After serving 26 years in the military, I learned that how an organization leads matters just as much as what it does. In July I made the leap from a structured military career into the private sector and I didn’t take that decision lightly. I wasn’t looking for just another job, I was searching for a mission-driven company where values weren’t just words, but part of the daily operating system and lived in action.
ARC’s people and leadership immediately attracted me with authentic care for their customers and employees. The first thing that caught my attention was the clarity and conviction of ARC’s Core Values. They weren’t crafted for marketing, they were built for leadership. And after just a short time here I can confidently say, these values aren’t aspirational. They’re lived out, modeled by leadership, and infused into how we serve our clients.
Here’s why those values matter to me and why they make ARC a premium partner for automotive dealers across the country.
Honesty and Integrity: “Our Team Will ALWAYS Tell the Truth.”
In the military, integrity isn’t optional. It is the foundation of trust, effectiveness, and unity. At ARC I found that same uncompromising standard. We don’t sugarcoat, we don’t inflate, we tell the truth even when it’s uncomfortable because that is how real improvement happens.
Dealers don’t need more noise, they need clarity. At ARC we tell dealers what they need to hear, not what we think they want to hear.
DRIVEN: “Driven Problem Solvers.”
In both combat and business, success favors the prepared, the focused, and the driven. ARC’s culture is built on relentless execution. We don’t wait around, we develop a plan and execute.
What stood out to me immediately was the pace at which the team moves. Every client challenge is met with urgency, professionalism, and expertise. As someone who has led in high-stakes environments I recognize the kind of people who lean into problems instead of away from them. ARC is full of those people.
Servant Leadership: “To Our Team and Our Clients.”
One principle I lived by in the military is simple, leaders eat last. Leadership is not about command, it is about service. It is about putting others before yourself, removing obstacles, and building people up.
That mindset is embedded in ARC’s DNA. Whether it is a senior leader jumping in to support a new hire, or a consultant going the extra mile for a client, ARC leads from alongside, not from above. That creates a completely different client experience.
Amazing Team Experience: “Unselfishly Focused on Serving Our Team.”
During my transition out of the military, I was warned that most companies talk about “team” but operate in silos. That is not ARC. Here, team isn’t a buzzword, it is a priority. From day one I have been surrounded by people who want me to succeed.
Structured onboarding, mentorship, and collaboration are built into the culture. Everyone is expected to contribute, but no one is left to figure it out alone. That internal strength radiates outward. Dealers love working with ARC because they can feel the alignment.
Why This Matters to Dealers
Dealers don’t just need another vendor or consultant. They need a partner who shows up with integrity, urgency, and purpose. ARC leads with values that translate into real-world results because everything we do is anchored in building people and solving problems.
The automotive space is competitive and constantly evolving. ARC is built for that. Our leadership philosophy, our team culture, and our unwavering focus on client success are what make us a premium partner.
Closing Thought
Values-based leadership is rarely loud, but witnessed with quiet consistency. It is following through when no one is watching. It is putting the team first, owning the hard truths, and staying relentless in the pursuit of excellence.
That is what ARC does every day. That is why I joined this amazing team. ARC is the industry leader not just in what we offer, but in how we serve.
About the Author
Ryan Jennings, ARC’s Sales Director and a key member of our Executive Leadership Team, brings more than 26 years of military leadership experience to the automotive industry. He is dedicated to building strong teams, serving dealers with integrity, and living ARC’s Core Values every day.
