Buying a car is stressful. Most people walk into a dealership with their guard up, expecting a high-pressure environment that feels more like a wrestling match than a retail transaction. At the heart of that experience—for better or worse—is the leadership. If you're looking at the General Manager at Riverview Chevrolet, you're basically looking at the person who dictates whether you leave with a smile or a massive headache.
It’s about the culture.
Riverview Chevrolet, located in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, isn't some massive, faceless corporate conglomerate where the leadership stays locked in a glass office. In the automotive world, the GM is the quarterback. They handle the inventory, the financing relationships, and most importantly, the "vibe" of the sales floor. If the GM is aggressive, the salesmen are aggressive. If the GM prioritizes long-term community reputation, you get a much softer touch.
The Face Behind the Desk
Currently, the leadership at Riverview Chevrolet is centered around the Pestoe family, with Lou Pestoe serving as a primary figure in the dealership's management and operations.
You've gotta understand that in the Pittsburgh area, local ownership matters. Lou Pestoe isn't just a name on a business license; he’s a guy who’s been in the trenches of the car business for decades. When you look at the General Manager at Riverview Chevrolet, you aren't just looking at a title. You're looking at someone who has to balance the strict requirements of General Motors (GM) corporate with the actual needs of people living in the Mon Valley.
It’s a tough gig. Really tough.
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One day you're arguing with the factory about why you didn't get enough Silverado allocations, and the next you're sitting down with a customer whose credit score is a mess but who desperately needs a reliable Equinox to get to work. A good GM like those at Riverview has to be part psychologist, part accountant, and part mechanic.
Why the GM Matters to Your Wallet
Why should you care who the General Manager at Riverview Chevrolet is? Honestly, because they have the final "pencil."
When a salesperson walks away with your offer and says, "I have to check with my manager," they are going to the desk. The GM or the General Sales Manager (GSM) is the one who decides how much "gross" they’re willing to lose to make a deal happen. At Riverview, the management style has historically leaned toward volume. They want cars off the lot.
Here is how that leadership trickles down to you:
- Inventory Selection: The GM decides which trims and colors to stock. If they misread the market, they’re stuck with cars that won't move, which means you can often find better "aged unit" discounts.
- Trade-In Values: The GM sets the philosophy on trades. Some managers are conservative (low-ballers), while others at Riverview prefer to "reach" for a trade to ensure they keep a local customer.
- Service Department Quality: The GM oversees the service manager. If your oil change takes four hours, that’s a leadership failure at the top.
The Reality of "The Riverview Way"
Riverview Chevrolet often markets itself under the "Riverview Way" or similar community-focused slogans. Is that just marketing fluff? Sorta. But in a town like McKeesport, you can't survive on fluff alone. Word travels fast. If the General Manager at Riverview Chevrolet allows a "churn and burn" culture, the dealership dies within five years.
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The current management has stayed relevant by leaning into the digital age without losing the "handshake" feel. You see this in how they handle their online presence. Most dealers hide their prices until you give them your phone number. Riverview’s leadership has pushed for more transparency because they know people are savvy. They know you’ve already checked three other sites before you even pulled into their lot on Lysle Blvd.
Dealing with the "Desk"
If you ever find yourself in a position where the negotiation has stalled, asking to speak with the General Manager at Riverview Chevrolet is your "break glass in case of emergency" move.
Don't be a jerk about it.
Most GMs are actually more reasonable than the sales staff because they see the big picture. They’d rather make $200 on a deal today and get your service business for the next five years than lose you over a $10 monthly payment difference. Lou Pestoe and his team understand that a car sold today is a potential three or four cars sold to your family over the next decade.
What People Get Wrong About Dealership Management
Most folks think the GM is just sitting back counting piles of cash. The truth is way more stressful.
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The General Manager at Riverview Chevrolet is responsible for millions of dollars in "floorplan" interest. That’s the money the dealer pays to the bank just to have those cars sitting on the lot. If a car sits for 90 days, it’s costing the dealership money every single day. This is why you see those massive end-of-the-month pushes. It isn't just a cliché from a bad movie; it's a desperate race against bank interest.
Management also has to deal with the "CSI" (Customer Satisfaction Index). GM tracks every single survey you fill out. If the GM doesn't maintain a high score, the manufacturer can actually pull their bonuses or limit their inventory. So, when the leadership at Riverview asks you for a "perfect 10" on a survey, they aren't just being needy. Their livelihood literally depends on it.
Navigating Your Next Visit
If you're heading down to see the team at Riverview, keep these insider management insights in mind:
- Mid-week is better. The GM is usually buried on Saturdays. If you go on a Tuesday morning, the leadership has more time to actually look at your deal and get creative with the numbers.
- Be upfront about your "out the door" number. Managers hate games as much as you do. They want to know if a deal is possible within the first 20 minutes.
- Mention the community. Since Riverview prides itself on being a local fixture, mentioning that you’re from the area or were referred by a neighbor often triggers a "hometown" discount mentality that corporate-owned stores just don't have.
The General Manager at Riverview Chevrolet isn't some mythical figure. They are a local business leader trying to hit targets while keeping a local customer base happy. It's a balancing act that requires a thick skin and a lot of coffee.
Actionable Steps for the Savvy Buyer
Before you step foot on the lot, do your homework to make the manager's job (and your life) easier.
- Check the Aged Inventory: Look at their website. If a specific VIN has been there for a while (look at the photos—are there leaves on the ground in the pictures, but it's now winter?), that’s your leverage point with the GM.
- Get Your Own Financing First: Even if you plan to use GM Financial, having a "buy rate" from a local credit union gives the General Manager a floor they have to beat.
- Ask for the Manager Early: You don't need to negotiate for four hours with a trainee. If things feel slow, politely ask the General Manager at Riverview Chevrolet or the Sales Manager to "bless the deal" early on. It saves everyone’s afternoon.
Ultimately, the dealership experience is a reflection of the person at the top. At Riverview, that leadership is rooted in the local Mon Valley culture—tough, straightforward, and generally looking to make a deal that keeps the lights on and the customers coming back. Keep your expectations realistic, do your research, and don't be afraid to talk to the person behind the big desk. They’re usually just looking for a win-win scenario so they can move on to the next of the hundred problems they have to solve that day.