Luxury car dealer chases down dream, saves Lee County animals too

Michael Visocky left the harsh winters in his hometown of Milwaukee and found a warmer climate on Florida's East Coast. A move to Bonita Springs in November 2007 also helped him accomplish a lifelong dream of owning a dealership.

EVAN WILLIAMS / FLORIDA WEEKLY 2009 Audi A-4. Visocky, 39, became managing partner at Jaguar/Land Rover/Audi of Fort Myers. It's a small dealership of about 60 employees, but on Visocky's business card it says, "We're not the biggest, just the BEST."

"It's a great opportunity for me and my family to live in a place with a Midwest feel, and be an owner in this company," he said. "…Life on the East Coast was a little faster paced. Here it feels like the Midwest, only warmer."

He plans to focus on "great customer service," and to "be more involved in the community as a store. I'm hoping to be involved in more charitable events."

One of them is the Lee County Animal Care Trust Fund, which brings pets from the shelter to Visocky's dealership twice per month to find them "forever homes." The animals are brought there as a last resort before being euthanized. Animal Care board member Christina Crawfis said about 75 animals have been saved since she started coming to the dealership last June. Call (239) 592-6700 for more information.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office also brings "cell dogs" for adoption. The dogs are trained by inmates.

"Many people are not comfortable going in to the shelter situation to adopt pets, but they are here," Crawfis said, as three kittens stared out of their cage forlornly at some new Jaguars. "Michael (Visocky) has been great about this."

Visocky is also completing renovations on the building. Improvements include new offices and a customer waiting area with windows that look in on the service department, and plasma screen televisions.

It's all part of the plan to put a premium on customer service.

"Not just basic service, but going above and beyond," Visocky said. "That's how you build a good business. When you buy a car or service a car here, you're part of our family."

He can tell it's working because the sales numbers have continued to grow. Land Rover sales have been up across the board, and Audi and Jaguar have been holding steady. Visocky also attributes that to having a positive attitude in the face of the economic downturn.

"What I try to portray to the sales people is: listening to the negatives that are going on in the market isn't going to help change anything," he said.

The three brands sold at the dealership also come with loyal customers, who are awaiting release of some of the new models.

"Audi is on fire," Visocky said, talking about the new A4.

Originally, a compact car, the 2009 A4 is now sleeker and sexier. It sits in the dealership awaiting a grand opening party that will be thrown for it on Oct. 15 The 2009 also sells for the same starting price as the 2008: $32,000.

There's also the new Jaguar XF, which is sportier than the old version.

"It's totally redesigned," Visocky said. "It's unlike Jaguar of the past."

The Visocky of the past got his start in sales by selling sporting goods in Milwaukee when he was 16 years old. A few years after that, he was selling Chryslers at the recommendation of a friend.

"I've always liked sales," he said. "I feel that's what I've grown up on. I've always been big on having new experiences, meeting new people. It's never boring."

In 2000, he moved up as a manager for Chrysler and also worked at Lincoln Mercury before moving to Florida in 2002, where he was a manager for Lexus. This time around, as an owner, he gets to call the shots. That's his favorite part of the job.

"I have the ability to make a difference," he said. "They say good business starts at the top."

Visocky, who lives in Miromar Lakes, still goes back to Milwaukee once a year with his wife and two daughters (ages 2 and 1) to attend some of the summer festivals he remembers from his youth. In particular, they enjoy weeklong outdoor party/music festival called Summerfest.

When he's not working, Visocky is still getting acquainted with the area.

"I've done some fishing out on Fort Myers Beach," he said. "And I've spent some time out in Gulf Coast Town Center. It's a very nice place to have dinner and relax."

If you go

>>What: 2009 Audi A-4 launch party

>>When: Oct. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m.

>>Where: Jaguar/ Land-Rover /Audi of Fort Myers at 15875 South Tamiami Trail

>>Details: Carrabba's will be serving food and The Cigar Bar employees will be hand-rolling cigars. There's no charge for the event, but RSVP at (239) 454-4444.