WINTER 2023 Dealers’ Choice Pub 63 | 2022-23 | Issue 2 CAVENDER CARES: CHANGING THE COMMUNITY PERCEPTION OF THE AUTO INDUSTRY OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TEXAS AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION TIME AND ALLY FINANCIAL HONOR CONROE DEALER Charlie Gilchrist: A Life Behind the Wheel
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Scan this code with your smart phone for a direct link to the TADA website. Contents © 2023 Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) | The newsLINK Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Dealers' Choice is published four times each year by The newsLINK Group, LLC for the TADA and is the official publication for this association. The information contained in this publication is intended to provide general information for review, consideration and education. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need legal advice or assistance, it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney as to your specific circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the TADA, its board of directors, or the publisher. Likewise, the appearance of advertisements within this publication does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any product or service advertised. Dealers' Choice is a collective work, and as such, some articles are submitted by authors who are independent of the TADA. While Texas Automobile Dealers encourages a first-print policy, in cases where this is not possible, every effort has been made to comply with any known reprint guidelines or restrictions. Content may not be reproduced or reprinted without prior written permission. For further information, please contact the publisher at 855-747-4003. 14 Dealers’ Choice 8 22 6 President's Message Your Voice In The Texas Legislature BY DARREN WHITEHURST 8 Charlie Gilchrist: A Life Behind the Wheel 12 Weatherford Car Dealer Owner Roger Williams Selected to Chair U.S. House Small Business Committee 14 TIME and Ally Financial Honor Conroe Dealer BY ALLY FINANCIAL 18 2023 TADA Leadership And Executive Committee 20 2023 TADA District Directors 22 Cavender Cares: Changing the Community Perception of the Auto Industry 24 VADA Holds Annual Golf Tournament 26 Community Service 28 Texas Dealer Academy Recap 31 2023 Save the Date 32 TADA/VADA Holiday & Legislative Reception 34 Bruckner’s Truck & Equipment Celebrates 90th Anniversary! BY BRUCKNER’S TRUCK & EQUIPMENT 36 Over-Sharing in the Workplace? Why Your Company May Need A TikTok and BeReal Policy BY FISHER PHILLIPS 40 Local Resident Wins Jaguar’s Marque Of Distinction Award 4 Dealers' Choice
Plan ahead for your dealership’s long-term legacy Setting up a succession plan is an important consideration for the future of your dealership. Now’s the time to think about your priorities, such as maintaining control, taxes, liquidity, employees and family. What would you like the power to do?® Learn more with our comprehensive overview of Dealer Financial Services Succession Planning at business.bofa.com/dealer. “Bank of America” and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names used by the Global Banking and Global Markets divisions of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, other commercial banking activities, and trading in certain financial instruments are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Trading in securities and financial instruments, and strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities, are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“Investment Banking Affiliates”), including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., both of which are registered broker-dealers and Members of SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp. are registered as futures commission merchants with the CFTC and are members of the NFA. Investment products offered by Investment Banking Affiliates: | Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value | ©2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. 4882341 05-22-0512 Plan ahead for your dealership’s long-term legacy Setting up a succession plan is an important consideration for the future of your dealership. Now’s the time to think about your priorities, such as maintaining control, taxes, liquidity, employees and family. What would you like the power to do?® Learn more with our comprehensive overview of Dealer Financial Services Succession Planning at business.bofa.com/dealer. “Bank of America” and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names used by the Global Banking and Global Markets divisions of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, other commercial banking activities, and trading in certain financial instruments are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Trading in securities and financial instruments, and strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities, are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“Investment Banking Affiliates”), including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., both of which are registered broker-dealers and Members of SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp. are registered as futures commission merchants with the CFTC and are members of the NFA. Investment products offered by Investment Banking Affiliates: | Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value | ©2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. 4882341 05-22-0512
Your Voice By DarrenWhitehurst At the time of writing this, my countdown clock reads 22 hours until the start of the 88th Texas Legislature. There is always an air of anticipation leading up to a session and what issues the legislature will focus on during their 140-day session. There have already been 1,600 House and Senate bills filed and there will likely be around 7,500 pieces of legislation filed before the session’s end which is May 29, better known around the Texas Capitol as “Sine Die”. Our TADA Legislative Committee has been hard at work identifying issues where TADA needs to be engaged – and this session will certainly see us involved in playing both offense and defense as the Texas Legislature deals with issues that impact Texas dealers. All 181 members (150 House and 31 Senate) of the Texas Legislature carry legislation that they believe will improve the state of Texas. TADA works to support them when they are right, to educate and inform them when they might not fully understand the impact of a potential piece of legislation, and to pass and modify measures to assist Texas new-car dealers in providing the best sales and service experience possible for their customers. The session almost always begins with the same cadence… slowly; legislators come in with their families and are sworn in on the first day, each chamber governing the House and Senate operation adopts new rules in the next day or so, and the Comptroller releases an estimate of the state revenue informing legislators how much money is available to be spent. Then, week one concludes. The next several weeks thereafter will include Governor Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s Inauguration, House members filling out their Committee Preference Cards, the Governor’s State of the State, and the corresponding issuance of Emergency Items for the Legislature to address. There is always a loud murmur of complaints that the process is too slow on the front end, but the focus for most legislators in the first 60 days is the filing of legislation, receiving committee assignments, and beginning work on these committees. The next 60 days will then be a mad rush of Committee hearings with legislators working to get their bills through the process. During the final 20 days, there are usual standoffs between the two Chambers as they work to reconcile differences in the legislation between the House and Senate. Finally, it’s on to the Governor’s office for final consideration which spills over after session in the 20-day veto period. As you can imagine, there are a number of pitfalls and that is evident because, ultimately, most filed legislation does not pass. According to the Texas constitution, the only “must pass” bill of the session is the budget, so that consumes a lot of time and effort in both chambers. This session, the legislature will be dealing with an unprecedented surplus of at least $30 billion in general revenue and more than $12 billion in “Rainy Day” funds. It’s hard to imagine now, but just 20 years ago, the State was facing a $14 billion deficit. Session is almost more difficult when there is money available to spend. Leadership has mentioned priorities for the session including property tax relief, protecting the power grid, mental health funding, teacher compensation, and state infrastructure investment needs, but there are many more. Both chambers will have a lot of work to do to make sure Texas continues to lead the nation as the best place to do business and a place where people want to live. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE In The Texas Legislature 6 Dealers' Choice
I hope you will have the opportunity to come to Austin while the Texas Legislature is in session. We invite dealers to join us every Tuesday for legislative visits and hope you can add a visit to your calendar. The TADA Annual Conference will be held in Austin in April, so please make every effort to join us. The saying is absolutely true that “all politics are local” and the legislators I have visited with over the last year have told me about their favorite local dealer. They want to hear from you on issues that impact your business and their constituents. If you are unable to come, please be ready because you never know when we may be calling for your assistance to send an email or make a phone call or two. I know we are primed to have a fantastic session and I so much look forward to our team’s work with our TADA Chair Charlie Gilchrist and TADA Legislative Chair Claire McDonald. They may be spending a little more time in Austin than they want, but they will do a great job for you. The TADA team does an amazing job ensuring success in the Texas Legislature, amplifying TADA’s strength because of the fantastic work our Texas dealers do in their local communities and throughout the state. 7 WINTER 2023
Charlie Gilchrist: A Life Behind the Wheel “For of those to whom much is given, much is required …” –John F. Kennedy TADA has a history of excellent and insightful leadership through its 117 years’ history of protecting the rights and interests of its dealer members. The role of Chair, in particular, is one that requires clear vision and a passion for the automobile industry, along with integrity, people skills, and the ability to have the right conversations at the right time, among many other attributes. TADA is privileged and proud to introduce Charlie Gilchrist as the new chairman of our organization. Charlie has over 36 years of experience operating automotive dealerships. His experience with trucks and his passion for strong leadership has led him to owning 14 dealerships across Texas and 4 in Oklahoma, with 750+ employees. We had the opportunity to catch up with Charlie and discuss his very successful career, but also his thoughts about what is important for dealers to focus on now, and his plans for his chairmanship. It doesn’t take long for pieces and parts of JFK’s speech to the Massachusetts legislature to find its way into any insightful conversation with Charlie Gilchrist. To say that these words have been a north star of sorts to Charlie would be very true; they resonate with his core belief that good fortune, while a result of hard work and good decisions, is also an ethical responsibility. Charlie was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, but grew up in Irving, Texas. During his high school years, Charlie’s dad, Wil Gilchrist, sold new heavy-duty trucks for Metro Ford in Dallas, Texas, and Charlie spent his high school years transporting heavy-duty trucks to locations around the nation and returning used truck trade-ins back to Dallas. He attended the University of Texas, majoring in accounting. He passed the first three parts of the CPA exam while in college and joined the firm of Coopers and Lybrand, passing the fourth, and last part of the CPA exam the November after graduating. After two years, he decided to move on from accounting because, in his words, “he missed the world of cars and trucks.” His decision to purchase a heavy-duty Freightliner truck and start his company, hauling freight, paved the way to the auto industry – a way that was pretty much solidified when Charlie’s father introduced him to a colleague of his, Ken Nichols. 8 Dealers' Choice
Ken not only gave exceptional business advice and took an interest in Charlie, but he eventually gave him an opportunity into dealership management and later ownership in his first dealership. In 1986, at 30 years old, Charlie took over as GM at SouthWest Ford in Weatherford, Texas, a dealership owned by Ken Nichols. In 1990, Charlie encouraged Ken to expand to meet the ever-increasing volume of customers and staff, and Nichols Ford in Ft. Worth, Texas opened, with Charlie running both stores. As Charlie’s passion for the automobile industry grew, so did his knowledge, reputation, and opportunities. In 1992, Charlie bought SouthWest Ford from Ken, completing the buy-out in 1995. “Ken gave me an opportunity and forever changed my life,” says Charlie. “Because of the chance he gave me, and the impact it had on my life, we do the same for our people. We give our partners an opportunity to buy in.” The automobile industry, as all dealer principals know, is a combination of risk and reward, and it’s not always an easy career. But those dealers that succeed are also those dealers that have an innate desire to serve, give back to the industry and champion organizations that support the dealer model. In 2003, Charlie was asked to serve on the Ford Marketing Dealer Advisory Board and later elected to serve on Ford’s National Dealer Council. In 2008, Charlie served as the chairman of Ford’s National Dealer Council. He spent time with many Ford executives and dealership owners. During this time, Charlie met and formed a professional and personal friendship with Ford CEO Alan Mulally. As a mentor and friend, Alan taught Charlie not only about the automobile business, but also about leadership. To this day, Alan’s service leadership style resonates with Charlie, and has been pivotal in his own career. “To serve is to live. Be a servant leader – put the needs of employees and customers first and help people develop and perform as highly as possible. Running a business is a team sport. Winning and success are an everybody deal,” words that speak to Alan’s mentorship and Charlie’s own core beliefs. In 2014, Charlie Gilchrist was elected to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), representing Northern Texas’ new-car dealers. He said, “When I got involved with NADA, I saw the passion and drive that NADA employees have for defending dealers and franchises” and he appreciated there were others who wanted to push against legislative and regulatory challenges like he did. Over the next four years, he chaired the Regulatory Affairs committee and Industry Relations committee. In 2018, he became vice chairman of NADA, placing him in charge of several important initiatives from protecting dealer-assisted financing from overregulation to working with the White House in supporting job recruitment in the automotive industry. When Charlie became the chairman of NADA in 2019, he brought his own vision of NADA’s position: “One NADA: Nurture, Advocate, Deliver, and Accountability,” a statement he printed on a business card and carries in his wallet to this day. It became the cornerstone of his own service leadership. One of his main goals as chairman was to continue to attract young people to careers in the automotive industry. Dealerships were facing a shortage of experienced service technicians to meet the …those dealers that succeed are also those dealers that have an innate desire to serve, give back to the industry and champion organizations that support the dealer model. 9 WINTER 2023
increasing demand for scheduled maintenance and warranty services. The NADA Foundation launched its workforce initiative to promote the value of dealership jobs in the retail auto and commercial truck industry. NADA also continues to reach out to high school guidance counselors, community college administrators, and military separation officers looking for a place for veterans in the hopes of recruiting more young people. As Charlie takes the reigns at TADA and asked what his focus as TADA chairman will be, Charlie is quick to respond that protecting the dealer franchise laws are paramount, “they are all we have.” Supporting TADA’s legislative efforts are at the top of his agenda and offering support and collaboration with other dealers follows closely. Becoming more engaged, as Charlie puts it, should be the driving force of all Texas dealers in helping to advocate for our industry. “We must get involved with local, state, and federal politics – to protect our state franchise law. Period. It’s the lifeline of our dealerships. It’s so important to be strong. We need dealers to step up.” Charlie continues, “The auto industry is a complex business. Most people don’t know how we contribute to our communities. They don’t know the quality of jobs we provide. We are a powerhouse. We need our legislators to know that.” “As dealers, we’re blessed to have the strong legal department in TADA that we have. I have been personally blessed in my life and in this business, so I feel that I need to serve the industry. I want to strengthen TADA. We have the largest state dealer association in the nation. We are TADA. We are only as powerful as our members. I want everyone to get involved and know how we contribute. At the end of the day – the fight is a lot easier when we do it together.” Charlie’s leadership philosophy is deeply embedded in these core values, originally coined by the author Dave Anderson, another person Charlie feels changed his life with his books on leadership: • Character – People with integrity are trustworthy. They will do what they say they will do when they say they will do it. They will admit their mistakes and take responsibility for their actions rather than blame others. They manage their time well, show up on time and put in a good day’s work. • A Sense of Urgency – Having a sense of urgency means doing what needs to be done immediately, without being asked. It’s being proactive, respectful of time, and being mindful that there is a deadline. • Attention to Detail – It’s important to pay attention to the details, especially in the automotive industry, because it’s typically the little things that make customers happy. People with an attention to detail also produce consistent, highquality work. 10 Dealers' Choice
• Teamwork – Teamwork is critical to the success of any endeavor, including a dealership. Being a member of a team means that you are dependable, patient, and able to keep a level head. • Work on yourself every day – Continuous learning and selfimprovement is a way to acquire necessary knowledge, gain perspective and better relate to people. It also helps one to recognize and take advantage of opportunities. TADA for Charlie, represents the cornerstone of success for dealers here in Texas. He encourages all dealers to become engaged with the organization and look for opportunities to advocate for the industry. Charlie-isms • Just do the right thing. • Hope is not a strategy. • I will train you and invest in your development, but I also expect you to invest in yourself. • I will expect you to become brilliant in the basics of your job. Just do the ordinary things, extraordinarily well. • Regardless of the outside conditions, your inside decisions will determine your success. Even in the worst of times, you can control your attitude, your discipline, and your character choice. • Leadership develops daily, not in a day. • Who you are is whom you attract. • Nobody does anything great alone. A leader’s potential is determined by those around them. What makes the difference is the leaders in our circle. • Leadership is caught more than taught, by watching good leaders in action. • The best leaders lead today with tomorrow in mind, by making sure they invest in leaders who will carry their legacy forward. 11 WINTER 2023
United States Representative Roger Williams was selected to serve as Chairman of the House Small Business Committee for the 118th Congress, which convened in early January 2023. Williams, the owner of Williams Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Weatherford, was first elected to serve in Congress in 2012 to serve the 25th congressional district. This will be his first opportunity to chair a House Committee. The committee, first established as a Select Committee in 1941, has grown in stature over time, gaining standing committee status in 1975 and granted legislative jurisdiction and oversight functions. As one of few business owners in Congress, he intends to focus the committee’s attention on issues ranging from government deregulation, fiscal conservatism, and helping small business owners who are struggling. In addition to Roger, three other Texans were selected to serve as Chairs in the new Congress. Jody Arrington from Lubbock will Chair the House Budget Committee, Kay Granger of Fort Worth will Chair the House Appropriations Committee, and Michael McCaul of Austin will Chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Congratulations to all. Weatherford Car Dealer Owner Roger Williams Selected to Chair U.S. House Small Business Committee Fellow Texans Jodey Arrington, Kay Granger, and Michael McCaul Also Gain Chairs in House 12 Dealers' Choice
TIME and Ally Financial Honor Conroe Dealer Don A. Buckalew Jr. Wins National Recognition for Community Service and Industry Accomplishments The nomination of Don A. Buckalew Jr., dealer at Buckalew Chevrolet in Conroe, Texas, for the 2023 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced by TIME on Oct. 18, 2022. Buckalew is one of a select group of 48 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 106th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Dallas, Texas, on Jan. 27, 2023. The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Buckalew was chosen to represent the Texas Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition— one of only 48 auto dealers nominated for the 54th annual award from more than 16,000 nationwide. “We have been in the car business in Conroe for more than 57 years and have generations of customers,” nominee Buckalew said. “The longevity of our success is rooted in our team, our commitment to the customer and to the community, and our determination to do the right thing, always.” A 1977 graduate of Conroe High School in Conroe, Buckalew earned a degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, in 1981. His career plan after college was to return to Conroe and continue his education at the family’s Chevrolet store, which his father, Don Buckalew, founded with a partner in 1965. “I started at the dealership at a very early age and worked in every department, learning the business from the ground up,” he said. “It was important to my parents that I understand the full scope of the commitment required to be a successful dealer.” After college, Buckalew took on customerfacing responsibilities and honed his skills in the service end of the business. “This is where I learned to listen to the customer and understand the importance of providing a safe, reliable vehicle for a family,” he said. “I was taught to treat each customer like an extension of our family, and I took a great deal of pride in helping others.” Buckalew oversaw fixed operations until he was named general manager in 2008. In 2019, he became a dealer, and today, he continues to work with his father and his brother, Denny, to manage the successful dealership, a mainstay in his community. “My father was an incredible mentor to me throughout my life,” he said. “Watching his day-to-day management taught me a great deal about doing things right, treating others the way I wanted to be treated, and prioritizing our customers and employees above self.” Buckalew is also committed to his industry and has devoted his time and expertise to the Texas Automobile Dealers Association as chair of the board in 2019 and the Houston Automobile Dealers Association, where he currently serves as director. His father stressed the importance of giving back to the community as well, By Ally Financial 14 Dealers' Choice
through donations and service. “He believed that if we were going to be the local automobile dealer and earn our living in this community, then it was our responsibility to invest back in the people who supported us,” he said. “Community service has created a strong sense of team among our employees and a stronger connection to our customers.” To that end, Buckalew Chevrolet donates to many organizations, charities and events that support young people and the less fortunate, but for Buckalew, getting involved makes all the difference. He has contributed his time to the Montgomery County Fair Association as past president and current board member and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where he is a lifetime member and participates in the Go Texan Committee. While these organizations support the community by offering great entertainment, they also provide scholarships to young people in his area. A member of the Conroe Noon Lions Club, Buckalew serves on the board of the group and engages in its community outreach, including the annual Christmas food basket delivery. “Bringing the baskets to the homebound and the elderly and seeing them smile is unforgettable,” he said. “Knowing that they may not have food for Christmas without this donation is very humbling.” Buckalew added, “We have been very blessed to have worked with great people who share our work ethic, our passion to take care of our customers and our commitment to serve the community.” Dealers are nominated by the executives of state and metro dealer associations around the country. A panel of faculty members from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan will select one finalist from each of the four NADA regions and one national Dealer of the Year. Three finalists will receive $5,000 for their favorite charities and the winner will receive $10,000 to give to charity, donated by Ally. In its twelfth year as exclusive sponsor, Ally also will recognize dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each nominee’s 501(c)3 charity of choice. Nominees will be recognized on AllyDealerHeroes.com, which highlights the philanthropic contributions and achievements of TIME Dealer of the Year nominees. “For over 50 years, TIME has been committed to recognizing the impact of automotive dealers on their communities with the TIME Dealer of the Year award,” said Edward Felsenthal, editor in chief and CEO, TIME. “We are proud to continue the legacy of honoring these works of service with our partners at Ally.” Doug Timmerman, president of dealer financial services, Ally, said, “Auto dealers across the country who are nominated for this award each year are committed to not only doing it right and leading in a rapidly changing automotive industry but to strengthening their communities through giving back. The TIME Dealer of the Year program celebrates dealers who are the role models of the retail auto industry for their continuous efforts to lift up and support their employees, customers and communities.” Buckalew was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Darren Whitehurst, president of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association. Buckalew and his wife, Leesa, have one daughter. 15 WINTER 2023
About TIME TIME is the 99-year-old global media brand that reaches a combined audience of more than 100 million around the world through its iconic magazine and digital platforms. With unparalleled access to the world’s most influential people, the trust of consumers and partners globally, and an unrivaled power to convene, TIME’s mission is to tell the essential stories of the people and ideas that shape and improve the world. Today, TIME’s 360° suite of products and platforms for storytelling also includes the Emmy Award®-winning film and television division TIME Studios, a significantly expanded live events business built on the powerful TIME100 and Person of the Year franchises, an industry-leading web3 division, an award-winning branded content studio, the website-building platform TIME Sites, and more. About Ally Financial Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a digital financial services company committed to its promise to “Do It Right” for its consumer, commercial and corporate customers. Ally is composed of an industry-leading independent auto finance and insurance operation, an award-winning digital direct bank (Ally Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender, which offers mortgage lending, point-of-sale personal lending, and a variety of deposit and other banking products), a corporate finance business for equity sponsors and middlemarket companies, and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. Our brand conviction is that we are all better off with an ally, and our focus is on helping our customers achieve their strongest financial well-being, a notion personalized to what is important to them. For more information, please visit www.ally.com and follow @allyfinancial. For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit www.ally.com/#disclosures. For further images and news on Ally, please visit media.ally.com. About the NADA Show The annual NADA Show brings together more than 20,000 franchised dealers and their employees, industry leaders, manufacturers and exhibitors to learn about the latest auto industry tools, trends, products and technologies. In its twelfth year as exclusive sponsor, Ally also will recognize dealer nominees and their community efforts by contributing $1,000 to each nominee’s 501(c)3 charity of choice. 16 Dealers' Choice
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Ryan Kirkpatrick Vice Chair District Directors 19 Carlos Liriano 21 Pat Schuchart 24 Joseph Shields 26 Mark Stevenson SOUTHWEST Scott Peters Vice Chair District Directors 2 Fernando Varela 3 Joe Loving 4 Janet Martin-Clark 7 Ashley Willson EAST W.C. Smith III Vice Chair District Directors 5 Jason Feldman 6 Kirby Janke 15 Chris Kennedy 33 Tony Gullo, Jr. SOUTHEAST Evelyn Sames Vice Chair District Directors 17 Melissa DeMontrond 18 Don Whitaker 20 Jennifer Yoder 27 Bud Payne SOUTH 2023 Executive Committee Joe Chastang IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Charlie Gilchrist CHAIR Brian Case, Sr. CHAIR-ELECT Daniel Bradley Vice Chair District Directors 28 David Zwlacher 30 Patrick Sykora 31 John Luciano NORTHWEST Paul Tigrett Vice Chair District Directors 10 Tony Pack 22 Stephen Gilchrist 23 Jose Pozos 34 Mark Daniels NORTH Jeff Rachor Vice Chair District Directors 1 C.J. Barnett 8 Scott Fly 9 Finley Ewing IV 35 Tobias Fulton NORTHEAST Greg Bruner Vice Chair District Directors 16 Tim Crenwelge 25 Jimmy Bass 29 Bill Pollard, Jr. 32 Drew Hoy WEST Mark Rowe Vice Chair District Directors 11 Julie Herrera 12 Mike Zorn 13 Mary Karr-Ellis 14 Scott Stark CENTRAL 2023 TADA Leadership 18 Dealers' Choice
DIRECTORS AT-LARGE CAR DEALERS • Howie Bentley • Benny Boyd • Bently Durant • T. Harper • Paula Lohse • Mike Sullivan • Brandon Tomes TRUCK DEALERS • James Bennie Brian Bruckner TEXAS TRUCK DEALER CHAIRMAN Karen Phillips TADA GENERAL COUNSEL AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Darren Whitehurst TADA PRESIDENT METRO CHAIRS • Alfred Alvarado • James Bagan • Jacob Boggus • Joe Chastang • Art Kiolbassa • Brent McGavock • Carl Sewell, III 19 WINTER 2023
Janet MARTIN-CLARK C.J. BARNETT Jason FELDMAN Kirby JANKE Ashley WILLSON Fernando VARELA Joe LOVING East, Dist. 4 East, Dist. 3 East, Dist. 2 Northeast, Dist. 1 Southeast, Dist. 5 Southeast, Dist. 6 East, Dist. 7 Scott FLY Mike ZORN Mary KARR-ELLIS Scott STARK Finley EWING, IV Tony PACK Julie HERRERA North, Dist 10 Central, Dist 11 Northeast, Dist 9 Northeast, Dist 8 Central, Dist 12 Central, Dist 13 Central, Dist 14 Steven GILCHRIST Mark STEVENSON Bud PAYNE David ZWIACHER Jose POZOS Joseph SHIELDS Jimmy BASS Southwest, Dist 24 West, Dist 25 North, Dist 23 North, Dist 22 Southwest, Dist 26 South, Dist 27 Northwest, Dist 28 Bill POLLARD, JR. Tony GULLO, JR. Mark DANIELS Tobias FULTON Patrick SYKORA John LUCIANO Drew HOY Northwest, Dist 31 West, Dist 32 Northwest, Dist 30 West, Dist 29 Southeast, Dist 33 North, Dist 34 Northeast, Dist 35 James BENNIE Paula LOHSE Mike SULLIVAN Brandon TOMES Howie BENTLEY Benny BOYD T. HARPER Bently DURANT Director-At-Large Director-At-Large Director-At-Large Director-At-Large Director-At-Large Director-At-Large Director-At-Large Director-At-Large Alfred ALVARADO Art KIOLBASSA Brent MCGAVOCK Joe CHASTANG Carl SEWELL, III James BAGAN Jacob BOGGUS Metro Chair Metro Chair Metro Chair Metro Chair Metro Chair Metro Chair Metro Chair Melissa DEMONTROND Chris KENNEDY Carlos LIRIANO Jennifer YODER Pat SCHUCHART Tim CRENWELGE Don WHITAKER South, Dist 17 South, Dist 18 West, Dist 16 Southeast, Dist 15 Southwest, Dist 19 South, Dist 20 Southwest, Dist 21 2023 District Directors 20 Dealers' Choice
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Cavender Auto Group has been servicing the San Antonio and Boerne areas for over 80 years. But when it comes to community giving, an established philanthropic branch of the organization was created in 2021: Cavender Cares. Auto dealerships are essential to communities as they provide services for transportation, but also employ a large percentage of individuals of all education levels. If there was one instance that highlighted how essential automotive businesses are, it was the pandemic. The Cavender family has always had a heart for giving back to the community, but Cavender Cares had a mission to hire an expert in the community that would focus on all aspects of assistance needed in the San Antonio and Boerne areas. Cavender Auto Group CAVENDER CARES: Changing the Community Perception of the Auto Industry Cavender Cares is supported by five pillars: military support, education, health and wellness, safety and support, and community culture and traditions. With those pillars in mind, Cavender Cares has successfully reached over 100 different non-profit organizations, contributed over 100 volunteer hours, hosted several supply and food drives, and donated over $200,000 of employee income and over half a million dollars of company profits. These acts resulted in Cavender Auto Group receiving the 2022 Corporate Philanthropy Award from the San Antonio Business Journal. The secret to successful community giving? Employee involvement and partnerships within the community. 22 Dealers' Choice
A community is defined as a group of people that have common interests. A community can only achieve its definition by working together. One single person cannot spread community awareness to an entire company; it takes a team. Cavender Auto Group managed to do that by creating a team of Cavender Cares Ambassadors. Cavender Cares Ambassadors are volunteers from each Cavender dealership department that attend community events and meetings, plan out a charitable plan of giving back throughout the year, and spread awareness and knowledge about community organizations to their colleagues. The Cavender Cares Ambassadors are the heart of Cavender Cares and involve the company in a deeper perception of the philanthropic branch. Many successful, profitable businesses deliver monetary donations to non-profit organizations in the community. Cavender Auto Group is setting the tone of community partnerships by digging deeper into the problems local organizations are facing with kind donations, volunteer hours, supplies, and branded items. Cavender Auto Group is driving into the community and changing the perception of the auto industry to the outside world. As the Cavender family has always said: before a company does well, it must do good. 23 WINTER 2023
VADA Holds Annual Golf Tournament The Valley Automobile Dealers Association (VADA) held its annual Jon Buquet Memorial Golf Tournament on Dec. 6, 2022. Thank you to all who supported this event which supports the VADA Scholarship Program.
For over 23 years, First Innovations has focused on growth through getting better, not growth through acquisitions. We understand that Bigger is Not Better, Better is Better. First Innovations is dedicated to providing personalized value driven support with Better Products, Better Price and Better Service. Every account is valued and not just a number on some large conglomerates balance sheet. YOU are important to us and there is no structure, product, or program that we don’t have. First Innovations remains unapologetic for its hands on personal holistic approach to dealership income and personnel development. First Innovations, Inc. —The Full Dealership Income Development Company Better Products • Better Prices • Better Service With all of today’s mergers and acquisitions there are two important questions YOU need to ask yourself. Does your provider’s merger or acquisition by a larger Private Equity or Publicly traded company make YOUR business better? a. Have your costs gone down? b. Has your level of service increased? c. Are your results improving as a result of the merger? d. Do you now feel more like a Small Fish in a bigger pond? What is the Mission Statement of the controlling entity long term? a. Are they building a company to LAST or a company to sell again? b. Are you going to have to go through provider ownership transitions every 4-6 years? c. Are they cutting long term employees and expenses from the acquired providers to drive up their EBITDA for resale valuation? First Innovations (part of the First Group Family of Companies) has spent over 23 years building a company to LAST, NOT RESALE, and our Vision and Mission statements have not changed. We are growing ONE VALUED CLIENT AT A TIME. OVER $100 BILLION IN ASSETS BACKING US! 1-800-395-8664 www.firstinnovations.com “INNOVATIVE AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS AT WORK”
Buick GMC Dealers Proudly Sponsor Scholarships for School District Gabriel/Jordan Buick GMC and the East Texas Premier Buick GMC Dealers are proud to sponsor three $1,200 scholarships to graduating seniors at Kilgore Independent School District. Thank you, Kilgore ISD, for making a difference in the lives of our students. Free Healthcare Clinic in McKinney, Texas Receives $5,000 Donation from Tomes Auto Group The donation was made to help families that are unable to afford quality healthcare. The Tomes Auto Group has announced that it has made a donation of $5,000 to Community Health Clinic – a free healthcare clinic located in McKinney, Texas. Community Health Clinic provides numerous healthcare services to underserved individuals and families. Among these services, the clinic offers primary care, pediatric care, diabetic care, counseling, treatment of chronic medical conditions, and much more. Prior to this latest donation, the free health clinic previously had been the recipient of support and donations from the Tomes Auto Group. In offering this latest generous donation, the Tomes Auto Group – which is owned by Bob Tomes and Brandon Tomes and comprised of three auto dealerships in the McKinney area – says that the aim is to assist families that are unable to afford quality healthcare. “We are thankful for the donation but not surprised. Their generosity is unsurpassed. Bob and Brandon Tomes have touched the lives of many in our community,” said Steve Wurm, the executive director of Community Health Clinic. The Tomes family has been based out of McKinney, Texas for almost 40 years. In that time, the family has supported a number of different charities in the area. COMMUNITY SERVICE 26 Dealers' Choice
We at Ancira are excited to have solar carports at our dealership because it not only brings long term savings for our business, but we’re able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide shade to our customers, and it makes us feel like we’re being good stewards of our community. Protect inventory, lower energy bills, save on insurance. Contact us to learn more. auto@bigsunsolar.com 210.960.2303 April Ancira Vice President Ancira Auto Group Texas Auto Dealers are going solar to save big!
Texas Dealer Academy is open to any dealer’s family members currently working in the dealership as well as key managers – who are interested in furthering their education and knowledge of the franchised new car and truck business in Texas. The Texas Dealer Academy is a structured program consisting of educational and operational training. TDA members have an opportunity to meet and network with other young dealers throughout the state, as well as the TADA Executive Staff, members of regulatory agencies, and policy makers. The program offers the opportunity for TDA participants to prepare for the future of the dealership and will provide a chance to meet with their peers to exchange thoughts and ideas while TexasDealerAcademy R E C A P November 6-8, 2022 Hotel Emma 136 E. Grayson, San Antonio, TX 78215 hearing the latest information from the industry professionals – on a local, statewide and national level. The Texas Dealer Academy will prepare candidates for the role of Dealer Principal and TDA members nurture friendships in the automotive industry that will last a lifetime. For more information contact Kathy Sims at ksims@tada.org. The Texas Dealer Academy fall meeting was held Nov. 6-8, 2022, at Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Texas. Program speakers included Dynatron Software, a provider of fixed operations data analytics and consulting; Strategic Source, a provider of consultative spendmanagement, sourcing, implementation, and supplier compliance services; and Autosled, a modern digital transportation network. 28 Dealers' Choice
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TADADealer Academy April 16 & 17 Four Seasons 98 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin, Texas Young Dealer Day at the Capitol March 20 & 21 Hyatt Centric 711 Congress Ave. Austin, Texas TADAAnnual Con f erence 2023Save the Dates
TADA/VADA Holiday & Legislative Reception Thank you to D’Anne and Lexi Buquet for the incredible ‘Holiday and Legislative Reception’ sponsored by Valley Auto Dealers Association and TADA on November 15 at The Patio on Guerra in McAllen ... a great way to begin the holiday season! Dealers' Choice 32
Hurricane Harvey George W. Bush Presidential Library Buckalew Elementary School Texas Special Olympics Donate today and help us give back to our community! 1. To promote motor vehicle and driver safety; 2. To provide support to educational institutions and to individuals; 3. To present lectures, seminars, discussions, and similar instructional endeavors related to serving the public welfare, including the automotive industry; 4. To prepare and maintain information regarding the legal, social, economic, and other aspects of the automotive industry; 5. To receive contributions from individuals, businesses, and entities who wish to contribute to promote the mission and purpose of the Foundation; 6. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles of Incorporation, the objectives and purposes of this corporation are charitable, educational, and scienti c within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any future federal tax code. For information on donating to the TADA Foundation email: info@tada.org e purposes for which the Foundation is organized are: www.tada.org 108 Lavaca, Suite 800 Austin, Texas 78701 (512) 476-2686 Fax (512) 322-0561
By Bruckner’s Truck & Equipment MACK & VOLVO DEALER CELEBRATES 90 YEARS OF SUCCESS Longtime Mack Trucks and Volvo Trucks North America dealership group, Bruckner’s Truck & Equipment embarked on another monumental year in 2022 celebrating their 90th year anniversary. “We are proud and overjoyed to be commemorating our 90 years in business and have enjoyed celebrating anniversary events all across our 37 locations throughout the year,” said Chris Bruckner, executive vice president, Bruckner’s Truck & Equipment. The history of Bruckner Truck Sales explains a lot about the company’s philosophy and commitment to customer service. B.M. “Bennie” Bruckner, Sr. founded Bruckner’s Garage in Amarillo, Texas in 1932. Even during the early years, Bennie believed in the value of hiring “good people” who were equally committed to providing a high level of customer service. His philosophy provided inspiration to his son, Ben Bruckner Jr., who passed in 2012. Today, the legacy of strong leadership continues to inspire Ben Jr.’s two sons, Brian, and Chris Bruckner. As Bruckner’s continues to expand its footprint across the Southwest and Pacific Northwest, the family’s core values remain at the center of all business decisions. “My vision for Bruckner Truck Sales is that we are a “gritty” organization with a lot of “gritty” people on our team. Often, Bruckner’s Truck & Equipment Celebrates 90th 34 Dealers' Choice
we are faced with great challenges and difficulties, but people with character have the will to meet the challenge and overcome it,” shares Brian Bruckner, president. “Grit is a description that fit my grandfather and my father very well. Not to mention that they were both men of passion and perseverance.” “I am grateful for the wonderful legacy my granddad and dad has left us. Our 90 years of success is a direct result of hard work, persistency, and building the business around having the very best associates in the industry. As reflected in our Core Values, Bruckner’s has always had a passion for being an employer of choice and a company who will ‘Do what it takes’ to support our customers,” shares Chris. “From our family to yours, we thank you; our valued customers and dedicated employees as we celebrate our past, present, and future.” - Brian and Chris Bruckner If you would like more information about this topic visit www.brucknertruck.com, or to schedule an interview with Chris Bruckner, please contact Chris at (806) 376-6273 or email cbruckner@brucknertruck.com. As Bruckner’s continues to expand its footprint across the southwest and Pacific northwest, the family’s core values remain at the center of all business decisions. Anniversary! 35 WINTER 2023
By now, many of us have seen a TikTok video filmed at someone’s workplace – a “day in the life” video, someone complaining about their coworkers, supervisors, or customers, or someone talking about an unrelated subject while at the office. And a relatively new platform, BeReal, goes a step further by encouraging users to provide an unfiltered view into their “real” everyday life at random moments throughout the day. Of course, such organic social media clips can be a valuable tool that helps market your brand and build stronger employee relationships – but where do you draw the line? These posts might include employees performing their duties during a meeting with co-workers or at a workstation, which raises privacy and confidentiality concerns. Moreover, employees flocking to social media to discuss their bosses and general work experiences – positive or negative – could lead to other troubles. When these videos go viral, employees may become unofficial spokespersons for your organizations, influencing the conversation about work norms and creating trends that impact employers globally. With these changing dynamics, you may want to set new guidelines for social media use while ensuring your policies don’t run afoul of employment and labor laws. Here are four tips for updating your social media policies to reflect this modern era and stay on top of the latest developments: 1. Ensure Policies Reflect Recent Trends In the early days of widespread social media use, your policies may have simply prohibited employees from using company equipment to post non-work-related content online and required work posts to be business appropriate. But social media use is rapidly evolving in new ways that you may not have anticipated when your policies were first drafted. What should you know about current trends as you consider policy changes? For one thing, TikTok has quickly grown in popularity over the past two years with more than a billion monthly active users – which means your employees are likely using the platform and are probably doing so during work hours. The app allows users to upload videos from five seconds to 10 minutes. TikTok then filters videos through their Why Your Company May Need A TikTok and BeReal Policy By Fisher Phillips Over-Sharing in the Workplace? 36 Dealers' Choice
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