Full Throttle, a Presidio Podcast
The Presidio Group’s Director of Multimedia and Events, Jason Stein, hosts Full Throttle, a podcast that brings together industry leaders to discuss retail trends, innovation and thought-provoking business models. Jason interviews some of the industry’s key personalities and insiders. Full Throttle will be available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and Pandora. Tune in to stay ahead of industry news and learn how some companies are thriving in the new automotive landscape.
Full Throttle, a Presidio Podcast
Episode 49: Jeff Brown, President of Hendrick Automotive Group
In this powerful episode of Full Throttle, Presidio Managing Director and host Jason Stein sits down with Jeff Brown, President of Hendrick Automotive Group, to explore the personal journey, strategic vision, and people-first leadership that now drive the nation’s largest privately held automotive retail organization.
After a successful tenure as CEO of Ally Financial, Jeff took “the call he’d always said he’d answer” from Rick Hendrick himself. Now leading a $13.6 billion automotive powerhouse with over 11,000 teammates and 132 franchises, Jeff shares insights on:
- Why the move to Hendrick was more than just a career change
- The cultural alignment and servant leadership model that defines the Hendrick organization
- Growth strategies, acquisitions, and the future of auto retail
- How AI, data, and digital tools are shaping customer experience
- Navigating affordability, credit trends, and inventory in today’s market
- Why culture is a living, breathing force that must be nurtured daily
📍 Chapters
0:00 – Intro: The Call That Changed Everything
Jason Stein introduces Jeff Brown’s career path and his transition to Hendrick Automotive Group.
2:20 – Becoming a Dealer: Jeff Brown’s Cultural Fit at Hendrick
Jeff shares how his philosophy aligned with Rick Hendrick’s and why the transition felt natural.
4:55 – Leadership & Legacy: Why Hendrick Was the Right Move
The story behind the phone call from Mr. Hendrick and the long-term vision that drew Jeff in.
7:50 – AI, Data & The Future of Auto Retail
How Hendrick Automotive is leveraging technology and artificial intelligence across its stores.
12:20 – Economic Insights: Inventory, Interest Rates & Affordability
Jeff discusses credit trends, consumer behavior, and Hendrick’s inventory strategy in today’s market.
17:15 – Culture at Hendrick: People First, Always
A deep dive into the servant leadership model and daily practices that power Hendrick’s culture.
From racetracks to boardrooms, Jeff’s story is one of humility, hustle, and high-performance leadership. Whether you're in the automotive space or simply passionate about great leadership, this episode delivers valuable takeaways from one of the industry's most respected voices.
Learn more at: https://www.thepresidiogroup.com
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