Our Team

After graduating from Concord University  in 1979 with a double degree in marketing and management, Gary gained practical experience by moving through each level of management within the retail automobile industry, over an  eleven year period.  Gary also worked for and with a nationwide credit insurance company and one of the country's leading automotive training organizations as the lead consultant/trainer and became an associate director for one of the largest multi-dealer groups in the country. In addition, he worked with a 10 dealership group as the Vice President of Operations focused on developing strategic planning, communication and growth disciplines.  

Using his unique sales, consultant, management, facilitation and training techniques developed throughout his career, Gary developed the "Professional for Life" Pro-Track concept.  As a sales and management productivity consultant, Gary brings the knowledge and experience accumulated during his varied career.  A keen sense of humor provides excitement and fun to the valuable programs presented during his workshops.  These traits make him a highly skilled presenter / facilitator, as well as one of the most requested industry speakers in the country.  Gary's clients have included Pontiac Motor Division, Nissan of the Netherlands, Nissan Motor Sales U.S.A., Nissan Bank Germany, Saturn Motor Corporation, Durham Life Insurance Company, General Motors of Canada, GMAC, Honda, Acura, Honda Financial Services, University of Toyota/Lexus USA, University of Toyota/Lexus Europe, Toyota Financial Services, Toyota Quality Financial Management (TQFM), Toyota Quality Executive Management (TQEM), Toyota Motor Sales Europe, Lexus Motor Sales Europe, National Automobile Dealers Association 20 Groups, Oldsmobile Motor Division, A.S.T.N., Health Science Products, Georgia Carpet Outlets, Omni Drugs International and major automobile retailers across the United States and Canada.  As one of the speakers at the 1990 and 1995 National Automobile Dealers Association National convention, Gary had been one of the highest rated video/audio tape programs in sales and leasing category.  He was also the highest rated speaker at the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association and the North Carolina Dealer Association.  During the years of 1991 and 1992, Gary was seen monthly on A.S.T.N. demonstrating management, sales, prospecting, closing and leasing techniques.

Gary is rated as not only a great speaker, but also a great educator, consultant and facilitator.  His proven past record in developing people to achieve performance levels beyond their expectations creates even more of an asset to the organizations he has worked. On a business level he was one of the project leads in the installation of ISO 2001 process management system of for the University of Toyota, School of Retail Professional Development (SRPD). A very rare mix of communication, strategic skills, corporate manufacturing knowledge and a true depth in the retail automobile business.  

Gary, his wife and two children live in Miramar Beach, Florida. 

When you evaluate a person's life accomplishments, one must look at a human being's approach to life's most challenging obstacles.  A mere three and one half years ago, Ms. Tilkin was morbidly obese.  Since then, Tami has lost 134 lbs, has a daily mental, physical as well as nutrition regiment, has become a certified "SPINNING™" instructor and is in the final stages of "ACE™" certification to be a personal trainer. Tami is now seen nationally on TV as part of the SPINNING™ infomercial as one of many success stories. This was all done while assisting in the management of our performance improvement company.

Tami manages a health and fitness website and blog www.bodyandmindbytami.com . Many of the past, current and future potential clients of Gary Tilkin Consultants, Inc., along with all interested parties, inquire on Tami's site of ways to gain control of their physical, fitness and nutritional health objectives, which always supports an individual's professional goals. Ms. Tilkin's creation of the website and blog supports the concepts outlined in the Professional for Life class "The Art of Personal Marketing" supporting the universal use of the concepts taught.

"If all this were not enough, Tami focuses on supporting everyone in the quest of a healthy life style provides several fitness classes hopefully soon in Destin, Florida.” Her schedule is located and updated on her website. As part of her corporate duties, Tami will be coordinating morning and afternoon optional stretching and exercise programs for all "Professional for Life" events done in our International Training Center location.

Tami, Gary and their two children, Alyssa and Alex have lived for the last 23 years in Miramar Beach, Florida.

Mark is a member of the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches (WABC) located in British Columbia, Canada and a Licensed Professional Business Coach with the Professional Business Coaches Alliance (PBCA) in Canton, Ohio.

Take time to read his story on how he transformed a small printing company he owned into the largest printing and packaging company in the Caribbean Region. How he was able to compete with both regional and international companies for market share globally is a story of great encouragement. How did he do this? Simply by applying proven and tested management, financial and marketing strategies, principles and standards that increased sales by over 2,000% in the initial year of transforming a small printing company into an ultra modern cutting edge printing & packaging facility.

Mark has an extensive background in marketing, finance, outstanding skills in forecasting and business development, and dynamic abilities in contract negotiations, supplier relations, and strategic planning. To complement these qualifications, he offers significant experience in expediting company growth and market penetration through superior relationship-building talents and analytical expertise.

During his thirty-seven (37) years in the corporate world he has mentored and coached a number of individuals and company executives.

Mark's background includes retail, distribution and light manufacturing. He has marketing experience in the areas of food, office equipment and supplies, commercial and industrial paper and paperboard as well as printing and packaging. The brokering of commercial and industrial paper into a number of international markets from distributor agreements established with several International Paper Mills in all Continents. He has traveled extensively negotiating trade and distributor agreements establishing distribution channels for a variety of products.

Mark has a very diverse and unique background. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the Seattle Pacific University. Mark has attended a number of seminars and conferences in the area of sales, marketing, human resources and leadership development.

Mark is a graduate of the Christian International Ministry Training College (CIMTC) and an ordained minister. He is President of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Destin Chapter. He is a member of the Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) and is involved in his capacity as a marketplace minister in community and city transformation. He is also the founder of Transformation Florida.

Mark is a member of the Destin, Fort Walton & Walton Chambers of Commerce. He, his wife Sharon, and their daughter Elizabeth reside in Destin, Florida since 1998.

Prior to establishing Quanovia, a performance improvement consulting and training company located in Greenville, North Carolina, Chuck held a variety of executive positions in the corporate world. First as a catalylist and trainer for the HAC Group, Inc., then as the National Associate Dean for The University of Toyota (UOT) where he established the School of Retail Professional Development (SRPD) and most recently having created and lead Performance Learning Services (PLS) at NACCO Materials Handling Group, Inc., (NMHG). 

In these roles Chuck lead internal work groups as well as independent businesses through significant process improvement initiatives. Notable among these was the ISO 9001:2000 certification of the UOT’s School of Retail professional Development. Additionally, he was the lead in the design, development and delivery of both the Toyota Quality Financial Management (TQFM) and Toyota Quality Executive Management (TQEM) programs. These programs were revolutionary for the automotive business and lead to dramatic improvements in four key areas of Productivity, Profitability, Employee Retention and Customer Satisfaction. While at PLS, Chuck directed the development of a world class sales training program focused on the unique and growing Warehouse Market.

Additionally, he has collaborated to publish works on Sales Consultant Retention, Corporate Culture and Customer Relations Management as well as occasional writing for the online edition of CLO Magazine. Chuck has been a host and also presented for numerous events including national/international conferences and panel discussions. He has also served on the Advisory Board for the Global Council on Corporate Universities (GLOBALCCU).

Chuck’s academic achievements include a B.A. degree from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa. and an M.A. in Education focused on Instructional Systems Design for Adult Learners from Penn State University, Great Valley, Pa. Additionally, he has earned certification from The International Society for Performance improvement as a Certified Performance Technologist (CPT), Corporate Coach University for facilitation of the Coaching Clinic and from VitalSmarts for facilitation of Crucial Conversations. He has served as faculty for the CLO Colloquium as well as having participated on their Business Intelligence Board.

Mr. O’Keefe was a finalist for the World of Learning 2004 Training Manager of the year and has also won the following awards:

• 2002 & 2003 ASTD Excellence in Practice Award
• 2002 ISPI Award of Excellence
• 2003 CUBIC AWARD – Best Mature Corporate University

Chuck has professional affiliations with the following organizations:

• International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)
• Society for Sales and Marketing Training (SMT)
• American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Global Council on Corporate Universities (GLOBALCCU)

He began his automotive career when he joined Key-Royal Automotive Company through one of its 26 dealerships. After success in sales and the various management positions within the dealership, he was asked to join the corporate staff in Birmingham, Alabama. There he served as a trainer, consultant, associate director of consulting, vice president and as president.

A corporate buy-out which involved restructuring, downsizing and relocation led to the formation of Advanced Business Concepts, an Alabama based training and consulting company which specializes in the development and delivery of professional, customer focused training and growth programs for the automotive industry.

Harold provides on-site training and consulting services that focus on sales, management, executive management, and overall dealership improvement. He has a unique talent in the used car area, having been involved in the development and delivery of the first "Certified Used Car Program" for Mercedes-Benz in 1988. He also headed the national launch for Acura's program in 1996 and the re-launch of the Mercedes-Benz "STARMARK" program in 1998.

During his career, Harold has worked with many manufacturers to develop and deliver training programs for both factory and dealership personnel. His list of clients includes Acura, ASTN, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler Corporation, Chrysler Credit, Chrysler of Canada, GMAC, General Motors of Canada, Honda, Mazda, Mazda American Credit, Mercedes Benz of Canada, Mercedes Benz of North America, Mitsubishi, National Automobile Dealers Association 20 Groups, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Subaru, Toyota as well as many retail dealerships and state associations across the U.S. and Canada.

Advanced Business Concepts is dedicated to assisting manufacturers and retail dealerships to develop people, processes and solutions that improve employee and customer satisfaction which ultimately enhance retention and profits.

Harold and his wife live in Childersburg, Alabama.

Jay graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Business Administration, as well as a minor in Psychology.  While attending school in Baton Rouge, Jay worked as a Longshoreman.  One of his earliest endeavors in the transportation business was managing an over the road trucking company - McLean Company of Baton Rouge and Red Ball of New Orleans.

From Louisiana, Jay made his way to Atlanta where he was a fleet and leasing manager for one year.  As well as his contribution in that capacity, Jay was also the finance and insurance manager for Royal Oldsmobile of Decatur Ga.  Jay returned to his home state of Louisiana to Royal Oldsmobile of New Orleans, where he was a salesperson for three years.  Following his stay at Royal Oldsmobile, Jay became a general partner in Rainbow Oldsmobile of New Orleans.  At Rainbow, Jay not only oversaw the dealership as its vice-president for seventeen years, but also worked in every department of the business from new and used car sales, various positions in the service department, and was the general sales manager for the dealership.  A few of Jay's other positions have included: International Trainer for General Motors, Corporate Trainer for Key Royal Automotive Group, New and Used Vehicle Sales Manager for Royal Oldsmobile in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Jay's clients have included General Motors, Land Rover of North America, Toyota of North America and General Motors Canada.  Jay also worked with the General Motors Smart Lease and Smart Buy projects as well as Canadian Bank.

Jay's activities outside the car industry are what best describe his hardworking and well-rounded personality.  While in college, he was a member of the Lions Club and was voted Lion of the Year.  He is a member of the Parents Club Board at Holy Cross High School, his alma mater, as well as that of his two sons.  He also served Holy Cross as its Athletic Association Vice President.  Jay's volunteer work both at Holy Cross High School and with the American Cancer Society make him a regular fixture at events where a good cook is needed for a large amount of people.  In his spare time, you can find him stirring jambalaya in his large cast iron pot at Family Day for Holy Cross, or cooking hamburgers and steaks on the rotisserie grill at the American Cancer Society's Walk to Fight Cancer.  During Christmas, Jay can be found volunteering his time to Christmas in the Oaks at City Park in New Orleans.  He plays the part of Jolly Saint Nick for the children in the New Orleans area.  As well as volunteering his time and cooking talents to schools and nonprofit organizations, Jay is currently working on a project of his own, restoring a historic 15,000 square foot brass foundry and electrical motor warehouse in New Orleans' famed "Warehouse District."  He and his wife Gayle have restored two historic homes in New Orleans over their 34 year marriage.

Jay Fertitta has two sons in school at Mississippi College in Jackson, Mississippi, and currently lives in New Orleans, Louisiana with his wife, Gayle Fertitta.