Buddy Espinosa’s story is the epitome of the American dream.
Nearly 30 years ago, fresh out of his service with the US Marine Corps, he took a job as a detailer with then Sauder Toyota of Santa Fe.
The job was just the beginning of a lucrative career in the auto industry.
From there, Buddy climbed the dealership ladder, training as a Toyota Certified Technician in Farmington, before becoming a service writer.
He then moved into management of parts and service, just a few years before the dealership became Beaver Toyota.
Although the threat of job replacement loomed (as with any change of ownership), Buddy’s work ethic and work history won over the new owners, cementing his position and propelling him to bigger and better things.
In 2015, Buddy reached the zenith of his journey after Beaver moved to Florida.
He became co-owner and general manager of Toyota of Santa Fe, which is one of the largest volume dealerships in the state.
Buddy says the secret to his success is growing staff from within, a trek that Buddy knows intimately.
