Pub. 54 2013-2014 Issue 3

26 A Time to Reflect By Victor Vandergriff B ill Wolters has politely pushed me to write about my experiences in Austin on behalf of the motor ve- hicle industry and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. He believes that the results we achieved in Texas for the mo- tor vehicle dealers during my service are for the record books. While I am grateful to Bill for the praise of our efforts, I have been uncomfortable linking it directly to a biography about me. This story is mostly about the many people along the way that helped position me to help dealers and the motor vehicle industry. I struggle because it is much like an Oscar winner trying to thank everyone while the music starts to play. By singling out a few, I cannot do them all justice. For those not mentioned and feel left out, erase the thought from your mind because I will always remember and appreciate each of you who provided invaluable support and guidance. The ac- complishments of the TxDMV and our legislative success have always been about what “we” can do collectively. For all of us, our family history and per- sonal business experience generally provide the sum and substance of our values, how we manage, and define our leadership style. I am no different. The automobile business and public service have been the two constants in my 56 years of life. The love of both keeps me engaged. Over the years I have learned how to understand, deal with, and appreciate bu- reaucracy. There is a proper role and place for government involvement and regulation in our business. Rather than needlessly fight against bureaucracy, I have learned to adapt and successfully work within it. There are very skilled and committed people in elected as well as government positions who deserve more credit than the general public acknowledges. I respect and appreciate them all. I trained in law school to be a litigator, worked as one, and then spent the next 27 years of my life trying to avoid them professionally. This is not because I am afraid of litigation. I have fought many hard, long and expensive legal battles in my career. I likely will again. However, what I learned firsthand is that litigation is the last resort and in some ways the easiest path to take. Just sue. I found that being a good negotiator is an art of first resort. Giving a little; protecting your interests; and making a win-win-win deal is by far the most difficult, but most rewarding and lasting path. Good deals for all survive the test of time that lead to more good deals coming your way. I know what it is like to be a dealer be- cause I have been one. I have taken the risk of having everything I have pledged to guarantee my business. I went through the sleepless nights when the business was going bad and experienced the big payoff when it all works. Single point, multiple point or megadealer – I have either been or worked for all shapes and sizes of dealer- ships. There is not much I have not seen or done in the automobile business. I under- stand your life, at whatever level you oper- ate, because I have walked in your shoes. I have had the privilege of watching how extraordinary or seemingly impossible deals in both the private and public sector are made; then have repeatedly been able to make them myself. Best of all, I have enjoyed the privilege of learning from all the terrific, talented people I have encoun- tered along the way. Most of those people have been in the automobile business, mo- tor vehicle industry, or government. They shaped me, inspired me and motivated me. Their stories and their sculpting of me put us in position to do more. In part, my political and automotive leg- islative work in Austin evolved due to my desire to address business issues. Tracking legislation and dealing with regulatory agencies were a part of my responsibilities