February 22, 2024

Established in 1949, Tom’s Truck Center began as a commercial truck repair facility. In 1973, George Heidler acquired the business after owning gas stations and a tow truck operation. By 1984, he transformed it into a franchised commercial truck dealership. Over the years, Tom’s also operated Kia, Suzuki and Isuzu car dealerships and currently owns a Ford automotive dealership. Sadly, George passed away from cancer in 2011, and his son K.C. Heidler, now serves as the president and CEO.

This article and review of former CNCDA Board Member Darryl Holter’s book, “Driving Force,” was previously written by renowned Historian and Professor Gary Scott Cross for the Los Angeles Review of Books.