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The Hertrich Family of Dealerships would like to introduce Charles Chuck Ernesto Jr., longtime Property Maintenance and Project Management Assistant. He began his career with us over 30 years ago in 1986, after working with Fred Hertrich III on the construction of Frederick Ford a few years earlier. Chuck currently resides in Bridgeville but originally haled from Reading, PA.
His love of the automotive world started early and continued as a teenager with his taking auto shop classes in high school. Looking for direction and a career after graduation, he soon joined the Navy and did his basic in San Diego, CA in 1961.He then continued his mechanical career in aviation with the Navy, specializing in helicopter training at Millington, TN. Soon after, Chuck was stationed in Key West, FLA where he helped train pilots and crew members alike, often flying to Guantanamo during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962-63. He phased out of the military ranked as an Airman, 3rd class in 1964 and moved back to his hometown of Reading to be near family and friends.
Still bitten by the mechanics bug, Chuck then began a long career with Ransome Lift Equipment in Philadelphia, PA, a division of Caterpillar Tractors as a heavy equipment mechanic. In 1978, some 14 years later, he left as their Operations Manager to pursue a similar line of work for the Penske Group at Penske Detroit Diesel in Eastern, PA. There he oversaw the business and expansion of multiple stores in Reading and York. Having summered in Long Neck, DE at a family place since the mid-70’s, Chuck decided to move permanently to DE in 1981, working freelance for the Rollins Group in Project Management. He soon joined forces with Melvin Joseph Construction Co., specifically the 49 Construction branch, travelling in various states doing site management on large projects including FL, CA and TX. This partnership was also how he came to meet Mr. Hertrich III on the construction site for Frederick Ford in 1985, who soon decided that this Navy Airman would make a perfect addition to his Team for Project Management as well. This new journey included helping with the Dealerships, horse farms and airplane hangars, to name a few business ventures. Most recently, with the acquisition of two new dealerships, Chuck could be seen around every corner it seemed, helping with any support that was needed as we transitioned our new locations.
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Chuck believes his Naval career and Military training helped in the successes of his accomplished career at Hertrich because of, ?Organization, dedication and drive as part of the team, that’s what I still plan for every morning.
Chuck likes to return to visit his son and family in Reading, PA when he has time in his busy schedule. Now that he permanently resides near the beaches, They usually come see me! he says with a laugh.The Ernesto clan has expanded over the years with 2 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren to enjoy. Chuck says, , I am very proud of all of them, especially my grandson Andy who came out of high school with a full baseball scholarship to West Point. I visited up there a lot to see him play on the Patriot League. Andy also did time as an Apache Helicopter Pilot, helping in Afghanistan in 2009. He just phased out of the Military as a Captain this past March.
It seems that the dedication, drive and a sense of team runs strong in the Ernesto family. So we would like to say thank you Naval Airman Ernesto, for your continued hard work and support as part of the Hertrich Family’s Heroes and if you would Sir, when you see the Captain, shake his hand for us as well.
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