with people and making relationships. In 2002, I attended the NADA Dealer Academy. I quit selling at that point and started working in various departments throughout the dealership. I continued to learn about the business, and about six years later, I became the dealer principal. Deciding to work in this industry has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Since that time — with the help of my partners who are my brother and his wife — we have grown the business from a one rooftop store to now having multiple rooftops and more brands. Have you had any mentors along the way, and what did they teach you? When I was growing up, my parents, Marian and Billy, owned a grocery store — at times, multiple grocery stores — and I worked in the family business. Watching them work hard together day after day taught me the value of a good work ethic and that owning a business doesn’t mean you don’t have to go to work or that everybody else does it for you. It’s quite the opposite. As an owner, you need to dedicate a considerable amount of time to your work. The car business and the grocery business are two very different industries, but when you get right down to the roots, both are businesses, and both require a lot of the same things. When I started in the business, my cousin and his then-general manager, Larry Chronister, had over 50 years of experience between the two of them and held a wealth of knowledge. My cousin was gregarious, outgoing and very involved in the community and the economic development of our little town. On the other hand, the general manager was very quiet. He was an accountant; his mind worked in a different way. I was able to get the best of both worlds while learning about the business from them. What has been the most rewarding part of your career? Building relationships within the community has been the most rewarding part of my career. Our dealerships are all located in small towns, and we have always been a staple in these communities. We strive to give back in various ways, primarily giving back to education in the schools. Due to our contributions, the 9 Arkansas Auto Dealer
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