Penske Automotive Group is proud to have female leaders at every level of the organization. From Service Advisors and Sales Managers to General Managers and Fixed Operations Directors, the retail automotive industry offers women an exciting place to forge a career. Beyond the numbers, this is about unleashing the power of our people and utilizing their unique talents, experiences, and backgrounds to create an engaging work environment and world-class operation.
Every Monday for the next 5 weeks, we will feature a female leader from the Penske organization who is empowering women in the automotive industry and paving the road for the next generation of female leaders. From their earliest interest in the industry to their proudest moments, you’ll learn how these women got their start, who influenced them the most, and how they are helping change the face of the industry in positive ways.
Check back next week as we add another Featured Female Leader to the series.
Featured Female Leader: Ashley Garzone – East Region Marketing Director
“Learn everything you possibly can and take on responsibilities you are not familiar with. This will help you develop a broader perspective and allow you to challenge yourself.”
Ashley Garzone has been with Penske Automotive Group for 12 years. She started in Internet Sales and has continued to progress through the company. In her current role as East Region Marketing Director, Ashley is responsible for supporting dealerships with the development and execution of marketing strategies for sales and service, assisting with call center operations and processes to generate revenue for Fixed operations departments, and various internal marketing projects. “I am satisfied when I see an idea that I’ve helped cultivate come to life. When we try something and it works, we share it as a best practice within the region. If it doesn’t work, we take what we’ve learned and go back to the drawing board.”
When asked who has had the biggest influence on her career, Ashley recalled several people. “I am lucky to have so many supporters. From an early age, my parents instilled a strong work ethic in me. Along the way, I have been surrounded by great supervisors, mentors and peers who have encouraged me to work hard and push myself. I couldn’t ask for a better support system, particularly the East Region Management team.” Ashley’s advice for young women considering a career in the auto industry is not be intimidated. “If you have confidence and a strong work ethic, you will excel in this industry. In the last 12 years, I’ve been fortunate to advance in my career as a result of my hard work.”
One of Ashley’s proudest professional achievements is being part of a team that developed a Penske swag box for new hires. The box, containing several Penske-branded items, is given to new employees during their orientation to welcome them to the company.
Asked how the automotive industry landscape has changed to engage more women, Ashley says: “I believe today there are more opportunities for women in the industry. While women have always filled traditional roles such as human resources, accounting and sales positions, there are now more marketing opportunities. Creative jobs in website development, social media, and technology are more prevalent and it is nice to see more women filling those roles.”
On the weekends, Ashley enjoys cooking for family and friends and staying active. As the industry evolves and marketing strategies advance, Ashley hopes to continue to excel and drive change within the Penske organization.
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