Best Dealerships to Work For

General manager: Lou Liodori

Dealership group: Penske Automotive Group

Full-time employees: 81

Liodori on how employment practices could change with the industry shift to electric vehicles: “We are creating much more awareness and training for the new EVs. Mercedes is now pushing out more EV product, and we need to be able to compare and contrast against the other types of EVs out there, just like we do with [internal combustion engine] vehicles.”

Liodori on improving employee retention: “Constant weekly, monthly and quarterly engagement. We plan lots of events whether food trucks, barbecues, pancake breakfasts or [other] activities. We always have something going on to let them know that we care, that they matter and are appreciated. Our human capital is our greatest asset. We are nowhere without our great employees.”

Liodori on offering a long-term career path: “We let them know that we hire to retire. We promote from within as much as possible. We offer constant training. If someone wants to do more or grow to the next level, we encourage it. We post job openings at all of the stores; therefore everyone has access, and they can raise their hand if they are interested in the position and want to make the switch.”

Liodori on changes to promote work-life balance: “Since the pandemic, we have become more flexible and adapted to employee wishes for work-life balance. We are more sensitive to employees who ask for more time off or wish to leave early or take an extra day off to do an activity with their family members. Since we were basically in the epicenter of the pandemic, most of our employees were affected in some way by COVID. As a result, we as managers have been acutely aware of the stress these people have been put through. We wear compassion on a daily basis.”

Liodori on parental leave: “It’s another arrow in the quiver of job recruitment and retention. We already offer many great services, and this is an added benefit.”