I got hurt, my best was going to be AAA or AA ball. So I used my degree from Stanford to go into the business world.

What is your favorite restaurant?

The Chart House in Redondo Beach.

Who are your dream dinner guests?

Jesus Christ, Babe Ruth and Ronald Reagan.

What's the newest thing on your iPod?

My daughter takes care of that for me, but I listen to William Wilberforce books on tape. Most recent music would be Janet Jackson's greatest hits, Michael W. Smith's greatest hits and the Mariah Carey Christmas album.

What is your dream car not made by Toyota?

Any model Ferrari from the late '90s, but I've never owned one.

Who is your favorite movie character?

Maximus from Gladiator.

What is your favorite city?

I was born in Hawthorne and raised in Torrance and Redondo Beach, and now I live in Palos Verdes. So my favorite area is Southern California. The only other place I really like is Palo Alto (home of Stanford).

What was the most fun you had outside of work in the past year?

We had a family vacation to Sunriver, Ore., white-water rafting.

Guilty pleasure?

I overdose on ESPN.

Dream job?

I like what I'm doing, but I would have liked to play center field for the Cincinnati Reds. Either that or to be an owner of a Major League Baseball team, probably on the West Coast.