By Kyla Woodard, kyla@claytodayonline.com

ORANGE PARK — When it comes to cars, Nathan Potratz has always been the go-to person to call.

And throughout the years of his robust career, he has seen it all and made every deal that you could possibly imagine.

But it’s true when they say that all good things must come to an end.

Potratz officially said goodbye to his role as the general manager of Gordon Chevrolet when he retired after 35 years on Friday, Sept. 11.

With his well-deserved retreat just beginning, Potratz said there’s a lot in store.  Planning to take a wealth of knowledge and experience into retirement, he will soon trade in his time in the showroom for a new chapter in his life that includes traveling, early morning photography, antique store shopping with his wife, and spending time with his grandchildren.

“I have friends that have told me make sure [I] have a list of things to do. So, I do have a long list,” he said. “I don’t want to fade off into the sunset. I want to be still active in people’s lives.”

As a car salesman-turned-manager, Potratz has always been in active in the lives of many. And the satisfying feeling of helping others has never gets old, he said.

“If people bring their cars here that have had them elsewhere and they can’t get them fixed, and we fix them. And that’s a huge load off of your mind if your car’s broken,” he said.

Potratz’s long career on Blanding Boulevard began back in 1991. He had already been working for Gordon Chevrolet for six years, when the dealer he worked for in Michigan bought the Orange Park branch.

He made the big trek down south and became the new store’s general manager. Having never been to Florida before, he had heard much about the bugs and heat he would encounter. But he said he didn’t believe it.

That was until he got off the plane and rented a white Chevrolet Caprice in 95-degree weather. When he stopped to get gas, dozens of lovebugs flocked to his white button up. And it wasn’t a coincidence, as the tiny bugs are often associated with good fortune.

Potratz said over the years, he learned the ins and outs of running a car dealership.  That meant overseeing a handful of department functions, guiding buyers through tough decisions and building lasting relationships.

“You wear a lot of hats as you have to do,” he said.

But being in the car industry wasn’t always Potratz’s passion. He initially went to Baptist Seminary to become a pastor, he said. 

 

He completed his first year of school and decided to take a break. Since he had a knack for photography, he began working at a camera store. Until he saw his friend who was selling Chryslers making a decent living.

“I had intended on working there for about a year and finding a real job somewhere else. And I ended up staying and getting promoted. Which blew my expectations. I really thought I wasn’t going to sell cars for my life,” he said. ” I didn’t grow up- dreaming to sell cars. Most people have other careers in mind, but as it turns out, the career opportunities are great.”

One of the many things he’s learned over the years, he said, is the vast ways that you can succeed in the industry. And one of the ways he did that was simply being honest and doing his job with integrity and purpose.

“That’s most important. I hope that shows.”

Since being there, Potratz has witnessed the dealership become a community staple. Serving on the board for the Jacksonville Auto Dealer Association, they have always basked in the opportunities to give back to grassroots charities through the organization and on their own. This year, Potratz said Gordon Chevrolet has continued to support the football programs at Orange Park, Oakleaf and Ridgeview highs and Trinity Christian School.

 

“We’re pleased that we can give money to help their schools, support the football program and give the boys and girls opportunities to play,” he said.

Although he’s walking away from decades of experience, Potratz said he isn’t walking away from the family he’s cultivated over the years, and he will miss the people that made being there special.

But old and new family traditions, he said, will finally take the wheel.