Barry Wolfsheimer -"The Automotive Ironman" retires after 53 years.

Such a big announcement deserves way more than a standard post. It deserves an article.

The end of the month is always a big deal in the car business. The end of the year - even bigger. But the end of 2021 marks the biggest event EVER in the car business for me personally.

My Dad, Barry Wolfsheimer, will be officially retiring after 53 years in the automotive business on 12/31/2021. That's right 53 years. Over a half century in the auto industry.

Barry started at Al Packer Ford on Belair Rd in Baltimore, MD working part time after school in the service department in October 1968.

According to his Facebook post, Barry said:

"I would move cars from the service lane, run for parts, dump trash, and help mechanics. It was then I knew that working in car dealerships is what I wanted to do because I loved cars. Always have and always will."

Barry then went on to become a service dispatcher and then a service writer. It didn't take long for him to take the top slot as the #1 Service Writer for Al Packer. He held that spot for 4 straight years before becoming Service Manager where he helped the dealership grow and maintain a constantly high CSI score for their region.

Then in 1981, Barry moved into the sales department and became a salesperson at Al Packer. He quickly earned numerous Top Salesman awards and was part of the Ford 500 Club and the Society of Top Sales Professionals. Barry rose through the ranks, being promoted to Floor Manager, Sales Manager, and Finance Manager.

The break for Barry to get his General Sales Manager "stripes" came in 1985 when he joined Sherwood Ford. He built the sales force from the ground up and helped the dealership become the #1 Dealer in the Baltimore Zone and #2 in the region from 1986-1987.

In the late 80's Barry made his way "back home" to Al Packer Ford/VW/Izuzu (and Yugo, while it lasted) as Finance Director and General Sales Manager. Thousands upon thousands of car deals were negotiated and sold under Barry during his period at Al Packer. If you lived in the Baltimore market in the 90's you more than likely saw him on your TV screen. He was as synonymous to the Al Packer franchise as Granny Packer was.

In 2003, Barry became the General Manager of Al Packer's Lincoln Mercury and Jeep stores, just down the block from where he had started his automotive career journey at Al Packer Ford. There, he grew the franchises to be the #2 Lincoln Mercury and the #3 Jeep store in the region. Yours truly even worked at that "Jeep Shack" for a small period of time.

He had caught Lincoln Mercury's attention and while inevitably the plans to purchase a dealership fell through, an opportunity to grow a newly acquired Lincoln Mercury Dealership in York, PA came to surface.

That dealership was Wright Brothers Lincoln Mercury. And as General Manager, Barry would pave the way and craft some of the most creative commercials and marketing tactics that the area had ever seen.

$5 Car deals had people lining up and spending the night at the dealership, Johnny Cash "The Credit Lending Specialist" provided credit approval assistance, and even an appearance by Bob Barker in a commercial solidified that Wright Brothers was the place where the "Price is Right".

Barry was part of the Philadelphia Lincoln Mercury Dealer Council and Wright Bros Lincoln Mercury became a top 5 Dealer in the Philadelphia Region.

2008-2009 saw the start of Ford Motor Company phasing out the Mercury brand altogether so it was inevitable that the remaining Lincoln brand at Wright Bros would be sold to accompany an existing Ford store.

Lincoln Mercury's loss for sure, but Thompson Automotive's gain. Barry brought his talents (and commercial ideas) to the Thompson Automotive Group in Baltimore, MD. Between January 2009 and May 2017, Barry held top posts at both their Hyundai store in Baltimore and their Chrysler Dodge Jeep store in Edgewood, MD and oversaw the growth of sales, service and CSI scores.

Which brings us to present day, well... almost present day. About 4 1/2 years ago Barry reconnected with the owners of Apple Ford Lincoln of Columbia, MD who had a used car lot in Elkton, MD called Apple Autos. In 2018 Mitsubishi was added as a franchise point and Apple Mitsubishi of Elkton and Barry and the team were off to the races. In fact they have won the #1 Sales Satisfaction Dealer for the last 7 quarters straight. No doubt Barry will have helped them get their 8th once 4Q21 officially ends.

Being a kid growing up with a father in the car business you would think could be tough, right? Your dad being gone for long days and nights of work as well as some weekends too. Barely having enough time for family as the car business is a demanding industry.

See this is where perception differs from reality. Most importantly why Barry Wolfsheimer is "The Automotive Ironman".

Barry not only is the Ironman when it comes to his work ethic and drive to succeed in sales over his 53 year career, but he is also the Ironman with his family and has showed that ever since I was a little kid.

For instance, he not only made it to my little league games growing up, he was also an active head coach for my teams. Kids wanted to be a part of Coach Barry's team each year because they knew he had the formula to win! He was there for my sister and making sure he was present for her high school plays and musicals, never missing one. He's been there for his grandkids. The girls lacrosse games and my sons soccer games. He always finds time for vacation not only with the whole family each summer, but spending time going on trips with my mom and sometimes friends trips as well. I expect to see lots more of that for him in the near future.

MLB's Ironman, Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak on Sept 6, 1995. 2131 consecutive games. I was actually at the game with my dad. As I started writing this article I couldn't help but think of that accomplishment and how similar it is to what my dad Barry has achieved with his career. Gehrig, Ripken, and Wolfsheimer all made it a point to show up each day, give it their absolute best, and give no excuse why it couldn't be done.

For those that know me well both personally and professionally know that my dad Barry has been one of the most influential people in my life and a huge part in my drive and success. Today, I am extremely excited for him to enjoy what's next to come.

To close, I couldn't agree more when Lou Gehrig said:

"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."

Please join me on sending Congratulations to my Dad, mentor, and best friend - "Automotive Ironman" Barry Wolfsheimer on his 53 years!

We all love you!