Paul Whatley, Charleston, has 35 years of extensive experience in the automotive industry, culminating in his role as Regional Vice President for Hendrick Automotive.
Paul’s evolving roles in the industry, from minor sales roles to top executive positions, were all defined by big-picture goals and personalized, small-town values.
Paul grew up in a family that owned a small rural Chevrolet dealership in Allendale, South Carolina. He spent many family dinners listening to his parents converse about how to best manage their employees and encourage a positive and productive workplace. Paul would carry these lessons for the rest of his career and learn to apply them to his own situations as they arose. In that small town, everyone knew each other and crossed each others’ paths– so it was even more important that business owners knew how to not just lead, but take care of employees and customers alike.
He entered the business himself at an early age, working his way through high school via his position at the dealership and learning crucial values in leadership, relationship-building, and general managing. After graduating from high school Paul left for Georgia Southern University and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Marketing/Accounting in 1987. He then returned home to begin applying what he’d learned to the family automotive business.
Paul first ran Whatley Chevrolet, adding a Buick franchise to it in 1989.
At the same time he ran Blue Bird Corporation, a school bus manufacturer which supplied buses to clients around the country. Paul represented the business in the Carolinas.
When Paul’s father retired, he sold the Chevrolet Buick dealership and founded Whatley Toyota Mazda in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Paul managed this dealership as its President from 1997 to 2005 and then moved to Charleston. He then ran Whatley Ford dealership in Orangeburg and started running Toyota North Charleston. He became an executive General Manager there and held this role from 2007 to 2013. In 2013 he was promoted to Regional Vice President for Hendrick Automotive and held this position until his retirement from the industry.
Over the years Paul Whatley has been repeatedly recognized for his accomplishments as a franchise dealer. He has received awards for his management and has been acknowledged for his interest in doing community work and fundraiser initiatives through his franchises. Paul has also lent his expertise to various automotive manufacturers’ councils and community boards.
Paul Whatley is also an active community member
His diverse community work has always had a common goal of improving functions within his community and boosting opportunities for success for local businesses. He formerly chaired the Allendale County of Aeronautics Commission, during which time he collaborated on capital projects and was involved with running the local airport. Paul also held Chamber of Commerce roles in Orangeburg and in Charleston; in both of these positions he was committed to working with local businesses to help the areas grow and become entrepreneurial hubs for companies and individuals alike. Additionally, he was active in the Orangeburg Downtown Revitalization Board, which took on the long-term project of revamping retail stores, local businesses, and recreational activities to make the town’s downtown area more appealing and accessible.
Paul believes that high-quality, accessible education is a cornerstone of any successful community, and he formerly served on the Orangeburg Technical College Foundation Board.
Outside of these endeavors Paul has lent his business expertise to numerous institutions of faith in order to ensure their growth and continued presence in their communities. He formerly served as Treasurer of the Episcopal Church in Orangeburg and is now the Treasurer at the Church of Holy Cross on Sullivan’s Island off of Charleston.