Holler Family donates $1 Million for Athletics Facilities
It has been said by some that mass production is America's great contribution to the industrialized world. If that is true, then surely there has been no more dramatic realization of that gift, no greater icon recognized of the American character, than the mass-produced automobile.
The automobile is not uniquely American, but its dominance of culture and transportation for almost one hundred years is a purely American story. It is the symbolic flagship of the classic American entrepreneur.
On the wall of his modest office in Winter Park, one of those classic American entrepreneurs displays a framed photograph of his grandfather, W.E. Holler, Vice-President of General Motors in charge of the Chevrolet Division, and one of the true early pioneers of the automobile industry.
Today, three-quarters of a century later, under the leadership of Roger Holler, Jr., the Holler Automotive Group sells upward of 20 percent of all new cars sold in Central Florida. Consider that nearly breathtaking statistic. In the geographic center of the fourth largest state in America, the Roger Holler family accounts for nearly one-fourth of all new automobiles sold.
Four generations of Hollers have contributed to managing and expanding the family business. Roger purchased the original Winter Park Chevrolet dealership from his father following a childhood spent working in the business. Now, he enjoys working with his wife Judi, and their three children, to expand and improve their various businesses.
At a time when Henry Ford was selling Model Ts in any color as long as it was black,' my grandfather introduced color, chrome, pneumatic windshield wipers and many other high-tech innovations to the automobile industry, said Holler. Under his leadership, Chevrolet surpassed Ford in sales.
When not selling automobiles, the Hollers share another common and competitive passion — Seminole sports.
While Roger and his wife Judi fell in love as freshmen at Florida Southern, where they were married their junior year, their love for Florida State came about after their two youngest children became Seminoles.
Chris and Jill were able to get a great education at Florida State and really enjoyed the sports programs and I know our oldest son, Roger III (who attended Florida Southern) would have enjoyed attending FSU, too, said Holler, who says he needed a bigger vehicle to accommodate his family on road trips to FSU's home games.
Our children went to small private schools and people told us that they wouldn't be able to handle a large university environment, but they did extremely well at Florida State and that is a credit to how warm and caring the people on that campus are, said Judi. We really appreciate Florida State.
Roger and Judi have attended many football games and functions at which Bobby Bowden is the featured speaker. Even though Roger has had the opportunity to listen to many promotional and motivational speakers over the years, he is very impressed each time he listens to Bowden.
Our entire family has been inspired by Coach Bobby Bowden, said Holler, whose $1 million contribution to the Dynasty Campaign will be used to build a weight room for all men's and women's teams. Bobby Bowden is a major reason why we wanted to make this gift. I've watched him speak to the athletes and to the fans and the way he can inspire athletes — and the public in general — is truly remarkable.
The Hollers, who believe in a strong, well-rounded education, said their gift to Florida State was influenced by a long-time relationship with Gerry and Manny Garcia, who earlier donated $1 million for a new football locker room, and by Jim Meyer.
We share a skybox with the Garcias and the Meyers and after a couple of football games we learned to bring ear plugs with all the screaming and cheering from that group, Judi said with a laugh. Their enthusiasm during the games makes it that much more exciting for us.
Football weekends were whirlwind spirit tours for the Hollers, whose children, Chris and Jill, each served in student spirit groups.
The trips to Tallahassee also provided the Hollers with a chance to take a hard look under the hood of the Florida State athletic program. Holler was surprised when he saw an aging and inadequate engine inside a Seminole program that has a stock car image and results.
I wanted to donate to the weight room because it is the most important part of the athletic program, said Holler, whose gift will enable both the men and the women to add the horsepower they need to compete at the highest level. The athletes spend more time there than anywhere else, so that's where it all happens.
I went on a tour of the facilities, and saw all the athletes in there working out and saw the assistants working with them, and I felt it was very important that we provide them with the best facility. When my son was a Florida State student, he worked out with many of the players and got to know them and how hard they work.
The Hollers know all about competition and work. Roger remembers riding a bicycle to work at his father's dealership before he was old enough to drive. His children also spent their summers working in the business. But Holler knows that it takes more than perspiration to compete effectively. His grandfather, who competed successfully with Ford Motor Company during a very difficult period for the auto industry, taught him the value of innovation and that's why he wants the FSU athletes to have the latest technology to work with in the weight room.
When Chevrolet would be ready to unveil a new model for the dealers, my grandfather would spend his own money to buy chrome and put it on the car right before it was unveiled, Holler said with a laugh. When the cloth would be pulled off the car, all the dealers would see it and want the car with the chrome, so Chevrolet would have to produce the car with chrome.
W.E. Holler's shiny, high-tech Chevys turned the heat up on the competition much the way the heat will be turned up on Florida State's competition thanks to the shiny, new, high-tech weight room the Hollers' gift will provide.