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
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