I worked for Tom after he asked me to be his Service Manager in 1986. Together Tom and I, bought the overall rating of Blais Lincoln-Mercury, at that time, from #16 of 17 like sized dealerships to #1 0f 17 dealers within one year. We won a trip from Ford Motor Company for being the most improved dealership for our efforts. My wife was pregnant at the time so Charlotte, our office manager went on the trip:)
Tom had his ways, but he was the best boss/owner I have ever been employed. Us managers always knew it would be one of our turns to be "in the barrel". If Tom was after the body shop (turn in the barrel) or the parts manager I knew I was safe lol.
We always called Tom "the old man" and whenever he pulled out where he parked in the front of the dealership, we would watch him heading down Fifth Street to check on the business of Matson Oldsmobile-Cadillac. We could always see the brake lights lit on the Lincoln Town Car he was driving because Tom always kept his right foot on the gas pedal and his left foot resting on the brake pedal lol. So, the person that bought Tom's demo probably needed brake pads shortly after the purchase.
Tom was a family man, which I admired, and he always put his family first. Tom was so proud of his sons Tommy and Billy. Tom was so in love with his wife Karen, and I really doubt Karen ever wanted for much. I have tried to model my life as a father and husband after Tom because I could see he was doing something right!
