Salesperson of the Year for more than a decade: Roland Ketchens strives for excellence at Rainbow Chevrolet
Published 12:10 am Wednesday, June 19, 2019
- Roland Ketchens was named Rainbow Chevrolet’s Salesperson of the Year for the past 10 years.
LAPLACE — When Roland Ketchens of Reserve first became a car salesman in 1994, he was told he would never make it in the industry.
Previously a deputy, Ketchens left a career in law enforcement to draw from his pension and close adoption fees for his two sons.
His kind and compassionate nature was initially seen as a weakness among fellow salesmen.
“When I first got in the business, they told me I would never make it as a car salesman because I was caring about the customer instead of caring about my pocket and the money I’m making,” Ketchens said. “The same people who told me that, 20-something years later, can’t sell a car anywhere in America. I can do what I do anywhere in the world.”
Ketchens has earned “Salesperson of the Year” for the past 10 years at Rainbow Chevrolet since starting work at the LaPlace dealership in January 2009.
Surrounded by awards in his LaPlace office, Roland Ketchens attends to a phone call.
Prior to working at Rainbow Chevrolet, he was salesperson of the year for five years straight at Riverland Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in LaPlace, and he won similar awards at various New Orleans area dealerships in prior years.
In total, Ketchens has been top car salesman for nearly 19 years straight and has only missed the top mark twice in more than 23 years.
By now, it’s to be expected, and the winning tradition motivates Ketchens to never sacrifice his competitive standards.
“I strive to be No. 1 in pretty much everything I do,” Ketchens said. “Even when I was with the sheriff’s office, I was deputy of the month. I think the key to everything is professionalism. As long as you stay professional and give good customer service, whether you’re in this industry or anything, it carries you.”
On average, Ketchens sells between 150 and 180 cars per year. He sells at least 15 cars, new and used, in a typical month.
Roland Ketchens sells an average of 150 to 180 cars per year.
He’s a certified Chevrolet Mark of Excellence salesperson, a designation given to those who sell a minimum of 75 new cars with at least 98 percent customer satisfaction.
Alana Berthelot, a Rainbow Chevrolet team member for more than 20 years, said Ketchens’ passion makes him a successful salesperson.
“He’s a very humble fellow who loves all of his customers and only wants the best for them,” Berthelot said. “I think it’s his desire, his drive, his compassion and his joy for what he does that makes him successful. I would say, on behalf of Rainbow Chevrolet, that Mr. Roland stands for everything that we want in a salesperson. We want nothing but continued success for him.”
Ketchens said he most enjoys matching customers with cars to help their situation.
It’s not all about the flashy cars, he said, adding people want a good deal on reliable transportation and a salesperson that will be on their side long after the sale is finalized.
Ketchens said he appreciates the St. John the Baptist Parish market because customers are part of a good, family oriented community.
He looks forward to testing his limits in the automotive industry with greater challenges in years to come.
Ketchens can be reached at Rainbow Chevrolet, located at 2020 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace.
