College of Automotive Income Testimonials:

Sean Greene

Previous Occupation: Waiter

Previous Income: $2,000 per month

Current Occupation: Finance Manager

Current Income: $15,000 per month 

“How my life has changed in just the last two months. Two months ago I didn’t have a driver’s license, wasn’t making more than $2,000 a month as a waiter and was going nowhere fast. I saw an ad in the local paper about training people for management positions within the lending and automotive industries. I knew I had to make something of my life, so I decided to call. I will never forget what I told my career counselor, I said that I was tired of being a screw up! She knew I was serious about changing my life so I signed up for the program. The entire staff at The College of Automotive Management was great and behind me all the way. They knew I was serious about studying hard, changing my life, and making a career for myself, not just another job. Before I had even graduated I received job leads from the Career Development Department and had interviews set. Within a week, I landed an F&I Manager position for a Lincoln Mercury dealership where I am making $5,000 a month with just my base salary plus, I earn commissions and bonuses and this was just to start! This is more than twice the amount of money I had ever made. I love what I am doing and want to say that the College of Automotive Management and everyone there is great. I will always be grateful for the change this education has brought to my life." 

2007: "I now work as a finance manager for a luxury dealership in Beverly Hills earning over $15,000 per month.  I can't believe how much my life has changed in the last 2 years!”   

-Sean

Finance Manager

Jamie Tenny

Previous Occupation: Retail Manager

Previous Income: $2,000 per month

Current Occupation: Finance Manager

Current Income: $10,000 per month 

“The College of Automotive Management opened more doors for me than I ever thought possible, and put me on a whole new track, both personally and professionally.” 

-Jamie

Finance Manager

Darius Tavoli

Previous Occupation: Automobile Sales Consultant/Closer

Previous Income: $3,000 per month

Current Occupation: Finance Director

Current Income: $12,000 per month 

“I was a student from USC and I wanted to go into an industry that would best benefit and fulfill my needs. I felt that the automotive industry was the best fit as there seemed to be no cap on the amount of money you could be making. When I came to The College of Automotive Management I knew little of finance, after I left, I knew all the aspects of how the department worked and had the necessary tools that would help to make me a success. I was hired on as a Finance Manager for a small dealership in Orange County and now work as the Finance Director for a Dealership in Garden Grove”. 

-Darious

Finance Director 

Milam Byers

Previous Occupation: Musician

Previous Income: $2,200 per month

Current Occupation: Internet Consultant

Current Income: $8,000 per month 

"I am now in my second month as an Internet Salesperson.  The first month I was here I trained for about 2 weeks before I was added to the lead pipeline full time.  In those 2 weeks in February, traditionally a very slow month, I sold 7.5 cars.  I thought that was a good start since I had never sold a car before that but I had no idea what was to come.  I started March, my first full month of sales, and sold 2 in the first 2 days of the month.  By March 10 I had 9 cars out, the highest in a store of approximately 40 salespeople (and the highest volume Toyota dealership in a region of 5 states) and I was the top guy at the first sales meeting of the month!  I am so excited to see what is in store for the future.  I never expected to see such a drastic increase this quickly.  I am currently on track to make about $8,000 this month, that's 4 times the most I had ever made prior to this in my life!  I see the value of The College of Automotive Management's education on a daily basis.  I see salespeople all around me that have been in the business for years that don't tell the truth, don't serve their customers and don't care about every single person that walks through the door.  Because I was trained at The College of Automotive Management I know what they are doing wrong, and they look at the "new guy" and wonder how in the world I have already sold more in the first 10 days of the month as they had all last month!  Needless to say I am enjoying my job immensely and can't say enough about the preparation The College of Automotive Management provided for my success."  

-Milam

Internet Consultant

Nashville, TN 

George Elizondo

Previous Occupation: Car Salesperson

Previous Income: $3,000 per month

Current Occupation: Sales Manager

Current Income: $9,000+ per month 

"With tears in my eyes and my heart filled with excitement and gratitude I tell you today that I am the very proud to be New Car Sales Manager at a Ford dealership in Texas.  After I had finished the course I was filled with a newfound sense of confidence and accomplishment.  I went on about 12 interviews and almost every single interview was so impressed with me, but unfortunately they did not have any openings at the time.  But I never gave up.  I took a job as a Sales Representative at a Toyota dealership to gain some more experience and to pay the bills.  However, I took this as a great opportunity and continued to prospect dealers knowing with confidence that I could do the job better than anyone else, thanks to The College of Automotive Management.  I told my wife and sons, “I will be a Manager, maybe not today or tomorrow but I will not give up.”  And I didn’t.  One day, I went to a Ford dealership and was almost turned down instantly because I had a somewhat troubled past.  Not to go into too many details, I just want to state that I have experienced many hardships in my life and with the love and support of my family, I have turned myself around, I was tired of being a failure and gaining an education was the last step in my transformation.  The GSM finally extended me an interview and was totally blown away with my drive to succeed and the confidence that I acquired from The College of Automotive Management.  He made an appointment with me for the next day to meet with him, the dealership director, and the owner.  I went prepared with my College of Automotive Management curriculum and I said to both of them I can do the job better than anyone and I can prove it.  So just give me an opportunity to do so.  The next day I received a call and now here I am sharing with you, that I am the New Car Sales Manager. 

Wait there’s more.  The GSM told me he likes my voice and would like me to participate in doing commercials for the dealership.  How about that?  Thanks to The College of Automotive Management, I am now going to be on TV.  There is one more thing, I’m in charge and responsible for the hiring of any new employees so I am looking for salespeople, so keep your ears open for any graduates who are coming in from Texas, as we are going to definitely be asking for your guy’s help. Thank you all, I would have never had the confidence or the courage to pursue such endeavors but the knowledge that I have learned from The College of Automotive Management has given me this ability.  God willing, someday I will be able to fly back to California and thank you all in person. I used to make $3,000 a month; now, I make over $9,000 a month. This year I will make over $72,000 more than the maximum I have ever earned in a year...” 

-George

Sales Manager 

Peter Mathieu

Previous Occupation: Broker

Previous Income: $4,000 per month

Current Occupation: Finance Manager

Current Income: $9-$11,500 per month 

"When I graduated from The College of Automotive Management, I got a job within one week of graduation as a Finance Manager for the Number 1 Motorhome Dealership in Northern California. What makes it especially nice is that for the first time in 15 years, I am actually working in the town I live. It's real nice having only a ten minute commute to work. I've been with the company for 10 months now and the income is what I expected. My first month I made $5,000 and I was very happy to at least make that. The next month, $7,500, the next $8,400...These last two months, I've made over $9,000 in each month. My best month so far was $11,500.What I took with me from The College of Automotive Management and still use every day is being legally compliant. With every contract signing (10 signatures) I still use the very same legal language I was taught. When the other Finance Managers have gotten themselves in some "hot water" over what was said, I am always confident that what I say in the Finance office is not only correct, but ethically and legally sound. For this reason, the GM of our dealership has expressed his gratitude that I am in his Finance office. He's told the owner and the sales managers that "with Peter in finance, I do not have to worry about anything. Deals are getting funded and there are never questions of him being legally compliant." The College of Automotive Management helped me prepare not only for the legalities of the job, but also the selling aspect of it. My income indicates I am doing well, and my averages are also increasing. My average last month was nearly $2,000 per unit with a warranty penetration of always greater than 70%. My best back end gross profit was on a $200,000 Motorhome and I brought in over $10,000 gross profit on ONE DEAL for a nice commission of over $1,300! To this day, our Finance Director says I hold the record in Finance!" 

-Peter

Finance Manager 

Mike Justus

Previous Occupation: Sales Representative

Previous Income: $6-7,000 per month

Current Occupation: Finance Director

Current Income: $29,000 per month 

“As concept cars designer, I changed lanes and began selling cars. After I graduated from The College of Automotive Management, I went into the RV industry. I was hired by Saddleback RV as a Finance Manager, and then promoted to Finance Director. I made it to No. 1 at a Dealer 20 Group as Best Finance Manager.” 

-Mike

Finance Director 

Joan McGowen

Previous Occupation: Account Exec.

Previous Income: $2,500 per month

Current Occupation: Internet Director

Current Income: $12,000 per month 

"I want to take this opportunity to say, "Thank You" for providing me with AWESOME education.  The education you have provided me, was short in days, but seemed like it was a life sentence when dealing with "Stop the Shopper," or the mock interview!!!!!! Honestly, I acquired years of knowledge that I cannot even begin to put into words! For everyone that is thinking or skeptical about attending The College of Automotive Management, I also, was very skeptical. Especially when I was dealing with many personal issues, including being a single parent, taking care of my Mother and being homeless, just to name a few! Just trying to get enough money for gas to make it to and from school, was a major concern for me!

Fortunately, here I am writing to say, "Thank You to The College of Automotive Management Staff" from the very beginning, when I received a phone call from Ron Metrakos, he scheduled my first face to face appointment with Choo, then I met Brie, and Sharon, began classes with my instructors, Roy and Adam, and was introduced to Dan, Carrie, and Chitvan. Now, I am the Internet Director at Hartzheim Dodge for both their Hayward and San Jose locations. I will be for the ones coming up in the future as well.

My goal is to bring our dealership to the Top in the Industry, and I know we will do it, because I first have God and the support of The College of Automotive Management, what I have learned and all the support that they provide. Just keep an open mind, forget what you have done in the past, learn everything Roy and Adam are teaching, and you can join me in much success and prosperity!" 

-Joan

Internet Director 

Javier Pineda

Previous Occupation: Truck Driver

Previous Income: $2,900 per month

Current Occupation: Salesperson

Current Income: $5,000 per month 

“Before coming to The College of Automotive Management, I was a Class A truck driver and a warehouse worker making about $35,000/year. I decided to go to College of Automotive Management because I wanted a better paying career. It took a couple of tries but I finally found the right dealership for me and I have been there for over a year selling cars. I now average $5,000/month and was Salesperson of the Month the last two months! I had no people skills before attending The College of Automotive Management and now I have a great career ahead of me.” 

-Javier

Sales Representative 

Primo Moreno

Previous Occupation: Sales Consultant

Previous Income: $2-$3,000 per month

Current Occupation: Finance Manager

Current Income: $6,000 per month 

“I have over 8 years of experience in the car business and I knew with the education I had received from The College of Automotive Management that I would get a job making a very good income. After graduating, I became sick and had to have surgery. I was out of commission for three months. The placement department called me continuously, checking in on me to see how I was doing and when I would be ready to go back to work. The first lead they gave me, I landed the position! I work as a finance manager and just had the owner come up to me to compliment me on my flawless paperwork and full disclosures.  The other Finance Manager doesn’t even know half of what I do!” 

-Primo

Finance Manager

John Singh.

Previous Occupation: Parcel Carrier

Previous Income: $3,000 per month 

Current Occupation: Internet / Fleet Manager

Current Income: $8,000 per month 

“Prior to coming to The College of Automotive Management I was working for UPS for over 12 years where room for advancement was null and void.  I became injured and could no longer perform at my job. I had heard about the College and was initially attracted to the potential incomes that a Finance Manager could make.  I knew I was good with dealing with people and that I was very knowledgeable about cars.  After graduating I took 2 weeks off and as soon as I returned the Career Development Department provided me with all of the available openings they had in my area.  I decided to take a sales position with a Nissan dealership and within 2 weeks, having no prior sales experience I had sold 6 cars!  The dealership was so impressed that they asked me to be their closer and now I am the Internet/ Fleet Manager.  What is so great is that everything that I learned from The College of Automotive Management I am now actually applying.  With my previous job I was working 16 hour days that were very physical and labor intensive.  What I am doing now, I am working less hours and my income has almost tripled.” 

-John

Internet/Fleet Manager

Rick Acosta

Previous Occupation: Sales Representative

Previous Income: $3,000 per month

Current Occupation: Finance Manager

Current Income: $8,500 per month 

“I had been in the car business selling cars for over 2 years when I was introduced to someone who was going to The College of Automotive Management.  I became very interested in what he had to say and decided to go to the school. While I was in school I obtained a position working part-time on the weekends for a credit union, I was so excited I had a job and I had not even graduated yet. I was referred to a dealership for an F&I Manager position a week after I had graduated. I got the job and found out the position was more of a Finance Director position. I found that my income increased to three times what I was making before hand and am now making well over $100,000.” 

-Rick

Finance Manager

Danny Ocassio

Previous Occupation: Gap store manager

Previous Income: $35,000 per year

Current Occupation: Closer (Asst. Mgr.)

Current Income: $80,000 per year

"Before I came to The College of Automotive Management, I was working as a clothing store manager making about $35,000 a year.  After I graduated and started in my new career, I felt ready. I knew I had an advantage over others starting at the dealership.  The College helped to remove my fear and have greater confidence in what I was doing.  I sold a car my first day.  I know that if I didn't attend The College and just started in sales, I wouldn't have been as motivated or committed and I might not have made it.  Because of the skills I learned at The College of Automotive Management it motivated me and gave me passion to make it a career instead of just a job.  I made more money this last month than I ever have - $7500, and know that I will make 6 figures soon.  I was promoted to closer after my 2nd month and I am now on a program to become a Sales Manager.  The skills I learned at The College of Automotive Management definitely helped to fast track my career.  It was the best decision for my career path and success."

-Danny

Assistant Manager

Lauri Ellison

Previous Occupation: Territory Manager

Previous Income: $4,000 per month

Current Occupation: Finance Manager

Current Income: $5,000 per month 

"I just wanted to drop you guys a quick letter to let you know what has happened to me. Also, I wanted to get something BIG up on the bulletin board in the lunch room. I remember being one of those students who asked, “Why do I have to learn all of these formulas? After all this is the 21st Century and computers do all the calculating for us”. You all kept saying. “There will come a time when you can shine and show everyone how to do a deal by hand.” Ok, you were right! I just didn’t know how right you could be!!!!"  "I came to work here at Foothill Ranch Buick Pontiac GMC as a Finance Manager, the ONLY Finance Manager at this store!! My first day on the job there was a construction crew at our parent dealership in Irvine that cut the internet and ADP line. That’s right gang NO COMPUTERS for over a week!!! I had to do deals by hand! Our parent store ran the bureaus for us and I worked up the payments and yes, everyone was very impressed. I just wanted to say thank you for everything. These people here actually believe I can do the job and you made me believe it too! The College of Automotive Management rocks!!"

-Lauri

Finance Manager

Mike Justus

Graduation: February 2003

Previous Occupation: Sales Representative

Previous Income: $6-7,000 per month

Current Occupation: Finance Director

Current Income: $29,000 per month

“As concept cars designer, I changed lanes and began selling cars. After I graduated from The College of Automotive Management, I went into the RV industry. I was hired by Saddleback RV as a Finance Manager, and then promoted to Finance Director. I made it to No.1 at a Dealer 20 Group as Best Finance Manager.”

-Mike

Finance Director

Craig Nelson

Graduation: November 2006

Previous Occupation: Mortgage

Current Occupation: Special Finance Manger

Current Income: $60,000+ per year

“I had worked in the car sales business a number of years before coming to The College of Automotive Management as well as in the mortgage industry. Therefore, I felt that I had a good working knowledge of the business and finance in general. I was amazed and impressed with the amount of information that was made available in the 5 week course and how much I learned. Right after graduating I got a job in a special finance department and am working for a Hyundai-Subaru dealer in San Diego. The knowledge I gained at The College of Automotive Management allowed me to get this position without spending the usual 2 to 4 years on the floor. I tell people that if someone had gone to a community college or even a university for 4 years they would have spent $20,000 to $100,000 and still would be offered a job paying only $25-35,000 per year while undergoing even more training while on the job. With The College of Automotive Management education, making $60 -100,000 within one year of graduation is not an unreasonable estimate as I immediately started making the monthly income to be at a minimum of $ 60K+ by years end. There are so many concepts and procedures to learn in the automobile sales business that most of the people that I work with who have been in the business for many years don’t know nearly as much as I do. This includes desk managers, not just the salespeople. Each dealership has certain policies and procedures that vary but The College of Automotive Management gave me a tremendous head start and greatly shortened my learning curve. Every job has a certain amount of “on the job training” but The College of Automotive Management helped to shorten that period of time by years. I already knew the sales essentials and only needed to become familiar with the dealer specific policies. One of the great challenges facing the industry is ethical behavior. I am challenged daily by my peers but very glad that The College of Automotive Management emphasized ethical treatment of the customer and full disclosure. I know that I will never be challenged for my behavior. The “we have always done it that way” mentality is changing and The College of Automotive Management is playing a large role in changing that behavior!

How much is the education I received at The College of Automotive Management worth?? It is worth its weight in gold!!”

-Craig

Special Finance Manager

Orlando Teixeira

Graduation: December 2006

Previous Occupation: Sales Closer

Current Occupation: Sales Manager

“I attended The College of Automotive Management to learn about F&I so that I could take the next step in my career. Since graduating, I have been an Assistant Sales Manager and am now deciding between being a Sales Manager or an F&I Manager at my store. The College of Automotive Management has opened up some new doors for me that I would not have otherwise received. The best advice I can give is don't settle. Name your price and stick to it. If you believe you're better than the position they're offering, then FIND an opportunity that will work. They are over 450 dealerships in the Bay Area. Chances are one of them needs a good person. And one more thing: Most importantly SMILE and RELAX during your interview. Get them to laugh and smile with you. Remember, you're asking for a $120k job and they need to see that you're worth a million!!!”

-Orlando

Sales Manager

Tommy Hsu

Graduation: January 2005

Previous Occupation: Sales Representative

Current Occupation: Finance Manager

"I am originally from Georgia and had worked at a few dealerships over the years in Atlanta. I went through The College of Automotive Management in hopes that I would be qualified enough to become a Finance Manager. I knew that it wouldn’t be easy but I was ready for the challenge. After I graduated I kept going back and forth between whether or not I wanted to live in Georgia or California. Each day I would call up the Career Development Department to see if they had anything available as I had packed up my belongings and moved out to California. Kristin presented me with a lead for a Motorsports Dealership in Orange County. I went to the dealership and before I knew it I was shaking the hands of the GM and accepting a position as their Finance Manager. Since then, I have bought a brand new car and have traveled to Hawaii and New York. The College of Automotive Management's training changed my life and opened up a new world of possibilities for my future."

-Tommy

Finance Manager

Mike Khodamati

Graduation: Dec, 2005

Previous Occupation: Sales Representative

Current Occupation: Finance Manager

"I had sold cars for a number of years which I enjoyed very much. Like a lot of sales people I aspired to be a Finance Manager. At the time I found out about The College of Automotive Management I was not at a very good place in life. I was on disability and had not worked for a while. I was determined I wanted to get back to work and start a career as a Finance Manager. I felt the school and the knowledge I would acquire would be the last stepping stone towards that goal. After graduating from The College of Automotive Management I accepted a Finance position at a major rental car company’s retail store. Although it wasn’t my dream destination, the experience was invaluable. I now work for one of the largest Nissan dealerships in San Diego as a Finance Manager. I honestly feel the success I am experiencing today is a direct result of the information and skills that I acquired from attending The College of Automotive Management. Thanks to everyone at The College of Automotive Management for believing in me and helping me to reach my goals.”

-Mike

Finance Manager

Darius Tavoli

Graduation: October 2004

Previous Occupation: Automobile Sales Consultant/Closer

Previous Income: $3,000 per month

Current Occupation: Finance Director

Current Income: $12,000 per month

“I was a student from USC and I wanted to go into an industry that would best benefit and fulfill my needs. I felt that the automotive industry was the best fit as there seemed to be no cap on the amount of money you could be making. When I came to The College of Automotive Management I knew little of finance, after I left, I knew all the aspects of how the department worked and had the necessary tools that would help to make me a success. I was hired on as a Finance Manager for a small dealership in Orange County and now work as the Finance Director for a Dealership in Garden Grove”.

-Darious

Finance Director

Patti Borich

Graduation: July 2003

Previous Occupation: Sales Consultant

Previous Income: $5-$6,000 per month

Current Occupation: Sales Manager

Current Income: $9,500 per month

“I have been in the Automotive Industry for over 20 years and found that as a woman in this business, women in general do very well. I had raised my family in this business because I knew that the potential for success was very high. I held a variety of positions for various dealerships and wanted to learn the banking/finance side of the dealership. I thought I knew everything, but The College of Automotive Management taught me things I didn’t even know I was doing wrong with the job I held. After graduating from the course I was hired as a Finance Manager at one of the largest Toyota dealerships in Orange County. This was in less than a week. I saw my income increase by more than $40,000 a year from where it was the year prior. I now work as a Sales Manager for a Nissan dealership and hire graduates of The College of Automotive Management frequently. I know that The College of Automotive Management graduates will be well trained and will know all the aspects of working in a major dealership as they are trained in the most important components of the industry and are kept up to date with the newest laws and regulations. I can’t speak highly enough about the benefits of an education from The College of Automotive Management.”

-Patti

Sales Manager