Pub. 1 2019-2020 Issue 1

11 2. Do you have family members in the auto industry? I was born and raised in Chicago. I had some extended family in the business, so growing up, I washed cars as a part-time job. My youngest son works with me now, and who knows, someday my other two kids may join the industry. 3. Describe your education background, what did you study? I have a B.S. in Biology. I know… it’s about as far away from the auto industry as you can get. 4. Are there specific individuals that have had a major impact on your career in the auto industry? Harold Meek had a profound impact on me personally, and my career. He’s an incredible man. Also, Jerry Haggerty, a Pontiac dealer in Illinois, was someone that I respected a great deal. We had a close relationship while I was growing up. He taught me to play liar’s poker. I met him again, as an adult, thirty years later at a GM event, and he looked me in the eye and said, “I am so proud of you.” To this day, those words still resonate with me. 5. What is the most rewarding part of your career? Making a positive impact in my local community. We’re not blessed with diverse industry in our community, so for me, providing a place to work is great. On a personal note, my son, Chase, is on the Autism spectrum, and he works at the dealership on the maintenance crew. Over the time he has been here, I’ve seen him grow and enjoy the people he works with. For me that’s been rewarding, not just as his father, but as his employer. People development is incredibly rewarding. 6. What do you think will be some of the dominant trends within the auto industry in the next 5-10 years? I believe that consolidations will continue, that we will see fewer independent dealers, and larger dealer groups. I think that independent dealerships will need to have