Frank Carbone, President of Retail Automotive at Holman, shares how a career that began parking cars and changing oil evolved into leading nearly 60 dealerships across 32 brands. In this episode of Executive Profile, Carbone discusses Holman’s disciplined approach to growth, its unique acquisition strategy, and how the 100-year-old family business is preparing for its next century. He also explores affordability challenges, talent development, AI, and why operational fundamentals and customer focus remain essential as automotive retail continues to evolve.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Carbone went from a lot attendant to leading Holman’s retail automotive business.
• Why Holman’s hub strategy helped the company double its footprint twice in a decade.
• How the company uses acquisitions to identify and share best practices.
• Why talent development remains central to Holman’s long-term growth.
• How Holman is applying AI and robotics without losing its focus on people.
• What it takes to build a 100-year-old business for its next century.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Executive Profile with Jim Fitzpatrick.
For more interviews with the leaders shaping retail automotive, visit CBTNews.com and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share it with someone in the industry.

Paul Sansone Jr. discusses how resilience, innovation, and customer-first leadership have shaped Sansone Jr.'s Auto Group through decades of change. In this Executive Profile, Sansone reflects on launching his own dealership group during the financial crisis, embracing AI across dealership operations, and preparing the next generation of family leadership. He also shares his views on pricing transparency, compliance, dealer-controlled financing, and why exceptional customer experiences remain the industry's greatest competitive advantage.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Paul Sansone Jr. built his own dealership group after separating from his family's business.
• Why AI is transforming fixed operations and customer engagement.
• How dealer-controlled leasing can improve retention and help customers rebuild credit.
• His perspective on FTC pricing transparency and regulatory compliance.
• Why developing future leaders has become his top priority.
• How technology and hospitality work together to create long-term dealership success.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Executive Profile with Jim Fitzpatrick.
For more interviews with the leaders shaping retail automotive, visit CBTNews.com and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share it with someone in the industry.

Ryan LaFontaine shares how family values, resilience, and a long-term vision helped transform LaFontaine Automotive Group into one of Michigan's largest dealership organizations. In this Executive Profile, the CEO reflects on the lessons he learned from his parents, overcoming cancer during one of the company's most pivotal moments, and why culture remains the foundation of every business decision. He also discusses fixed operations, affordability challenges, Chinese automakers, pricing transparency, and what it takes to build a dealership group that lasts for generations.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Ryan LaFontaine's parents shaped the culture behind LaFontaine Automotive Group.
• The personal cancer battle that changed his leadership philosophy.
• Why treating employees "like family" remains central to the company's success.
• How fixed operations and used vehicles provide long-term stability.
• His perspective on vehicle affordability, Chinese automakers, and FTC pricing transparency.
• Why building a dealership for every customer—and every stage of life—is key to future growth

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Executive Profile with Jim Fitzpatrick.
For more interviews with the leaders shaping retail automotive, visit CBTNews.com and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share it with someone in the industry.