Roger Lake - Scania Monthly focus
Roger Lake is driven by the sense of achievement he gets selling trucks for Scania. Pulled off the tools by his previous boss at a multi-franchise truck dealership, he was introduced to the selling business, and took to it like a duck to water, earning top sales awards for the brand across Australia.
After nine years at Scania working closely with National Sales Manager Jarrod Hegarty, Roger says he gains immense satisfaction solving problems for customers.
“I passionately believe that I am selling the best trucks in the market,” he says. “Our trucks tick so many boxes; safety, design, comfort, fuel efficiency, environmental compliance, power, the highest torque at lowest revs, etc., so that helps, but my secret is just meeting and exceeding my customers’ expectations. I like Dick Johnson’s famous saying: “The only place ‘success’ comes before ‘work’ is in the dictionary.”
Outside the office Roger is a tireless supporter of his son Flynn, 22, who has special needs, and of whom he is very proud. “Flynn is close to achieving his Certificate 3 Parks and Gardens and will work for Maroondah Council as a fully qualified employee.”
Raising money and awareness for adults with disabilities through the Endeavour Foundation’s endurance car rally gives Roger and Flynn quality bonding time. This year, the intrepid pairing is off on a 10-day adventure from Roma in QLD to Longreach via Birdsville, driving their Mercedes W126 limo.
“I’m aiming to get the car to the top of Big Red,” Roger says, noting the notorious sand dune is one of Australia’s toughest automotive challenges.
“The rally draws 50 cars, some of which are crewed by people with disabilities. The event is fantastic for them from a social and personal achievement perspective, and it is really heart-warming to see the response and respect they get from everyone they meet,” Roger says. “This makes a welcome change from being someone people usually walk straight past.”
Last year, Roger’s car raised $16,000 for the Endeavour Foundation, largely thanks to title sponsorship from Recycal. The rally raised $762,000 in total.
“I’m hoping to beat last year’s tally and bring the amount of money raised by this car over many years of rallying to more than $130,000,” Roger says.
The Endeavour Foundation provides employment for people with disabilities and a good healthy environment in which they can gain as much satisfaction from their efforts, as Roger gets from his selling Scania trucks.
If you’d like to support Roger’s rally efforts visit https://great.endeavour.com.au/fundraisers/therecyclercar5
