Say hello to Robert Nelson! He has been working at Patterson Autos for 5 years now, helping with Marketing and Retention. Robert has spent the majority of his career (35 years to be exact) in the marketing, creative services, and sales industry. He certainly brings an extensive amount of knowledge and expertise to promoting the Patterson Autos dealerships, which we are so grateful for.
Having grown up in Monterey, California, Robert graduated from Monterey High, and has always been amazed by all the influences of fresh seafood, Pebble Beach Golf, local wines, Steinbeck's Cannery Row, Laguna Seca Raceway, and the amazing coastline down to Big Sur. All these attractions have a huge impact on him and making all his passions and interests specific to this area. Following High School, Robert went to college in San Luis Obispo at Cal Poly to achieve a Bachelors in Applied Art & Design while minoring in Marketing. While on campus, Robert was involved in fraternity philanthropy and fun. He also played in a party band and worked for a Toyota Dealership in the summer. This ignited his interest in the car business.
What Robert loves most about working at Patterson Autos is the people he is surrounded by on a daily basis. There are so many employees who have been with Patterson Autos for over a decade, which is extremely uncommon in the automotive industry. It's clear that Patterson Autos Team is a wonderful place to work! “The staff and the leadership create a very healthy atmosphere, creating a fun and safe work environment that makes everyone feel beyond welcome”.
One of Robert’s favorite memories since being part of the Patterson Autos includes the annual Christmas Party in addition to the team-building days. His most prized memory is when Patterson Autos was awarded Orange County’s TOP DEALERSHIP. According to the Orange County Register poll, over all other brands including a nationally known Mercedes dealership, Tustin Mazda, one of Patterson’s Autos dealerships, was recognized as the most superior dealership. This moment was a special one for the entire team and just goes to show how much enthusiasm everyone puts into their jobs here.
Robert hears most frequently, “Can you get me a deal?! What do you think my car is worth?” Even though his role is Marketing he works hard to guide individual customers and does his absolute best in finding the right options to ensure maximum worth out of the car they are looking to trade-in and the new vehicle as well.
We asked Robert which car he would choose out of all the cars in the auto industry. Without any hesitation, he responded that he absolutely loves his Acura TLX A-Spec. The 2022 TLX pushes the limits of performance, tech, and design. It's fast, it’s furious, and has hints of athleticism throughout the entire build. Robert also had a wonderful experience with his previous vehicle, the Mazda 6 Turbo Reserve. He just purchased his beautiful wife a Hyundai Sonata Turbo Limited, which is an affordable, flashy, and well-equipped family sedan. She and Robert both love all the Patterson Autos car brands and look forward to all the latest and greatest models!
Outside of work, Robert loves anything motorcycle related. He has experienced many great times traveling and working his way up to the expert class in dirt track racing. These days he just enjoys a couple of mellow rides throughout the month. Whether it's street or dirt, Robert is ready to go. Or he is perfectly content just talking 2-wheels all the time! When Robert isn’t talking or riding motorcycles, he enjoys boating, camping, golfing, painting, and gardening.
Robert and his wife have a son and daughter. They love to use all the vacation time they can get to visit Zack in Nashville and Olivia in San Francisco. They are blessed to have similar interests with their kids, making for a very fun time when everyone is together. This includes all the wine tasting and cultural events around San Francisco, plus lake days and live music with Zack in Nashville.
Three eateries that Robert mentioned you cannot miss out on include:
• With the pleasure of preparing and sharing seafood, Kings Fish House is one you absolutely will not want to miss out on. This is a relaxed chain restaurant offering an extensive menu of fish & seafood. In addition, they have a full bar including beer, wine, and cocktails. Welcome to the house that seafood built!
• If you are looking for a cutting-edge dining experience, The Winery in Tustin Legacy is calling your name. Focused on pairing contemporary California regional cuisine with a hip, vibrant and sophisticated setting. The chefs have earned the title of “Restaurateurs of the Year”, in addition to the two locations in Newport Beach and Tustin being awarded “Restaurant of the Year” many times.
• Joe’s is a family-owned and operated Italian restaurant and bar located in Ladera Ranch. The food here represents traditional, Italian-inspired cuisine with modern accents. They offer contemporary interpretations of classic comfort dishes along with unique ventures into new areas of Italian cooking.
Robert and his wife are looking forward to all the warm and lazy Beach days in the near future. There are a number of beautiful Laguna beaches within this region, so don’t forget to check them out the next time you are in town!
Stop by The Business office of Patterson Autos (at Tustin Mazda) anytime to meet Robert. He looks forward to seeing you around Orange County!