Managing Director: David R. Melton

David R. Melton
Managing Director

As Founder and President of Melton Advisors, I advise automotive dealers nationwide on strategic growth, capital structure, and dealership real estate decisions. My work focuses on helping dealer principals navigate the financial and structural choices that influence enterprise value, liquidity, and long-term ownership strategy.

While transaction advisory is an important component of our work, our practice centers on the capital and real estate considerations that shape dealership ownership over time. This includes guidance on capital structuring, dealership real estate positioning, sale-leasebacks, facility planning, and ownership strategy connected to dealership operations and long-term growth.

With more than four decades of automotive industry experience, including service as a dealership COO and operator, I bring an owner’s perspective to every engagement. I understand the operational, financial, and strategic realities dealers face because I have managed them firsthand. That experience allows me to guide dealers through complex capital decisions, growth opportunities, ownership transitions, and transaction processes with a disciplined, practical approach.

At Melton Advisors, our role is straightforward: provide experienced, confidential advisory support so automotive dealers approach important capital, real estate, and ownership decisions with clarity, preparation, and control.

My advisory work centers on three integrated areas:

  • Strategic Growth & Acquisition Advisory
    Advisory support for automotive dealers pursuing acquisitions, market expansion, and strategic ownership opportunities. This includes early strategic preparation—evaluating financial performance, capital capacity, ownership structure, and real estate alignment—while identifying appropriate acquisition opportunities, structuring growth initiatives to strengthen long-term enterprise value, and negotiating leverage before a transaction becomes active.

  • Capital Strategy & Financial Structuring
    Advisory on capital structure, recapitalization alternatives, and balance sheet strategy across dealership operations and automotive real estate. The objective is to improve financial flexibility, support growth, and ensure dealers approach strategic decisions from a position of strength.

  • Dealership Real Estate Advisory
    Strategic guidance on dealership real estate ownership, valuation, and liquidity planning, including rent alignment, facility considerations, and selective sale-leaseback analysis when appropriate. Because dealership real estate often represents significant enterprise value, these decisions are evaluated alongside broader ownership and transaction objectives.

I work closely with each dealer’s CPA, legal counsel, lenders, and other advisors to coordinate decisions well in advance of a transaction. The result is disciplined preparation, clearer strategic options, and the ability for dealership owners to pursue—or defer—transactions on their own terms.

  • “I was not initially looking to sell my dealership but was interested in discovering the value. After meeting with Pointe Automotive and seeing the value of my store, I decided to take some chips off the table.”

    — Florida Honda Dealer

  • “Working with David and Pointe Automotive has always been a seamless experience, and we couldn’t be more satisfied with how this transition has been handled. We feel confident about the future, and that confidence is rooted in the trust we’ve built with David.”

    — Ohio JLR Dealer

  • “David Melton did an excellent job! Dave brought plenty of buyers, followed the sale right until the very end and even attended the closing. I am very happy with the whole transaction.”

    — Pennsylvania Ford Dealer

  • “It is with great pleasure that I recommend David Melton to you. Recently we decided that we needed to sell one of our dealerships that was a little too far away for us to operate in the manner we expect. We spoke to a half dozen brokers and after talking to David on multiple occasions, we decided that he would be our best bet to sell the store in a timely fashion due to his personality and wide range of contacts and reach. We choose properly as David had our Jeep – Chrysler – Dodge – Ram Dealership in front of a qualified buyer within days and within two and a half months’ time – Sold and in the capable hands of the new dealer!

    David Melton was there for us as well as the buyer throughout the process. He is very patient, knowledgeable, fair and pleasant to work and speak with…”

    — Northeast Auto Group

  • “David Melton managed the transaction with exceptional professionalism. He was consistently accessible throughout each stage of the process. I look forward to acquiring additional stores with David’s guidance and expertise.”

    — Tennessee CDJR Dealer 

  • “Mr. David Melton was fantastic through the entire process of our purchase of a dealership in Western Pennsylvania.  We had quite a few hurdles during the due-diligence period.  With all the laws and regulations that the manufacture, state, county, and township put in your way to conduct and purchase a business, Mr. Melton was an invaluable resource with his experience and knowledge.  Having run his own dealerships, Mr. Melton is the ideal broker to provide a realistic, in-depth view of any store.  He can break down a statement at a level that not many can.  I would highly recommend Mr. Melton to anyone who is considering selling or buying a store.  Being in our position, running and owning a dealership, it is difficult to find people to talk to about market conditions, real estate, and expectations, etc.  Mr. Melton was that person for me.  I now call Mr. Melton a friend and look forward to working with him in the future!”

    — Pennsylvania Ford Dealer

  • "This is my first dealership purchase utilizing a broker. I had concerns if this would make the deal too complex. But like anything else, if you do business with great people, the outcome is always great! David and his team were fantastic. Total and complete transparency. David answered his cell phone EVERY time I called and worked extremely hard for seller AND buyer to make a fair and simple transaction. David was there every step of the way and personally saw the closing through until the last document was signed. Very impressed with the company and most importantly, David. I made a deal and I made a friend. Many more to follow. Call me personally for a reference." –

    — Pennsyvania Automotive Group

  • "Dear David, thank you so much for finding me a qualified buyer so quickly. One of my major goals was to have a buyer who would continue what my family built over 59 years. The buyer is truly that person. From our first meeting to the sale of my dealership, everything went extremely well and all of us got along great! The pricing structure was right on target and your fee was very fair. Perhaps even more than fair, considering the short time from start to finish. You understood it was a big step for me and you were patient on my decision. You were very professional, excellent on communication, quick and very helpful. It was a real pleasure working with you."

    — Georgia GM Dealer

  • “It was a pleasure dealing with David Melton. It was a long process, but David constantly checked in to see if I needed anything and was very responsive to my questions. Definitely a professional individual.”

    — North Carolina Buick-GMC Dealer

  • “I want to thank David Melton for his efforts in assisting my sister and I with the sale of our family dealership. Even though the process was long, David was available 24/7 from start to finish. I would highly recommend David Melton for buyers and sellers.”

    — Georgia Ford Dealer

  • “David Melton did an excellent job! Dave brought plenty of buyers, followed the sale right until the very end and even attended the closing. I am very happy with the whole transaction.”

    — Tennessee Ford Dealer

  • David Melton is fantastic. From the first day we met David through the closing, he was amazing to deal with and handheld us through the process. “David worked tirelessly to find us the right buyer and once we found that buyer was in constant communication with their agent to ensure a smooth purchase and transition. David set realistic expectations throughout the process and far exceeded those expectations including length of time to find the buyer. He was able to keep the listing discreet which was a main concern of ours. David also helped us in every aspect including making sure we received the full value of our dealership. Selling a business during COVID was not easy. We cannot thank David enough for his help and guidance throughout the entire process. He made this a very profitable and smooth sale.”

    — Rech Automotive Group