Findlay Acura exec Nicol happy he made trek West

In 2000, Matt Nicol was living the good life working in shipping and receiving for Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y.

However, Nicol must have had a crystal ball considering that the imaging business was about 10 years from beginning a huge decline. The industry was devastated by the digital camera, which was about to replace traditional film.

Already tired of the cold winters of New York, Nicol decided to move West, where he landed a job as a sales consultant with Saturn of Henderson.

Nicol obviously knew that the weather was better in Southern Nevada, but he didn't know that Eastman Kodak would enter bankruptcy .

"I have never looked back," said Nicol, now the general sales manager for Findlay Acura in the Valley Automall. "I got into the car business because I wanted to be in sales and I wanted all of my days to be different. I had helped my mother buy her first Saturn in about 1998 and that's kind of what drew me to Saturn of Henderson. I interviewed for several other jobs in other industries, but I was fascinated by the car business."

Nicol's first car deal was to a couple from the Laughlin area.

"I didn't make much money on it, but the experience was fascinating," he said. "I was hooked from the start. I am still friends with my first buyers and many others who I have sold cars to over the years. I have several loyal clients who became friends through a car deal."

The car business can give the employee several benefits.

"We can make good money in this business," Nicol said. "However, the key is making sure that your clients get a good deal and is taken care of after the sale."

While Nicol could work at most any car dealership, he chose to join Acura.

"Acura is committed to the concierge experience," he said . "Acura vehicles simply don't break, so we can feel comfortable selling them. There is very little maintenance and they simply don't have many problems."

Nicol said Acura amazes him with its continual flow of new product.

"The ILX will be a four-door sedan that will be offered as a hybrid," he said. "In addition, a new redesigned RDX sport utility vehicle will undoubtedly draw many buyers. Also, the NSX sports car is being redesigned and available in about two years."

Findlay Acura is part of Findlay Automotive Group founded in 1961 by the late Pete Findlay, whose son, Cliff Findlay, now spearheads new and used car dealerships in Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Idaho. The dealership is headed by General Manager Kevin Hicks.

Further information regarding Findlay Acura can be found by calling the dealership 982-4100 or by visiting www.findlayacura.com. Information regarding all dealerships in Findlay Automotive Group can be found at www.findlayauto.com.