Pub. 55 2014-2015 Issue 1

13 2014 FALL What’s the most rewarding part of your career? Truck sales is a business-to-business industry, so I get to work with a lot of different businesses and owners. It’s very rewarding for me to be able to see those customers be successful and grow and expand in their own businesses. Also, as a family business, we have over 700 team members in our company, and I get to see lot of people come into the industry and grow their careers. They find it’s a great career to be able to make a liv- ing and support their families. That’s very satisfying to me. Are there any specific individuals that had a major impact on your career? My grandfather and my father were a major influence. I was fortunate enough to be able to work with both of them in my career and learn a lot from them as far as sales, management, leadership of the busi- ness, and how to run and be successful in the truck industry. I was also fortunate to have Ken Wer- schay as a manager when I first started in Fort Worth. I was a young guy and still pretty wet behind the ears, and he took the time to show me the ropes, and learn how to sell and take care of customers. What do you think makes TADA membership invaluable? The TADA is very important for anybody in the truck or auto dealership industry.They really provide the backbone and support for our business in the state. They work to make sure our voice is heard in the state legislature, they work with the Department of Motor Vehicles so things are running smoothly, they provide a forum for dealers to get together and discuss issues, and they help develop solutions for those issues and problems. I really can’t imagine our industry would be anywhere near as strong as it is in this state without the TADA. What keeps you involved in TADA? What inspired you to serve in the Association? I think it’s important to be involved in the TADA to make sure it’s strong for future generations of dealers and future families that are able to make a business in this industry. As viable as it is now, it will continue to be in the future. Tell us about your family. My wife Carol and I have three chil- dren. Our daughter, Maggie, is our oldest and she is a sophomore at the University of Portland, in Oregon. We have twins, a son and a daughter, Matthew and Emily. They are juniors at Tascosa high school. Matthew is a swimmer on the swim team and Emily is a golfer on the golf team. Are you involved in any civic or charitable organizations? I’m past President of the Amarillo South Kiwanis Club and President-elect of the Golden Spread Council of the Boy Scouts. I’m active in the Polk Street United Methodist church, and past Council Chair. I also currently serve as board member on the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation and I am a board member for the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. What’s your favorite way to spend your free time? I’m kind of an outdoor guy. My kids and I love to go snow skiing in the winter and my son and I go backpacking in the summer. I like to go fly-fishing, and I do a little bird hunting in the fall. Describe your all-time favorite vehicle (it can be one you’ve owned, or something on your wish list). What are you driving today? I loved my first car. I had a 1968 Inter- national Scout. I was working in the body shop that summer so I got to help rebuild and paint my own vehicle. Since it was an International and I’m a Mack dealer, I pulled the International emblem off and put a chrome bulldog on the hood. I had glass pack mufflers that I blew all the in- sulation out of so everyone could hear me going down the street. I currently drive a Volkswagen Touareg. What’s in store for Bruckner Truck Sales this year? We’re having a great year and our sales are very strong. We’re a multi-location group with 20 locations and look forward to continuing to build and expand our business.  Ben Sr. displaying a Mack Truck. Bruckner family