Pub. 61 2020-2021 Issue 4

26 TADA Q&A with Sharla L. Omumu S harla L. Omumu of Cypress is Director of Incentives for Gulf States Toyota, Inc. She has held several positions at Gulf States Toyota since 2001. She is an active member of the Sheriff’s Association of Texas and the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto, and a supporter of several other local organizations. Sharla received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Sharla will serve as the manufacturer or distributor license- holding representative. Sharla is a native Texan, raised in Houston and has roots in “the birthplace of Texas, Washington- on-the-Brazos,” dating back to her second great-maternal grandparents. Sharla credits her dad, a minister, and her mother, a retired nurse, who modeled service to others with gratitude as her life’s inspiration. Sharla is married to her husband Chinedu of 15 years, and they share one cherished daughter, Mary. You just started serving on the TxDMV board. What are your thoughts about this new venture? I am absolutely honored to join the TxDMV board. The agency has done great work modernizing department services and improving customer service for the public and the motor vehicle industry. This is my first experience working in government, and I am grateful to Governor Abbott for the opportunity. I am captivated by the enthusiasm the TxDMV leadership has for their respective divisions. The level of professionalism and personal ownership is refreshing and aligns with my feelings about the motor vehicle industry and the State of Texas. In my short time serving, the TxDMV staff and executive leadership team have displayed the very best of Texas. I am eager to learn a great deal from the board’s distinguished members, and offer my knowledge of the industry and bring a new perspective. Do you think your experience is typical of board members, and how do you think your background experience will enhance your contributions to this board? The tie that binds the board members is our willingness to serve and what connects us is that we all interface with the motor vehicle industry as a whole in some way. The board represents a diverse group of well- respected professionals, and it is my intention to enhance the already great work this board has accomplished since its inception in 2009. My experience working with the Gulf States Toyota distributorship has lent itself to working with manufacturers and dealers who represent different automotive brands. My background includes years of customer and technical support across several industries. I’ve had the pleasure of working directly with retail automotive dealers as the industry stepped into the digital age in the early 2000s. I also worked with dealers to improve efficiencies and dealer profitability