Robert Roos Is Proof That Recruitment Works (Video)

Robert Roos Is Proof That Recruitment Works (Video)

Next year will mark 40 years for Robert Roos in the industry and he says it’s been an incredible journey.

Robert Roos, president of the Pronto Automotive Distribution Network, is proof positive that recruitment and retention works in the aftermarket. As he shared in this AMN Drivetime podcast episode with Bill Babcox, he was recruited right out of high school. 

“That is 100% the truth,” Roos said. “I got into this industry almost completely by accident. A buddy of mine right after we had graduated high school, the summer after we graduated, he earned his Eagle scout badge and back in those days in the mid 1980s, social media didn’t exist. You know the way to get the word out and to congratulate somebody was to put their picture in the paper and an entrepreneurial HR director at a local parts warehouse saw his picture called him and asked him if he would like to have a job working in their warehouse. He took it and evidently made a pretty good impression on him after a couple weeks. They’re like, ‘Hey, do you have any friends that might be interested in a job?’ He threw out my name, I got the job and literally have been in this industry ever since.”

Next year will mark Roos’ 40th year in the industry, he said. To evolve and grow from stocking shelves at a parts store out of high school to now leading a national program group, Roos said he’s proud of the journey. “It is very surreal,” he said. “I’m very, very proud of it. I’ve been very lucky in my career in that I have had a wide variety of opportunities within this industry. I’ve been on the WD side, working with independent distributors. I’ve worked with a major chain, a retail chain back in the days, Big A Auto Parts – APS back in those days – and the experiences that I had all along the way. Even eight, nine years ago now coming into program distribution, I’ve just been able to experience so much and be a part of so much of what this great industry has to offer. When you stop and think about it, it’s a pretty incredible journey.”

In this episode of AMN Drivetime, Bill and Robert also dive into the following topics:

0:50 – How Robert was recruited to the aftermarket right out of high school

3:06 – How it feels to go from stocking parts shelves to leading a national program group

5:24 – What Pronto Network members are most focused on today

8:57 – What Roos believes it takes to stay cutting edge and nimble today

12:41 – An update on Supply Chain issues from the distribution perspective

15:24 – For the love of industry trade shows

18:42 – People who have made a difference in his career

25:34 – The value of daily routines

27:12 – Roos’ responses to the ever-popular Lightning Round!

AMN Drivetime is sponsored by Litens.

You May Also Like

The 4 P’s of GSP’s Growth with Michael Ceritano

Ceritano describes the ways GSP North America has grown and what he feels has been integral to its success.

Michael Ceritano's resume includes an array of positions from around the aftermarket: marketing manager, car wash consultant, owner of an auto accessory business, aftermarket sales director and now COO. With a career spanning 30-plus years in the automotive aftermarket, Ceritano has used his industry expertise combined with his business savvy and willingness to learn new skills to grow GSP North America's business exponentially in the almost six years he's been with the company.

Autologue’s Jim Franco: Opportunities in Today’s Market

Find out why Jim Franco is as energized as ever about the business opportunities he sees in the market today.

Passion, People Drive Continental’s Travis Roffler

Travis Roffler, Continental Tire the Americas director of marketing, uses his passion to drive his career success.

AMN Drivetime: Aisin’s Dwayne Bates & Larrow Kaufman

Aisin’s Dwayne Bates and Larrow Kaufman discuss the company’s recent changes and its go-to-market strategy.

GB Remanufacturing’s Michael Kitching on AMN Drivetime

Kitching says he’s proud to be part of the industry as reman gets the sustainability attention it deserves.

Other Posts

How AI Can Help Cameras Overcome Vehicle Vision Problems

Statistically, autonomous driving systems are already better than human drivers.

EVs Are Coming – Is Your Shop Ready For The Wave?

Address safety and training challenges before they’re a problem to prepare for an influx of electric vehicles.

Coats’ Ben Pryor Has Embraced Lean Thinking

Pryor spent four months learning lean principles by going to the “gemba.”

AMN Drivetime: MANN+HUMMEL’s Daryl Benton

Benton talks about innovating for the future as the Purolator brand celebrates 100 years.