Meet Two "New" Members of Management at Checkered Flag Porsche and Audi

I say "new" because both new car manager Ed Klima and pre-owned manager Joe Hernandez, have actually been around Checkered Flag for many years.

Ed has long been the go-to guy at Checkered Flag Porsche. In fact, pretty much everyone that I talked to about his promotion simply said, "It’s about time!" Ed laughs, "It is nice to have it be official." Ed has been at Checkered Flag for over 7 years and working with Porsche customers for almost as long. He told me that he was really excited about the improved inventory conditions at Porsche, which will ensure more vehicles are available to customers who want them, as well as the renaissance of the Audi brand, "Audi has always been a great German-engineered car, but people are realizing more and more that it’s also very accessible. There really is something for everyone."

Joe Hernandez recently returned to Checkered Flag after having spent some time out of the car industry. With the exception of the last few years though, Joe has worked in the auto biz pretty much his whole career (since the mid-80s!). He moved to Hampton Roads about 14 years ago from northern Virginia and was quickly offered a position at Checkered Flag Toyota. He eventually moved on to Checkered Flag Porsche. When I asked him what made him come back he explains, "They say it [selling vehicles] gets in your blood and you can’t get rid of it and they’re right. I enjoy the instant gratification and being able to help customers get what they want, when they want it." Joe is married and has three children, including a son who recently graduated from Virginia Tech, another son in college at JMU and a 4 year old daughter.

The Checkered Blog would like to congratulate both Ed and Joe on their new positions and wish them the very best luck!

Comments

[Doc's Sports Predictions Guy]

Hey, just wanted to say that this is my first time stopping by your blog and this thing looks SHARP! Big Audi and Hyundai fan here, and my wife and I have recently sworn off VW for the rest of our time! I will definitely be passing your info on as I think this site has some very good info.

Good luck.

[Scott Fisher]

Ed Klima is the man you want to order your Porsche from. I had a very special order on a 2008 911 Turbo that he ensured was built and delivered exactly as requested. I ordered a light metallic blue paint that Porsche had not made since the early 1980s; my father owned a 1981 911 SC in this color and I wanted that exact paint as a tribute to him. He nailed the paint, along with all of the other options, exactly. I will definitely order future Porsches from him only. Thanks Ed!

[Porsche Turbo Loyalist]

I just wanted to pass a BIG CONGRATULATIONS on to my boy Ed! It is about time buddy. Since you're now the manager, I guess I can really haggle with you on my next Porsche.

For those of you who don't know Ed, he is the guy who put Checkered Flag's Porsche store back on the map. I live in Virginia Beach and had to buy my Porsches from other areas until Ed came along - now I don't go anywhere else.

I guess I can start looking at Audi's again.