Pub. 59 2018-2019 Issue 4

12 T he just completed Annual Conference saw TADA Chairman Donnie Buckalew preside over the as- sembled TADAmembers just as his father, Don Buck- alew, presided over the 70th Annual Conference in 1986. Over two hundred Texas dealerships were represented at the conference, including 17 young dealers from the Texas Dealer Academy. The conference launched on Sunday night with the inspirational tribute to TADA’s 19th Legend,W.C. “Smitty” Smith as he was inducted into the elite and distinguished Hall by his youngest son and former TADA Chairman, Mike Smith. Thirty-one members of the Smith family were on hand for this emotional and meaningful presentation. During the opening General Session on Monday, distinguished dealers, NADA Chairman Charlie Gilchrist, outgoing DMV Chairman Raymond Palacios, Texas Truck Dealer ChairmanBrianBruckner andTexas Dealer Academy Trustee, TimCrenwelge all made compelling presentations. Other key leaders participating in the conference included newly appointed member of the Texas Motor Vehicle Board, Stacey Gillman, South Texas NADA Director, Roger Elswick, and Texas Dealer Academy Chairman W.B. Cavender. Comptroller Glenn Hegar gave TADA members a look into the economic future for Texas and Texas dealers. Comptroller Hegar was presented TADA’s second annual Texas Leadership Award by Chairman Buckalew. Donnie Buckalew closed the conference by presenting his Chairman’s Message that reflected his experiences leading the association through the 86th General Session of the Texas Legislature. The following are his remarks to the assembled convention: Well, the last four months have been quite the whirlwind. I was approached in 2017 at the board meeting in Chicago about serving as Chairman in 2019. I told them I wanted to call my dad, a past chairman, my mentor and my boss. They informed me that they had already talked to him. Imagine that. We talked about it and knew it was a big commitment and responsibility. I was greatly honored to be asked and agreed to do it. I believe we have had a good session so far. It has been very interesting, and I have really learned a lot. There were many things that I knew about the job, but many things I did not know. For example: • I did know it was a legislative year. • I did know it is a process to get a bill passed. • I did not know how big the process was and how many steps that are involved. • I did know it involves a lot of feet on the ground at the capital. • I did not know it was going to be my feet. • I did not know we would be hiring a new President for TADA with Bill's retirement at the end of the year. We are working on that and will get serious after the Session is over. Nancy Harper is heading up the Search Committee. • I did not know Bill would be having a knee replacement and Karen would fall off a ladder injuring her ankle and knee. • I did know how to get to Austin and to our TADA offices. • I did not know all the different ways to get there with all the Austin traffic. Now I do. • I did know Marriott hotels had a Rewards Program. • I did not know there was a Marriott Reward Platinum Level. Now I’m a member. • I did know that we have some great auto dealers in this State. • I did not know how committed they were to this organization and its membership. Dealers that were willing to drop everything on a moment's notice to come to Austin and work on your behalf.  A ual Conference