February 16, 2023

Park Place Jaguar DFW Parts Specialist Jim Park won the Marque of Distinction for Parts Professional of the Year for all Jaguar dealers nationwide. Jaguar Land Rover North America recently announced 14 Marque of Distinction winners for 2022. The Marque of Distinction is the highest individual honor within the Journey to Excellence program, JLRNA’s reward and recognition program for individuals.

By now, many of us have seen a TikTok video filmed at someone’s workplace – a “day in the life” video, someone complaining about their coworkers, supervisors, or customers, or someone talking about an unrelated subject while at the office. And a relatively new platform, BeReal, goes a step further by encouraging users to provide an unfiltered view into their “real” everyday life at random moments throughout the day. Of course, such organic social media clips can be a valuable tool that helps market your brand and build stronger employee relationships – but where do you draw the line?

Mack and Volvo Dealer Celebrates 90 Years of Success

Thank you to D’Anne and Lexi Buquet for the incredible ‘Holiday and Legislative Reception’ sponsored by Valley Auto Dealers Association and TADA on November 15 at The Patio on Guerra in McAllen … a great way to begin the holiday season!

TADA Dealer Academy Young Dealer Day at the CapitolMarch 20 & 21, 2023Hyatt Centric711 Congress Ave.Austin, Texas TADA Award Conference April 16 & 17Four Seasons98 San Jacinto Blvd.Austin, Texas

The Texas Dealer Academy fall meeting was held Nov. 6-8, 2022, at Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Texas. Program speakers included Dynatron Software, a provider of fixed operations data analytics and consulting; Strategic Source, a provider of consultative spend management, sourcing, implementation, and supplier compliance services; and Autosled, a modern digital transportation network.

Gabriel/Jordan Buick GMC and the East Texas Premier Buick GMC Dealers are proud to sponsor three $1,200 scholarships to graduating seniors at Kilgore Independent School District. Thank you, Kilgore ISD, for making a difference in the lives of our students.

The Valley Automobile Dealers Association (VADA) held its annual Jon Buquet Memorial Golf Tournament on Dec. 6, 2022. Thank you to all who supported this event which supports the VADA Scholarship Program.

Cavender Auto Group has been servicing the San Antonio and Boerne areas for over 80 years. But when it comes to community giving, an established philanthropic branch of the organization was created in 2021: Cavender Cares. Auto dealerships are essential to communities as they provide services for transportation, but also employ a large percentage of individuals of all education levels. If there was one instance that highlighted how essential automotive businesses are, it was the pandemic.

The nomination of Don A. Buckalew Jr., dealer at Buckalew Chevrolet in Conroe, Texas, for the 2023 TIME Dealer of the Year award was announced by TIME on Oct. 18, 2022.

United States Representative Roger Williams was selected to serve as Chairman of the House Small Business Committee for the 118th Congress, which convened in early January 2023. Williams, the owner of Williams Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Weatherford, was first elected to serve in Congress in 2012 to serve the 25th congressional district. This will be his first opportunity to chair a House Committee. The committee, first established as a Select Committee in 1941, has grown in stature over time, gaining standing committee status in 1975 and granted legislative jurisdiction and oversight functions. As one of few business owners in Congress, he intends to focus the committee’s attention on issues ranging from government deregulation, fiscal conservatism, and helping small business owners who are struggling.

TADA has a history of excellent and insightful leadership through its 117 years’ history of protecting the rights and interests of its dealer members. The role of Chair, in particular, is one that requires clear vision and a passion for the automobile industry, along with integrity, people skills, and the ability to have the right conversations at the right time, among many other attributes.

At the time of writing this, my countdown clock reads 22 hours until the start of the 88th Texas Legislature. There is always an air of anticipation leading up to a session and what issues the legislature will focus on during their 140-day session. There have already been 1,600 House and Senate bills filed and there will likely be around 7,500 pieces of legislation filed before the session’s end which is May 29, better known around the Texas Capitol as “Sine Die”.