Billy Fuccillo’s drive is H-U-G-E Multi-dealership owner focused on road to success Sunday, July 26, 2009 By Jessica Harding (Contact) Gazette Reporter
CAPITAL REGION — Billy Fuccillo spent his Fourth of July weekend relaxing and sipping vodka tonics at the Delano Hotel in the South Beach section of Miami, Fla., with several of his managers. It was a rare occasion. The 52-year-old ex-football player — now a big league auto dealer — doesn’t often take a vacation. The group had just finished a 30-day, nonstop sales promotion at the Syracuse dealerships and, as a reward, Fuccillo flew them to Miami for a few days of fun and relaxation. “It’s very important that if I ask them to work hard I let them play hard,” he said. “Work hard and play harder” is Fuccillo’s M.O. He always has a phone in his ear. He wakes up at 4 a.m. and doesn’t sleep until 11 p.m. seven days a week. And he expects his employees, especially his managers, to follow similar schedules. However, his employees are one of the secrets to his success, he said, so he treats them accordingly. Corporate General Manager George Zenner, who has worked for the company for 20 years, said Fuccillo has taken employees and their spouses from an entire dealership, about 600 people, on a cruise for meeting their quota — without charging them for vacation time. “He does a lot for his people,” Zenner said. “He expects 110 percent but he returns it 110 percent.” “He recognizes and respects hard work,” former employee Sarah DiMezza, of Utica, said, “and if you work hard he’ll take care of you.” Fuccillo travels in his own plane. He has vacation homes in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Montego Bay, Jamaica and homes throughout upstate New York, though Fuccillo said he rarely spends time in any of those places. Instead he spends most of his life in hotels, promoting his dealerships with his team of corporate managers and salespeople..................>>>>......................>>>>..............http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/jul/26/0726_fuccilloprofile/
You may not like his ads, but give Fuccillo his due
After reading the second letter [Aug. 2] bashing your July 26 article about Billy Fuccillo, I can only conclude that those people did not take the time to actually read it. I’m not a fan of the commercials, either, but after reading the entire article, I feel that he deserves a lot of respect and admiration for what he has accomplished so far. He started with no money, just perseverance and a strong work ethic, and built an extremely successful business. He employs a lot of people, treats them very well and is involved in charity work. Not bad for a “loudmouth” and a “buffoon.”
Fuccillo’s ads, like ‘em or not, are good for the area
In response to a couple of very negative letters you have received concerning your July 26 article about Billy Fuccillo, I don’t like his loud and coarse TV ads, either. Never have, but I think about how he has provided jobs in our area. Supports local charities in our area. Helps the TV stations and newspapers to survive in our area. I know you newspapers are hanging on by your fingernails. If Billy can help keep my Daily Gazette delivered to my doorstep every morning, then thank you, Billy. When I don’t want to read Billy’s ads in the paper, I turn the page. If I don’t want to hear his ads on TV, I hit the mute. If I don’t want to see his ads on TV, I change the station or turn the TV off. So may you. I wish I could do the same with the 6 a.m. barking Doberman next door. If you don’t like him, for whatever reason, then don’t listen, read or watch his ads. And, most of all, don’t buy his cars. Your choice. I have recently visited one of his dealerships in anticipation of buying a car soon. The salespeople were fine. No loud talk, no antics, no problem. Whether I buy a car from Billy or not, I appreciate what he has done for our area. Huge or not, “you can’t beat that.” Thank you, Billy!
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