Robert A. (Robin) Cunningham, Jr.

Robin Cunningham has 25+ years of experience in the auto dealership industry, including sales, sales management, general management and ownership of dealerships. He has been involved in local, state and national dealership associations and dealer councils as well. In his career, Robin’s success has been a direct result of his philosophy that building and maintaining relationships with people is the key to attaining personal and corporate goals.  He began studying management, leadership and coaching during his time as a dealership owner. He was keenly aware that many businesses lack management training, very rarely provide leadership training, and provide virtually no coaching or coaching training.  This led to working with many of the top consultants in the automotive field, including, Steve Nickelsen.

Robin brings this depth of understanding to Nickelsen Partners, along with a 25+ year career that includes:

• Working in sales and sales management at Bob Smith VW in Hollywood, California.
• General Manager, Dealer Principal of Cunningham Automotive Group in Kansas City, MO, which included: Chevrolet, Oldsmobile,  GMC Truck, Audi, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi.  He sold those dealerships in 2001 and 2003.
• Serving as President of the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association, President of the Kansas City Automobile Dealers Association and President of the Heart of America Oldsmobile Dealers Association. National Dealers Council member for Audi, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi.
• NCM Twenty Group member from 1988-2001
• NADA Dealer Candidate Academy, 1988
• Participant in The Leadership Project, developed by Kelly Gerling, Ph.D., to expand and nurture the concept of values-bases leadership.
• Study of Business Coaching, COACHING BY DESIGN with Master Coach, Tex Johnston of Johnston Consulting.

Robin splits his time between Kansas City, MO and Santa Fe, NM with his wife of twenty–six years, Lee. He is involved in several community activities including presently serving as President for the Board of Welcome House in Kansas City – a half-way house for men with alcohol and/or drug addiction. He was also on the board of Central City School Fund in Kansas City, supporting 8 inner-city grade schools in order to provide quality education for youths at risk.  He supports numerous other charities and civic organizations.   He can sometimes be found on a golf course.

Choose another member of the leadership team to learn more.

• Steve Nickelsen, CEO
• Steve Probst, President
• Felix Kadlec, Director of Business Development
• Todd Harlib