fbpx

2022 Diversity & Inclusion Awards Honoree: Rock Anderson, Jr.

As Senior Vice President, Human Resources for AutoNation, one of America’s most admired companies, Rock Anderson oversees the company’s Human Resources functions for more than 21,000 Associates at over 325 locations coast to coast. This includes directing AutoNation’s DE&I strategies and initiatives. He also serves on the nationwide Automotive Retail DE&I Council representing AutoNation, named by CBT Automotive Network as an automotive industry leader for diversity and inclusion. Prior to joining AutoNation, he spent 12 years with Cox Automotive, a division of Cox Enterprises, where he served as Global Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Anderson is a graduate of Dillard University and Tulane University, both in New Orleans. 

What Challenges Have You Faced in Your Career & How Did You Overcome Them?

While no professional challenge I’ve experienced compares to steering a team of 21,000 Associates through the COVID-19 pandemic that began just one month into my start at AutoNation, the experience was one I shared with so many others in the business world. Prior to joining AutoNation, I was asked to switch gears from serving as the chief human resource officer to leading regional operations, a position that required me to work hand-in-hand with the eight market presidents who had been vying for the position. This tested my relationship-building skills, but over the course of one year, I earned the trust of the market presidents and capitalized on everyone’s individual and collective strengths to exceed revenue expectations. 

What Has Been the Most Monumental Moment of Your Career Thus Far?

As I reflect on my career to date, each moment that stands out shares the common thread of helping other people grow and improve in their personal and professional lives. I’ve coached and mentored numerous colleagues who later became CHROs at various companies and one who eventually ascended to the CIO position of a large organization. I am inspired by helping others discover and hone the qualities that will empower them to achieve the highest levels of success and satisfaction. 

What Has Been Your Proudest Professional Moment?

I have had the great pleasure and privilege of giving my time to hard-working college students with tremendously bright futures ahead of them. Through my work on behalf of a career development organization, my focus was on preparing students for steady, successful careers in corporate America. Each day spent helping young adults was rewarding, with the knowledge that I was helping them to build their futures. I was fortunate to have witnessed many students reap the rewards of their hard work when they later became leaders of their companies and organizations. 

What Are Some Ways You Give Back to the Community? 

As a leader with significant experience directing human resources for multi-billion dollar public and private companies and nonprofit organizations, I share my talent for managing meaningful relationships at all levels, including through mentorship and engagement to help identify potential and create opportunities for personal and professional advancement as an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha and One Hundred Black Men of America, as well as through my service as a trustee at my alma mater, Dillard University in New Orleans. I also serve as president of the finance committee at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Lauderdale. 

What Else Would You Like the Judges to Know?

Under the umbrella of “ONE AutoNation,” launched this year, I lead the Diversity & Inclusion Council, working to attract and retain a diverse and talented workforce and cultivate leaders. For example, I lead AutoNation’s recruitment efforts at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and collaborate with regional leaders nationwide to ensure AutoNation is active at hiring events at technical schools, colleges and universities that represent the diversity of their respective communities. Within the company, I work with the leadership team to increase diversity at the leadership level through programs such as the High Potential Leadership Program (HIPO) and the Allyship Hour, created to accelerate personal and professional development within the organization, and a mentor program that provides opportunities to accelerate one’s career development, expand their professional network and visibility throughout the organization and enhance leadership skills to engage and retain current talent and build a strong, diverse bench of future leaders. 

You May Also Like
PHOTOS: SFBW’s Prestigious Women Awards Luncheon

It was our privilege to help recognize the outstanding women in the South Florida community.

Read More
SFBW’s Excellence in Human Resources Awards Continue With Panel Event

After the success of the 2024 SFBW Excellence in Human Resources Awards at Gulfstream Park’s Sport of Kings Theater, SFBW gathered some of the honorees to participate in a panel

Read More
Human Resources Awards
VIDEO: Relive Our 2024 Excellence in Human Resources Awards

South Florida Business & Wealth was proud to recognize South Florida’s best and brightest human resource teams and executives. Nominations were open for professionals dedicated to driving business results, productivity,

Read More
Soirée Success

Networking, food and fun

Read More
Other Posts
Putting a Spotlight on Getting Employees Back Into the Office

SFBW hosted a Breakfast Roundtable at JC White Showroom in Miami Gardens to discuss the latest commercial real estate trends and innovation.

Read More
South Florida Business & Wealth Holds Final CEO Connect Event of 2023

The magazine brought together five top business leaders for a rooftop discussion at ETARU.

Read More
VIDEO: Relive Our Legendary 2023 Apogee Awards

Everyone in attendance was in awe of the venue.

Read More
Breaking News: South Florida Business & Wealth’s Apogee Awards Breaks Attendance Records

Dinner on the Diamond at LoanDepot Park closed out the magazine’s Signature Awards Season

Read More

Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.