Elite has announced that award winning shop owner Eric Pohlman has joined the company as its newest business development coach.
In his new role, Pohlman will use his 22 years of experience as a successful shop owner to provide 1-on-1 guidance to other shop owners throughout the U.S.
Eric Pohlman’s father owned and operated 22 stores in Ohio, Alabama and Florida. By age of 19 Eric was running all of the Florida stores, but in 1996, decided to venture out on his own and start Eric’s Auto Service. His shop started out as a three-bay shop, but quickly became a six-bay NAPA AutoCare and Federated Car Care Center that easily surpassed $1,000,000 in annual sales. His shop was voted as a Nextdoor favorite shop for 4 consecutive years, and in 2016, Eric received the Hamilton, Ohio Chamber of Commerce “Business Person of the Year Award.” After 22 years, he sold the company to his nephew, who now continues to grow this successful shop using Eric’s processes and procedures.
Prior to joining Elite, Eric had been coaching local shops since 2016. He has co-hosted the “Car Show” on 55 KRC in Cincinnati until 2018, and has a genuine passion for helping others. In 2019 Eric won the “Community Impact Award” for the local Board of Developmental Disabilities. He was past president of the local National League Challenger League, a league for special needs children, and is now an active coach for the Special Olympics’ local program for golf, softball and bowling. Clearly Eric’s community involvement is making an impact — in 2019 Eric became the vice mayor of Hamilton, Ohio, after receiving the most votes in the entire election.
“Given all that he does for his community and for children with special needs, I couldn’t possibly have more respect for Eric. To be able to work with a coach who not only built an amazing auto repair business, but who I admire so much as a person, is truly an honor for me,” said Bob Cooper, president of Elite.
