Hammer began working with the ALS Association, first as a donor and eventually as a board member and emcee for events.

By Cheri Brown

Cheri Brown

The mission of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce is to support our community as a preeminent business centric organization, committed to fulfill our mission of service as a catalyst for business growth, a convener for leaders and influencers and a champion for a stronger and vibrant community.

The chamber has 500-plus members (businesses and nonprofits) representing 8,000-plus employees and volunteers. The benefits of membership include access to booth space at Friday Night Music Series, promotion on Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce Quick 5 Podcast streaming series, local, regional, and state legislative advocacy, various business support committees and services, as well as these columns.

Robert Hammer from HammerAuto.com is one of the chamber’s newest members. HammerAuto was founded in 1994 on the peninsula. Robert and his wife Realtor Tammy Doran moved to Morgan Hill, and after years of commuting Robert moved his business here in 2021. He has helped more than 20,000 people buy or lease cars in his career. Auto brokers save clients thousands of dollars by charging a flat fee, then negotiating a lower lease or purchase price.

His highly successful business is built on repeat clients and referrals. Robert’s story is truly a “rags to riches” tale that began in the music industry in Cleveland, Ohio. Robert worked in the music industry, writing stories for magazines as well as promoting shows. He found a role as a manager of a hotel with a penthouse bar/disco and was instrumental in making it a success.

To donate a vehicle for the ALS Golden West Chapter, click HERE

 

After that success, he and partner Barry Weingart decided to open their own club/disco in 1977. They found an abandoned nightclub; Barry designed the lights and sound systems, and Robert designed the building layout. They sold memberships which guaranteed access. It opened in 1978 as the Studio 54 of Cleveland. People dressed to the nines lined up around the block and the club was a smashing success; so much so that investors from other cities hired Robert to design their discotheques. Unfortunately, Disco was served a death knell with the launch of the “Disco Sucks” movement in 1979. Robert’s dreams of becoming a club designer faded, but the seeds of his future love were planted when he purchased a 1975 Ferrari with his earnings and headed to California.

He started as an auto broker working for a company on the Peninsula. He quickly found success, breaking sales records within three months, and accepting a managerial role soon after. Within five years, he went out on his own. The first few years were a struggle, working from home then from a rented office. He focused on his maturing vision: The most trusted name in vehicle leasing and purchasing. He wants to be the person you call if you live out of town and your widowed mom needs protection from dealers and their up-selling tactics.

After achieving success, Robert wanted to give back. He began working with the ALS Association, first as a donor and eventually as a board member and emcee for events. He now serves as an advisory trustee and coordinates their auto donations. He will resell any working car donated to ALS and 100 percent of the proceeds go directly to https://alsagoldenwest.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate-a-vehicle/

Cheri Brown is a board member of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce. She writes articles on behalf of the Chamber highlighting a few of the hundreds of Chamber members. She owns her own independent insurance brokerage, selling Medicare insurance policies. She can be reached at [email protected].