Pub. 2 2013 Issue 1

Summer 2013 11 After experiencing and surviving the industry’s most challengingeconomic period in its history a few years ago, what lessons did you learn? Are youdoing anythingdifferent now than you didbefore the economic crisis tobetter prepare your dealership for futuremarket fluctuations? Lesson 1, don’t forget the bad times and what it took to survive. Lesson 2, enjoy the better times while they last because they only last so long. Expanding and retaining our customer base is our focus now more than ever. What doyou thinkmakes theSanDiegoCounty automotive market different than other mar- kets around the state? Diversification of business and themilitary pres- ence better shelters us fromdownturns and helps us more in recoveries. Additionally, geographically and demographically San Diego is an island which insulates us from outside competition from other areas such as LA and Orange County. Are you involved in any civic or charitable organizations? I have been involved in many over the years. The one I am the most proud of, though, is the San Diego Ford Dealers Salute to Education program, which I helped found 17 years ago. In a collaborative effort with all other Ford Dealers and Ford Motor, we have provided San Diego high school seniors with over $3,000,000 in scholarships. In other words, that is 3,000 students and their families whose lives we have touched positively. What do you think makes membership in the NCDA beneficial? The San Diego NewDealers Association is extraordinary inmany ways. First is its leadership by its president, Dean Mansfield. When Dean took over the association 25 years ago it was essentially bankrupt. It is now one of the most successful metro associations in the country thanks to Dean’s leadership and outstanding support by the dealer members. The Association owns its own building where it hosts various dealer activi- ties, trains salespeople, conducts seminars and houses an outstanding staff that manages the Auto Show and enhances our relations with our public officials andmedia partners, amongmany other things. The dealer member benefit is substantial and ongoing. Can you tell us about your involvement in the Association for the past 25 years? I have been elected and honored to serve on the Board for most of those years, including one of those years as Chairman. My involvement spurredme to become a Boardmember of the state association (CNCDA), where I have also been honored to serve most of those years, including last year as its Chairman. What achievements did you see NCDA San Diego make when you served? I saw many, including acquisition of the building, commencement of training programs, taking over management of the Auto Show and the negotiations necessary with the Convention Center to conduct the Shows, and enhanced relations with public officials and the media. Describe your all-time favorite vehicle (it can be one you’ve owned, or something on your wish list)? Oh, andwhat are you driving today? My favorite is a 1972 LTD convertible with a 429 4 barrel engine, which was a college graduation gift from my father. Currently, I drive a 2014 Ford Explorer Sport with a 3.5 Ecoboost engine. Tell us about your family. I amblessed to be married tomy wonderful wife of 37 years, Susan. We have also been blessedwith four children: Shane (an attorney representing car dealers), Briana (a fabulous kindergarten teacher), Kyle (attending graduate school in Sweden for statistics) and Taryn (an entrepreneur starting a fitness studio soon). What’s your favorite way to spend your free time? I love to golf, road bike, snow ski and scuba dive.