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Melissa Jimenez has been in the automotive business since April 1999 and has truly gone from her initial job at an automotive call center to being executive assistant to the CEO of McCombs Ford West.
She is also the acting personnel manager for the dealership.
After nearly 24 years in the business, Jimenez says he is nearing retirement. But looking back, she said she has no regrets about her career choice and she has a lot of good things to remember.
“I’m less than 30 days away from retirement and while I’m very happy to be at home for my family all the time, I’m sad,” she said in mid-December. “It will be difficult not to be part of this industry anymore, especially not to see the people I work with every day.
“I just hope we continue to hire and promote more women,” Jimenez said. “And whoever takes my place, I wish them all the best.”
Here is her take on a career in the San Antonio auto industry:
Q: Why did you choose the automotive industry?
A: I had a very good friend at the time working here when it was Gillespie Ford as a financial assistant. She told me about the opening of the new BDC (Business Development Center) conference room and also knew that I had a sociable nature and thought I was perfect for the job. I applied and got a position
Q: What jobs have you had in the industry?
A: I first started working in our BDC call center, taking incoming calls and scheduling sales appointments, and making subsequent outgoing calls. I did this for a few years and then sold cars for a year or two. I then went to assist (administrative work) the then owner, Elizabeth Gillespie, and controller, Ken Bragg.
When McCombs acquired Gillespie Ford in 2006-2007, I began doing administrative work for our then-new CEO, Kevin Browning, and a few months later became his executive assistant.
Q: What is your general idea of working in the automotive industry? Is this what you imagined?
A: I enjoy working in the industry I work in. Car sales have a bad reputation (it seems) among people who are not familiar with the business, but it is indeed a unique and important business that I have been blessed to be a part of.
Q: What other jobs in the automotive industry would you be interested in?
A.: No. I love what I do.
Q: How is your typical work day?
A.: Pretty busy in the morning; I also report all sales and claim all Ford discounts here. Every day I will have several car deals that I have to report and claim, making sure all documents and documentation are included in the deal. There are also email replies. [and] phone calls. and employees coming and going throughout the day with various questions or concerns. Working with new employees and the process of hiring them is also a daily job that keeps me busy.
Q: Did you experience any particular challenges as a woman working in a male-dominated industry?
A .: Many years ago, when I was selling cars, this was a problem. Of course, I was much younger and new to car sales, but most of the customers didn’t want to do business with me because I was a woman.
I was also a single mother at the time, so it was very difficult for me to work long hours due to childcare. I see how the industry has changed and more and more female candidates want to sell cars.
Over the past few years, our chief new car salesman has been a woman for most of the months.
Q: What advice would you give to other women who might be considering a career in the automotive industry?
A: Do it! If that’s what you want, then you should go for it.
Q: Would you recommend the same position to other women?
A: I would. I would tell them, however, that it is hard work. Some people on the outside might think that I have a simple job without worries, but this is far from the case. In my position, you have a lot of hats, but you must make sure that every job or task you perform is done carefully and to the best of your ability.
Your GM must be able to trust and rely on you.
Q: Do you have any other comments you would like to add to your story?
A .: I will say that I am very lucky that I am in the position in which I am today. As I said before, I started in the phone room and was able to work my way up to where I am today.
I’ve had many ups and downs in this industry, but even more ups. I am proud to work in the automotive industry. Over the years I have helped so many families and friends with their automotive needs.
I also met some wonderful people, like my husband. I met him here in 2007 and we will be celebrating 10 years of marriage. He is also in the automotive business.
A couple of years ago I also had the pleasure of working with my eldest daughter. When she turned 18 and graduated from high school, she started working here in the phone room, just like I did back in the day.
She worked here full time and was also going to college. She worked here for seven years until she earned her bachelor’s degree in Incarnate Word and now works as a graphic designer for a downtown company. I’m so proud of her.
This company, and especially my CEO Henry Finlay, has helped me grow over the years. Some of those present here have become more than just colleagues; they became part of my family.
