S2E17, Peter Dames, Servco Pacific Inc.

Servco Pacific newly appointed CEO Peter Dames' consistent, ego-free approach has been crucial to his success. In this episode, we explore his journey, the influence of music teachers, and the importance of empathy and compassion in business. Originally hailing from Bayonne, New Jersey, Dames shared how economic changes led his family to move to Los Angeles when he was just ten months old. He fondly reminisced about embarking on cross-country adventures in a Volkswagen minivan with his family as a child. He credited his music teachers, particularly Gordon Henderson, with shaping his personality and being instrumental in his growth. "Fail quick and make changes. Don’t worry about planning for years. Let’s put some plans together, execute, make some mistakes … let’s make some change." The interview delved into his career choices, which included a noteworthy internship with Ronald Reagan's office and experiences working with Mark Fukunaga's family at Toyota in Japan. He also discussed Servco Pacific's succession planning efforts, which resulted in him becoming president and CEO on Oct. 1, 2023, and the importance of company culture, empathy and adaptability in the ever-evolving automotive industry.