You could call Matt Mazzei a car guy. After all, he loves to settle in behind the wheel of a Corvette. But it might be more accurate to refer to him as a dealership guy.
The new owner of Matt Mazzei Chevrolet — the Kathy Fowler Chevrolet location in Lakeport — grew up surrounded by gleaming chrome and polished fenders. His father operated a family dealership for 50 years in Antioch and then Pittsburg until the recession caused them to finally close.
Mazzei, however, couldn’t stay away from the showroom.
“It’s a fun industry,” he said. “Once you are in it it’s hard to be out.”
He took over the location on Parallel Drive on Dec. 1. The next day, staff members sold the first car under the new name.
The dedication of Fowler to the community and staff drew Mazzei to the deal. He knew he would inherit trained personnel and a customer base. Yet he also took the helm with an understanding that the technology associated with sales and service had changed significantly, even in the short seven years he was out of the industry.
“It’s continuous education,” Mazzei explained. “It’s been kind of like brushing the rust off.”
One thing that hasn’t changed it the joy of handing a customer his or her new set of keys. Mazzei realized long ago that, being surrounded by the new models, one must shake off the temptation to fill the garage.
“At first you do,” he acknowleged when asked if those in the auto sales and service industry covet the hottest rides. “But after you’ve been in the industry for awhile you get more excited watching the cars you’ve sold rolling down the road.”
Since the beginning of December, he has been immersed in the operation of the business, gaining name recognition for the change and learning Lake County.
“The location, the people — I love this community,” Mazzei said. “We want to service all the people we can.”
He has already assembled a list of local organizations Matt Mazzei Chevrolet has provide support for or plans to in the future, including high school sober prom nights, Hospice Services of Lake County, 4-H and the rodeo.
Surrounded by cars and trucks in a showroom, Mazzei cannot help but celebrate the familiarity of it all.
“We’re back,” he said with a smile.
