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Tracey Fahsbender, Comptroller, Marietta Sportscar
Job: Comptroller, Marietta Sportscar, Marietta
What I do: In the "man's world" of automobiles, Tracey Fahsbender, 40, is a rare woman -- especially in the even-more-macho world of sports cars. As comptroller at Marietta Sportscar, she is the No. 2 person at the medium-sized dealership that sells high-end, used sports cars.
"I do everything from washing a car to handling attorneys and everything in between," she said. That includes doing title work, handling payroll, posting vehicles for sale on eBay and even selling a car now and then.
The company prides itself on being one of the first used-car dealerships to have its own Web site and on being an early seller on eBay. Online sales enable Marietta Sportscar to reach customers around the country.
Marietta Sportscar deals primarily in upscale European makes and has a service department to take care of them.
"We have a good customer base, and we take pride in our vehicles," she said.
Fahsbender describes herself as the "right arm" of owner Wade Patrick. "It all stops where I am," she said.
One of the perks, she said, is getting to test drive the inventory. "I drive all these beautiful cars every day," she said. "There's a different car in my driveway every night."
What got me interested in this: It started when she was 17 in New Jersey, Fahsbender said. She began working at the state's Department of Motor Vehicles and moved on to dealerships, where she was involved primarily in title work. She came to Atlanta in 1996 and joined Marietta Sportscar three years ago.
She described her career as a progression, taking on more responsibilities as she has gained experience. "It took me awhile to get here. It was all hands-on."
And cars are a family affair. Fahsbender's twin sister, Janis Gorczyca, also is in the auto business.
Best part of my job: "The people I get to deal with," Fahsbender said. She said the company's customers are not typical used-car buyers. "There's a different clientele who buy this type of car. . . . They know what they want," and they expect quality vehicles, she said.
It's especially rewarding, she said, when customers "call back and say you were wonderful."
She added that the staff, which includes four salespeople, is like family. "We eat lunch together every day."
Most challenging part: One thing she has to get right every time is the paperwork. "Compliance is very big," she said. Because used cars often are sold as-is, she said it's important to ensure that paperwork on cars' stickers, buyers' orders, warranties and trade-ins is flawless. Everything must be done in a particular order.
"There's a rule you must follow for everything. Timeliness is everything," she said. "The faster we get a car ready, the faster we can sell it."
What people don't know about my job: "If you don't know what you're doing, [the business] will be closed up like that," she said, snapping her fingers.
As a woman, she said she has had to put up with come-ons, but the hardest part has been to be treated equally. "Don't treat me like I'm a nobody," she said. "I'm the check-signer."
And she can be tough on unwelcome advances. "Business is business," she said. "That other stuff is very tacky."
What keeps me going: "Coming in and knowing people depend on me. Who doesn't like to feel needed?"
Preparation needed for this job: Every dealer does things differently, she said, and most have courses on warranties, sales management and other aspects of the business.
Fahsbender said a college degree isn't necessary, "but you do have to have a really good teacher." She said there is no substitute for the experience of a "hands-on education."
You also need to have an eye for cars and know what will sell and for how much.
- By Karl Ritzler, for ajcjobs. Got an interesting job that you love? E-mail your story to jobseditor@ajc.com.
