Name: Ron Westheimer
Place of Birth: Vero Beach, Florida
Occupation:
Internet Sales Manager
Employer:
Classic Cadillac and Subaru of Atlanta, GA
Year, Make and Model of your first car/truck:
1965 Mustang 2+2 Fastback
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Veterinarian
How long have you worked in the auto industry?
11 years
What do you drive now?
2004 Cadillac CTS
Are you out at work?
Yes
Was being gay ever an issue at any of your jobs?
Yes
If so, how did you deal with it?
My General Manager, Joe Coscarelli, took care of it. He is the most progressive and forward thinking straight man I have ever met. He believes in treating everyone like family.
If you had one piece of advice to give to a gay person wanting to work in the auto industry, what would it be?
Be patient, the car business is all about service. If you genuinely care about your customers, they will keep coming back and referring their friends and family. This business takes time, but, if you stick with it and let your customers know you are there for them the rewards can be well worth it. Also, having a progressive owner and GM is key to your success, I wouldn’t be here still if it weren’t for my GM who hired me 11 years ago.
Ok, here is the fun part; if you had $25,000 and had to buy a new car, what would it be and why?
Oops!…Not enough to buy a Cadillac, what are my other choices?
Same question but bigger budget – $50,000:
Cadillac DTS
If money was no object and you had to drive it every day:
Cadillac XLR-V
What is your favorite car of all time and why?
Datsun 240Z. I had one in college and it was stolen and never recovered. That car had a soul, 1965 Mustang 2+2 Fastback, because it was my first.
If your car/truck could talk, what would it say about you?
“You drive like a Grandma!”