Ernie Boch Jr.
Ernie Boch Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ernest Alexander Boch Jr. February 15, 1958 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Chairman and CEO of Boch Enterprises CEO of Subaru of New England |
| Known for | Automotive sales, philanthropy, Ernie and the Automatics |
Ernest Alexander Boch Jr. (born February 15, 1958) is an American billionaire and businessman recognized as the former CEO of Boch Enterprises, a business valued at approximately Template:US$ billion, primarily engaged in automobile dealerships located in Norwood, Massachusetts[1]. Currently, he serves as the CEO of Subaru of New England.[2]
Boch is well-known in the Greater Boston region, not only for his business ventures but also for his enthusiasm for music, appearances on television, and innovative marketing strategies in automobile sales.[3]
Early life and education
At age 16, in 1974, Ernie Jr. purchased his first vehicle—a 1971 British racing green Volkswagen Beetle—from the used-car section of his family’s Toyota dealership.[4]
He completed his studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Career
The automotive sales and service enterprise was originally founded by his grandfather, Andrew Boch, who established the family’s presence in 1945 by acquiring a Nash Motors franchise in Norwood, Massachusetts.[5]
Following his time at Berklee, Boch Jr. toured with various musical groups before returning to Norwood to join one of his father’s dealerships. Reflecting on that period, he remarked that he became deeply invested in the business. While working as a car salesman during the day, he mingled with notable Boston personalities and musicians by night. His vibrant lifestyle attracted media attention and occasionally caused friction with his father, who reportedly dismissed him from dealership roles on at least two occasions. After the passing of his father in 2003, Boch Jr. assumed control of the family business. Soon after Ernie Boch Sr.’s death, Boch Jr. appeared in a television advertisement honoring his father’s legacy; the commercial featured him driving a car while viewing archival footage of his father reflected in the rearview mirror before smiling and driving off.[6]
In October 2015, Boch Jr. divested most of his dealership holdings; however, these businesses continued operating under the Boch name with him remaining their public representative.[7] He kept ownership of the Ferrari and Maserati dealership and maintained his role as CEO of Subaru of New England.[7]
Philanthropy
In 2005, Boch established "Music Drives Us," a regional initiative dedicated to promoting music throughout New England. This program concentrates on three main areas: preserving musical heritage, enhancing music education, and raising public awareness about music. It supplies instruments and funds music programs in approximately 200 public schools across Boston and the wider New England region. Reflecting on his efforts in 2017, Boch remarked that he had supported Boston public schools where music classes lacked even basic instruments, sometimes held in basements adjacent to water heaters. He emphasized that music ought to be a fundamental part of the school curriculum, on par with subjects like mathematics.
That same year, Boch became a member of Berklee College of Music's board of trustees and has since spearheaded multiple significant fundraising initiatives for the institution.
Invited by National Geographic, Boch participated in filming a reality series where he contributed infrastructure and essential resources to assist an impoverished village in Uganda.
In 2016, he committed to financially supporting the organization managing Boston’s Shubert and Wang theaters, which were subsequently renamed the Boch Center in recognition of his backing.
In January 2021, Boch made an unsolicited donation of one million dollars to the Barstool Fund, aiding their mission to support small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other ventures
Boch formed the band Ernie and the Automatics. Their album Low Expectations remained on Billboard’s Top Blues Album chart for six weeks, debuting at number seven. The group has also served as an opening act for Deep Purple. Additionally, Boch previously held a position on Berklee College of Music’s Board of Trustees.
His television appearances include a feature on The Phantom Gourmet. On September 8, 2007, he acted as a guest judge alongside drummer Sib Hashian at a cleavage contest during King Richard’s Faire. He also appeared on WLVI-TV’s Creature Double Feature portraying "The Ghoul."
Boch took part in three episodes of the TV series Rescue Me, specifically in "Black," "Animal," and "Satisfaction," where he played Captain Bernard, the coach of the NYPD hockey team.
He was also the owner of the Boston Militia, a women’s tackle football team based in Boston.
Personal life
Boch’s current home began as a mansion he purchased in 1997 situated on a one-acre lot in Norwood. Over two decades, he acquired and demolished seventeen neighboring properties to expand his residence into a sprawling compound measuring approximately 30,000 square feet. He commented on construction standards, noting that European homes were built to endure for generations, whereas American houses seemed almost disposable—a practice he found distasteful. His collection includes rare sports cars, guitars, a private jet, and a custom stretch limousine. In 2022, the Norwood Town Meeting granted him permission to construct a mausoleum on his estate.
He also owns a summer residence located in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard.
Political views
Initially a friend and supporter of Mitt Romney during his presidential bid, Boch shifted his support to Donald Trump in 2016. In mid-2015, he reached out to Corey Lewandowski about organizing a fundraiser but was told no events had yet been arranged. Subsequently, Boch met Trump at Trump Tower to discuss hosting such an event. Reflecting on that meeting before Trump became president, Boch remarked on Trump's commanding presence during negotiations. The fundraiser took place at Boch’s home in August 2015 with tickets priced at $100 each. In an interview with Boston Magazine, Boch stated he had admired Trump since the 1980s for his business acumen and showmanship. He further explained that his support stemmed from Trump's ability to manage business efficiently and transparently.
During an appearance on CNN, Boch likened his endorsement of Trump to choosing among several intoxicated women late at night: “It’s 2 a.m., and there are a few girls at the bar; you have to go home with one.” Later in the interview, he recounted how mentioning his support for Trump helped him avoid receiving a traffic ticket from a police officer.
References
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedThe Importance of Being Ernie - ↑ England, Subaru of New. "Subaru of New England | Subaru Distributorship for the Six New England States". www.subaruofnewengland.com.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedbostoncars - ↑ "Thinking Big, Drive Time: Ernie Boch Jr". The Boston Globe. 2006-01-29. Archived from the original on 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedearls - ↑ Van Zuylen-Wood, Simon (29 October 2017). "The Nuanced Approach of Ernie Boch Jr". Boston. ISSN 0006-7989. OCLC 137349939. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Chesto, Jon (8 October 2015). "Boch Divests Amid Auto Industry Growth as Chambers Expands". The Boston Globe. ISSN 0743-1791. OCLC 66652431. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
Ernie Boch Jr. has sold five dealerships to Dan Dagesse, a veteran dealer who previously managed Boch's outlets, along with Dagesse's son, Christopher, for an undisclosed sum. The Boch brand will remain on these dealerships. Boch retains ownership of his Ferrari and Maserati dealership located in Norwood, as well as the profitable Subaru of New England distributorship. By divesting the other dealerships, the 57-year-old Boch aims to dedicate more focus to these enterprises and devote additional time to his interests, including the Music Drives Us charity supporting music education and forthcoming humanitarian initiatives.