Employee Spotlight: Robert Lee

Our goal for our employees at MileOne is to create an environment that nurtures our employees’ skillsets and encourages them to build a rewarding career. In future newsletters we will be highlighting an employee who has found success and grown at MileOne. In this newsletter we are featuring Robert Lee, the General Manager at Heritage Honda Westminster.

Robert joined the auto industry in 1991 as a sales associate at Chevy in Owings Mills. Through his hard work he rose to sales manager, general sales manager and in 2014, became the general manager of Heritage Honda Westminster. Take a look at how his career developed over time.

What role have you appreciated the most?
I really enjoy being a general manager. It allows me the financial stability to support my family and live the life I envisioned when I started my career. It has also allowed me to serve as a mentor and help employees elevate their careers. When someone I’ve mentored succeeds or receives a promotion, it means a lot to me. 

Who was your biggest supporter as you progressed at MileOne?
I had an amazing support system from multiple guys. Barry Lurie, Rob Long and Constantine Spivak were all instrumental in my success at MileOne. Barry Lurie was the GM when I started and told me that the sky was the limit; I can progress within the company as far as I want to go. He was right. He took me to auctions and showed me how to buy cars and how to merchandise them before the internet became our sales showroom. Barry supported my advancement in every way. Rob Long taught me to check the facts. He motivated me and held me accountable in every way. He was stern, but fair. Constantine has been my biggest supporter over the past 17 plus years. He has provided me with several opportunities to grow, including my transition to Heritage Honda Westminster. If I shared everything that Constantine has assisted me with, I’d be writing a short novel, but some of the best takeaways that I’ve integrated into my routine are to work every day like it’s your last day, expect the most out of your employees and you’ll receive it, keep your eye on the prize, set a goal and make it happen and don’t do yesterday’s work today, get it done yesterday.

What is your most memorable moment from MileOne?
I have been moved around at MileOne which is great, but the day I was informed that I was returning to my favorite store, Honda Westminster, has to be my most memorable day. This is where I grew up and flourished and built a lot of great relationships with the employees and the customers.  It cannot be matched anywhere else. I was thrilled when Michael Barnes delivered that news to me.

What is one piece of advice you would give to employees entering the automotive industry?
This industry is one of the most lucrative and rewarding you can get into and is honestly one of the best kept secrets for millennials.

What’s the biggest change you see in the auto industry today versus when you first started?
The biggest change is the online experience. Also, when I started the reputation for selling cars was not the best, but now people are realizing what we’ve known all along – that this is a profession with honor and integrity.

What personal characteristics have contributed the most to your career growth?
Honesty, integrity and dedication. I am a very hard worker and have been honored to work for the best company and people in the automotive industry.