Staff

Rob Terry is the General Manager of Parks Motor Group in Gainesville. His journey into the automotive industry began at 20 years old when he accompanied a friend purchasing a vehicle. Fascinated by the sales process, he applied for a job at a dealership two weeks later and was hired on the spot. Rob quickly became a top producer, earning a fast-track promotion to the finance department, then to General Sales Manager—a role he held for about 10 years before being promoted to General Manager, a position he has now held for another decade. Rob emphasizes hard work, consistent training, a growth mindset, and operating with the highest integrity. For Rob, the cornerstone of his leadership is fostering a strong workplace culture—one of safety, security, and trust. He believes that business success follows naturally when the team is happy and united. His mantra is “One team, one fight,” underscoring the importance of alignment and teamwork. Beyond work, Rob enjoys golfing, fishing, and outdoor activities, especially in sunny Florida.

Joseph Cox is the General Sales Manager of Parks Ford of Gainesville, bringing 8 years of automotive industry experience, including one year with Parks Motor Group. Joe’s journey into the car business began when he transitioned from construction. He was faced with tough conditions and hard labor, that left little time of energy for his family life. Encouraged by his father to pursue a career that could provide long-term growth and stability, he joined the automotive industry. He quickly excelled and built a successful career and has never looked back. Joe believes that “the sky is the limit,” emphasizing success comes from continuous learning and forming meaningful relationships both at work and outside of work. His favorite quote, ” ‘I can’ is one level. ‘We can’ is next level,” which reflects his dedication to teamwork and collaboration. Outside of work, Joe enjoys BBQ, golfing, hunting, and spending quality time with his fiancée and two beautiful daughters, who are his daily motivation. He values the close friendships he has built with his team and his goal is to run a dealership, or multiple dealerships, as a successful General Manager, ultimately working toward ownership.

With 39 years of experience in the automotive industry, including 15 years with Parks Motor Group of Gainesville, Eric Duke brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to his role as Fixed Operations Director. His career journey transitioned from extensive travel for work to a position that allowed him to focus more on his home life and start a family. Eric encourages those considering the automotive field to embrace its dynamic nature. His guiding principle, “If you want it to happen, you have to make it happen,” underscores his proactive approach to both work and life. Believing strongly in the importance of education and certifications, Eric views continuous learning as the key to growth, stating, “When you stop learning, you stop growing, in your career and your quality of life.” In his downtime, Eric enjoys boating and savoring a classic meal of spaghetti and meatballs. His dedication to fostering growth and innovation makes him a cornerstone of the Parks Motor Group leadership team.

Donna Houlahan is the Service Director at Parks Motor Group of Gainesville. She brings an astonishing 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, and 4 years with Parks. Donna’s journey began unexpectedly when her bar business closed, leading her to apply for any available job. Starting as a New Car Sales Porter, she transitioned to a sales consultant role before finding her true calling in service. Donna believes in treating everyone with respect, regardless of their position, and lives by the principle: “The secret to all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious.” Her leadership is marked by attention to detail, humility, and a deep respect for teamwork and collaboration.

Matt Miranda is the Used Car Director for Parks Motor Group of Gainesville. He brings nearly 8 years of automotive industry experience to the group. Before transitioning into the car business, Matt spent 12 years in the golf industry. Encouraged by a good friend who was a General Manager at a dealership, he made the leap and found his passion in the automotive field! Matt lives by the principle, “Earn your leadership every day,” a quote from Michael Jordan. He advises others to be coachable while finding ways to stand out from the rest and prides himself on being consistent and available for his team. Originally from Arizona, Matt and his family recently moved to Florida to advance his career in the car business. Outside of work, he enjoys steak and potatoes, traveling with his family, and exploring his new hometown! Excited for the future, Matt looks forward to where his next steps will lead him.

With 36 years of experience in the automotive industry, including 16 years with Parks Motor Group, Kris has built a career rooted in dedication and expertise. His journey began as part-time help in the Parts Department, a role he took on as a favor to a friend at a local Ford dealership. That opportunity sparked a passion that has shaped his professional life ever since. Kris’s advice to others in the industry is simple yet impactful: “Be genuine when talking with guests. Learn everything you can about the product or brand you represent.” He lives by the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin: “ “Well done is better than well said.” When he’s not ensuring smooth operations in the Parts Department, Kris enjoys indulging in good BBQ, and exploring trails with his dogs.

Matthew Fortin is the Vehicle Exchange Manager at Parks Motor Group of Gainesville and has been with Parks for 8 years, the entirety of his career. Matt was introduced to the car business by colleagues from a previous job, and he quickly found his niche in the industry. He advises those new to the field to stay persistent, noting that “it takes at least 6 months to get a hold on what you are doing, so don’t give up early on.” Matt lives by the motto “Strength and honor,” embodying dedication and resilience in his work. Outside of his professional life, Matt enjoys savoring a well-made risotto, going to the movies, and finding ways to relax and recharge. His years of experience and commitment to growth make him a valuable asset to the Parks Gainesville team.

Lowell Lackey has been the Finance Manager at Parks Hyundai of Gainesville for 4.5 years. He transitioned into the automotive industry from food service with hopes of pursuing better opportunities to provide for his family. Lowell was excited to start his journey in automotive and still encourages others to embrace resilience since growth happens when there is rejection. Overcoming the fear of rejection, he believes, builds stronger individuals in the workforce and allows team members to grow together. Inspired by Ricky Bobby’s motto, “If you ain’t first, you’re last,” Lowell approaches challenges with determination and humor. Outside of work, Lowell enjoys watching the Bengals, despite their tendency to break his heart. His guiding principle reflects his belief in kindness and humanity: “We live in a tumultuous time, and all you have are the people you surround yourself with. Be kind and treat others well. With any luck, we’ll leave the world in better condition than we found it.”

George Plourde has 42 years of experience in the automotive industry and has been a vital team member of Parks Motor Group in Gainesville for the past 8 years. As the current Finance Director, George is a firm believer in loyalty, dedication, and hard work, emphasizing that they pay off in the long run, both professionally and personally. Throughout his four decades in the industry, he has experienced numerous technology changes in the Finance department. He believes that to be successful you need to learn how to adapt.
Early on, his first employer in the industry taught him, “Attitude Means Everything”.  On a perfect day off, George enjoys spending time with his wife relaxing, and having a nice quiet dinner out.

Mike Abitino has been with Parks Motor Group of Gainesville for his entire 5-year career in the automotive industry. After moving to Gainesville for school, he joined Parks Ford and quickly ascended through the ranks to become the Internet Sales Manager. Mike prides himself on sharing the knowledge he has accumulated over the years while consistently researching new ways to enhance his department’s efficiency. His advice to those in the industry, whether newcomers or veterans, is to “always be a sponge and willing to learn you never know what challenge you might be prepping for next!” Outside of work, Mike is a dedicated foodie with a passion for discovering the best Italian restaurants in Gainesville.

With a decade of experience in the automotive industry, Brooke Brower has dedicated the past seven years to Parks Motor Group of Gainesville. What started as a simple job search has transformed into a fulfilling career. Brooke discovered her passion for the car business through the fast pace, challenges, and unique opportunities the industry offers.
As Office Manager, Brooke wears many hats, ensuring smooth operations and supporting the team with her organizational expertise and problem-solving mindset. But what truly sets her apart is her love for people.
Brooke thrives on the vibrant energy of the dealership and enjoys meeting a variety of people, each with their own unique stories to share. For her, no two days are ever the same, and that is what keeps the job exciting. Brooke believes the automotive industry is perfect for those who love variety, challenges, and building relationships.

Tylar Boatright is the General Sales Manager at the Parks Used Car Center. He has been with Parks Motor Group for 5 months but brings 8 years of automotive experience with him. Tylar’s journey into the car business began in Missouri, where he was selling coffee to local vendors. A colleague suggested he try selling cars and intrigued by the idea, he applied to a dealership. Determined to change the perception of the car business one customer at a time, he found his passion and never looked back. For six years, Tylar specialized in the finance department, earning five certificates in finance, legal training, and ethical practices. His advice to newcomers in the industry is to listen, be patient, and stick to the process. “Be a sponge for information, invest in yourself, and care about your customers,” he emphasizes. Tylar draws inspiration from Henry Ford’s quote: “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” Outside of work, he enjoys Italian food, hunting, fishing, and spending quality time outdoors with his son. Tylar is passionate about personal growth and customer service, making him a leader committed to fostering success in his team and customers alike.

Cody Curtis has been a valued member of the Parks Motor Group family since 2019, marking his first venture into the automotive industry. From a young age, Cody was captivated by the mechanics of cars, often taking things apart and putting them back together just to understand how they worked. As he grew older, his fascination turned practical as he began working on his personal vehicles, leading to a natural decision to pursue a career in the automotive field. Cody believes in the importance of learning from others, advising, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help from those with more experience than you.” His guiding philosophy reflects his proactive mindset, inspired by Peter Drucker’s words: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Outside of work, Cody enjoys working on his personal vehicles, playing video games, and traveling. Cody’s passion for cars, combined with his dedication to growth and service, makes him an integral part of the Parks team.