Pub. 59 2018-2019 Issue 2

18 the Texas Automobile Dealers Association and the San Antonio Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition — one of only 51 auto dealers nominated for the 50th annual award from more than 16,000 nationwide. “It is our strong belief that great employees want to work for companies that do great things in their community,” nominee Cavender said of his family dealerships, which have served the San Antonio area for more than 75 years. A 1981 graduate of Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio, Cavender earned a B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1985, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. During summer breaks, he would work at his father’s San Antonio Oldsmobile dealership, originally founded by his grandfather, as a wash tech, porter, office runner and file clerk. After college, Cavender learned the business from every other possible angle at Cavender Oldsmobile. And, in 1994 at the age of 31, he became General Manager of Cavender Toyota in San Antonio. “Sure, I was young, but I had a lot of great teachers who taught me how to build confidence in others, put new processes in place, and lead with the heart of a servant”. Today, the Cavender Auto Family, is comprised of eight Texas dealerships in San Antonio, Boerne and Cedar Park, representing brands Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Land Rover and Toyota. Other family members actively engaged in the auto industry include his brother Rick, and his cousins Billy, Bobby, and Stuart. A fourth generation of Cavenders, including his daughter Kate, are now entering the business and serve in various positions throughout the dealerships. With such deep roots in SanAntonio and the retail automotive sector, Cavender has worked hard to forward the interests of dealerships throughout his state. As chairman of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association in 2011, he helped create the Texas Dealer Academy (TDA), which provides educational and operational training, as well as networking opportunities, to the auto industry leaders of tomorrow. “Specifically, TDAwas created for our dealer’s young family members and key managers to gain valuable knowledge and skills that will prepare them for their future role as dealer principal while nurturing friendships among automotive professionals that will last a lifetime,” Cavender said. “I find it very rewarding to see TDA flourish.” He is equally as committed to his community and is very active in the Texas Cavaliers and its foundation, which supports children’s charities in the San Antonio area. In 2009, he was named King Antonio LXXXVII by the  STEPHEN CAVENDER — CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16