Education and Career David grew up in Champaign, IL, and fondly remembers his first job: “I grew up in the auto business, and at 12 years old, I had my first job at the family dealership. I earned $2.00 per hour and always had money in my pocket for a soda or an ice cream cone.” In 1984, David graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Indiana University and began a career in the banking industry, but plans changed. David missed the auto industry, and in 1991, he returned to Champaign. “I wanted to run a business and own a business, and this was an opportunity for me,” David said. “I had grown up here and liked the car business, what I knew of it, so I moved back.” David had been back for seven years when the next challenge arose. General Motors wanted dealerships in the same market to consolidate. Sullivan Chevrolet was the only compatible partner in town, but it had Volvo, which Chevrolet didn’t want in one of its stores. And, “Oldsmobile and Cadillac did not want Mercedes-Benz in there,” David remembered. “We had to pivot as a company. We spent a lot of time figuring out how we were going to do that,” David said. In the end, it was decided that the merger of the two would create Sullivan-Parkhill Automotive, Inc. at 440 West Anthony Drive, the region’s largest Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Cadillac dealer, and Sullivan-Parkhill Imports, Inc., selling Mercedes-Benz and Volvo vehicles from 401 West Marketview Drive. The two companies merged. David, his cousin John and Kevin Sullivan took the reigns, and history was made. Sullivan-Parkhill Automotive, Inc. is 25 years old this year. Carrying a Family Legacy Forward David is a fourth-generation dealer and carries forward a legacy rich in history, as this year marks 100 years since the opening of Parkhill Motor Sales. Parkhill Motor Sales, Champaign’s longest-running car dealership, was started by David’s great-grandfather, T.D. Parkhill in 1923. The world was much different at that time; David shared, “If you wanted a drink after hours, you were out of luck, as it was the fourth year of Prohibition. If you wanted a new suit, Jos. Kuhn & Co. had some on sale for $37.50. If you were looking to pick up dinner on the way home, a pound of pork chops would run you around 20 cents at Abbott & Wells on Main Street. If you wanted a new Chevrolet Superior Utility Coupe — with its extrawide doors, high hood, and single seat with room for two, all for the low, low price of $680 — one could head on down to the Flatiron Building on North Hickory Street, home to the new Parkhill Motor Sales.” The family business has had to adapt time and again, surviving a world war, the Great Depression, 12 other recessions, two oil crises, 17 presidencies, General Motors filing for bankruptcy, and more recently, a global pandemic. The family has persevered, and in David's words, “Things couldn’t have turned out better.” Industry Insights Looking ahead to what this year will bring and the challenges that the industry faces, David said, “Dealers face a number of issues; one being direct sales by the OEM’s which is in violation of the state laws of Illinois.” David firmly believes that dealerships are the best way to sell cars and are able to provide a level of service that Parkhill Motor Sales, August 1969 7 illinoisdealers.com
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