DENNIS & CO - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Spokesperson and Representative
As Vice President of Operations at Dennis & Co. Auto Group, Alan works closely with the Executive Team and General Management to implement their business plans, focusing on achieving goals via the dealership teams. He also oversees all of the dealerships' Customer Relations teams. He ensures customers' satisfaction during both purchasing and ownership experiences. Alan's experience includes employee training, sales, human resources, operations management, and business administration.
As Vice President of Operations at Dennis & Co. Auto Group, Alan works closely with the Executive Team and General Management to implement their business plans, focusing on achieving goals via the dealership teams. He also oversees all of the dealerships' Customer Relations teams. He ensures customers' satisfaction during both purchasing and ownership experiences.
Alan also provides support to the human resources team to assist with policy guidance and employer relations to over 800 employees. His partnership is extended to the training and development team to collaborate on their retention and staff development goals with the sole focus on opportunity creation.
In addition, as a spokesperson and representative for Dennis & Co., Alan has forged relationships with local community representatives, trade organizations, and business leaders in order to enhance awareness of company initiatives.
Prior to his current position, Alan was an HR Generalist for American Realty Capital, where he led a 10-member team. He implemented policies, managed employee relations, and maintained employee records. He also handled a myriad of other HR issues, including compensation, benefits, and talent acquisition.
Having worked mostly in the areas of HR administration, recruitment and placement, and operational management for AllianceBernstein, NYC Business Solutions, and American Realty Capital, he is very familiar with virtually all aspects of HR. He is particularly experienced in providing strategic advice to operational managers, directing leadership teams, mediating disputes, and managing client services. With regard to the latter, Alan is the recipient of the 2011 Jodi Spiegel Enhancement of Customer Service Award, a national recognition within the Workforce and Economic Development Community.
Alan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey.
Alan lives in Yorktown Heights, New York, with his wife, Christina, and their children-Jayden, Dylan, and Alessandra. When Alan is not working, he enjoys watching his kids play sports, participating in family movie nights, and grilling food on the barbecue.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Human Resources
Aubrey Allen is the Vice President of Human Resources at Dennis & Co. Auto Group. Aubrey has extensive experience in planning, developing, and directing the execution of targeted human resources initiatives, such as hiring, onboarding, learning and development, and employee relations. Aubrey's demonstrated excellence in increasing employee retention, reducing turnover, mitigating overall workplace conflicts, establishing a collaborative culture, adhering to employment laws, and coordinating recruitment strategies is unparalleled.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Dealer Performance
- Vice President of Performance Management
Bob Erickson is Vice President of Performance Management for Dennis & Co. Auto Group. In this capacity, he leads the Performance Management team with Operations, HR, and dealership sales. His responsibilities include providing direction and oversight on vehicle inventory, monitoring customer service, overseeing advertising effectiveness and budget allocation, and forecasting sales volume, revenue, and gross profit. He also oversees employee training and recruiting. Bob has over 19 years of diverse experience in the automotive industry.
Bob Erickson is Vice President of Dealer Performance for Dennis & Co. Auto Group. In this capacity, he leads a group of sales departments that achieves continuous business growth. Bob's responsibilities include providing direction and oversight on vehicle inventory, monitoring customer service, overseeing advertising effectiveness and budget allocation, and forecasting sales volume, revenue, and gross profit. He is also responsible for directing employee training and recruiting.
Prior to his current role, Bob served as General Manager for Dennis & Co.'s largest franchise, Eastchester Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram. During the time Bob was General Manager, Eastchester won multiple honors from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) for exceeding sales objectives and earned the prestigious Customer First Award for Excellence in 2018, one of only two dealers in New York City to earn such a recognition.
Bob has more than 19 years of diverse experience serving clients in the automotive industry. He joined Dennis & Co. in 2013 and worked his way up the ranks, holding positions as General Sales Manager and Finance Manager.
Having grown up in a family who owned an automotive company, Bob began his career as a salesperson at their independent automotive dealership. Subsequently, he worked for a Ford dealer as a sales manager and business development director, where his sales department experienced accelerated growth in both volume and revenue.
After earning an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Iona College, he expanded his automotive knowledge and expertise by attending the National Automobile Dealers Association's dealer academy.
Bob resides in Westchester County, New York, where he and his wife, Diana, are raising their two children.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Corporate Accounting
Brendan McNamara is the Vice President of Corporate Accounting at Dennis & Co. Auto Group. He is responsible for corporate accounting, including overseeing real estate entities and consolidating financial statements. Before joining Dennis & Co., Brendan held the position of CFO at Mercedes Benz Manhattan. His profound association with Mercedes Benz spans 15 years, during which he undertook significant roles in both their Finance and IT sectors. His contributions ranged from Financial Reporting and Systems Implementations to Residual Risk & Remarketing Strategy. Brendan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), having honed his auditing skills as a senior auditor at Ernst & Young. He holds a BS in Accounting and a minor in Management Information Systems from the University of Delaware.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder
- Chairman of the New York State Automobile Dealers Association
Brian Dennis is the Founder and CEO of Dennis & Co. Auto Group, one of the largest auto dealership networks in the Metropolitan New York Region.
Originally from Michigan, Brian began his automotive career in dealership sales. He was quickly promoted to finance manager and soon after provided finance consulting to dealerships. He founded his first business in 1999, a national sub-prime consulting company, Advantage Finance Solutions. He founded Dennis & Co. Auto Group in 2006 when he purchased Riverdale Chrysler Jeep in the Bronx, an underperforming single-point store.
He has since transformed the company into a business representing 17 automotive brands across 15 locations, a reinsurance company, real estate holdings, and a dealer-to-consumer retail startup, generating $760M+ in annual revenue and 15,000 units sold. Brian provides executive oversight on all business activities, leads the management teams, and ultimately oversees 800+ employees.
Under Brian's leadership, one of Dennis & Co Auto Group's pillars to success is an unwavering dedication to people.
For his customers, this means a shift from high-pressure sales to seamless interactions that can begin online and conclude in person. It means one call, text, or email in the event of a car service issue. It means access to a dedicated Customer Care department for immediate attention to and resolution of any customer concerns.
Brian's company CORE values, Compensation, Opportunity, Respect, and Expectations, have led to his employees offering a world-class customer experience. Dennis & Co. Auto Group has consistently exceeded customer satisfaction expectations and received multiple manufacturer awards, including the Pentastar Club Award, Volkswagen Wolfsberg Crest club Award, and Chrysler Customer First Award for Excellence.
As an 18-year active member, Brian currently serves as the Chairman of the New York State Automobile Dealers Association, and formerly as Chairman of NYSADA's Legislative Committee. Working with U.S. senators, congressmen, attorney general, and the New York State governor, he actively advocates for auto dealers state-wide. He is also a member of the NADA PAC President's Club.
Brian also participates in one of the highest-performing NADA Dealer 20 Groups, CD-03, Super Group 01, and serves on the FCA Northeast Business Center Dealer Council and the Kia Dealer Council, where he represents all FCA and Kia dealers to manufacturers.
With his nearly 800 employees, Brian has established incredible relationships and retention through a laser-like focus on personal growth and development. In addition to offering college tuition to all employees and supporting industry-specific education, he provides organizational career pathways for each role with a comprehensive reward and recognition program. Nearly all of the group's leaders began with the company in an entry-level capacity, earning increased responsibilities, and finding great success in their current management and partner roles.
Brian's commitment to people extends far beyond his network of stores into the surrounding community. Committed to diversity, rehabilitation, and empowerment, he has developed strong relationships with local groups, organizations, and charities, paying special attention to the community's youth.
Through the New York City Justice Corps prisoner reentry internship program, Brian offers young adults with criminal records a supportive environment focused on building skills and promoting behavioral changes to keep them out of the justice system. "I'm honored to provide justice-involved young adults with a sense of dignity and possibility for their future and shift perceptions of them to worthy and valued members of our community," says Brian about the program.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Executive Team
Carmela T. Morello is Chief Financial Officer and member of the Executive Team at Dennis & Co. Auto Group. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the centralized Accounting function and for leading a team of Accounting Associates, Controllers, and Office Managers. Carmela trains staff members, reviews and implements new processes to improve her office's efficiency, and ensures all financial data are reported accurately and on time.
Prior to her current role, Carmela was Controller for New York-based AutoNation stores: BMW of Mt. Kisco, Jaguar Land Rover White Plains, Jaguar Land Rover Larchmont, and Land Rover Mt. Kisco. As a leader of 11 associates, some of her responsibilities included managing day-to-day operations, developing and maintaining a cash management system, and overseeing financial reporting to all manufacturers and AutoNation corporate. She also managed all New York State tax filing submissions and weekly payroll, and she collaborated with regional staff to achieve corporate initiatives.
Carmela held the Controller role for Silver Star Motors, Mercedes-Benz for 11 years and for The Bay Ridge Automotive Management Group of stores-Lexus of Manhattan, Toyota of Manhattan, and Infiniti of Manhattan and Fordham Toyota-for 13 years. Carmela began her career in the Accounting field, having worked as a staff accountant for Dun & Bradstreet and Ernst & Young for four years.
One of Carmela's greatest achievements is supporting the learning and growth of direct reports who have worked for her throughout her career. She has trained and developed direct reports with only minimal knowledge in Accounting or automotive experience and has proudly watched them advance to positions such as Assistant Accounting Manager, Accounting Manager, and Controller.
Carmela earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees in Accounting from Fordham University in Bronx, New York. She is also a CPA. Carmela resides in Thornwood, New York, with her husband, John, and their two children, Johnny and Isabella. When Carmela is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Craig Ugrin leads and continues the transformation of Dennis & Co. Auto Group's rapid expansion strategy. He provides leadership, direction and management in all aspects of our growth and serves as a spokesperson for the organization in the marketplace. More specifically, Craig leads the organization in achieving its vision through design and development of strategic growth initiatives, managing critical partnerships and advancing initiatives aimed at accelerating growth. Areas of focus include Corporate Development, Real Estate Development, Platform Growth and Efficiency, and Industry Outreach and Partnerships.
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
- Vice President of Customer Experience, Training and Development for Dennis & Co Auto Group
Tom lives in Mamaroneck, New York, with his wife, Roz, and their children - Maeve and Erin. Tom is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, enjoys participating and watching sports - particularly a fan of Arsenal and England football teams, the NY Giants, playing golf and winter sports participant.
Tom Secker-Walker is Vice President of Customer Experience, Training and Development for Dennis & Co Auto Group. In this capacity, Tom provides leadership, guidance and management to the business through analysis, guidance and training that ensures our teams are delivering a high level of satisfaction to all our clients. He works closely with the Performance Team and Dealership Operators to deliver exceptional customer service to our customers that are both purchasing and maintaining their vehicles through our dealerships. Tom is also responsible for all OEM manufacturer training (sales and service) requirements to ensure our teams are certified, identifying additional training and development opportunities internally and externally for our people and the groups compliance with federal training requirements.