news often does, it reached his dad with impossible speed. The crew had a field day ribbing “Little Bruner” for wrecking a car. MENTORS WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE Greg credits family and industry mentors for shaping his approach. He speaks warmly of Jack, a seasoned used‑car manager who taught him how to appraise vehicles, understand used‑car markets and navigate the wholesale network. “I just learned so much from him,” Greg says, “so I think about Jack a lot, even though he passed many years ago.” He also remembers neighboring Chevrolet dealers who, despite Greg being in his early 20s, never treated him like a kid. Those relationships modeled a rare mix of rigor and generosity that still guides him today. THE MOST REWARDING PART OF THE JOURNEY Reflecting on his automotive career, Greg says the relationships he’s built with customers have been the biggest reward. He lights up when talking about serving customers “where they are in life,” sharing a recent example of helping a widow with paperwork after her husband’s unexpected passing. He measures success not only in units sold but in lives impacted — employees who build careers and customers who return across generations. Another deeply personal milestone was receiving his own 25‑year Chevrolet service plaque and placing it beside his father’s and grandfather’s. Three generations, united through the same industry and values. “It was surreal,” he says, “and a real rewarding moment for me.” NAVIGATING AN INDUSTRY IN TRANSITION Every era brings its own headwinds and opportunities. Greg remembers his father calmly announcing after 9/11 that he was going to the bank so the dealership could make its payroll. That jolt of reality taught him how quickly conditions can shift and how resilient dealers must be. Today’s challenges range from the practical to the geopolitical. Greg mentions reckoning with the role of AI in retail and service, the pace and practicality of the EV transition and the potential pricing pressure from Chinese automakers in the global market. These issues intersect with policy debates and evolving consumer expectations. Closer to the showroom floor, Greg points to brand dynamics. As a Stellantis dealer, he has weathered a difficult period, but left the recent NADA Show encouraged by new leadership and new plans. He trusts in the resilience of the franchise model, fortified by local ownership, dedicated management and teams who care about their customers. “There’s always another hurdle,” Greg says, “but history is a good teacher.” STEPPING INTO THE CHAIRMAN ROLE Greg’s decision to serve as chair of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association stems from gratitude and a commitment to continuity. His family has been engaged with TADA for decades, and he grew up seeing how advocacy, education and networking strengthened dealers and communities. He’s quick to say he’s “not a politician,” and that his leadership style is that of a peacemaker and consensus builder. He cites his many long‑standing relationships with manufacturing partners as invaluable experience, helping him learn how to find common ground with others to make forward progress. DEALERS’ CHOICE 10
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