Pub. 55 2014-2015 Issue 2

15 2014 WINTER What do you think makes membership in the TADA beneficial? TADA allows us all to speak with one voice. We are much stronger as a group than we could ever be individually. TADA is a great Legislative and Legal resource for everyone, too. Do you have past experiences that help your leadership in TADA? I have been involved with TADA and our local Dallas NewCar Dealers Associa- tion for many years serving on the Boards and Executive Committees of both. What inspired you to serve as a leader in the Association? TADA is really the voice of all Texas dealers from the small town dealers to the metro dealers. The same issues affect us all and I think it is so important that as an association we are able to speak with one voice for the good of all dealers. What are your priorities and goals as TADA Chairman? What’s in store for the TADA in the short term and/or long term? With this being a legislative year, I am sure that we will again be challenged on Texas Franchise Laws. I think that it is important to all Texas dealers that we work together to protect those laws. The Texas Dealer Academy is growing and Tim Crenwelge has done a great job with them. They are the future leaders of TADA and I would love to see that group continue to grow. AutoPac and DEAC will be especially important this year as we work to build solid relationships with our Legislators. Is there any pertinent legislation on the table that’s on your mind? I’m sure that there will be challenges to the Franchise Laws in the areas of fac- tory ownership and factory direct sales to consumers. With Texas Franchised Deal- ers employing over 90,000 Texans in 284 cities and towns around the state, this will certainly be on our front burner. What is your approach to helping dealers face challenges at their dealerships? TADA has some great Workshops and Conferences around the state that provide great information to dealers and managers with regard to the challenges that we all face in the dealership. Our annual TADA Conference will be held in Dallas this spring and that’s another great opportunity to learn a lot about the issues that we all face and a great opportunity to network with fellow dealers and all of the TADA Endorsed Companies. Are you involved in any civic or charitable organizations? I’m involved with the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. It’s a great organization that provides educational and mental health services to “at risk” kids in the Dal- las Ft. Worth area. We also are involved with sponsorships of numerous Dallas charities. Describe your all-time favorite vehicle (it can be one you’ve owned, or something on your wish list). There have been a lot, but I’ll always remember my first car: a 1968 red Impala Convertible. It was a trade- in and I learned a lot about how to work on cars with it. Tell us about your family. I have been married to my wife Nancy for 33 years and we have three great kids. Our oldest daughter Katie is an attorney here in Dallas, our son Jimmy works in the dealerships with me and our youngest Annie is a sophomore in high school. I am very proud of all three of them. What’s your favorite way to spend your free time? Any unusual hobbies? Like most dealers, I don’t have a large amount of free time, but when I can, I love to hunt, play golf and spend time with my family. 