Pub. 55 2014-2015 Issue 4

34 goes on to explain why. Durant has helped the Shelter in many ways. He has helped to secure donations of feed and medical supplies, including pallets of hay and food to improve the lives of resident animals. The core mission of the shelter is spaying and neutering. “He and Donna Dickinson get behind our mission whole-heartedly. Our goal is to stop the intake of unwanted and stray animals. They have helped us get the word out about the importance of spaying and neutering pets through radio advertisements,” Deel says. Du- rant has never turned down a request for help and even promotes pet adoption by hosting offsite adoption events at his dealership. Deel says, “He has been an outstanding ally and advocate for our cause within Parker County; we would not be as effective without his continued support.” Some charitable causes hit closer to home for Durant. When his wife’s father, Curtis Guess, was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1995, the disease took on new importance for the entire family. Her mother, Jean Guess, took care of her ailing husband at home for the first six years, until her health declined. After that, he was admitted to a facility where he passed away Dec. 30, 2007. This long family struggle with the disease is what got them involved with the Alzheimer’s Association. Theresa Hocker, executive director of the North Central Texas Chapter, remembers how the Durant family helped bring theWalk to End Alzheimer’s to Parker County. They even hosted the walk at their Silverado Ranch for the first seven years before it gained community support and eventually moved in to Weatherford. Before the Durant family took on the cause, there was little involvement and information about the disease in Parker County. “The annual Walk is our major event for the year, and the Durants were so gracious to host us for so many years. We are very grate- ful that they have remained loyal supporters and sponsors of the event,” says Hocker. The Small Town Effect It makes a difference when your customers are also your neigh- bors. Everyone knows your business in a small town, and word travels fast. Since you are rubbing shoulders with your clients at PTA meetings, grocery stores, and all around town, you had better treat them right. Durant says, “We come from a small town and have to treat people the way we would want to be treated. If we don’t, our reputation wouldn’t be worth much for very long.” After all, you don’t build a successful dealership by just selling cars – you do it by gaining loyal customers, repeat customers, and by gaining new clients who are steered to your lot by their satisfied friends and relatives. Hiring the right people and then training themwell is the back- bone of his business success. “I can teach people the car business, but I can’t teach them to be a people person,” Durant says. That is something he is looking for with every hire. He wants someone  JERRY DURANT — CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33