It is rare to see a business in America that bears the founder’s name four generations later. Today, Ourisman (the 16th largest dealer group in the country, private or public) has 36 franchises in 25 locations—including Frederick! On the corner of Urbana Pike and Buckeystown Pike, the Ourisman Frederick sign stands out among a sea of vehicles, including the most popular models from Audi, Volvo, Lincoln and various used luxury automobiles.
The Ourisman legacy of success began in 1904, when young Benjamin Ourisman immigrated with his parents to the United States from what is now Ukraine. At the age of 18, Ben was a top performing Chevy salesman in Washington, D.C. In 1921, he went out on his own and opened Ourisman Chevrolet. He lived through the ups and downs of the Great Depression and World War II. Despite the economic hardship, by 1940, Ourisman Chevrolet was one of the nation’s most successful car dealers.
In 1955, Ben’s son, Mandel, took over the business. As Mandel grew his own family, he continued to grow the business into the DC suburbs. His four sons grew up in the business and are best friends today as they each lead their own branch of the Ourisman legacy. In Fall 2015, 4th generation Chris Ourisman completed the purchase of FSK Automotive and Ourisman Frederick was born.
One of the most exciting things on the horizon is the development of the property across from the current Ourisman campus. This secondary property is owned by Ourisman and is being held for the purpose of luxury automotive expansion as the Frederick area continues to grow.
The Ourisman legacy is more than distinguished cars and exceptional customer service. With a history and legacy of giving back to the community, especially supporting education and the performing arts, Mandel generously funded the Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center at Georgetown University when his wife passed away in 1992. Locally, Ourisman Frederick has supported Tour De Frederick, SOAR (Supporting Older Adults through Resources), the FCPS LYNX program at Frederick High School and is a founding donor of Sky Stage.
Most notable is that the entire management staff at Ourisman Frederick consists of local community members. They went to school here and their kids go to school here. They shop and eat in downtown Frederick and along the Golden Mile. They are part of the fabric of Frederick!
We had a chance to get to know five of the leaders at Ourisman Frederick: Greg Thornton, Matthew Diorio, Sam Schroeder, Jordan Stickelman and David Hanna. They love raising their families, cultivating long-term client relationships and serv- ing the Frederick community.
OurismanFrederick.com
GREG THORNTON
GENERAL MANAGER/MANAGING PARTNER
Years Living in Frederick Area: All of ‘em!
WHAT’S YOUR RECIPE FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS?
Putting client and team member needs first, doing as much listening as possible and trying to attack problems with a “why can’t we” rather than a “why should we” perspective. Developing a team is hard work and is not a quick venture. Once you put in that amount of time, you have to make sure they are going to be there for the long haul. Keeping the team informed, interested and involved is the real driver of long term success as long as you have built the right team.
WHAT’S YOUR RECIPE FOR BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL TEAM?
Personal ownership is a powerful concept. It isn’t always comfortable, especially at first, but it is an absolute must for our team. Ensuring our team is comfortable with taking intelligent risks and being willing to embrace failure when it doesn’t quite work out is a big part of that. Giving an individual enough responsibility to make a decision and have it go right is so much more powerful when they have that personal level of ownership. And if it doesn’t go right, the team being there to support and work through it with them...That all stems, for us, from a tenured staff of management who takes personal ownership in their own departments. Together they manage around 80 employees and accounted for about $90 million dollars in revenue in 2022.
WHAT’S YOUR RECIPE FOR A HEALTHY WORK-LIFE BALANCE?
There are non-negotiables for home-life balance...It is important that your team members know that you genuinely want them to make time for their child’s game, or dinner with their spouse...Once the staff knows you’re genuine about wanting that for them, it should fall into place. For myself personally...my wife “Suz” is a great mother/wife and holds it down for us so that the time when I can be at home can be focused on being with the family.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?
I golf and fish quite a bit; involving the kids in those activities...makes them even more fun.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FATHER’S DAY MEMORY?
Our daughter, Madison, taking her first steps on Father’s Day is definitely my best memory!
MATTHEW DIORIO
PRE-OWNED DIRECTOR
Years Living in Frederick Area: 24
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CAR?
The 2022 Audi A5 Sportback we ordered for my wife, Angie, is by far my favorite car. I’ve always driven pre-owned Subarus (currently on my 4th), and in September 2021, we ordered exactly what she wanted. The car took 10 months to arrive during the microchip shortage, but it was well worth the wait. Her delight in driving that car makes it my favorite.
WHAT’S YOUR RECIPE FOR SUCCEEDING IN A CROWDED MARKET?
Be better. That is really easy to say, but in the pre-owned vehicle business, it’s really hard to do. I’m not naive about the fact that “used car sales” carries a certain stigma.
Over the last eight years I’ve built processes and culture that make for an excellent, customer focused, quality-first approach to provide our local community with a posted price shopping experience that is transparent and efficient.
WHAT’S YOUR RECIPE FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS?
Helping make others successful never hurts your own success. I continue to try and lift others and show them their potential. The dealership business has a vast array of opportunities and career paths within one store and helping find positions where employees can excel... Having a good team in place across all departments (new sales, used sales, service and parts) elevates everyone’s game and allows us to capitalize on opportunities in the market while increasing customer satisfaction.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?
I build Legos, play video games and watch cartoons. I play golf and read (I’m a big Stephen King fan). I also enjoy travel.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FATHER’S DAY MEMORY?
Quick story. My wife and I got married a little more than 4 years ago and she had a grown daughter, Stephanie. I have no children of my own, but while I never did any Dad stuff growing up she still makes me feel like an important part of her life. She has made it a point to wish me a Happy Father’s Day for the past 4 years... I’m already looking forward to the next one.
SAM SCHROEDER
VOLVO SALES MANAGER
Years Living in Frederick Area: 42 (I was born and raised here. My grandparents moved here in the early 50’s and my mom graduated from Frederick High School.)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CAR?
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine a car nicer than an Audi or a Volvo (even if it wasn’t how I made a living). If I had to pick one, I would say a 1977 Ford Bronco because my Grandad used to drive one and he was one of my heroes. He operated a dairy farm in Ijamsville where my mom was raised, was a lawyer for the Washington Gas company, and was a WW2 and Korean War Veteran. I have many fond memories as a kid riding in the Bronco with him and my grandma.
WHAT’S YOUR RECIPE FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS?
I believe long-term success in any business comes down to staff development. Obviously, I’m decent at selling cars or Greg wouldn’t have put me in the position I’m in; but to have an entire department consistently succeed under you is the best compliment any sales manager can get because that means the staff is well-trained (not that Volvo is 100% there yet!) I learned everything I know about the car business from the managers that were here when I started selling cars, including some that still are and would like to develop some sales guys I have now into management eventually.
WHAT ARE YOUR THREE FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN FREDERICK?
My favorites include: taking my beautiful wife Heather (and kids) out to dinner on the patio at Monocacy Crossing, going to any one of the local parks in Urbana where I live to play with my kids and playing golf with my good buddies from Ourisman.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FATHER’S DAY MEMORY?
My favorite Father’s Day memory is any of the last 3 that I have had both kids for sure. Usually involves grilling at my house with the other neighborhood dads and taking it easy. I also try to get a round of golf in with my dad, who at 73 years old, still puts in on me!
JORDAN STICKELMAN
AUDI BRAND SALES MANAGER
Years Living in Frederick Area: I moved here from Arizona 14 years ago and have always lived in Frederick County. My wife’s family is from Middletown and we have lived in the heart of Middletown for about 13 years.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CAR?
Being with the Audi brand for over 10 years, I have drank the kool-aid. I miss the blue Sepang 2015 Audi S4 I owned. I loved that car.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT?
I find a lot of passion and joy out of getting to know new people. The auto industry is a great business because we get to meet new people every day. The opportunity to make a friend, share my passion for the Audi brand and earn someone’s business really energizes me.
WHAT’S YOUR RECIPE FOR BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL TEAM?
Culture is huge to me. I think that if my team enjoys where they work, that bleeds over to the conversations they have with our customers. I believe continuous training on new products and technologies in our vehicles helps our staff to accurately find the right vehicle for our clients. For me it comes down to the experience our team provides. People usually buy from people they know, like and trust. I want all of my team members to provide an experience the same way they would to a family member purchasing a car.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?
I try to spend as much time with my family as possible. I have two younger children who are growing fast. I also enjoy doing the typical dad stuff like playing golf and poker.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FATHER’S DAY MEMORY?
One that comes to mind is enjoying Father’s Day at Big Cork Vineyard with the family. Our wedding anniversary is around Father’s Day weekend as well and it was the same day that particular weekend. There is a lot to be grateful for.
DAVID HANNA
SERVICE DIRECTOR
Years Living in Frederick Area: Born and raised!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?
I enjoy spending time with my son, hearing about his day and watching him grow up. Additionally, I collect vinyl records and enjoy gardening. In my free time I hike the Appalachian Trail with my wife.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IN FREDERICK?
Love going to Spinners Pinball Arcade, local breweries & wineries and eating out in downtown Frederick.