By LUCAS DEAL, Chief Editor, TPS The American Truck Dealers (ATD) announced the nominees for its 2026 Truck Dealer of the Year Award. Sponsored by Procede Software and Trucks, Parts, Service (TPS), ATD’s truck dealer award honors dealer executives for their business and industry leadership, business success and involvement in leading their communities. TPS shared in-depth conversations with this year’s nominees, detailing how they found their way to the truck dealer business, how they’ve navigated the industry, their efforts to lead their businesses and more. These conversations led up to the announcement of the 2026 ATD Truck Dealer of the Year Award, which was presented Feb. 5 at the ATD Show in Las Vegas by Procede Software CEO Larry Kettler and TPS Editor Lucas Deal. The following are excerpts from a conversation with nominee Patrick Chastang, COO and dealer principal at Chastang Ford in Houston. Chatting With ATD Truck Dealer of the Year Nominee How did you get into the truck dealer industry? I am a third-generation automotive professional, and this business has always been a part of my life. My grandfather, Claude Chastang, began selling vehicles after returning from military service in 1933. While he never owned a dealership, he spent his entire career in sales, working for others and dedicating himself to the profession he loved. At one point in his career, my grandfather even worked for my father — my dad was the sales manager, and my grandfather was one of his salespeople. He continued selling trucks until the day he went into the hospital and passed away less than a week later. I was introduced to the business at a very young age. By the time I was four years old, I was spending Saturday mornings washing wheels and starting cars at a buy-here, pay-here operation my father was involved in. My parents, Mary and Joe Chastang, built the dealership on relationships, integrity and service, and I learned early that success in the automotive industry is not about transactions — it’s about people. PC hatars ticakng DEALERS’ CHOICE 16
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