Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about Dolan Automotive Group and the duties of your position.
Tom Dolan: I am the owner and operator of Dolan Automotive Group, which runs five car franchises: Toyota, Lexus, Scion, Mazda and Kia; and three automotive dealerships: Reno Toyota/Reno Scion, Lexus of Reno, and Reno Mazda Kia. I started in 1982 with Reno Toyota followed by Lexus, Mazda, Kia and then Scion.
NNBW: How did you enter this profession?
Dolan: I had been working in the insurance business, and in 1975, Don Weir Sr. hired me to work at Reno Dodge. In 1982, Tom Freeman and Sam Cowan approached me about taking over operations at Reno Toyota and buying into the dealership. Over the next 12 years I bought them out and took full ownership in 1994.
NNBW: What's the most important thing you have learned in your career?
Dolan: To have patience, understanding and ultimately to take excellent care of the customer so that they will return.
NNBW: What's changed about your job with the recession?
Dolan: I've learned how to do more with less; how to be leaner while also trying to keep all of our employees working and trying to grow so we can put more people to work.
NNBW: You celebrate 30 years in business in Reno this week. What's the biggest change since you started in the automotive business?
Dolan: The use of technology. Thank God for younger generations and my children, who have taught me more about it because once you understand it, it makes things much easier.
NNBW: As you look back at the business you started, what makes you most proud?
Dolan: The fact that my children, Ryan, Danielle and Brady are my successors. That they want to follow in my footsteps is very fulfilling. I am also very proud of the successes we've achieved with people in the community and with the opportunities we've had to give back. It is very important to me that given the good fortune I have been blessed with, we do as much as possible to help others. I feel lucky to have been able to give more than $150,000 to schools and charitable causes in northern Nevada last year.
NNBW: How has your new facility changed the way you do business?
Dolan: The new Toyota dealership is the largest on the West Coast. We went from five separate buildings to one large building, allowing us to be better prepared to take care of any possible request the customer might have. It increases our capabilities in sales and service and helps ensure that the customer will always come back, which builds our reputation further.
NNBW: What was your first job?
Dolan: At 11 I worked at a gas station in Redlands, Calif. cleaning, pumping gas, washing windshields. My first job in the automotive business was washing cars at Reno Dodge.
NNBW: What did you dream to be when you were a kid?
Dolan: A professional baseball player.
NNBW: Have any advice for someone who wants to enter your profession?
Dolan: Bring a pen, a license and some hard work. You will put in many, many hours, so you've got to like what you're doing and believe in the product that you're selling. Never give up. You've got to have that burning in your stomach to succeed.
NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Dolan: Former Reno Toyota partner Sam Cowan said, "Family is first, business is second, fun is third."
NNBW: What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Dolan: I love to travel, and go to sporting events and concerts.
NNBW: What's the last concert or sporting event you attended?
Dolan: Dodgers spring training.
NNBW: If you could live your life over again, what one thing would you change?
Dolan: I'd like to be taller and not be the youngest of eight kids so my brothers and sisters wouldn't be able to beat me up all the time as a kid.
NNBW: If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? Why or why not?
Dolan: I will never retire. I'll die if I retire. I just love my job, the customers and the people who work for us. I genuinely love the vehicles, the products, the employees. I don't ever want to leave this business.
NNBW: Where's your perfect vacation spot?
Dolan: Visiting family in San Diego or at Lake Almanor, Calif.
NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like most about working/living here?
Dolan: My brother Mike played football at UNR, and I came here from Redlands in 1969 to be with him. I stayed because I like the small town atmosphere, the people and the weather.
The basics:
Name: Tom Dolan, founder of Dolan Automotive Group
Number of years in this job? 30
Number of years in this profession? 38
Education: Dual bachelor's degrees from the University of Nevada, Reno social psychology and social welfare and corrections
Last book read? "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey
Favorite movie? "The Godfather"
What's on your iPod? Van Morrison, Michael McDonald, Phil Collins
Spouse, kids or pets? Wife Trish; children Ryan, Danielle, Brady; step children Nicole, Colin, Hailey, Christian; grandchildren Dominik, Sage, Cash; and three dogs Scrapper, Roxy and Jake
