Pub 61 2020-2021 Issue 3

11 SPRING 2021 Continued on page 12 With such a rich history in the retail automobile industry in his state, Crenwelge has devoted a great deal of time and talent to the Texas Auto- mobile Dealers Association, having served the group continuously for more than 30 years in various capaci- ties, including area director, district director, vice chair and, currently, trustee for the Texas Dealer Acad- emy, which he considers his greatest achievement for the group. Crenwelge founded the academy in 2010 to create a structured program of educational and operating training for sons and daughters of Texas auto dealers and other employees who are identified by the dealers as tomor- row’s leaders in the industry. “It has been a labor of love for me to make decisions that have an in- fluence on the future of my family and the families of my fellow deal- ers,” he said. “As a third-generation auto dealer myself, I understand the importance of grooming eventual successors and providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary for success.” For spearheading this valuable pro- gram and for his efforts in advanc- ing higher educational opportuni- ties through the Hill Country Uni- versity Center in Fredericksburg, Crenwelge received the Northwood University Dealer Education Award in 2016. He is equally committed to making a difference in his community. After watching a presentation by a de- veloper for a hotel on Marktplatz (Market Square) in Fredericks- burg, Crenwelge decided to run for city council, and later mayor, to help curtail further commercial- ization of the property and main- tain the quality of life in the area. “During my 20-year tenure on council, we returned this land to its originally intended purpose as the cultural and recreational focal point of our community,” he said. He was also instrumental in the successful renovation of the his- toric St. Joseph Halle, one of the last historical buildings remaining to be restored in town. “I served on the capital campaign that raised the $3 million to restore the structure to its original grandeur and today, it serves as a beautiful performance and event venue,” Cren- welge said. Other groups that he has supported and served include: Gillespie County