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John A. Spitzer

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John A. Spitzer
John A. Spitzer in 1970
Born(1917-02-01)February 1, 1917
DiedJuly 29, 1992(1992-07-29) (aged 75)
Alma materOhio State University
OccupationBusinessman
Known forDeveloping sales techniques, which were later shared in a Ford educational film
SpouseHelen C. Spitzer

John A. Spitzer (February 1, 1917 – July 29, 1992) was an American automotive executive and real estate developer.[1]

Born in 1917, Grafton, Ohio, Spitzer graduated from Ohio State University and, with his brother Del, expanded Spitzer Automotive into one of the leading automotive dealer in the U.S. A World War II veteran, he developed innovative sales techniques, which were later shared in a Ford educational film.[1]

Biography

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Early life and family

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Spitzer was born in 1917 in Grafton.[2] His parents, George and Harriet Spitzer, operated a hardware store and managed a Ford dealership at the beginning of the 20th century.[1] He was educated at the Ohio State University and graduated with a degree in accounting in 1939.[1][2]

Spitzer was married to Helen C. Spitzer.[3] They had seven children, including Alan Spitzer, who is the current chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Spitzer Management.[4]

Career

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From an early age, Spitzer became involved in his family's hardware store and car dealership in Grafton, Ohio.[5] He was assigned by his father, George Spitzer, to liquidate the dealership but chose to revive it instead.[6] During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Corps as a military officer and eventually rose to the rank of captain.[2]

After the World War II, he established a Dodge dealership in Elyria, Lorain County, leading to substantial expansion across Ohio and three other states.[7] He developed the automotive division of the company, alongside his brother Del Spitzer, who contributed to advancements in sales processes and TV advertising.[7] In the late 1950s, Ford Motor Company allocated a new store in Cleveland to Spitzer, which rapidly grew into Ohio's leading Ford retail outlet.[7] To assess their sales methods, Ford assigned mystery shoppers, one of whom purchased a vehicle.[7] Subsequently, Ford engaged John and Del Spitzer in producing a two-hour educational film to share their sales techniques with other Ford dealers.[1][7]

In the 1950s, Spitzer developed a residential neighborhood near Grafton, acquiring land to construct over 200 homes in an area formerly known as Brentwood Lake Village.[3]

Recognition

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  • Spitzer Conference Center is named after him[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Auto dealer dies - UPI Archives". United Press International.
  2. ^ a b c d "About Spitzer Conference Center - Lorain County Community College". March 27, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Baranick, Alana (November 6, 2008). "Helen C. Spitzer, widow of businessman John A. Spitzer, devoted Catholic -- Obituary". The Plain Dealer.
  4. ^ Bill Lubinger, The Plain Dealer (May 17, 2009). "Spitzer family's auto sales legacy, now facing challenge of Chrysler dealership closings, dates to early 1900s". The Plain Dealer.
  5. ^ "Spitzer Organization". 12 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Spitzer: 'I want to sell you a car now'". Automotive News.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Spitzer Management is ready for whatever awaits".