Peter Dames’ Journey From Music Enthusiast to CEO, S2E17

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, and the importance of company culture, empathy and adaptability in the ever-evolving automotive industry. In his spare time, he volunteers with the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders, where he helps nurture leadership potential in young students across the state.

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Founded in 1919 as a two-car repair garage on the North Shore of Oʻahu, Servco Pacific Inc. is Hawaiʻi’s largest private company with operations in the United States and Australia. Guided by a value-driven business model, Servco Pacific owns a diverse group of businesses in automotive distribution and retail, car sharing, musical instruments, and venture capital. As the company’s journey of innovation continues, Servco Pacific is evolving to provide mobility solutions to serve the needs of its customers and communities in Hawaiʻi and beyond.

For more information, visit Servco.com.