Pub 65 | 2024-25 | Issue 2 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TEXAS AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION GETTING TO KNOW 2025 CHAIRMAN TIM CRENWELGE
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Contents ©2025 Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) | The newsLINK Group LLC. All rights reserved. Dealers’ Choice is published four times per year by The newsLINK Group LLC for ABBREVIATION 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 circumstances. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of 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 TADA. While a first-print policy is encouraged, 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. Scan this code with your smart phone for a direct link to the TADA website. 24 Dealers’ Choice 40 6 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TADA’s 2025 Expectations BY DARREN WHITEHURST, PRESIDENT, TADA 10 Getting to Know 2025 TADA Chairman Tim Crenwelge 14 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee Julie Herrera 17 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee Joe Street 20 2025 TADA Leadership 24 McAllen Woman of the Year 26 5th Annual NTXAD North Texas Auto Tech Competition Showcasing Talent and Highlighting Demand for Skilled Auto Technicians 28 TDA Leadership Conference 30 Texas Party at NADA Show 2025 34 Texas Labor Market Growth Continues Over 37,000 Jobs Added in December 36 Bridging the Gap Successfully Managing a MultiGenerational Workforce 40 Community News 40 Kingdom for Kids Program with Cavender Auto 41 Bird Kultgen Ford Scholarships 41 Park Place Bodywerks Technician Places First in Competition 42 April Ancira and Rick Cavender Donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of South Texas 42 Mardi Gras with Lost Pines Toyota DEALERS’ CHOICE 4
Select Investment Banking Transactions in Texas Stephens Inc. Dealership Advisory Team For more than 25 years, Stephens has been building relationships in Texas, one handshake at a time Dealerships Other Industries LITTLE ROCK • ATLANTA • BOSTON • CHICAGO • DALLAS • NEW YORK • SAN FRANCISCO • WASHINGTON • FRANKFURT • LONDON This material has been prepared solely for informative purposes as of its date of preparation. It is not a solicitation, recommendation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not provide information on which an investment decision to purchase or sell any securities could be based. It does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets or developments referred to in the material. Information included in the material was obtained from sources that we consider reliable, but we have not independently verified such information and do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. No subsequent publication or distribution of this material shall mean or imply that any such information remains current at any time after the date of preparation of the material. We do not undertake to advise you of any changes in any such information. Additional information is available upon request. Stephens or its employees or affiliates at any time may hold long or short position in any of the securities mentioned and may sell or buy such securities. “Stephens” (the company brand name) is a leading family-owned investment firm that includes Stephens Inc. (member NYSE/SIPC), Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, Stephens Insurance, LLC, Stephens Capital Partners LLC and Stephens Europe Limited (Registered office: 12 Arthur Street, London, EC4R 9AB, Registered number 8817024), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. © 2024 Stephens. For more about working with us, visit stephens.com/dealerships STEPHENS INC. • MEMBER NYSE, SIPC @Stephens_Inc • stephens.com Has Been Acquired By Has Been Acquired By Has Been Acquired By Has Been Acquired By Has Been Acquired By Has Been Acquired By Matthew Marks Head of Investment Banking mmarks@stephens.com (501) 377-3441 Joe Mowery Managing Director, Group Head jmowery@stephens.com (501) 377-8266 Stan Dimitrov Senior Vice President stan.dimitrov@stephens.com (501) 377-2028 Andrew Mayes Associate andrew.mayes@stephens.com (501) 377-2694 Has Acquired Has Been Acquired By Has Been Acquired By Asset Acquisition Joint Venture Transaction Agreed To Merge with and Into Stephens Full-Service Investment Banking and Financial Services Firm Mergers & Acquisitions Debt & Equity Capital Raising Financial Advisory Services Family Office Advisory Private Wealth Management Insurance Agency Services
TADA’s 2025 Expectations PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE The year 2025 promises to be a bellwether in politics. With the return of President Trump to the White House and Republican majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, there is a great deal of anticipation in what will happen at the federal level, and it is expected there will be significant changes in approach on both the regulatory and legislative fronts. In Texas, the Texas Legislature will again take center stage as we head into the 89th Regular Session. Not only did the state lead the nation in population growth again in 2024, but Texas added more residents than any other state for the 14th year in a row. This addition of 560,000 new residents has swelled our population to over 31 million. All of these new people, coupled with those of us who have called Texas our home for a long time, place additional strain on our infrastructure and create numerous opportunities and challenges. When the Texas Legislature begins its work, it will include a number of new faces — three in the Texas Senate (almost 10% of the body) and 32 in the Texas House (representing over 21% of the House). Each session provides new opportunities, but also new threats and a turnover of over 30% is certainly significant. While the Senate, under the leadership of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, expects a relatively run-of-the-mill opening, a showdown is expected to unfold in the House, where the first order of business after representatives take the oath of office will be selecting a new speaker. Whichever candidate ultimately prevails in this contest, we expect much of the focus this session to be on carryovers from past years like school vouchers, power grid reliability, property tax relief, water infrastructure, roads and highway funding, the cost of higher education, and health care reform. Since its leadership is largely unchanged, the Senate is expected to organize much more quickly. While all 31 members of the Senate are important to us, a majority of legislation impacting Texas franchised auto dealers goes through two key committees — Business & Commerce and Transportation. TADA will continue to do a great job making sure you know who serves on these committees and working to cultivate a relationship for our members with these committee members. As a significant employer, business and community leader, I hope you will reach out and offer to be a resource for these legislators. continued on pg. 8 By Darren Whitehurst, President, TADA DEALERS’ CHOICE 6
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TADA will do the same when the House names its committee members. With 150 members, there are more committees, but only a handful work on issues directly impacting franchise dealers. This session, TADA is going to focus extra attention on building our grassroots advocacy efforts. All politics are local, and dealers are an integral part of the local communities. The TADA has been working with our metro association partners to coordinate Regional Dealer Days, hosting our members in Austin to personally meet with their legislative delegations. This is in addition to our efforts each session to have dealers at the Capitol each Tuesday to visit with members and leadership. Both of these endeavors serve as an excellent way to keep our priorities top of mind with members. If you have an interest in coming to Austin during the session, please don’t hesitate to reach out to TADA. If you haven’t seen the Texas Legislature in action, it is an eye-opening experience. Even more importantly, it is crucial for your local elected officials to hear directly from you on issues that are important to your businesses and community. TADA is certainly here to help you in any way. We can help you navigate the Texas Capitol and assist in coordinating meetings. We are compiling talking points on a number of priority policy issues that can be used in your discussions. Starve your distractions. Feed your focus. Build your Legacy. On the priority front, TADA will be keeping close tabs on any proposed revisions to the state’s franchise laws and how they impact dealers and their customers. We are also working to update language to ensure manufacturers work fairly with their dealers on warranty and recall work. We also want to make revisions to the law that eliminated paper tags and required the hard plating of vehicles. We saw proposals last session that would force dealers to accept any financing arrangement from the customer and one that would allow a manufacturer to be involved in the selling of used vehicles. We will keep an eye on these and any other issues impacting franchised dealers and the customers you serve. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. The foundation for TADA’s success is you. Thank you for your great work in your community, for your employees and your customers. Keep up the great work that allows the state of Texas to move forward! continued from pg. 6 The foundation for TADA’s success is you. DEALERS’ CHOICE 8
Getting to Know 2025 TADA Chairman Our 2025 chairman, Tim Crenwelge, is an impressive dealer with years of experience in the auto industry and has devoted his career to helping the industry and his community in various ways. Tim is an incredible asset to our association, and we are excited to have him serve as chairman this year. Of the many accomplishments, the Texas Leadership Network, formerly known as the Texas Dealer Academy, is something that Tim is especially proud of. “We initiated the program and put it together,” Tim explained. “I was active in TADA, having served as area director, director, vice chair and was terming off the board. Then TADA President Bill Wolters approached me and said, ‘We don’t know who our next generation of dealers are. The dealers know you, and they trust you. Would you think about starting a dealer academy?’” Tim took the challenge on, and history was made with the support of Kathy Sims, TADA Vice President of Dealer Services, and the TADA leadership. “Over the years, I have watched these individuals learn to embrace their respective responsibilities within their dealerships, and many are now general managers and dealers,” he continued. Today, the fruits of Tim Crenwelge DEALERS’ CHOICE 10
his labor prove to be significant as two members of the network are on the TADA Executive Committee, and nine members are on the TADA Board of Directors while still participating in the program. As a third-generation auto dealer, Tim appreciates the importance of training eventual successors and providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary for success. Around nine years ago, along with Kathy Sims, the decision was made to make TADA Leadership Network summer events family-friendly. Dealers were encouraged to bring their children with them to help the next generation become familiar with the industry and have a little fun at the same time. Tim has great memories of cruising on a pontoon boat at Lake Lyndon B. Johnson with his three children, Katherine, Jacquelyn and Aaron. Or when he flew his children to Washington, D.C., to meet with NADA and elected officials on Capitol Hill. “It has been a labor of love for me to be at the table to make decisions that have an influence on the future of my family and the families of my fellow dealers,” said Tim. The Texas Leadership Network is more vibrant than ever, carefully preparing the next generation to take over and lead the industry forward. To learn more about the network from Tim and many other dealers involved in developing those coming up behind them, scan the QR code. https://youtu.be/ZoAMW2atrto Some people stumble upon their careers in a serendipitous, roundabout way, but for Tim, the automobile industry is in his blood. “I literally grew up in the car business and never once considered doing anything else,” Tim said. As a third-generation dealer, he carries with him a commitment instilled in him by his father, Milton Crenwelge. At 13 years old, Tim’s father had him start working at the dealership. He began by washing cars and eventually worked in every department except sales by the time he graduated high school. In 1979, while Tim was in college, his dad purchased the Chrysler dealership in the neighboring town of Kerrville. During the summer months and holidays, Tim worked there and learned the sales side of the business. He returned to the dealership full-time after graduation in 1981 from the University of Texas in Austin. Tim went on to attend the Chrysler Dealers Sons and Daughters Dealer training program in Detroit, Michigan. His dad then purchased a third dealership in Fredericksburg, Texas, and Tim was named general manager of the Kerrville store in 1982. In that same year, Tim purchased the local GMC dealership and became the youngest GM dealer in the U.S. at the young age of 23. “The catalyst in my career, both personally and professionally, came shortly after I had returned from college,” explains Tim. “While Dad owned the Chrysler dealerships in Fredericksburg and Kerrville, he learned of the opportunity to purchase the local Buick-Olds dealership in Fredericksburg. As part of the franchise application, a zone interview was scheduled. Dad asked me to join him. During the meeting, I kept answering the questions. At one point, the zone manager said, ‘Young man, I am talking to your father and if I award this franchise, it will be to your father.’” “My dad stood up, thanked the man for his time, and said, ‘Come on, son, let’s go.’ The man said, ‘Wait, I’m not finished.’ My dad then said something that I have never forgotten and moves me to this day. ‘Sir, you don’t understand. We’re a family, and we work together. When my son is speaking, that is me speaking. We’re a team. And if that is how you operate, with all due respect, I don’t think I want this franchise,’” recalled Tim. “I thought my dad was blowing it, but the man told him he was just the type of dealer he wanted. My dad taught me that commitment to family and community is the most important thing. This is the business model I follow and is what has gotten me where I am today,” he said. Tim’s father, Milton, and mother, Mickey, demonstrated their commitment to the community and automotive industry in many ways. The Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce honored them in 2009, with his dad receiving the Chamber Man of the Year award and his mom receiving the Community Achievement Award. On the automotive side, Milton served on the Texas Chrysler Zone Dealer Council and Dealer Advertising Association Board before stepping back and allowing Tim to run for the Advertising Board in 1984. Representing 11 DEALERS’ CHOICE
the San Antonio DMA and following in his father’s footsteps, Tim served on the board for 25 years, until its end in 2009. Tim was also the association’s treasurer for 10 years, managing a more than $30 million annual advertising budget for the state of Texas. “It was an invaluable advertising and financial experience in my automotive career. It enabled me to develop relationships with Chrysler and advertising agency personnel at the national, regional and state levels,” said Tim. His service has been recognized with numerous awards. In 1998, he received the association’s highest honor — The Key Director’s Award. In 2016, Tim received at the NADA Convention Northwood University’s Dealer Education Award for his efforts and success in the Association’s Texas Dealer Academy and local community efforts in higher education. In 2021, Tim was named one of four regional finalists for the TIME Dealer of the Year award — one of this industry’s most prestigious and coveted honors. While serving on the TADA Building Task Force, Tim was instrumental in the planning and development of a nine-story association headquarters building that resides one block from the state Capitol, giving members access and presence to the state legislature. Tim is equally committed to making a difference in his community. After watching a presentation by a developer for a hotel on Marktplatz (Market Square) in Fredericksburg, he decided to run for city council, and later mayor, to help curtail further commercialization of the property and maintain the quality of life in the area. “During my 20-year tenure on the council, we returned this land to its originally intended purpose as the cultural and recreational focal point of our community,” he said. For this, Tim was honored by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce in 2007 with the Outstanding Public Service Award. “I also served on the capital campaign that raised the $3 million to restore the structure to St. Joseph Halle’s original grandeur, and today, it serves as a beautiful performance and event venue,”Tim said. Other groups that he has supported and served include the Gillespie County Historical Society, City of Fredericksburg Market Square Redevelopment Commission, National Museum of the Pacific War (Fredericksburg), Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, Kerrville Noon Rotary Club and many others. DEALERS’ CHOICE 12
Tim’s incredible career has not come without its challenges. Tim has demonstrated fortitude, determination and remarkable initiative in helping the industry navigate financial storms. “As an auto dealer, I have endured three financial crises during my career. The first, when the banks failed in the late 1980s, was really tough. In Kerrville, out of the seven banks in the town, all failed but one. Back then, dealers were on recourse with their financial institutions. We were getting billed for cars that were repossessed and sold at auction,” Tim recalled. Things became tight financially, and there wasn’t a clear path forward. Around this time, Tim decided to visit his friend and mentor, Jim Yawn. Jim was a dealer out of Alice, Texas, and a long-time friend of Milton’s. Tim explained to Jim, “I’ve tried to go to Chrysler Financial and GMAC to get off recourse because, they keep repossessing these cars, and send me a bill for the difference. I’m running out of cash.” Jim replied, “Have you talked to your dad yet?” Embarrassed, Tim replied, “No, I have not.” Jim said, “First thing tomorrow, tell your dad how bad things are. And then call the zone manager.”Tim said he would but asked why he would tell Chrysler how bad things were. “Because I’m in the same boat,” Jim said. “And you’re a good dealer; they’ll get you an emergency loan for operating capital.” Tim followed through, received a loan and weathered the crisis. Tim faced the second crisis during the Great Recession of 2008-09. “A few months before the crisis was official, my banker from Wells Fargo walked into the dealership and said, ‘Tim, I need to talk to you. Can we go to your office?’ We went to the office and shut the door, and he told me that $9.3 million of the ad associations’ money was frozen.” In shock, Tim replied, “What?!” The banker said, “Well, there’s a liquidity crisis going on.” An emergency meeting was called, and the head of Wells Fargo flew into Dallas to meet with the Advertising Board. The bank was initially willing to give a loan for $0.50 on the dollar. After much negotiation, they finally got a loan for 95% of the frozen money and paid the same interest as they were getting. It kept the advertising going in Texas for the dealers. The pandemic of 2020 took the world by surprise. “We were required to react quickly to an unprecedented health crisis from both a cash flow perspective and public health perspective,” Tim reflected. Having learned a lot from past crises, Tim was able to pivot calmly and quickly. He immediately stepped into action, cutting expenses nonrelated to staff, applying for loan programs and implementing safety measures so no employees had to be furloughed or terminated. This was a huge feat: to keep his staff employed amid a pandemic that resulted in over 1 million job losses across the U.S. Crenwelge Automotive Group has stood strong for over 98 years, keeping its family values and consistent nature. The Group has spanned three generations and three automotive dealerships in two adjacent counties. Today, they hold the title of the longest-standing dealership in the Texas Hill Country and the oldest Jeep dealer in Texas. If all goes as planned, a fourth generation of the Crenwelge family will be ready to take over when the time is right, carrying the family legacy forward. Looking ahead, Tim has goals as TADA chairman. “This is a legislative year, and there are going to be a lot of bills introduced that may affect our industry in addition to the bills that we’re going to have. There is so much happening with the FTC, changes in EVs, selling direct and more. I intend to be very active and vocal about what is happening and what is good for the industry.” Tim encourages members to get involved and, when they can, go to Austin when the hearings take place. “I can’t express enough the importance of staying informed and involved. So please read your emails and respond. We are stronger when our voices are united,” he said. 13 DEALERS’ CHOICE
2025 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee Julie Herrera was one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who was honored at the 108th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Jan. 25, 2025. 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. Herrera was chosen to represent the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers in the national competition — one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide. “Watching our employees embrace a culture of caring and excellence has been the most outstanding reward I could have ever imagined,” nominee Herrera said. “Our team is committed to being honest, kind and fair to one another and to our customers. This core value has contributed greatly to our success.” Julie Herrera DEALERS’ CHOICE 14
In 2001 Herrera earned a B.A. in psychology of organizations from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. Herrera got her start in automotive by taking a summer job selling accessories at a Chevrolet store in San Antonio. “I was immediately drawn to the dynamic feel of the dealership and quickly made the decision to explore selling vehicles,” she said. “I gathered all my courage and walked into the general manager’s office to ask for a sales advisor position, where I was met with a long list of reasons why ‘women don’t sell cars.’ This only made me want to succeed more!” In her first month, Herrera sold 17 vehicles. Later, getting more serious about her career, she moved on to Kahlig Auto Group, also in San Antonio. “That decision led to an incredible journey,” she said. Over the next 17 years, Herrera worked as finance director, new car manager, used vehicle director and finally general sales manager at a Toyota store the company acquired. “Within two years, we were volume leaders in San Antonio and a top 10 volume dealer in Gulf States Toyota,” she said. “These team successes lit a new fire in me and made me realize I had the capacity for more. I was determined to find a way to be a dealer.” To achieve that goal, Herrera knew she had to experience fixed operations. She was hired by Cavender Toyota in 2012 to learn this essential dealership department. In 2016, she was awarded a Toyota open point in Cedar Park. “This was the opportunity of a lifetime,” she said. “We opened our doors in May of 2017 and have ascended to the top of the national rankings.” In 2023, Toyota of Cedar Park was the second-ranked Toyota volume dealer in the nation. Today, Herrera’s IDEA Auto Group includes three Texas dealerships: Toyota of Cedar Park, City Limits Subaru in Buda and City Limits Nissan in Austin. “My core strengths are relationship building, talent recruiting and operational excellence — and sheer optimism,” she said. “We operate on the philosophy that every detail matters, and that mentality is helping us improve the car business, one guest at a time.” Herrera is a district director for the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) and serves on the boards of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers and the Toyota Lexus Minority Owners Dealership Association (TLMODA). “As a member of these associations, I work with colleagues to tackle issues of importance and advocate for our industry and the dealer community,” she said. “TADA most recently put its efforts behind slowing the government mandates on the proposed legislation involving the percentage of electric vehicle sales.” Herrera also gives back through the many organizations her dealerships support. She believes that this commitment makes both her business and community stronger. She employs a full-time community relations director who works with management to build partnerships and assist in employee volunteerism. One of her most important civic achievements is working with the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center (WCCAC) to realize its dream of building a new facility. “This nonprofit provides hope, healing and justice for children and families in the wake of child abuse investigations,” she said. “We have nearly completed a three-year, $750,000 campaign to support the expansion and renovation of the center.” In collaboration with TLMODA, Toyota of Cedar Park has worked with the local Salvation Army to donate 200 backpacks to underserved families at the start of the school year and more than 1,000 boxes of food to feed families in need during the holidays. Other groups she supports include Hill Country Community Ministries, Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF), the United Way, Leander Chamber of Commerce, Austin Angels and PAWS Shelter of Central Texas, to name a few. Every Choice Matters – Choose Federated® DriveSAFESM Federated DriveSAFESM Telematics can help your employees improve their daily driving habits. This combination of mobile app, in-vehicle tag, and online portal allows you to measure, rank, and provide feedback on employee driving behaviors so you can help them become safer drivers. Scan to learn more about Federated DriveSAFESM Telematics and how you can help your employee drivers stay safe behind the wheel. Federated Mutual Insurance Company and its subsidiaries* federatedinsurance.com | *Not licensed in all states. 25.08 Ed. 1/25 © 2025 Federated Mutual Insurance Company The content of this publication is for general information purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or an offer of insurance. Coverage will be determined solely by the terms of your policy, if approved for issue. Consult with a qualified professional to discuss questions specific to your circumstances. Helping Your Employees Stay Safe Behind The Wheel 15 DEALERS’ CHOICE
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2025 TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee Joe Street Joe Street, owner and president of Street Toyota in Amarillo, Texas, was one of a select group of 49 dealer nominees from across the country who was honored at the 108th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Jan. 25, 2025. 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. Street was chosen to represent the Texas Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 56th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide. “I was able to achieve my success because of the exceptional mentors in my career and a great life partner, my wife of 54 years, Laura,” nominee Street said. “I have also had the privilege to work with so many dedicated, hardworking and wonderful 17 DEALERS’ CHOICE
associates who have contributed greatly to my business and to our community.” Street earned a B.B.A. at the University of Oklahoma in Norman in 1971. After college, he started selling Buicks at a dealership in Oklahoma City, where he received awards for sales volume and was named sales manager. In 1975, Street moved to Fowler Toyota AMC Jeep in Norman as general sales manager until 1982. “During that time, I took the Fowler dealership to the number one volume Toyota dealer in Oklahoma and to the top 10 volume Jeep dealership in the United States,” he said. With such great business success, Street channeled his experience and sales acumen into his own venture and became the Toyota dealer in Amarillo in 1982 with the help of two silent partners, who he was able to buy out in eight years. “Street Toyota has won the Toyota President’s Award 21 times,” he said of this prestigious honor that is presented to dealerships that excel in all aspects of their operations. As a sales and volume leader for Toyota and an auto industry veteran, Street is also uniquely qualified to advocate for his fellow dealers and has served the Texas Automobile Dealers Association as vice chair, district director and a member of the legislative committee. “During my tenure, I worked with our team to lobby both state and federal lawmakers to support legislation that strengthens dealerships’ business and finance operations,” he said. “I have also solicited corporate sponsors that financially support staff overhead at the association.” In the area of community service, Street is committed to helping the most vulnerable populations of Amarillo. He is a major benefactor and longtime board member of the Guyon Saunders Resource Center, a safe daytime refuge that offers basic services for those who are experiencing homelessness. “Amarillo has the highest homeless rate per capita of any city in Texas,” he said. “It is the only low-barrier daytime shelter of its kind in our city.” And Street is also galvanizing the community to build a new facility called Transformation Park, which would house the Guyon Saunders Resource Center and provide a daytime shelter and temporary cabin-style housing. “My wife, Laura, and I have donated more than $1 million to this public-private project which is set to break ground in October,” he said. “As a member of the board, I have assisted in raising money for this important venture, which is funded jointly by the community, the city of Amarillo and local churches.” The couple has also recently gifted $2.5 million to West Texas A&M University to establish the Laura and Joe Street School of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The gift will provide operational support, scholarships, graduate assistantships and professorships. “We did this to help secure nurses for the huge regional medical complex in Amarillo that serves a four-state area,” he said. To encourage his team to get involved in giving back to the community, Street sponsors employees to participate in Leadership Amarillo & Canyon, a program that promotes leadership development, community awareness, and social consciousness. He is also a supporter of the United Way of Amarillo & Canyon Loaned Executive program, for which he “loans” three of his employees to help with the organization’s annual fundraising campaign. “The dealership spends hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to support local nonprofits and special events in our community,” Street said. “Our goal is to always be a major supporter of initiatives that have a significant impact on improving lives in our community.” For his good works and charitable giving, Street was named the 2013 Man of the Year by Amarillo Globe-News. Other groups he supports include Scouting America Golden Spread Council (former treasurer and sponsor of annual events); Panhandle Fellowship of Christian Athletes (board member, board president and top-level sponsor); Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Amarillo Chamber of Commerce; Amarillo Sod Poodles (minor league baseball team); West Texas A&M University (football and basketball programs); Amarillo Symphony; Lone Star Ballet; local rodeos and many others. DEALERS’ CHOICE 18
Ryan Kirkpatrick Vice Chair District Directors 19 Carlos Liriano 21 Pat Schuchart 24 Joseph Shields 26 Jeff Kahlig SOUTHWEST Fernando Varela Vice Chair District Directors 2 Tim Capps 3 Joe Loving 4 Robert Turner 7 Ashley Willson EAST Roger Elswick Vice Chair District Directors 5 Jason Feldman 6 Kyle Janke 15 Enrique Lance 33 Tony Gullo Jr. SOUTHEAST Evelyn Sames Vice Chair District Directors 17 Melissa DeMontrond 18 Chris Wall 20 Jennifer Yoder 27 Natasha del Barrio SOUTH 2025 Executive Committee Tim Crenwelge CHAIR Bryan Case Sr. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR John Luciano Vice Chair District Directors 28 Dylan Otts 30 Patrick Sykora 31 Cory Dupriest NORTHWEST Stephen Gilchrist Vice Chair District Directors 10 Tony Pack 22 Will Churchill 23 Jose Pozos 34 Sherri Herring NORTH Jeff Rachor Vice Chair District Directors 1 James Bennie 8 Scott Fly 9 Finley Ewing IV 35 John Lukehart NORTHEAST Vice Chair District Directors 16 Kenny McCarty 25 Jimmy Bass 29 Bill Pollard Jr. 32 Drew Hoy WEST Paula Lohse Vice Chair District Directors 11 Julie Herrera 12 Mike Zorn 13 Mary Karr-Ellis 14 Scott Stark CENTRAL 2025 TADA Leadership Greg Bruner CHAIR-ELECT DEALERS’ CHOICE 20
DIRECTORS AT-LARGE CAR DEALERS • C.J. Barnett • Benny Boyd • Bently Durant • T. Harper • Mark Stevenson • 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 • James Bagan • Shawn Barry • Jason Gonzalez • Don Herring Jr. • Brent McGavock • Rick Wallace • Steven Wolf 21 DEALERS’ CHOICE
Robert TURNER C.J. BARNETT Jason FELDMAN Kyle JANKE Ashley WILLSON Tim CAPPS 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 Will CHURCHILL Jeff KAHLIG Natasha DEL BARRIO Dylan OTTS 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. Sherri HERRING John LUKEHART Patrick SYKORA Cory DUPRIEST Drew HOY Northwest, Dist. 31 West, Dist. 32 Northwest, Dist. 30 West, Dist. 29 Southeast, Dist. 33 North, Dist. 34 Northeast, Dist. 35 Rick WALLACE James BENNIE Shawn BARRY T. HARPER Brent MCGAVOCK Mark STEVENSON Steven WOLF Bently DURANT Don HERRING JR. Brandon TOMES James BAGAN Jason GONZALEZ Benny BOYD Metro Chair Director-At-Large Metro Chair Director-At-Large Metro Chair Metro Chair Director-At-Large Metro Chair Director-At-Large Metro Chair Director-At-Large Metro Chair Director-At-Large Melissa DEMONTROND Kenny McCARTY Carlos LIRIANO Jennifer YODER Pat SCHUCHART Chris WALL South, Dist. 17 South, Dist. 18 West, Dist. 16 Southwest, Dist. 19 South, Dist. 20 Southwest, Dist. 21 2025 District Directors Enrique LANCE Southeast, Dist. 15 DEALERS’ CHOICE 22
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McAllen Woman of the Year Natasha Del Barrio was named the 2024 McAllen Woman of the Year by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. She is the CEO of Bert Ogden and Fiesta Auto Group. Del Barrio’s contributions to the automotive retail industry have been recognized nationally. She has served on the boards of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, Easter Seals, and the UTRGV Alumni Advisory Council. She was named South Texas Woman of the Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in 2022. Del Barrio’s journey from high school marketing assistant to CEO is a testament to her dedication, vision and entrepreneurial drive. The McAllen Chamber of Commerce has been selecting a Man and Woman of the Year since 1955. The annual Man & Woman of the Year Awards Gala is a fundraiser that includes dining, live music and auction packages. DEALERS’ CHOICE 24
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5th Annual NTXAD North Texas Auto Tech Competition Showcasing Talent and Highlighting Demand for Skilled Auto Technicians Over 1,000 students from North Texas descended upon the Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for the 5th Annual Auto Tech Competition & Career Day hosted by the North Texas Automobile Dealers (NTXAD). It’s the largest turnout yet for the auto tech competition that is proving to be a major step along to a career for high school students who can demonstrate they’ve got the highly sought-after skills for a job in an industry that’s ready to hire them. “This is the largest auto-tech competition in the state of Texas — it’s growing every year,” said NTXAD President Brent Franks. “It was created out of a need to introduce Texans to a great career and to create a workforce for our North Texas new car and truck dealerships, and it is working. We know it’s working because of the number of schools joining us every year — but more importantly, because of the number of students we see flourishing in auto tech careers as a direct result of the connections they’ve made at these competitions.” In the past year, Franks estimates students who’ve participated in the NTXAD Auto Tech Competitions and gone on to careers in the industry have earned a combined $3.5 million. Nationwide, there are more than 76,000 openings for auto technicians, with thousands of those jobs right here in Texas. “We’ve placed 78 students in full-time jobs this year, at an average starting salary of $45,000 a year. Students today want and need to earn a living wage, and these students are graduating as qualified entry-level auto technicians who are meeting an important need.” Auto Tech Students from Keller Center for Advanced Learning, mentored by Moritz Kia of Hurst, took first place in the competition, followed by Dubiski Career High School in second place, mentored by Five Star Subaru of Grapevine, and LaGrone Academy in third place, mentored by Bill Utter Ford. Rounding out the top 10 were teams from Longview High School mentored by Peltier Kia of Tyler, Hollenstein Career & Technology Center mentored by Autobahn Motorcars — BMW, Plano East High School mentored by Sewell BMW of Plano, Wichita Falls Career Education Center mentored by Foundation GMC, Dan Dipert Career Technical Center mentored by AutoNation Ford Arlington, Ratteree Career Development Center mentored by Toyota of Irving, and Vanguard High School mentored by Trophy Nissan. The top three winning teams receive thousands of dollars in tools from Snap-On for each team member to help them start their career (a huge perk as auto techs are required to purchase their own tools); scholarships provided by the Carroll Shelby Foundation and NTXAD members to NTXAD’s Fast Track Automotive Technician Training Program, which combines hands-on classroom instruction in conjunction with employment opportunities in a new car and truck dealership service center during a concentrated five-week training course; and gift cards for the team instructors and dealer mentors. The Auto Tech Competition is supported through regional funding from new car and truck dealers in North Texas with support from Chevrolet, Ford, the Ford Foundation, Buick-GMC, BMW, Nissan-Infiniti and Subaru. Other mentoring support includes dealers of Audi, KIA, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota, who have come together to support this high-octane industry event. Supporting sponsors include ASE Education Foundation, Collin College, Dallas College, Tarrant County College, Hill College, Texas State Technical College, Ally, Bank of America, Cumulus Radio Dallas and Forvis Mazars. To learn more about the career opportunities in automotive technology and the training/education programs available, visit www.ntxad.com. First Place DEALERS’ CHOICE 26
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TDA Leadership Conference Nov. 10-12, 2024 Drover Hotel Fort Worth, Texas Featured Speakers: • Ed Roberts, COO of Bozard Ford and Author of Mile 1. • Dave Cantin, Dave Cantin Group. • Sonny Dykes, Head Coach at TCU. DEALERS’ CHOICE 28
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Texas Party at NADA Show 2025 DEALERS’ CHOICE 30
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BUY@DSMA.COM +1 833-650-4188 DSMA.COM OUR TEXAS TEAM ERIC LEVITT Vice President, Partner eric.levitt@dsma.com 702.764.8385 CODY CANTU Regional Director cody.cantu@dsma.com 415.264.9006 WES SMITH M&A Associate wes.smith@dsma.com 469.980.1497 For more information, or to learn more about our 100+ opportunities, visit DSMA.com. DON’T LET UNSEEN RISKS SINK YOUR DEAL. UNCOVER THE HIDDEN VALUE BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE. DSMA is the leading global automotive mergers & acquisitions firm, where we ensure you know the full value of your assets and avoid hidden risks. With over 2,000 completed dealership valuations, we have mastered the art of revealing what lies beneath the surface.
Texas Labor Market Growth Continues Over 37,000 Jobs Added in December The Texas labor market achieved a new record-high level for jobs and the civilian labor force in December. The state added 37,500 positions over the month, reaching a total of 14,318,700 nonfarm jobs. Texas added 284,200 jobs from December 2023 to December 2024, bringing the annual nonfarm growth rate to 2.0%, which outpaced the U.S. growth rate by 0.6 percentage points. December marks the 12th consecutive month of growth for Texas’ civilian labor force, which achieved another new record high of 15,575,900 after adding 39,900 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 445,300 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas registered at 4.2%. “This new record-high level for jobs and the civilian labor force shows the strength of Texas’ economy,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC will continue its efforts for continued economic growth by connecting job seekers with employers and providing job training for Texans.” The Professional and Business Services industry had the largest over-the-month increase in December after adding 17,800 jobs. In addition, Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 10,400 jobs over the month and Leisure and Hospitality added 3,700. In Texas, Financial Activities grew by 3.6% over the year and outperformed the industry’s growth rate nationally by 3.0 percentage points. “The Texas economy is thriving in diverse sectors,” said TWC commissioner representing labor, Alberto Treviño III. “I encourage job seekers to leverage TWC resources to find rewarding career opportunities that best match their skills.” The Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 2.4% in December, followed by the Amarillo MSA at 2.6% and the College Station-Bryan MSA at 2.7%. “Texas employers are creating jobs at a rate that outpaces the nation,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “TWC offers a wide range of programs to meet the workforce needs of today and prepare Texans for projected job growth in the years ahead.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit texaslmi.com. DEALERS’ CHOICE 34
The January Texas Labor Market Information Data is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and its services in coordination with its local workforce development boards network, call (800) 628-5115 or visit www.twc.texas.gov. Subscribe to email updates to receive notifications about TWC programs and services by scanning the QR code. https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/ TXWC/subscriber/new 35 DEALERS’ CHOICE
Bridging the Gap Successfully Managing a Multi-Generational Workforce For the first time in history, we have five generations in the workplace, which also means dealerships are juggling the interests, needs and communication styles of members whose ages span over a half-century. Each of these groups has been influenced by the socio-cultural events that took place during the formative years of their lifetimes, including how each generation views its DEALERS’ CHOICE 36
financial needs, goals and communication preferences. A generation is defined as “a group of people born around the same time and raised around the same place. People in this birth cohort exhibit similar characteristics, preferences and values over their lifetimes.” This generational melting pot presents an interesting puzzle for both owners and management teams because a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer an effective way to engage all employees. In order for employees to be fully engaged and participate, more and more, the feedback is to communicate with them how they want to be communicated with. Generations have differences in the values, beliefs and opinions of different groups of people. While some 37 DEALERS’ CHOICE
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