I started my career in the automotive industry in 2004, shortly after completing my military service. I began in sales, but it wasn’t long before I moved into leadership roles where I found my passion for building teams and shaping strategy—particularly within the Mercedes-Benz brand. Along the way, I’ve been honored with seven Mercedes-Benz Best of the Best awards, including three as Best of the Best Manager.

Portrait of a smiling man with short, styled hair, a beard, wearing a blue checkered suit jacket and a white dress shirt.

At Mercedes-Benz of Easton, I had the opportunity to lead a true transformation. Under my leadership, the dealership became one of the top 10 Maybach retailers in the country, while also creating a workplace culture that earned recognition of its own. Over the span of just five years, my team and I generated nearly double the net profit of the previous decade combined. That wasn’t just growth—it was a complete shift in performance and culture.

Today, I bring that same approach to a broader stage as a fractional COO. I help organizations create operational clarity, turn chaos into systems, and empower leadership teams to unlock the next level. I’m often called on to turn underperforming stores into market leaders and to build teams that not only perform but stay for the long haul.

Graduation announcement with a photo of Daniel Govaer and text congratulating the Nada Academy graduating class of February 2021.

I’ve also invested heavily in sharpening my skills, with credentials from NADA Academy, NCM, and SHRM. Beyond the automotive world, giving back is deeply important to me. I’ve raised more than $1 million for causes close to my heart, including the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Make-A-Wish, and the USO, where I also serve on the board.

Not Just a Consultant. A Proven Operator in the Trenches.

If your dealership is facing complex challenges, slow growth, or operational drift, you don’t need another consultant—you need a strategist who’s lived the hard realities and delivered results anyway.

I specialize in dealership turnarounds and profit improvement in austere, underdog markets. With a deep background in fixed and variable operations, my work consistently drives high-ROI outcomes through clarity, accountability, and creative simplicity.

I help dealers and executive teams simplify the noise, align teams, and execute with precision. Whether it’s restructuring pay plans, rebuilding service absorption, fixing leadership breakdowns, or identifying what’s holding your net profit hostage—I’ve done it. And I’ve done it with the numbers to prove it.

Two men sitting on orange armchairs on stage during a conference, engaged in conversation. Behind them is a blue backdrop with the words 'ASOTU COGNITION SESSIONS' and logos, suggesting a professional event.
Two men sitting on orange armchairs on stage during a panel discussion at ASOTU CON, with a backdrop displaying the event logo and branding.

What I Bring:

  • NADA Academy Trained Graduate

  • Decades of real results in the hardest markets

  • Critical, creative thinking that cuts through chaos

  • Systems that drive accountability and execution

  • Recognized by peers as one of the sharpest minds in the space

Let’s work together if you’re looking for smart strategy, bold execution, and a fresh way of thinking about what’s possible.

I’m not a consultant; I’m a field-tested operator with a track record of transforming problems into profit.