One of Us: Blair Sharpe

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Blair Sharpe is general manager of Mercedes-Benz of Jacksonville, part of Fields Auto Group. He moved from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Ponte Vedra in April with his wife, Michelle, and children Stella, 8, and Joe, 4.

What are your primary duties and responsibilities as general manager of Mercedes-Benz of Jacksonville?

As the general manager, it is up to me to make sure that I equip my team with all of the resources and support that they need to succeed while I oversee the day-to-day operations of the store. I strive to provide my team with the best environment for them to grow professionally and personally. It is important to me that we all have a mutual respect for each other, what our roles are, and that we communicate well with each other and our customers. At the end of the day, if we do what we say we are going to do with integrity and trust, we will be successful.

How did you begin your career in automotive sales?

I was 11 years old. My dad is in the car business, and at the time he was a sales manager and he hired me to run the popcorn machine for a big sale. I have been in it full time since 1992. I have held almost every position at a dealership: I have pulled weeds, detailed cars, organized parts inventory, and I spent a lot of time as a sales person before moving on to sales manager and then a general manager.

What do you think separates your dealership from other auto dealers in the area?

Our culture. Our motto “Fields Matters Because You Matter” not only applies to our customers but also my team. If every person on my team knows that they matter to me and to the organization, they will make sure every customer knows how much they matter too.

What brought you to the First Coast?

Surfing. No seriously, the Fields organization, a company I have long admired for their integrity and family culture, offered me this great opportunity to be general manager of Mercedes-Benz of Jacksonville.

How do you enjoy spending your free time?

Spending time with family and friends is what I enjoy most. What do I like to do with my family and friends? I enjoy all kinds of water activities – fishing, boating, swimming and looking for shark teeth on the beach.

Are there any charitable or civic activities in which you’re involved that you’d like to highlight?

In Michigan, I had the privilege of being involved in many wonderful nonprofit organizations. I am excited to pursue involvement locally. I am passionate about early childhood development and men’s mental health.