Ricketts’ Drive for Success

Profile of General Manager of D-Patrick, Tony Ricketts

By Scottie Thomas

After starting out with Showplace Cinemas, Tony Ricketts took changed gears and found a job selling cars. A part of the industry since 1988, his passion for the sales and automotive industries directed him to his current career. Eighteen months later, he gets promoted to Business Manager, followed by Sales Manager in 1995.

Ricketts drives a BMW, but his ideal vehicle would be a Porsche 9-11. His drive for success in the automotive sales industry is fueled by his passion and interest in cars. He favors his German-made vehicles such as Volkswagon.

D-Patrick is ‘family owned,’ as began working for the O’Daniels Family. With a value of family himself, his wife, Heather, have two sons, Alec and Adrian. Alec is at the University of Louisville and Adrian is at the University of Evansville. Heather also owns her own business, Second-Hand Chic. They often go out to eat at places such as El Charro and the Canton Inn, as they like to support the local businesses and deviate away from selecting chain restaurants.

This is one of the reasons Ricketts loves his job with the people and situation he is in. Ricketts is happy working for a privately owned dealership ‘because it provides a more personal touch,’ he says. ‘At any given time, you are able to talk to the owner [or management] as now many are publicly owned in the automotive industry.

In the next few years, Ricketts shared his plans for growth with D-Patrick, as they want to create a showroom for each line of car brand, build a new Nissan showroom and lot, as well as expanding the used car selection, given the demands of the market. Along with growth, Ricketts and D-Patrick are heavily involved in the community, including their philanthropic efforts with Susan G. Koem: ‘Race for the Cure,’ Evansville’s Philharmonic Orchestra, and other patrons such as marathons and wine festivals.

Lately, Ricketts has also taken interest in the School Board for EVSC as he is considering a second run. He wants to bring a business background into the mix with fresh, innovative ideas, as Ricketts states that ‘Change is good.’ He would like to hold office for two or three terms, making a contribution ‘that will open doors for others to continue.’