whole, does a lot of goodwill and charity work that we don’t talk about because we are not looking for accolades. We do it out of the kindness of our hearts and because we enjoy being a part of the communities we work and live in. How will the industry change in the next 3-5 years? I think we may see a clearer direction from both local and state officials on EV growth as a percentage of our overall sales — we need to continue to work with our OEMs and the government to come up with a realistic timetable. I also see the EV range getting longer, alleviating the anxiety that many consumers have. Lastly, cars are becoming very technologically advanced; they’re making leaps and bounds every year and show no signs of stopping. How long have you been an NCDA member, and why did you get involved in the association? Our store has been an NCDA member for decades, but about four years ago, right after COVID started, a peer within my auto group told me that serving on the NCDA board was a great way to get to know local government officials and other local dealers and collaborate. When I joined, we were holding regular Zoom calls due to the pandemic, and I was pleasantly surprised at how everyone was working together, discussing how they were handling certain situations. I learned a lot, especially when it came to the political/ government aspect of trying to have our voices heard as dealers. NCDA has a fantastic board that does an amazing job of bringing issues to members’ attention. It was a big eye-opener for me. What do you see as the benefit of being an NCDA member? The opportunity to collaborate and network amongst peers is invaluable, as well as the association’s efforts to have constant and clear communication with members. NCDA does a great job of being innovative in an industry that’s constantly changing and morphing. We can’t fix every problem by ourselves. When you have a group of people that have been through hard events — like cyberattacks and COVID — talking about what others are doing to find solutions brings a lot of great ideas to the table on how to handle issues. When we come together as a whole dealer body, we are strong, and NCDA is always there to support us. What are your goals as chairman? I want to continue lines of open communication with government officials to make sure our voice is heard here in San Diego, especially as we navigate through volatile market conditions and a changing industry. It is a top priority to make sure the auto show is a success. We want our auto show to be as robust as possible to provide our customers and people in the market the best possible opportunity to see, touch, feel and get the whole experience of the vehicles we sell, not just see it on a commercial. The data verifying the considerable influence that our show has on consumer purchase decisions is incredible, and revenue from the show ensures that NCDA can maintain our valuable member benefits for many years to come. What help do you need from members to accomplish those goals? I hope that board members continue to have open minds and are willing to change and adapt with new, fresh ideas. The board is made up of a great, eclectic group of people from all different backgrounds. Everyone adds value in a different way. I encourage members to support the auto show in addition to the many events NCDA puts on, like job fairs. Members should not hesitate to pick up the phone to either call me or Scott Webb, our president, with ideas or suggestions. We are always happy to hear from our dealers. Have you had any mentors? What did you learn from them? My father was amazing at connecting with his employees and making them feel like family, regardless of how big the dealership was. I try to follow his example. I walk the dealership minimally two to three times a day to make sure I say “Hi” to the employees. Without fail, every single walk I take, I get something new from it. I might ask, “Hey, what’s this doing here?” or an employee asks, “Do you have a minute?” and expresses their anxiety about an issue they might be having. I want to make sure they know that they are valued and supported. When you mentor others, what are three pieces of advice you would share? 1. Lead by example. Don’t tell others what to do; show them what to do. 2. The only easy way is the hard way. Shortcuts don’t exist. 3. When it’s time to make a decision, always do the right thing for your employees and your customers. Bottom line, if you don’t know the answer, go with your gut. What career accomplishment are you proudest of? Professionally, watching those I’ve mentored achieve career milestones is my greatest accomplishment. Seeing an employee buy their first car or home or have a child is really neat. I take pride in knowing I was a part of something that helped them. Personally, I had a goal of being a GM partner at age 40. I was able to achieve that at age 32. That was a big goal and I could not have achieved it without help from so many great teammates and peers. Tell us about your family and hobbies. My wife, Marcella, and I have two children: a 12-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son. When I’m not working, I enjoy boating with my family, watching my kids play sports and golfing. Any last thoughts? Working hard is important, but who you help and mentor along the way matters most because no one can do it alone. Be open to help. If you’re trying to shoulder everything yourself, you’re not going to get to where you need to be as easily or as quickly as you might think. 10 SAN DIEGO DEALER
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