Chris Hilgeman

About Chris Hilgeman

I’m a lifelong resident of Sarasota/Manatee County, proud to have built my personal and professional life in the community I’ve always called home. After graduating from Booker High School, I earned my degree from the University of South Florida, laying the foundation for a career centered around service, leadership, and long-term growth.Early in my professional journey, I served as a firefighter/paramedic for Sarasota County. That experience instilled in me a deep respect for teamwork, accountability, and maintaining composure under pressure—qualities that have shaped every chapter of my career since.I later transitioned into real estate and residential construction, where I operated a successful custom home building company. Managing multiple projects and coordinating with numerous subcontractors taught me how to navigate complex operations, solve problems efficiently, and deliver results with precision and reliability.Since 2011, I’ve owned and operated a thriving commercial vehicle dealership based in the Sarasota/Manatee area. Today, I lead a team of more than 20 professionals, overseeing all aspects of the business in-house—including vehicle acquisition, nationwide shipping, logistics, reconditioning, marketing, and sales. This hands-on leadership approach has allowed the business to grow consistently while maintaining high standards of quality, transparency, and customer service.My professional style is grounded in a practical, solutions-focused mindset. I value clear communication, thoughtful planning, and a balanced approach to decision-making. I don’t subscribe to groupthink; instead, I prioritize listening to individual perspectives, evaluating options, and moving forward with common-sense strategies that drive progress.Across every role I’ve held—public safety, construction, real estate, and commercial automotive—I’ve remained committed to operational excellence, ethical leadership, and continuous improvement. I believe in building strong teams, fostering accountability, and creating environments where people and businesses can succeed.

Experience

1. Dealer Principle

   SRQ AUTO LLC

   Jun 2011 — Present · Bradenton, FL, US

Education

• University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee

  Bachelor's degree