Pub. 4 2015-2016 Issue 1

10 San Diego Dealer H ow did the family business start? It started in 1985, April Fool’s Day, actually. Our dad had been working as a G.M. for a BMW dealership in Sacramento, and in 1970 he had the opportunity to make a career move to San Diego. Hewas the GM for BMWof SanDiego until 1984. BMWdecided that they were going to open another franchise, and given our dad’s history with BMW it made sense for him to transition fromGM to owner. We both started working with him from day one. The two of us, our dad, and our mom, Jeanelle, were four of the first twelve employees the dealership had. Tell us about your father Bill, whowas a loved and respected pioneer of the dealer community. Dad was a good politician. He knew how to stump with the best. He liked people; he could talk easily with pretty much everyone he met – something that is important in this business. And because he was genuinely interested in those he met, he was well liked and respected. People felt he cared – because he did. The Brecht name is synonymous with racing. What has been your most thrilling or memorable race? Where did that start and do you still participate in racing/how long will you continue to race? As a family we’ve always been interested in the racing sport. We’re a BMW focused family, so it fits. But, we were involved in off-road racing and rebuilding motors since we were young, 14 and 10, respectively. We launched Brecht Motor Sports about five years after we opened the dealership – in 1989. We started it as a marketing strategy… BMWs and racing go hand-in-hand. We only race BMWs – newer models and vintage BMWs. We both really enjoy it. Tell me about your families, are they in the business? At this point, Tom’s oldest son Peter is the new car sales manager, andTim’s wife works in the business office and helps with HR and payroll. There may be one or twomore kids that may be interested at some point, but, just because we’re a family business doesn’t mean that working here is automatic. Our dad always felt strongly that you have to love the car business to be successful at it. You have to want it. Describe your education background. What did you study? Well, we were both at college when dad opened the dealership. Tomwas studying electrical engineering, and Timwas studying general business. We saw the opportunity – first with the business itself, but also, the opportunity to work with our dad. We took it, and obviously it’s worked out well for us both – but, we love the business. Interview with Tom & Tim Brecht