Russell Christmas

High-volume automotive Sales Manager and F&I professional with 12+ years of progressive dealership leadership across Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Buick, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Fiat, Nissan, Infiniti, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Ford, and Mazda. Proven record driving front-end profitability, developing top-producing sales teams, and growing F&I income per vehicle at multi-brand dealer groups and single-point stores. Rare combination of master-level technical expertise and retail sales leadership — delivering credibility with customers, technicians, and executive leadership alike.

Equally effective building culture on a 10-person floor or directing 35-rep sales operations producing 285–300 units per month.

Sales Manager - Mike Bell Chevrolet - Carrollton GA

(2024-12)

• Accountable for all floor operations and team performance outcomes for a 10-rep Chevrolet sales team — drove back-to-back 200+ unit months and $400K+ in store profit at a store producing 175–200 units per month.
• Made real-time profitability decisions on approximately 70 deals per month — balancing customer satisfaction, lender compliance, and store margin on every transaction.
• Conducted 100+ trade appraisals monthly using KBB and market data to protect store margins and generate used vehicle acquisition opportunities.
• Served as primary accountability partner for 10 sales reps — diagnosing performance gaps through trend analysis and one-on-ones, then building individualized improvement plans around call volume, ups, and closing ratios.
• Trained sales team on social media content creation and digital prospecting across Facebook, Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp to drive inbound traffic.

Sales Manager - Harnish Auto Group — Chevrolet of Everett - Everett WA

(2021-03 - 2024-06)

• Managed a 10-rep sales team averaging 80 units per month with $3,500 average front-end per copy.
• Desked approximately 40 deals per month, collaborating with F&I to structure deals for maximum back-end penetration.
• Identified a systemic gap in F&I presentation approach and redesigned the customer experience from the ground up — growing F&I PVR up to $2,800 per copy by shifting from product-selling to ownership-experience selling.
• Conducted trade appraisals and facilitated KBB Instant Cash Offer acquisitions, converting appraisal appointments into sales opportunities and building used vehicle inventory.
• Leveraged vAuto forecasting tools to guide used vehicle purchasing decisions and align stocking levels with market demand.
• Created and managed social media content across Facebook, Instagram, Marketplace, and OfferUp — and trained sales staff on digital prospecting and inventory presentation strategies.

Finance Manager / Sales Manager - Five Star Automotive Group - Warner Robins GA

(2018-03 - 2020-07)

• Served when needed as traveling F&I Manager covering 7 stores across SC and GA within a 35-store, 5-state group representing brands including Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Nissan, Hyundai, BMW, Ford, and Mazda.
• Grew F&I PVR up to $2,300 per copy following JM&A certification — achieving 61% VSC and 50% GAP penetration selling VSC, GAP, permaplate, etch, maintenance, tire & wheel, dent & ding, and key replacement products.
• Simultaneously managed 35-rep sales team at the group's Warner Robins flagship producing approximately 300 units/month.

Sales Manager - Five Star Automotive Group - Warner Robins GA

(2015-02 - 2018-03)

• Held accountability for all team performance outcomes across a 35-rep sales operation producing 285 units per month — responsible for floor culture, individual performance, and monthly outcome delivery.
• Identified, hired, and developed sales talent, building team culture through consistency, fairness, individual one-on-ones, and performance accountability.
• Managed BDC team directly, training staff on lead handling, customer communication, and appointment-setting to drive showroom traffic.
• Promoted to Finance Manager / Sales Manager in recognition of performance, dealership knowledge, and leadership.

Sales Professional - Five Star Automotive Group - Warner Robins GA

(2013-03 - 2015-02)

• Ranked #2 of 35 sales professionals most months, averaging 25+ units per month and contributing $125K personally to a store-record $550K month.
• Closed a personal best of 37 units in a single month — among the highest individual monthly totals in the store.
• Earned Salesperson of the Month 3x and Employee of the Month 2x; promoted to Sales Manager within 2 years based on production, product knowledge, and floor leadership.

Master Automotive Technician - GM, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW dealerships

(1999 - 2013)

Began automotive career as a factory-trained technician at GM, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW dealerships. Earned ASE Master Technician certification — still current. Brings rare technical depth to every sales and customer interaction, with firsthand knowledge of vehicle systems, service operations, and manufacturer standards that very few Sales Managers in retail automotive can claim.

Associate of Arts - Business Finance - Ohio University Athens OH