Executive Team

John Esplen
President and Owner

Scott Esplen
Director of Used Operations

Brian Bone
Chief Operating Officer &
Chief Financial Officer

Alex Loureiro
General Manager of Audi Midtown Toronto

Andrew Lennox
General Manager of
Mercedes Benz Brampton

Calvin Burnett
General Manager of Humberview Volkswagen

Dean Fera
General Manager of
City Buick Chevrolet Cadillac GMC

Kevin Wood
General Manager of
Georgetown Toyota & AutoPark Georgetown

Tony Patton
General Manager of
Humberview Chevrolet Buick GMC

Mike Buchanan
General Manager of
Cooksville Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM

Pat Barnes
Dealer Operator of Goderich Toyota & Goderich Honda

Rick Howitt
General Manager of
Humberview Trucks & Tri Truck Centre

Richard Wu
General Manager of
Volkswagen MidTown Toronto

Peter Kerr
General Manager of Colony Ford Lincoln

Pat Patsakos
Managing Partner & General Manager of Oakville Toyota and Orangeville Toyota
We make happy customers! With 20 stores across Ontario, we can do more for you than any one dealer could do alone.
Up-front pricing, extended test drives and a customer-centric approach make car-buying a completely enjoyable experience.

John Esplen
President and Owner – The Humberview Group
John is the President and Owner of the Humberview Group. John has been in the retail auto business for over 40 years. He continues to fuel his passion for the auto business by developing and growing The Humberview Group (HG).
John claims that the success of their business lies in the strategy of attracting and developing great people at every level of the organization to provide outstanding service to every customer. The Humberview Group lives by the mantra of “Serving you better, each and every day.”
John lives by the advice he imparts: work hard, have fun, and treat others the way you would want to be treated.
Scott Esplen
Director of Used Operations, The Humberview Group
Scott Esplen was born into the automotive industry. With his love for cars and trucks, as well as a father and brother who were also working in the business, it is no surprise that Scott continued the family passion when he began working at the flagship dealership, Humberview Chevrolet.
Scott and his brother, John, are partners at The Humberview Group of Companies and he has worked at the organization for over 25 years. Scott has worked at all levels of the dealership and today acts as the Director of Used Operations, driving HG forward and bringing in new business opportunities to better the organization.
Scott graduated from Georgian College with a degree in Automotive Marketing. He continues to further his education by taking courses through the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) in Washington D.C. and various courses through the Canadian Automotive Dealers Association (CADA) in London, Ontario.
Having a healthy work-life balance is a key component to Scott’s success. He enjoys playing a variety of sports including tennis, golf, cycling and motocross biking. Scott values spending time at the cottage where he enjoys time with family and friends.
In order to have a successful career in the automotive industry, Scott reminds newcomers to be prepared to work very hard, however, a career in the auto industry is extremely rewarding. It is a phenomenal field to get into when you can preserve and maintain a positive outlook.
Brian Bone
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of The Humberview Group
Brian Bone has been in the automotive business for over 30 years and has been a proud member of The Humberview Group for the past decade. His day-to-day role is Finance and Operations, which includes banking, real estate business, profit and capital planning, risk management and insurance.
Brian obtained his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto and is a Chartered Accountant.
Outside of the office, Brian loves spending time with his wife Janet, whom he has been married to for over 36 years, as well as with his daughter Laura, and his son Ian. He enjoys the outdoors and can either be found skiing on the slopes or competing in cycling races.
When asked what advice he has for newcomers in the auto industry, Brian suggests that you will either love or hate the car business. He finds that there is no in-between with the car industry. For those who love it, he says “enjoy the ride, it is lots of fun.”
Jennifer Fitzsimmons
Director of People and Culture
Jennifer Fitzsimmons has been on the Humberview Group team since 2014 and brings with her an extensive skill set focused on People Management including; Rewarding, Empowering and Motivating, Training, Educating and overseeing Organizational Development. Jennifer has been educated in both Business and Public Relations in addition to holding certifications in Training and Development and is a standing member of HRPA. Jennifer’s combined 15 years in the roles of National Manager with CIBC and Manager of Leadership Learning with Home Depot Canada have allowed her to understand the requirements to motivate and inspire individuals to reach their full potential. This, in turn, allows them to create a world-class experience for both internal team members and external customers. Jennifer shares President John Esplen’s passion for service excellence and partners with him and the rest of the HG team to work with over 1000 Team Members every day to continue to cultivate the best Team Member work environment possible for our valued Team Members.
Alex Loureiro
General Manager of Volkswagen Midtown Toronto
Alex Loureiro began his career in the automotive industry working in the marketing department at Nissan Canada. He moved onto work in several different roles within the sales sector, selling Audi and Volkswagen vehicles. In 2011, Alex was a sales manager at Agincourt Autohaus. The dealership was then acquired by the Humberview Group and renamed Volkswagen MidTown Toronto & Audi MidTown Toronto. In 2015, the dealership separated and Audi MidTown Toronto moved to a different location. During that time, Alex was promoted to General Manager of the Volkswagen MidTown Toronto store and continues to manage and oversee all operations at the dealership today. Alex graduated from Georgian College with a degree in automotive marketing and management.
When Alex is not hard at work he enjoys looking for his golf balls in the woods and spending time with his family at the cottage.
Alex has much to share with the emerging talent to the auto industry. He believes that in order to succeed in this industry, exceptional customer service is the key to success. He enjoys being a mentor who will coach you along your career path; this is a highly beneficial investment for professional growth and advancement
Andrew Lennox
General Manager of Humberview Chevrolet Buick GMC, Humberview Motorsports, Humberview Collision Centre & Humberview Commercial Trucks
Andrew Lennox began his career in the automotive industry as a Mazda salesman in Richmond Hill. He quickly discovered his passion for the business and went onto sell for BMW, Honda Audi, Volkswagen, and General Motors for over 27 years. He joined The Humberview Group (HG) in the summer of 2014 and manages four of the HG locations. In that same year, Andrew was the recipient of the Dealer of the Year Award from Canadian Automotive Remarketing Magazine.
Andrew attended Ryerson University’s Business Management program and graduated from the North American Dealer Academy’s General Managers program in 2001.
When Andrew is not in the office, he enjoys spending time with family and friends. His hobbies include yacht racing, golf, and cruising on their sailboat on Lake Ontario. He is a member of the Port Credit Yacht Club and values giving back to his community by participating in various fundraising campaigns and charity events.
When asked what advice he would give to those who are new to the car business, Andrew notes that it takes time to develop a career within this industry. In today’s world, people expect to get a management position right away, even when they are not ready to do so. Be patient and work hard; career development takes time and experience. He advises that newcomers should consider each day as an opportunity to learn, observing the leadership styles around you so that you can develop your own style from those experiences.
Dean Fera
General Manager of City Buick Chevrolet Cadillac GMC
After graduating from university, Dean began working at a local electronics store. Shortly after, he started his own business but was pursued by Saturn and several years later began working in the dealership. Dean was drawn to the Saturn organization because of their way of doing business; this dealership focused on the customer experience and making the process of buying a vehicle fun! At Motorcity Saturn, Dean learned all aspects of the sales operation, assuming many roles and eventually overseeing the sales department as General Sales Manager.
In 2009, Dean joined the City Buick team as the General Sales Manager. In 2016, Dean assumed the role of General Manager of the dealership.
Dean graduated from Brock University with a degree in business administration. He continuously looks for ways to improve and further his education and knowledge.
Outside of the office, Dean enjoys spending time with his wife, Bianca, and three children, Blake, Aiden and Claudia. Dean has always loved the outdoors and enjoys canoeing, mountain biking, camping and travelling.
For those who are looking to enter this business, Dean will tell you that what you get out of it will depend on the amount of effort that you put in. The attitude you choose every day determines the results you get. If you truly love interacting in a retail environment, there is no better business for you than the automotive retail industry.
Ernie Bugelli
General Manager of Audi Midtown Toronto
After graduating high school, Ernie Bugelli spent several years working for various advertising and retail agencies. At the age of 27, Ernie decided to switch gears and enter the automotive industry. He began selling cars at a Chevrolet dealership in Oshawa. Over 25 years later, he continues to fuel his passion for the auto industry, serving as the General Manager for Audi Midtown Toronto, a proud member of The Humberview Group.
Ernie’s interest in the automotive business was inspired by his Great Uncle Emanuel, who owned several dealerships in California and Colorado. His uncle instilled in him the importance of giving back, working hard and striving for success.
Ernie sees himself as being in the people business, rather than the car business. His motto is simple yet true: be there, play, make their day, and choose your attitude.
In his spare time, Ernie enjoys watching sports and spending time with his family. His favourite sports teams include the Atlanta Falcons and Toronto FC. He hopes to one day witness the Falcons win the Super Bowl and watch his favourite musical group, the Dave Matthews Band, play during the halftime show.
For those who are new to the automotive industry, Ernie recommends that novices read Go-Givers Sell More by Bob Burg and David John Mann. This book provides readers with a practical guide for a value-based approach to selling, where the focus is exclusively on creating value for the customer. According to Ernie, this advice, combined with a hardworking attitude, is a recipe for success.
Greg Warkentin
General Manager of Bayfield Ford Lincoln
Greg Warkentin developed a love for automobiles at a young age and it was only a matter of time before he started his career in the industry. His father spent a lifetime working as a Secretary-Treasurer at a GM dealership, and this piqued Greg’s interest in the automotive world.
Greg graduated from Wilfred Laurier University with Bachelors in Business Administration.
After completing university, Greg joined Enterprise Rent-A-Car as a Management Trainee. He was transferred to Western Canada but eventually decided to move back to Ontario to be closer to family.
Back in Ontario, he joined Frost Pontiac Buick Cadillac GMC (which today is a member of the Dilarwri Group), where Greg worked in a number of roles throughout the sales department.
Greg went onto pursue a different career path and joined GM Financial as a Dealership Relationship Manager. He continued to build on his education by attending NADA and gained more knowledge about the automotive industry. Greg joined The Humberview Group in the spring of 2014 as the Sales Manager at Humberview Chevrolet. Within a few months, Greg was promoted to General Sales Manager where he led the sales team and increased new vehicle sales business 35% over the last several years. Today, Greg serves as the General Manager of Bayfield Lincoln Ford in Barrie.
When Greg is not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Stephanie and three children, Luke, Hope and Noah. As a family, they can often be found at a sporting event or in the summer months, travelling around Canada and the United States in their RV.
Given that Greg comes from a sales background, he speaks to the importance of understanding the sales process. Greg notes that although we call ourselves “car people” in the “car business”; in truth, we are in the people business. The bottom line is that people will not purchase anything from someone they do not trust. To be successful in the car business, you don’t need to be the best “salesperson” in the world; merely understand that before you can sell anything, you need to utilize the small window of time you have to earn a customers’ trust. From there, you can build a relationship and earn their business for life. It’s important to understand that the customer is doing you a favour by giving us the opportunity to earn their business; we are not doing them a favour by fixing their car or selling them a new one. Comprehend those simple things and you can go a long way to secure a very successful career in the automotive world.
Jack Scolieri
General Manager of Streetsville Hyundai
Jack Scolieri was born and raised in the automotive industry. His father was a General Sales Manager for many years and influenced Jack’s passion for the car business. After graduating high school, Jack’s first job was a lot attendant at Classic Honda. With a passion for people and the ability to talk to anyone, Jack obtained his OMVIC certification at eighteen years old and launched his career in sales. With over several years of dealership experience, Jack worked for several different automotive brands including Chrysler, Honda and Mitsubishi. In 2012, Jack joined The Humberview Group as the General Sales Manager at Streetsville Hyundai. In 2017, Jack was promoted and today serves as the General Manager at Streetsville Hyundai.
When Jack is not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Jessica, and their dog in the outdoors. While Jack has a love for cars, he is also a Harley Davidson enthusiast and loves going for rides on the open road.
When asked what advice he would give to newcomers to the automotive business, Jack encourages individuals to work hard and set high goals. Hard work will drive you forward in this industry and is the key to success.
Jamie Johnston
General Manager of Orangeville Honda
Jamie Johnston’s automotive career started in the wash bay cleaning cars. He and his family had been involved with Frost General Motors for two generations where he worked at all levels in the dealership. Over 25 years later, Jamie continues to be an influential leader in the dealership world, managing The Humberview Group’s Orangeville Honda location.
Jamie graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in economics. He lives in Caledon with his wife, Jen, and their two daughters. In his spare time, Jamie enjoys playing hockey and golf.
Drawing from his extensive experience, Jamie notes that those new to the automotive business should focus on the customer. For Jamie, the customer is one of the most important assets in the business. A strong foundation between customers and the dealership provides the opportunity to build a strong, loyal and committed relationship. Establishing trust with the customers helps to build a profitable and integral business.
Jerry Hussar
President/General Manager of Woodstock Hyundai
Jerry partnered with HG in 2013 to bring Streetsville Hyundai and Woodstock Hyundai into the HG family of dealerships. Today, Jerry serves as the President/General Manager of Woodstock Hyundai and dealer principal of Streetsville Hyundai. Jerry purchased Woodstock Hyundai in 2006 acting as the principal dealer. In 2009, he was awarded another new Hyundai dealership (Streetsville Hyundai in Mississauga) which completed construction in 2011. Prior to his involvement with the Hyundai franchises, Jerry was President and Dealer Principal at Brantford Volkswagen, his first dealership purchase. Jerry entered the car industry as Secretary-Treasurer of Evans Ford Lincoln in 1989.
Jerry graduated from the University of Toronto Mississauga with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Jerry is passionate about providing customers with high-quality service and a great experience when they visit the dealership. His determined attitude drives him toward the pursuit of excellence by boosting sales in the new and used car market.
In his spare time, Jerry enjoys participating in many different activities throughout the year. In the summer, he can be found enjoying the waters at Wasaga Beach. In the winter, Jerry is busy playing hockey or tearing down the slopes on a snowboard. Regardless of the season, he loves spending time with his wife and kids.
With an understanding of how quickly technology changes, Jerry advises newcomers to continually learn about technological advancements within the industry. This technology can increase efficiency and helps the dealerships remain current in the industry.
Jim Leckie
General Manager of Humberview Volkswagen
Jim Leckie has over 25 years of experience working as an automotive executive. He has managed dealerships all over the world including the United Kingdom, China and Canada. Jim began his career in the automotive industry working as a Master Technician for AFN (Porsche GB) Retail Group in the UK. Jim joined The Humberview Group as a service manager in 2013 and today acts as the General Manager for Humberview Volkswagen dealership in Etobicoke.
Jim graduated from Brooklands Technical College in the UK with a national certificate specializing in automotive engineering. He continues to further his education by working on an associate degree in automotive business management from the National Automotive Dealers Association.
Jim’s approach and attitude towards his work come from how he views leadership. The ability to empower others is what he believes makes great leaders. Apart from wanting to meet the needs of his team and colleagues, Jim aspires to learn more about business so that he becomes a better leader. A personal statement that drives Jim to be his best is, “I am sure of my ability to do what is necessary to improve my life,” a saying which no doubt influences his career as well.
Jim unplugs from work by tuning into his favourite sport – soccer. He’s an avid fan of Arsenal F.C. (a team in the English Premier League) and was previously a semi-professional soccer player. Jim’s athletic ability extends beyond soccer; he is a keen sailor and skier. Jim is a licensed instructor for both sports. He enjoys many of these activities with his wife, Jackie, who he credits for being the most positive presence in his life.
His advice for up-and-coming automotive professionals is to understand that working at a dealership is like being a part of one big family. Jim also states that if you put in 120% effort, you will have a great career; if you only put in 80%, this is probably not the career for you. This should be viewed as motivation for success, not a warning.
In 2016, under Jim’s leadership, Humberview Volkswagen achieved the prestigious Wolfsburg Crest Club membership. Humberview Volkswagen was one of 14 Canadian dealerships to receive this award from Volkswagen Canada. To be considered for the award, dealers had to meet Volkswagen Canada’s requirements in Operating Standards, Parts Loyalty, Financial Statements submission and Volkswagen Academy Certification.
John Langevin
General Manager, Mississauga Kia
John Langevin has been working in the automotive industry for over 14 years. John’s interest in this business was influenced by his father who spent 45 years with the Ford Motor Company in dealer operations. John began his automotive career selling cars on his first co-op term at Saturn Saab of Thornhill and moved on to be a leasing manager, business manager and sales manager. After spending 8 years in the business, John decided to change paths and became a financial advisor with RBC Dominion Securities in Richmond Hill. John returned to the automotive industry after 5 years as an advisor and has not looked back.
John joined The Humberview Group shortly after Woodchester Kia (now Mississauga Kia) was acquired 2013. Today, John serves as the General Manager of Mississauga Kia. John graduated from the University of Western with a degree in Geography. Shortly after graduation, John went to Georgian College to study Automotive Marketing. When John is not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Lindsay, and exploring downtown Toronto. He enjoys keeping a pulse on the stock market and finding new recipes to experiment with in the kitchen. For those new to the automotive industry, John notes that you can be as successful as you want to be. Find out what other successful people do and work towards getting as good as them. Hard work is the key to success.
Jon Payne
General Manager of AutoPark Barrie & AutoPark Brampton
Jon Payne did not anticipate working in the automotive industry. He noticed a posting for a management trainee position and decided to apply for the job. Over thirty years later, Jon continues to drive his passion for cars, acting as the General Manager for the five AutoPark dealerships within The Humberview Group. Jon’s goal is to continue to build the AutoPark locations to be the most recognized and trusted source for buying used cars.
After graduating high school, Jon completed one year of mechanical engineering and general certified accounting courses. He decided he wanted to pursue a different career path, which is when he applied for a position in the automotive industry.
Outside of work, Jon enjoys spending time with family and friends. He is an avid pool player.
The car business is full of ups and downs. Jon’s advice for those new to the automotive industry is to keep your emotions in check. Don’t get too high when business is good; don’t get too low when times are slow. Perspective is vital and hard work is what will result in a successful career.
Kevin Wood
General Manager of Georgetown Toyota & AutoPark Georgetown
Kevin was born and raised in the automotive industry. His first job was working in the fixed operations department for his father, Jack, who ran a Lincoln Mercury dealership. Kevin eagerly learned the fundamentals of the business and quickly progressed within the auto world. He has worked in all levels of the dealership, from parts to service, to currently managing HG’s Toyota dealership in Georgetown.
Kevin and his father acquired Georgetown Toyota in 1986. Although Kevin has assumed daily responsibility for operating the business, his father continues to remain active in the dealership and is a key contributor to its success.
Kevin takes great pride in the many years of support and involvement by both his family and the dealership in the local Georgetown community. Kevin has watched the Georgetown community grow and develop and continues to look forward to working with HG to take advantage of opportunities for community involvement.
When Kevin is not in the office, he can be found playing a variety of sports. Kevin is a committed hockey fan and plays twice a week. When the hockey season ends, Kevin picks up his glove and baseball and heads onto the field for a game. He has been a season ticket holder of the Toronto Blue Jays for over 30 years and is convinced that this is the year they will win the World Series.
Kevin recommends that the best way to succeed in the automotive industry is to learn the business from the back end forward. It is beneficial to work in a variety of positions to fully understand the day-to-day operations and overall mission of the dealership. Communication, teamwork and trust also play a valuable role in creating success for all.
Lee Wittick
Managing Partner & General Manager of Applewood Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC
Lee Wittick is no stranger to the automotive industry. He began his career on the ground floor as a lot manager during the summer and completed several work terms as a parts driver, tower operator, and parts counterman. After graduating from university, he started his journey through all areas of the business. Starting as a nighttime service advisor, he then moved to new vehicle sales department. Lee’s first big break came when he was promoted to Business Manager, and from there he quickly moved through the ranks of New Vehicle Manager, Used Vehicle Manager, and then General Manager. Lee has been with The Humberview Group for the past ten years, serving as the General Manager at Applewood Chevrolet Cadillac Buick and in the last few years became the General Manager of Mississauga Kia.
Throughout his career, Lee has learned about the challenges and opportunities that arise in this business. With a focused proactive approach, Lee learned how to get the most out of the business.
Lee received his bachelor’s degree from Georgian College in automotive marketing as well as a bachelor’s degree in marketing management from Northwood University.
When Lee is not in the office, he enjoys being active, whether it’s playing hockey, mountain biking, motocross, boating, or downhill skiing. Lee’s children take after their father’s competitive and energetic nature – his daughter is a competitive dancer and avid skier, and his son plays hockey, football, basketball and loves to ski.
For those new to the automotive industry, Lee recommends that individuals take the opportunity to learn and gain an education. The retail automotive category is extremely competitive but like anything in life, the effort you put in dictates the result you will receive.
Mike Buchanan
General Manager of Cooksville Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM
Mike Buchanan began his career in the automotive industry during high school. He started off at the Cooksville dealership cleaning the service shop. Since then, he has worked in a variety of roles at many of The Humberview Group locations including Humberview Chevrolet, Humberview Trucks, Avenue Nissan, Applewood Chevrolet Cadillac and Jim Peplinski Leasing (JPL).
Mike graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Administration and Commercial Studies, majoring in finance.
In his spare time, Mike enjoys watching and playing many sports, including soccer, golf and hockey. He is not afraid to admit that he is a passionate Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He grew up in Mississauga and currently resides in Oakville.
Mike’s advice for those new to the automotive industry is to be open to trying new experiences and challenges. He strongly believes that once you put your mind to something, you can accomplish anything.
Mike Salvian
General Manager of Cooksville Hyundai
Mike Salvian has been working in the automotive industry for over 35 years. He worked many summers during high school for his brother, who, at the time, was the General Manager at a Chevrolet/Oldsmobile dealership. After completing his first year at Humber College, Mike took a job at GMAC in their Calgary office. In in 1982, his brother opened Oakville Honda and Mike moved back to the GTA where he expanded his career in the retail side. He went on to manage Mazda and Chrysler dealerships before coming to The Humberview Group. Today, Mike serves as the Director of Operations for the Cooksville Hyundai and Streetsville Hyundai locations in Mississauga.
Mike has always been a teammate or coach and continually strives to develop his team so that they can succeed. He encourages them to try new things, gain broader experience and increase their knowledge of the business.
Outside of the office, Mike enjoys spending time with his family and taking long walks with the love of his life and their husky, Odin. He likes to travel, looks forward to family vacations and the odd golfing trip. He is an avid sports fan and in recent years has hung up his hockey skates and baseball glove for curling and golf.
When asked what advice he would give to newcomers to the automotive business, Mike notes the importance of listening to others and maintaining perspective. Smile! It opens the door for great communication. Act like a sponge, as this will assist with learning and development. Always ask questions. It’s the best way to gain new perspectives and innovation which are important for driving your business forward and achieving your goals.
Pat Barnes
Dealer Operator of Goderich Toyota & Goderich Honda
Pat Barnes emigrated from Ireland to Toronto in 1964. From a young age, Pat was a hard worker, often
holding three jobs at a time and working in a variety of industries, doing whatever it took to get the job done. He began working as a mechanic at the local body shop. Three years later, Pat joined Downtown Toyota as a service advisor. With over 25 years of dealership experience, Pat has worked in a variety of Toyota and Lexus dealerships across the GTA. In 2011, an opportunity arose to acquire a Toyota dealership in Goderich. Pat partnered with The Humberview Group in purchasing this dealership and took on the role of General Manager, where he relocated to Goderich, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Huron. In 2016, The Humberview Group acquired Goderich Honda. Today, Pat acts as Dealer Operator for both locations.
Pat’s objective is to run a business that takes care of his employees and customers. For Pat, a company that accomplishes those standards is the definition of success.
Pat graduated from high school and continued his education by taking evening classes to get his motorcycle mechanics certification.
Outside of HG, Pat enjoys playing hockey and doing various handyman jobs. He developed a strong passion for motorcycle racing and appreciates spending time at the race track.
In order to have a successful career in the automotive industry, Pat recommends getting your education at a young age. Building on the knowledge you have gained in school, paired with a job that you love is an excellent recipe for success.
Richard Wu
General Manager of Volkswagen MidTown Toronto
Richard Wu started his career in the automotive industry in 2009 as a Brand Specialist at Volkswagen MidTown Toronto. He has always had a passion for cars, so he followed his father’s advice and chose a career path that was of interest to him both personally and professionally. After working for seven years as a Brand Specialist with the Volkswagen and Audi brands, he became a Sales Manager for Volkswagen MidTown Toronto in 2016. Richard was promoted to the role of General Sales Manager in 2017. Today, Richard serves as the General Manager at Volkswagen MidTown Toronto and oversees all dealership operations.
Richard graduated from York University with a degree in Business Economics.
Outside the office, Richard enjoys spending time with his wife, Maggie, and his two daughters. He is a big fan of Formula 1 Racing and watches the English Premier League’s Manchester United soccer team.
When asked to provide advice to those looking to build their career within the automotive industry, Richard believes that treating people the way you wanted to be treated – customers and colleagues – is one of the most important factors. Learning the car business takes time and experience, and you will gain knowledge and leadership experience if you work hard every day.
Rick Howitt
General Manager of Humberview Trucks & Tri Truck Centre
Rick Howitt grew up in the jump seat of a truck. His father was a truck driver, and Rick loved spending time with his dad fixing trucks. This sparked Rick’s interest in repairing vehicles, and he decided to pursue a career in the automotive industry. Rick began working at the local Freightliner heavy truck dealership, and worked through almost every position and eventually moved into management. He went onto to open his own dealership but closed it in 2001. This is when Rick joined the Humberview Group as the General Manager for Humberview Trucks.
Rick graduated from high school with the highest Ford Motor Company technical award and bursary. He went onto obtain his automotive technician license and heavy truck certification. Rick continues to further his education and recently completed the Ivey Executive Program at Western University.
When Rick is not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife are avid travellers, and enjoy all kinds of trips, from visiting the beaches of Bora Bora to spending time with family and friends at the cottage in Northern Ontario. Rick also enjoys maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. Rick is a motivational leader who strives to empower his colleagues through encouragement and teamwork. He works closely with his team since he wants to see them develop and contribute to the company’s goals and vision of “serving you better, each and every day.”
The best way to succeed in the automotive industry according to Rick is to love what you do and do what you love. Your attitude will define your relationships with colleagues, customers and managers. Find a job you love so that coming to work every day doesn’t feel like work at all.
Roger Ryall
President, Auto Loan Solutions Inc.
Roger entered the car business at the age of 18 and has been in the industry ever since. With over 27 years of experience, he has ascended to the role of full-fledged entrepreneur. He is the founder and President of Auto Loan Solutions where he manages sales teams, develops marketing strategies to reaches out to individuals in need of car financing, and tracking customer interactions to improve service. Being the visionary he is, Roger is looking to expand Auto Loan Solutions beyond Ontario, and grow the business to a national level.
Roger graduated from Georgian College with a degree in automotive marketing.
Roger’s enthusiasm and energy go beyond business. When he’s not in the office, he enjoys sailing (as a member of the Port Credit Yacht Club (PCYC) and even does so competitively, regularly taking part in local regattas. Aside from sailing, he enjoys other activities, such as jetting off to exotic locales and hanging out with his two children.
Since his business caters to the subprime market, Roger adopts an approach that’s unique within the industry. He felt his competitors were too focused on selling auto loans, rather than helping their customers. Recognizing that many of these individuals were given loans they couldn’t afford, Roger decided to build a company that focused on the needs of the customer, which meant providing them with loans their income could support. As a partner of The Humberview Group, he shares their value of being honest the foremost- a rarity in the subprime auto loan market