• Gary Whitaker

  Executive Manager
• garywhitaker@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Gary has 25 years of experience in the car industry. He started in the service department and worked his way up to sales. He was the number one salesperson in the world for Rolls-Royce and Bentley for a number of years and helped lead Desert European Motorcars, Ltd to becoming the top Rolls-Royce and Bentley volume dealer in the U.S. and the world. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Desert European.

• Jaime Moore

  Rolls-Royce Sales Manager
• jaime.moore@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Jaime began her career with Desert European Motorcars in the fall of 2002. She enjoys serving her clients, meeting new people and making the Rolls-Royce and Bentley buying experience fun and easy. After all, it is a reward. Jaime has a strong work ethic and a cheerful spirit who is always willing find a way to make a deal come together. When she is out of the office she loves to travel, enjoys the sunny outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

• Chris Comet

  Bentley Sales Manager
• chris.comet@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Independent and adventurous, Chris has travelled the world and loves bringing excitement to his work as Bentley Sales Manager, especially that moment when he can help a client discover the car of their dreams. Raised in Pacific Palisades, Chris loves taking weekends to the cooler weather at the coast, but travels abroad any chance he gets. He and his wife have experienced many new cultures together, and his highlight memories include living and surfing in Australia as a young adult and walking the Great Wall of China. Chris is also dedicated to his role as a father, and has loved watching his kids grow into responsible teenagers.

• Austin Lewis

  Aston Martin Sales Manager
• austin.lewis@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

With over 22 years in the automotive industry, Austin brings a lot of knowledge and a strong work ethic to his role as our Aston Martin Sales Manager. The fact that he grew up in Bournemouth, a small coastal community in Southern England, is just a bonus. In addition to living in the U.K. and U.S., Austin’s also lived in the Middle East, where he went diving in the Red Sea, and traveled to numerous exotic places. When not traveling the world or visiting the beach or mountains, he’s happiest spending time at home with family, friends, and pets. Austin’s favorite part of his job is the sense of achievement he feels when a smiling customer drives off in their new car.

• Jim Lankford

  Maserati Sales Manager
• jim.lankford@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

With 20 years’ experience in sales management, Jim’s favorite part of his job as Desert European Motorcars’ Maserati Sales Manager is helping people drive away in the car of their dreams. Raised in Southern California, Jim loves traveling and prefers to spend long weekends at Lake Havasu. Being a father means a lot to him, and his favorite way to spend free time is with his three boys.

• Jon Hyman

  Porsche / Audi Sales
• jon.hyman@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Jon grew up in New Zealand and, at the age of 15, stowed away on a boat to Australia. He’s since traveled extensively and is happy to now reside in the U.S., where he is the Senior Sales Executive for our Porsche and Audi departments. With ten years at Desert European Motorcars and 30 years in the automobile industry, Jon’s favorite aspect of his work is listening to each customer’s needs and wants, then creatively exceeding their expectations. Fun-loving, adventurous, humorous, and always a problem solver, Jon spends his free time practicing various styles of Yoga, playing golf, enjoying a good book, and savoring good food and fine dining with his friends and family.

• Wayne Bernstein

  Porsche / Audi Sales
• wayne.bernstein@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Wayne is an active, family-oriented guy who enjoys getting the most out of life. Born in Philadelphia, he grew up all along the East Coast before moving to California at age 14. Today, Wayne enjoys spending time with his wife and family, whether it’s the finer things (food, film, music, travel, water sports) or just hanging out, laughing, and enjoying one another’s company. Wayne is extremely proud of his four sons, and has enjoyed watching his children grow as individuals. He values honesty, integrity, responsibility, respect, sincerity, compassion, and consideration for others. These values are a huge benefit to the Porsche/Audi Sales team at Desert European Motorcars, where Wayne has worked for almost eight years. In addition to high performance cars, he is passionate about Philadelphia Flyers hockey and chocolate covered pretzels.

• Christian Ames

  Porsche / Audi Sales
• christian.ames@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Christian brings over 16 years of industry experience and a great attitude to his work with our clients. He lists “life itself” as one of his favorite life experiences, and that positive, easy-going approach is a great fit for his role in Porsche and Audi sales, where he especially enjoys getting to meet new people and building relationships with clients. Christian grew up in Texas, and in his free time, he can usually be found playing golf, playing with his dogs, or cooking and relaxing by the pool with his wife Heidi. One of Christians’ most interesting accomplishments is having completed a 1-month long survival training course.

• Tom Griffiths

  Pre-Owned & Jaguar Sales
• tom.griffiths@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Thomas has 40 years in the automobile industry and works in Sales for Desert European Motorcars. He believes in working hard and enjoys providing for his family. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Thomas spends most of his free time with his wife. Cars are more than just a profession for Thomas: he’s attended several high-performance driving schools, and has also learned to fly gliders and a fixed-wing airplane.

• Josh Bott

  Online Inventory Manager
• joshua.bott@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Joshua loves his work with Desert European Motorcars, especially getting the chance to meet new people and help them get what they want in a car. Raised in Riverside, CA, Joshua is active and upbeat. His fondest memories are of paintballing and off-roading with friends, playing Water Polo in the U.S. Junior Olympics, and fishing with his dad. Most of the time, Joshua spends his free time surfing, playing cards, and chatting with family and friends, and he also enjoys reading.

• Larry Villarreal

  Jaguar Sales
• larry.villarreal@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Larry works in Senior Jaguar Sales for Desert European Motorcars and is passionate about the brand, and sincere and friendly with all our clients. He has 18 years of experience with Jaguar, which he describes as “the most gorgeous and elegant car in the industry: small but beautiful.” Family is most important to Larry, and he likes nothing better than working in the yard with his wife of 36 years and spending time with their beautiful granddaughter.

• Robert Amick

  Porsche/Audi Sales
• robert.amick@deserteuropean.com 760-346-7683

As a sales guide for Desert European Motorcars, Robert’s favorite aspect of his work is taking clients out on test drives. He grew up in Southern California, and he enjoys staying close to home to spend time with his family. Robert has a good sense of humor, and his wife and children mean the world to him.

• Ruben Beltran

  Jaguar Sales
• rbeltran@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Ruben is a native of the Coachella Valley and brings over 8 years of sales experience to Desert European. Ruben enjoys scuba diving in the Caribbean, and recently climbed Machu Picchu in the Andes Mountains. He's adventurous and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

• Jim Ravenscroft

  LR Centre Manager
• jravenscroft@landroverranchomirage.com 760-346-7683

Jim has over 25 years’ experience in the automobile industry, and has been part of the Desert European Motorcars team for ten years. He works in our GM and Land Rover branch, and his favorite aspect of his job is getting to help the staff. Jim grew up in Redwood City, and likes visiting San Diego and Big Bear when he gets the opportunity. With an outgoing, warm personality, Jim spends his free time boating, golfing, and skiing with friends.

• Eric Brooks

  Land Rover Sales
• eric.brooks@landroverranchomirage.com 760-346-7683

Eric has almost 30 years of experience in the automobile industry, and as a Sales Guide with Desert European Motorcars, he truly enjoys sharing the luxury automotive experience with our clients. Eric grew up in Phoenix, AZ, and moved to California on his own, an experience that he’ll always remember. He’s also vacationed to Europe, and enjoys visiting San Diego on long weekends. Eric spends his free time with his wife, traveling, going to movies, walking their two dogs, and babysitting their granddaughter.

• Alan Leighton

  Land Rover Sales
• alan.leighton@landroverranchomirage.com 760-773-5000

Alan’s great sense of humor and appreciation for the finer things in life make him perfectly suited as our Jaguar Sales Advisor. His favorite part of his job is helping clients drive away in a new car that truly makes them smile. With a background in high end furniture and a penchant for travel, one of Alan’s favorite life experiences was buying and restoring his first ‘old’ house. He cherishes the company of his partner and dog, and loves shopping and dining with friends. Alan’s first car was a 1941 Pontiac Silver Streak (though he notes it wasn’t new – “I’m not that old”). Easy going, motivated, kind, generous, and creative, Alan grew up in snowy Oswego, New York. Today, he likes to be anywhere warm and sunny, especially if there’s a tennis court and a good place for his Weimaraner to run.

• Fredi Heimberg

  Internet/International Sales
• fredi@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Fredi excels at using technology to create a streamlined auto-buying experience for Desert European Motorcars’ remote clients, a key element in his role as International Sales Specialist. Born and raised in Switzerland, Fredi is energetic, outgoing and enthusiastic about both work and play. He loved moving to California and studying international trade and commerce at UCLA. On a long weekend, he’ll head to Malibu, Los Angeles, or San Diego. Fredi has a private pilot’s license and loves flying his Piper sports cruiser around the Southwest. When he’s not in the air, he also enjoys watching sci-fi movies and trying out new restaurants.

• Elena Ramirez

  Finance Director
• elena@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Elena has been in the finance end of the auto industry for over 15 years. Over 10 of those years has been with Desert European Motorcars, Ltd. She understands the individual needs of our customers and can custom tailor a lease or finance contract to meet most requests. She is conscientious, comprehensive and discreet.

• Shad Schuessler

  Finance Manager
• sschuessler@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Fun-loving, active and outgoing, Shad has been with Desert European for a decade and is a great fit here as Finance Manager. Shad grew up in Nebraska, and his favorite life experiences so far have been graduating from college and moving to California. Now that he’s here, he’s up for fun in the sun whenever he gets the chance. Shad enjoys sports of all kinds, and loves the chance to spend a weekend at the beach.

• Mary Walters

  Finance Processor
• mwalters@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Mary is a positive, caring, people person. She works as Finance Processor in the finance department, a role she enjoys because “we all work hard in our department, and it is a true ‘team effort.’” Her role also gives her the chance to meet many of Desert European’s interesting clients, an experience she cherishes. Mary grew up in Norwalk, CA, and her family is the most important part of her life. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, she’s happiest spending time with loved ones, whether it’s relaxing and watching TV or out on a bike ride, shopping trip, or weekend at the beach. Mary has been in the auto industry for 30 years, the last 7 of which have been at Desert European. Her happy and loving disposition is a wonderful addition to the team here.

• Diana Marlo

  Marketing Director
• diana@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Relocating from Canada to Palm Springs, Diana brings over 25 years of sales & marketing experience to the Team. Her strengths lie in building strategic partnerships, coordinating dynamic special events and product launch parties, maintaining excellent community relations, and is responsible for branding and marketing our 10 automotive franchises in the desert.

• Terry Branoff

  tbranoff@deserteuropean.com
• tbranoff@deserteuropean.com 760-773-5000

Terry serves as I.T. Manager for Desert European Motorcars. An avid traveler, he’s been on a 3-month round-the-world trip and ridden his bicycle from San Francisco to L.A. in 7 days. Terry enjoys vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, although he’s just as happy to spend time at home, cooking, gardening, and swimming. In addition to his travels, one of Terry’s favorite life experiences was renovating a 100-year-old redwood cabin in Sonoma County. So it’s fitting that his favorite aspect of his work at Desert European Motorcars is facing new challenges and exploring new solutions and technologies. He brings a great enthusiasm to his work.