Jennifer Lanzafame
Director and Co-Owner
Cessnock Automotive Group, Australia

Jennifer Lanzafame is co-owner and Director of the Cessnock Automotive Group. The Cessnock Automotive Group operates dealerships in the Hunter/Newcastle region, 90 Miles north of Sydney, Australia. Franchises operated by the Group include Mitsubishi, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler Jeep.

The Lanzafame’s purchased their first dealership, Cessnock Mitsubishi, in 1998, after making the decision to re-locate their young family from Sydney to Cessnock, a rural area, famous for mining and vineyards. The Mitsubishi dealership was run-down and had not been profitable for its previous owner. Through hard work and a lot of effort, the Lanzafame’s were able to turn the dealership’s fortunes around.

An opportunity arose in 1999 for the Lanzafame’s to purchase the Toyota and Mercedes-Benz dealership in Cessnock. Jennifer was left in charge of the Mitsubishi dealership whilst her husband, Len, concentrated on sales and marketing. Jennifer also assumed the role of supervising and co-ordinating the building of new facilities and infrastructure for the Toyota/Mercedes-Benz dealership, whilst managing the Mitsubishi dealership. The growing business required an upgraded computer system and Jennifer oversaw the installation of a new dealer vendor management system (Reynolds & Reynolds) and an integrated network system.

In 2001, the Lanzafame’s added another dealership to their portfolio – a stand-alone Mercedes-Benz dealership in the nearby city of Newcastle. Again, the facilities needed much work to be done and Jennifer undertook supervising the extension, renovations to the showroom and the building of new service and parts facilities.

In 2004, the Chrysler Jeep franchise was added to the Group and Jennifer, again undertook the role of supervising and co-ordinating the building of new showroom facilities for the franchise.

Jennifer’s previous experience in Travel and Tourism, Banking and Construction has been a great benefit for what has been achieved on behalf of the Cessnock Automotive Group in a short space of time to date, and augurs well for the future development of the Group.

With their business established, Jennifer enjoys boating with her husband, Len and daughters. She is also supports sponsorship activity involving football, horse racing, and local community events, also fundraising and networking.