Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Al Blanton
After more than a decade in the automotive industry, Ryan Mortimer has come full circle, being named floor manager at the dealership where his car sales career first began.
Originally from Manchester, Connecticut, Ryan moved to Jasper about twelve years ago and got his start at what was then Scott Crump Toyota, before the dealership transitioned to Bill Penney Toyota. “This was my first job in sales. I’d never done anything like it before,” he says. “I worked in IT before moving here, but this was the first place that gave me an opportunity.”
Along the way, he has honed his skills, built relationships, and developed a deep appreciation for the dealership’s culture. “They take care of everybody,” he says of the Penney family and leadership team. “It’s a very customer-oriented, employee-oriented organization.”
Now, as floor manager, Ryan oversees the sales team, customer relations, scheduling, and internet leads. In short, he keeps the dealership’s daily operations running smoothly. “I manage the floor, make sure everyone’s on task, and help manage customer expectations,” he explains. “I like the car business because it’s competitive, and I’ve always been competitive. I was the top salesman here for three years, and now I’m striving to be the best manager I can be.”
Outside of work, Ryan is all about family and creativity. A self-proclaimed “big kid at heart,” he spends his downtime gaming or tackling intricate LEGO builds, his favorite being a 2,000-piece Voltron set. “Now that I’m making adult money, I can finally buy the sets I couldn’t as a kid,” he jokes. “It’s relaxing. It keeps your mind engaged.”
Ryan has sidestepped what many consider a true Alabama rite of passage: declaring loyalty to either the Crimson Tide or the Auburn Tigers, he still roots for his beloved New England Patriots. Still, he’s fully embraced Southern life, including its unpredictable weather.
“I like Jasper,” he says. “It’s home now.” WL
