Bill Forbes Motivational Speaker from Seminole, FL

WHAT SETS ME APART FROM OTHERS: In a short 7 year period, I went from 'salesperson' to Dealership Owner by the age of 29 and became one of the youngest Chevrolet and Chrysler dealers in history. I was not a 'second generation' dealer; I started my business with $4,000 of my own money and borrowed the rest. Operated Bill Forbes Chevrolet and Bill Forbes Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge for 23 years. While either a Sales Manager or Dealer, I won sales trip awards to London, Madrid, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Germany, Ireland, Italy France, and also several Virgin and Caribbean Islands. Started inside linebacker at only 185 lbs. in Division I football at Marshall University I produced, directed, and acted in two television commercials which won national awards from the Television Bureau of Advertising for the best TV commercials for a dealer my size Supporting actor in the film, “The Deposition” Past President of the West Virginia Car and Truck Dealers Association Member of the National Speakers Association I was the featured consultant with “Dealers Edge” for a nationally viewed webinar entitled, “Prospecting – You Only Get What You Expect” AUTOMOTIVE CONSULTANT I started in the car business in 1978 as a salesperson at Royal Oldsmobile, a member of the Key-Royal chain of dealerships. At that time, Key-Royal offered an extensive training program in automobile sales and management. I was told by management that I earned more in 10 months than any first-year salesperson had ever earned at their dealership. I went from being a salesperson to Dealer Principal in a period of only 7 years, and, at age 29, became one of the youngest people ever to become a Chevrolet dealer. I then served as a Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealer for 23 years. After closing my dealerships, I started my own automotive consulting business and have traveled the eastern part of the country recruiting, hiring, and training salespeople. I recently was selected to serve as a featured consultant on “Dealers Edge”, a company that produces training webinars for dealerships across the United States and Canada. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE A1 Automotive Services, LLC * November 2008-present Owner Oversee entire business operation, including forecasting, expense control, personnel management, advertising, accounts payable and receivable, procedural guidelines, and managing cash flow. “Forbes on Car Sales”* January 2009 – present Recruit, hire, and train salespeople and equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in today's automobile sales environment. Bill Forbes Chevrolet and Bill Forbes Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge * Mar 1985-Nov 2008 Owner and President Purchased equipment necessary for dealership operations, did forecasting, expense control and reductions, hiring, firing, and training of all managers and some employees, planned sales and service promotions, did all of the buying and selling of used vehicles at auctions, opened all mail, signed all payables, handled all advertising, managed cash flow. EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS Marshall University * Dec 1977 BA in Education I received a full scholarship to play football for Marshall University, and was a member of the "Young Thundering Herd" as depicted in the movie, "We Are Marshall". I was a letter-winner as an inside linebacker. Chevrolet School of Merchandising and Management - Warren, Michigan AFFILIATIONS/AWARDS Past President, WV Car & Truck Dealers Assoc. Past President, New Martinsville Rotary Club Winner of Television Bureau of Auto Advertising Nat'l Award 1997 & 1998 Honorary Board Member Television Bureau of Advertising 1999 & 2000 Gen.Chairman, Clyde Dupin Crusade 2005 ADDITIONAL INFO President of Board of Directors Marshall Univ. "M" Club for former Marshall University Athletes Lay pastor for 3 church United Methodist charge 1988-91 Emcee for "Living for Christ Conferences" for 25 years Supporting actor in the film, “The Deposition”, produced by Eddie Mensore Member of the National Speakers Association Featured Consultant on “Dealers Edge” with webinar on 'Prospecting – You Only Get What You Expect'' I have an unusually wide range of life-experiences that enable me to connect with groups of any age or kind. I became a Chevrolet-Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge dealer at the age of only 29, making me one of the youngest dealers ever in automotive history. I began public speaking at nearly the same time, giving me nearly 30 years experience in each of these fields. I am a member of the National Speakers Association, and do comedy presentations as well. I promise you a program that will be informative, motivational, inspirational, and entertaining!