6 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE The Work Begins Now By Darren Whitehurst, President, TADA 8 SAVE THE DATE TADA Leadership Network October 5-7, 2026 10 When Someone Else Owns the Car, They Can Dictate Where You Travel By Donald Kendal, The Epoch Times 12 APPRENTICESHIP & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TWC Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week Agency Commemorates 10 Years of ApprenticeshipTexas 14 APPRENTICESHIP & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NTXAD and Waco Dealers Host Inaugural Auto Tech Competition 16 APPRENTICESHIP & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NTXAD Fast Track Program Is Launching Graduates’ Automotive Careers By North Texas Automobile Dealers Contents ©2026 Texas Automobile Dealers Association® (TADA®) | MBR Connect™. All rights reserved. Dealers’ Choice is published four times per year 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 (801) 676-9722. 12 30 Scan for a direct link to the TADA website. 18 APPRENTICESHIP & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Smith Auto Family Donation Brings Hands‑On EV Training to SPC 21 2026 TADA Leadership 24 Offboarding: Final Pay, Severance and Security Deposits By Samantha Acuña, Legal Counsel to Chairman Esparza, Texas Workforce Commission 26 Community News 30 Hacienda Ford Celebrates 85 Years of Excellence 32 Valley Automobile Dealers Association Annual Membership Meeting July 9, 2026 | McAllen, TX 33 El Paso New Car Dealers Association Annual Membership Meeting June 9, 2026 | The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park 34 Women’s Network of HADA Spring Networking Event May 20, 2026 | Houston, TX 36 Texas Job Market Grows by More Than 177,000 Positions Over the Year By Texas Workforce Commission DEALERS’ CHOICE 4
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