Pub. 3 2021 issue 1

20 C hris Hemmersmeier graduated from St. Louis University High in 1984. The school is located in St. Louis, Missouri. Chris said, “My parents sacrificed a lot to be able to send me to a really good high school, where I was surrounded by other students and teachers who challenged me to grow. That journey continued at college, where I was exposed to an even wider variety of learning opportunities.” He earned a B.S. in computer engineering from Northwestern University in 1988. By 1991, he had plans to go to law school. (The engineering degree was a pragmatic choice: Chris didn’t love engineering, but he knew an engineering degree could get him a job.) Chris’s father-in-law, Jerry Seiner, talked to him several times about selling cars and convinced Chris to move from Chicago, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah, for what Chris initially thought would be just a summer job at the Jerry Seiner Buick GMC dealership in North Salt Lake. Chris enjoyed his sales job at the dealership so much he stayed. He appreciated the diverse, growing population and how the state is managed economically. According to him, the state has an educated workforce, the regulations and tax rates are reasonable, and the state’s leaders improve the infrastructure. Finally, he enjoyed Utah’s diverse climate and geography. Chris loves Utah springs when it is possible to ski in the morning and bike in the afternoon. Chris worked his way up; along the way, he attended the NADA academy before becoming the general manager in 1997. Chris also worked as the executive general manager and vice president of dealerships. He became president and CEO when he bought the dealerships’ majority interest in 2012. Later, his brother and his oldest son, who has a marketing degree, also began working at the dealership. Chris is grateful that he discovered something he loved at the beginning of his career. Today, the dealerships are known for excellent customer service and strong community involvement. Eight stores in Utah and two in Arizona sell many automotive brands, including Buick GMC, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Isuzu Truck, Kia and Ram. In addition, Salt Lake City has a Jerry Seiner Collision Center. Chris is proud of having created Seiner Management, Inc., a holding company for each dealership. Seiner Management consolidates tax benefits and streamlines dealership Congratulations to Chris Hemmersmeier Chris is grateful that he discovered something he loved at the beginning of his career. Today, the dealerships are known for excellent customer service and strong community involvement. NOMINEE CHRIS HEMMERSMEIER NCDU’s Time Dealer of the Year