LutherNews - The Wallace Group

LutherNews
SEPTEMBER 2014
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‘Carfit’ teaches
safety
In an effort to promote
safe driving and mobility
for older drivers, Luther
is partnering with
Volunteers of America and
serves as a host for the
CarFit program.
Proper safety, comfort
and fit in vehicles is the
emphasis, and employees
from five Luther stores
attended CarFit training,
explains Matt Oquist,
Luther’s community
engagement coordinator.
Seat positioning and
mirror adjustments are
part of the process.
Brookdale Buick GMC
opened its doors for
CarFit trained technicians
and health professionals
for free fitment services.
Dr. Erica Stern, associate
professor of AlliedOccupational Therapy
at the University of
Minnesota, brought
students to discuss
a variety of simple
adaptive devices with
drivers, including seat
belt extenders, seat belt
reachers, easy key turners,
and swivel seat cushions.
1
Luther grants student scholarships
In choosing four promising
recent high school graduates
for $500 scholarships, Luther
Automotive is investing in
the future and seeking strong
candidates for its technical
positions.
The four winners were split
evenly in their studies, with two
pursuing auto mechanics and two
in auto body. They are: Aidan
Hicks, Jacob Neis, Jesus Sanchez
and Peter Harriman.
Intermediate School District
287 automotive instructor John
Preston and his colleague, Jeff
Scholarship winner Aidan Hicks, left,
Luther Sales Director Andy Gadient and
winner Jesus Sanchez.
Goergen, selected the candidates.
Qualifying participants were
completing a program of study
within the field of automotive.
The effort is an extension
of Luther’s partnership with
Intermediate School District
287 and its Pathways program,
which introduces students to
car dealership operations. The
company is working to promote
strong ties with the educational
community.
Luther’s human resources
professionals say that younger
technicians are needed but they
Peter Harriman accepts a $500
scholarship check from Gadient.
are finding that many students
are encouraged to pursue fouryear degrees over technical
degrees. Luther hopes that
its support and promotion of
programs like Pathways can
also support students like
Jesus Sanchez to help them
find a place in the automotive
industry.
It’s not unusual for tech
school students to work parttime at a Luther dealership
while they are in school. The
arrangement offers valuable
experience and income.
Gadient, with Nastassia Leigh and Director
Shawna Johnson, Luther Human Resources.
JUMPING IN WITH CAREER TO COME
Jesus Sanchez isn’t
“I want to further my
one to pass up an
opportunity, and after a
knowledge in it, and
tour of Hopkins Honda
with Intermediate
get as good as I can.”
School District 280, he
connected with Luther’s
Jesus Sanchez,
director of sales, Andy
Gadient.
scholarship winner,
“He had a passion for
the car business, so, I set
Hopkins Honda
him up for an interview
with General Manager
detailer
Kyle Allison,” said
Gadient.
said he was excited to meet
Sanchez was promptly
Sanchez. “He reminded me
hired for a detailing
a lot of myself, wanting to
position, and is getting
get his foot in the door.”
his feet wet working
The new employee is
in auto body. Better
attending tech school and
still, he received a $500 Sanchez received a $500 scholarship from Luther
Auto and was hired at Hopkins Honda, where he
working. “I want to further
scholarship from Luther hopes to gain experience in auto body.
my knowledge in it, and get
Auto and a scholarship
as good as I can.” Sanchez
turned Sanchez down, but
from Hennepin Technical
said his dream is to one day
Luther staff members noticed
College.
own his own auto body shop.
something more. Gadient,
Independent shops were
who started as a lot employee,
asking for experience and
Luther Development Center offers dealership-simulator, expanded training
Large windows, new
detailed vehicles, sales
desks and cars on the
lot– it’s a picture not unlike
most any Luther store,
but this center of action
on Brooklyn Boulevard
is distinctly different, as
industry experts work
with new hires who learn,
practice and grow their
skills.
Training Director Matt Hanrahan (left), Sales Trainers Dan Bradley (second photo and cover), and Kif Patrick each bring a distinct
personality to trainees, challenging them with objections and encouraging them with helpful techniques and mindsets.
The freshly introduced
Luther Development Center
set up shop in a previous Brookdale store,
and this dealership simulator appears to
itself to others in its industry, but needed
be the only one in the country. Newly
to look outside of it for effective examples.
hired sales consultants spend their first
“Other businesses do a better job getting
30 days at the LDC as part of a 90-day
people in and setting them up for success
training program. Finance
through substantial
“Every guest deserves to be
training and
training is also offered.
coaching,” he said.
At its heart, the
working
with
a
well
trained
“There’s no reason
LDC is an investment
why we can’t do
in people, explains
salesperson.
This
effort
is
meant
that in this industry,
Director of Training
but it does require
and Organizational
to
address
that.”
that we change our
Development Matt
thinking a little bit.”
Hanrahan. “I think that’s
what this facility is all
about. We’re incredibly
grateful to be working for a
company that understands
that value,” he said.
Matt Hanrahan, director of
training,
Show floor comes to class
Attendees have the opportunity to take
classroom training and then immediately
practice their skills on the show floor.
Hanrahan said the idea was borne from
a desire by the executive staff and store
general managers to attract higher quality
job candidates, and reduce turnover.
To make auto sales more attractive
to people who might
consider a career change, a
safety net is needed, some
assurance that new hires will
be OK economically while
they get up to speed, the
director explains. Luther’s
comprehensive sales training
provides that stability.
Some may
ask how the
Luther Auto
LDC customizes
its training to
individual stores, each with its own sales
intricacies. Hanrahan said trainers work
directly with store leaders to match their
needs and the LDC brings in the actual
vehicles the trainees sell.
Shorter, customized trainings are also
offered and the program employs a
modular design that’s adaptable. Store
employees can become so busy in their
positions that they don’t have enough
time to get the new person up to speed,
and that’s where the LDC is here to assist,
the director explained.
Looking outside, then
back in
Hanrahan said Luther has
been very good at comparing
Learn more and watch a video from the LDC at luthernews.com
2
DIABETES RIDES
TECH SKILLS TO SCHOOL
Emotional pain, honor and
personal hardship were the drivers
behind two Luther staff members
who pedaled bikes in Tour de Cure
events promoting diabetes research
in Minneapolis and Fargo.
Auto service instructors can only go
over things so much, said instructor
Bob Larkin, at Dunwoody Institute of
Technology, and a story or experience
can often trigger something in students’
understanding.
“It’s fun to see them get it,” said the
former Rudy Luther’s Toyota technician
and Saturn service veteran. Sharing his
own “wrenching” experiences to enhance
learning makes it fun for him, he explains.
Larkin taught nights at Dunwoody in
Minneapolis while working as a technician.
He finished his bachelor’s degree after 15
years with Saturn and almost four at RL
Toyota, covering all systems except hybrid.
Receptionist Janelle Stallkamp has lived with the
disease for 40 years, and has great memories riding
with her father.
A stint on the school’s curriculum
advisory committee opened the door for
teaching, so Larkin tested the waters. “I
liked talking about what I know, so the
transition seemed to fit,” he said.
“I have a lot of families and friends
who have diabetes, so it’s a cause
I’ve jumped behind the last few
years,” said Controller Shawn Preabt
at Luther Family Buick GMC in Fargo.
Preabt raised more than $5,000,
making him the second highest
fundraiser for the event for three
years running. The 2014 event was
extra special as he rode in memory
of a friend who lost his son to the
disease. “It’s still fairly fresh and very
emotional for him.”
And, Larkin knows
a lot, teaching
classes in general
skills such as service
information, nuts
and bolts, tools
and basic engine
principles. Then,
he‘s on to brakes,
steering, suspension
and alignment, and
transmissions and
transaxles.
Rudy Luther’s Toyota technician Bob Larkin
transitioned to an automotive instructor role at
Dunwoody College of Technology.
Chrysler, Honda and Toyota
manufacturer programs give students
access to the latest vehicles and service
info.
To attract more young people to the
field, it needs to start early, finding those
kids who are curious about how things
work and who like to fix things, Larkin said.
Luther Auto has been a longtime supporter of
Dunwoody, and participates in job fairs at the
Minneapolis school.
The impact was even more
personal for Minneapolis rider Janelle
Stallkamp. A receptionist at Luther’s
home office, she was diagnosed at
the age of six, and one of her brothers
Lia Kaunzner in sales at
was diagnosed more recently.
Rudy Luther’s Toyota took
Stallkamp also lost a friend to the
in a highly unusual Camry
disease three years ago.
in trade, one that had been
Industry should
also connect with
secondary schools and
work to retain their
auto programs. He says
there is a need to stress
to the general public
how technical the field
has become and the
many opportunities
that are available.
Toyota loyalty rolled out, solidified
“I try to be pretty positive and
don’t complain at all,” said Stallkamp,
who has been a subject in a national
diabetes study for 29 years.
3
rolled more than six years
earlier and then driven
nearly 138,000 more miles.
John and Tess Fitch’s 1999 Camry tumbled after
hitting a large snowdrift
just over the Iowa border, leaving it with
a broken windshield, busted mirrors
and dents. “It was like going on the
corkscrew ride at Valley Fair- the seat belt
protected me and I ended
up with just a slight cut on a
finger and a sore shoulder for
a few weeks,” John said.
Basic fixes were made so
the doors could be closed,
but they never stopped running the car until they
traded it in with 331,000
miles. It’s no surprise that the
couple bought another Camry, a 2014
model.
Jaguar technician helps plan veterans memorial for Total Off-Road Rally
It was a day of exuberant
celebration and of solemn
remembrance.
While hundreds were
thrilled by off-road mud
trucks gathered for a dirt
slinging, high jumping event
there was combined with
a sobering reminder, a new veterans
memorial at the Trollhaugen Recreation
Area in Dresser, Wis.
The day was organized by Monte
Ferguson, a technician with Jaguar
Land Rover Minneapolis who heads
promotion efforts for one of the longest
running 4x4 events in the Midwest.
After some urging by a friend, he
decided to create a memorial site
for the “46th Annual Total Off-Road
Rally,” honoring veterans with a
multiple flag display and special
landscaping on Memorial Day
weekend. The Minnesota Go-4­
Wheelers club attracts nearly 1,000
participants each year.
The idea came naturally out of
the group’s fun event. “Some of
the founding members of this club
were Vietnam vets,” said Ferguson.
“When they were all home and
trying to deal with life, they would
get together and go ‘Jeeping,’ driving
around, playing in the mud. That’s how
this whole event started.”
The group erected flagpoles for all
six branches of the military and the
American flag. Some 50 U.S. flags lined
the nearby road. About 300 Cub Scouts
performed a ceremony, and a military
guard was on hand for the formal event.
Private donations funded the project.
The Trollhaugen course, with its 85
obstacles, is a favorite for many mud
truck drivers. Unusual events include
regular cars rigged with remote controls
that are jumped 50 feet toward dramatic
crashes. A demo derby race, 4x4 truck
pull and rock off-road race round out the
festivities. Ferguson drives a 1968 Ford
Bronco that he restored from the frame
up. His adult son runs a Jeep and his
15-year-old son is getting into the sport.
Ferguson has 26 years with the club.
Fiat store welcomes Alfa Romeo, award, new spots
There’s a lot happening at Fiat of
Minneapolis in St. Louis Park, which
recently celebrated its grand opening
and anxiously awaits the addition of
another Italian nameplate, Alfa Romeo, in
January.
and twice the sales, explains General
Manager Doreen Fischer.
In the middle of
Not to be outdone, Fiat of
September, the Alfa
Minneapolis is running new
Romeo 4C will first
television ad spots, following
appear at Fiat of
an award winning ad that ran
Bloomington, priced
earlier this year. Watch the ads on
The Alfa Romeo 4C is
at about $70,000. It
luthernews.com.
expected in September.
will likely carry the
flagship banner for the
The
two Italian marques and Luther’s
Minneapolis store
two Fiat stores will be the only
just off Highway
Minnesota franchises.
100 held a grand
opening event,
In time, Alfa Romeo is expected
with an invitation
A television ad created for Luther’s Fiat dealerships was
named a Bronze winner in the 35th Annual Telly Awards for to be double the size of Fiat in the
titled, “A Little Italy
the spot, ‘Fiat 500L - More Than Your Ego Can Handle.’ See
U.S., with twice as many models
has moved to St.
it - luthernews.com.
Louis Park.”
“Not a detail was overlooked,”
said Linda McGinty, in property
management with Luther Auto,
who complimented Fischer’s
work on the celebratory event.
Enhancements are also
underway for the Alfa Romeo
franchise in Bloomington.
4
Exceptional Employee: planner and shuttle driver proves invaluable at RL Toyota
Enthusiasm and thoroughness have been Wanting a better life and more opportunity,
he arrived in Minnesota, where he knew
applied to each New Owner Clinic at Rudy
no one. Through the Minnesota Council
Luther’s Toyota Scion (RLT), with Misha
Supica as the key organizer and
cheerleader over the past six years.
Attracting 200 guests, each
event is thoroughly investigated
afterwards to improve the
customer experience. No detail,
including food, signage location
and handouts, is too small for
him.
Supica’s official role is
shuttle driver and event
organizer, but unofficially,
“Unofficially, he’s the store
he’s the store ambassador,
said General Manager Mark
ambassador,”
Beithon. Very well liked
and ready to go the extra
Rudy Luther’s Toyota General
of Churches,
mile for others, “He is the
he found a job
first to pitch in and the last
Manager Mark Beithon
at RLT within
person left to clean up,” says
months.
Beithon.
He is grateful for that assistance, and to
A native of Serbia, Supica brought
all at the store who have helped him succeed.
his wife and two children to Minnesota
“People helped me, and were very
13 years ago, after the Bosnian War had
open to me. Sometimes I have too many
ruined the country’s economy and security.
questions,” said Supica. “I did not speak any
English; (they were) very patient and very
helpful and I am trying to pay it back.” He
is full of thankfulness
for his fellow
employees and stays
in touch with the
Minnesota Council.
As a shuttle driver,
Supica is continually
listening to the needs
of the customer and
how he can help them
have a better day.
The van is clean and
colorful, but most of
all, it has a willing
listener.
“I am thankful
for everything,” said Supica. “Maybe to
you it is a small help, but it means a great
deal to me.” For those who meet him, he
communicates what thankfulness feels like.
Supica’s wife works at Costco and his
children are now 22 and 26. His daughter
just finished college.
KNOW SOMEONE WE SHOULD FEATURE AS AN EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEE?
E-MAIL [email protected]
LUTHER TAPS ‘WYOTECH’ SCHOOL FOR TECHNICIANS
Luther service specialists were on
the road to WyoTech, a premier school
for automotive
technicians in
Wyoming, and
interviewed a
number of job
candidates before
hiring several.
Luther’s Tim Stoesz
said they sought to recruit graduates from
the five state region. Demand for techs is
strong due to business growth. “We were
very impressed when we went out, with
how they run the school and what they
do,” he said. WyoTech offers a condensed
nine-month automotive course.
Brookdale Chrysler has the highest
number of recruits from the school, with
5
products, he explained.
three. Service Manager
English engineering is
Scott Fortune, who also
different than American
made the trip to the
and German designed
Wyoming school,
vehicles.
said he likes the
New technicians can
school’s Mopar
reach the journeyman
CAP (College
level in two to three
Automotive
years if they work at it,
Program), and
said Stoesz. Brookdale
the students he hired
Chevrolet hired two
had impressive grade point
individuals from the
average and attendance
Brookdale Chevrolet Buick GMC GM
records.
Curt Johnson, left, with WyoTech grad school and White Bear
Service Manager Floyd and new technician Robert Johnson, Acura was looking into
center, and Service Manager Troy
someone from the
Skjerping at Jaguar Land
Strasser.
school.
Rover said his WyoTech
Stoesz said Luther is branching out to
hire is doing well and learning. It typically
explore other top rated schools, as well as
takes six months to a year before new
area tech colleges with strong programs.
technicians acclimate to British made
CONGRATULATIONS
35+ YEARS
10 YEARS
Mary Egan, Brookdale Chevrolet Buick GMC
Glenn Rausch, Park Place Motor Cars
Wayne Rocek, Rudy Luther Toyota Scion
John Sloan, Rudy Luther Toyota Scion
Joseph Torres, Brookdale Toyota Scion
30 YEARS
Dana Funk, Park Place Motor Cars
Trinh Le, Hopkins Honda
Michael Levit, Brookdale Honda
James Nelson, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
Glenn Rausch
Park Place Motor Cars
25 YEARS
Jon Eidsness, Brookdale Volkswagen
Tim Pope, White Bear Acura Subaru
Jon Eidsness
Brookdale Volkswagen
15 YEARS
John-Mark Ahinful, Hopkins Honda
Curt Johnson, Motors Management
Catherine Ostlund, White Bear Acura Subaru
Matt Peters, Park Place Motor Cars
Carolyn Rudi, Motors Management
William Schlegel, North Country Ford Lincoln
Amy Truchinski, North Country Ford Lincoln
Ben Wysocki, Brookdale Honda
Ryuji Beppu, Bloomington Acura Subaru
William Berg, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
Ryon Brody, Bloomington Luther Collision
Kanyama Chivers, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
Sean Devine, North Country Ford Lincoln
Steven Fischer, Family Ford
Craig Geisler, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
Craig Greening, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
Michael Jameson, Westside Volkswagen
Burl Johnson, Park Place Motor Cars
Matthew Knutson, Rudy Luther Toyota Scion
Anthony Larson, Rudy Luther Toyota Scion
Kevin Lindgren, Family Buick GMC
Michael Mischke, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
Bradley Norberg, John Hirsch’s Cambridge Motors
Brandon Olson, Brookdale Toyota Scion
Troy Osterkamp, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
David Rife, Bloomington Hyundai
Eric Rystedt, Brooklyn Park Luther Collision & Glass
Chris Scheible, Hopkins Honda
David Schmidt, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
Floyd Skjerping, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
Wayne Sorensen, Luther Automotive Services
Nick Sparrow, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
Leo Starr, Jaguar Land Rover Mpls
Bryce Wilson, Westside Volkswagen
Amy Truchinski
North Country Ford
North Country McDonald’s drawing for Mustang GT convertible
Leaders from America’s fast food giant and Ronald McDonald
made a special visit to North Country Ford to give away a 2014
Mustang GT convertible, valued at more than $46,000. John
Buns from Iowa City, Iowa (not pictured) was the winning
general manager from one of 720 Midwest restaurants. Fleet
Manager Tim Angell coordinated the event, and even had
his photo taken with Ronald. “Those are big shoes to fill,”
said Angell, who delivered a car for McDonald’s last year to
Dickinson, N.D. The trip, in a snowstorm, took 19 hours.
Scouts return to Brookdale for derby
The Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts Northern Lights 2014 Pinewood Derby
returned to the service drive at Brookdale Buick GMC, not for maintenance,
but 200 mph scale racing. Scouts from multiple Packs built carefully
weighted wooden cars in hopes of advancing to the next stage, at Mall of
America. Luther employees were friendly hosts, voted on the designs and
awarded remote controlled cars to winners. Things were moving so fast
that the chief of police cited several car owners with pretend speeding
tickets, said Matt Oquist, with the Home Office.
Shoe in at Park Place?
A detailer at Park
Place Motor Cars in
Rochester, anonymously
referred to at “JJ,”
was in such a hurry to
get to work that he
unknowingly put on
two different shoes. He
didn’t notice until he got
to the dealership. “We
didn’t tease him at all
that day,” said GM Dan
Mobley, with a wink.
6
family happenings
•
MILE MARKERS, RETIREMENTS
Sherri Hayes in Luther’s Customer Care
Center welcomed her grandson, Major
Watts, on May 12. He was 8 pounds 4
ounces and is pictured with his sister,
Monroe, 2.
Sammy Anzel, above and below center,
in accessories sales at Brookdale Chrysler
retired after 40 years, most of them spent as a
technician. “It feels good, and means a lot to
me,” he said of his special day.
•
Angie and Debbie Tufts (Brookdale
Buick GMC
and RL
Toyota
Scion) had
twins on
February
8. Harper
Adele was 7
pounds and
Hayden Lee,
7 pounds, 5
ounces.
Baseball, hot dogs and Brookdale?
Support for the National Little League in Brooklyn Center
got some big park attention at Target Field, where
Brookdale Chevrolet presented a check for $500 to the
group. Lance Vadnais in sales, right, joined National League
President Bob Mikulak on the Jumbotron. The Chevy
program provides training camps and coaching sessions.
•
Quinn Hope Fyre, 7 pounds, 14 ounces,
was born May 3 to Troy (Luther Collision
& Glass– Fargo )and Amanda Fyre.
Please send your family news to:
[email protected], 651-452-9800.
7
Shop Foreman Toby Christen retired
after 43 years with Westside VW.
GM Steve Hendricks said he is highly
respected by his peers at VW of
America.
Celebrating 35 years with the
store was Lonnie Hager, shop
foreman at Luther Family
Ford. He was once the subject
of an “Ask Lonnie” billboard
campaign.
The Gillette Children’s
Specialty Healthcare
Charity Golf Tournament
welcomed two Luther
GMs and their cars,
offered as two-year lease
prizes for successful hole
in one shots on hole 11
at North Oaks Golf Club.
Bloomington Acura
Subaru’s Mark Rosenthal
is at left, and Ted Terp,
with Jaguar Land Rover
Minneapolis, at right.
Honors in St. Cloud, drive event hits water
Helping young people has long been
a major interest of Luther Honda of St.
Cloud, and that work was honored with
a “Friend of Youth” award from the St.
Cloud Optimist Club.
TOPPING ‘WE BUY’ CHARTS
In an unusual twist for car
dealerships, prizes and celebrations
were held for the stores that bought
the most cars from consumers.
Honors for success in the “We
Buy” program were bestowed by
store size, with Brookdale Chevrolet,
Brookdale Chrysler Jeep Dodge and
Mankato Honda rounding out the top
slots and reaping the benefits of
Brookdale Buick GMC GSM Angie Tufts and Drew Travis in
barbecue celebrations and prizes.
sales, above, show their program muscle and enthusiasm.
Darin Hendley, below, was the top buyer at Mankato Honda,
“Pounding” the airwaves with
which won the small store division.
“We Buy” radio ads helped secure
a win for Mankato.
“We hit her hard, you
know,” said General
(BY STORE WITH TOP BUYER)
Sales Manager Chris
Schroeder of Mankato
BROOKDALE CHEVROLET
Honda.
DAVID WARNER, 6
Large store winner
Brookdale Buick
BROOKDALE CHRYSLER
GMC had no lack of
BOB LOSCHEIDER, 5
excitement. “If they
would let me, I would
MANKATO HONDA
make this the ‘We Buy’
DARIN HENDLEY, 5
capital of the world,”
said GSM Angie Tufts.
WE BUY WINNERS
From left, Jackie Johnson, Big Brothers Big Sisters;
Kayla Backes and Jamie Holub, Luther Honda of St.
Cloud, Officer Jill Luehmann; Chief Jim Hughes and
Shari Wahlin, Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The group cited the store’s dynamic
advocacy and support for Big Brothers
and Big Sisters. The store is a regular
contributor, and employees are active
with fundraising events and agency
committees, says Shannon Giffin of Big
Brothers Big Sisters. Luther Honda of
St. Cloud also hosts an annual familyfriendly drive-in movie night and the
proceeds go to Big Brothers and Big
Sisters. This summer’s event brought
over 700 to the drive-in.
The Honda store joined Sartell police
officer Jill Luehmann, who also received
a Friend of Youth award.
First Sea Doo Ride & Drive event
It was the first
annual Luther
Honda House
Powersports
Sea Doo Ride
and Drive
event at
Pleasant Lake
in St. Cloud.
Guests and
customers
were able to
test drive and
ride the new
Sea Doo Spark model and enjoy some
great food and music.
Family events get boost from Fargo’s Family Ford
Free “Movie in the Park” nights are
staged several times each summer in
Fargo, and Luther Family Ford plays a
major role in making it happen.
“It brings the families together,” said
Recreation Specialist Jeff Heisler with
the Fargo Park District. Films are G or
PG rated, and popcorn and soda are
provided.
Between 500 and 1,000 people of
all ages turn out for the family themed
Island Park events, Heisler explains.
Family Ford sponsors each event and gives
prizes, and purchased a
24-by-16-foot screen.
Family Ford GM Joel
Bechtold called the parks
department to see how
the store could help.
“Those are the kind of
sponsors I want,” said
Heisler. “He likes to do it
and we like having him.”
Support for the outdoor films has been
a 10-year tradition
for the “blue oval” in
the city known as the
Gateway to the West.
“Joel always says
it’s not just about
selling cars but
what you do for the
community,” Heisler
said.
8
Free RL Toyota teen clinic tackles distracted driving
A dozen Toyota
representatives and dealer
staff volunteers converged
at Rudy Luther’s Toyota and
Scion for a popular teen
driver safety clinic using a
tool that was introduced at
the auto show.
The hot topic was
distracted driving, and a
simulator was employed to
make some points. “It was
the responsibility of being
in a vehicle, all of your
focus has to be on what
you’re doing,” said General
Manager Mark Beithon.
Others can watch as
distracted drivers react
to various scenarios, and
Beithon said it was easy to
be critical of others, until
he tried it himself. “Not too
many people make it more
than 20 seconds.”
The clinic included two
Sunday classes with 45
people each, and had
young people with and
without drivers licenses.
The GM said the program
promoted understanding
between parents and their
teens and stressed positive
reinforcement. Some faces
were new and others were
customers or employees.
The simulator was coupled
with an hour of classroom
training, scavenger hunt and
an effort to identify parts on
show floor vehicles. Teens
received certificates at the
end.
Hudson service advisor is a disability advocate
A well-known advocate
for people with disabilities is
making her mark in Chevrolet
service, thanks in part to
Hudson Chevrolet Service
Director Steve Boyd.
Service advisor Jamie
Balfanz, 20, was the subject
of a 2005 book, “My Best
Friend Will,” when she was 11.
It pictorially chronicled her
friendship with her classmate,
Willie, who has autism. The
two were featured on Twin
Cities television, in the
Hudson newspaper, and at
book signings and disability
conferences.
Balfanz connected with
Willie at a group program
where they spent time with
another student while the
larger group took recess.
“That’s what I liked to do,”
she said. Birthday parties,
9
bowling, movies
and other
activities were
frequent, and
their families
got together
on weekends.
They’re still best
friends.
Boyd asked her to apply
at the store after noting her
smiling and happy demeanor
at County Market, where she
was a cashier, she said. Five
years later, she did.
Some two months into the
auto service world, Balfanz
was thriving. “It’s something
to wake up every day not
bummed out that it’s nine in
morning. The customers are
great, people I work with are
great and it’s an awesome
place to work,” she said.
The new advisor has a
keen awareness of customers
with disabilities and takes
extra steps to make sure they
receive full service. A friendly
face, greeting and offer to
help can go a long way.
People with disabilities
are “just like us,” she said.
“They enjoy the same things
that we do, understand
everything the same that
we do, just in a different
way. They have strengths
and weaknesses. We are all
human.”
Willie recently graduated
from a “transitional” school.
He draws regularly, and
studies guitar, piano and
singing.
The book gives people a
different perspective about
people with disabilities, she
said.
VW man joins island mission to construct, plant
One Volkswagen general
manager embarked on a real
world missions experience
that was so positive, he’s
returning for more next spring.
Westside
VW’s Steve
Hendricks joined
the group,
Global Missions,
for a working trip
to the Dominican
Republic. With
nearly twice as many people
as Minnesota and just over
one fifth of the land mass, the
island country borders Haiti to
the west.
The group planted
a half-acre community
garden for a school,
repaired roofs and
helped complete seven
concrete house floors.
Smiling, friendly and
helpful people were the
norm, he said. Though
they lived with only
the basics for housing,
clothes and food, Hendricks
said they seemed very content
and happy that the group was
there to help.
“I enjoyed the people
of the villages we where in,
with the simple life they live
with seemingly no worries,”
he said. “And the scenery
was as beautiful as could
be imagined.” Mountains,
rainforests, valleys and
rivers were all around. The
Dominican Republic has some
10.4 million people
Global Missions is a
Twin Cities nonprofit group,
and this particular trip was
sponsored by KTIS Radio.
“It was awesome!” said
Hendricks.
Hyundai’s ‘Hope on Wheels’ funds U of M cancer research
Representatives from two
Luther Hyundai stores were
on hand for a $75,000 Hyundai
Hope on Wheels check
presentation at the University of
Minnesota Children’s Hospital.
Bloomington Hyundai GM
Lenny Checheris introduced
Dr. Lucie Turcotte, who is
conducting the first research
study to specifically examine
cardiometabolic syndrome
(CMS) in survivors of high dose
chemotherapy and autologous
stem cell rescue.
“Children’s Hospital, to
date has received $775,000
from Hope on Wheels,” said
Checheris. “With these funds,
they are serving families across
Minnesota and saving lives.”
Improving therapy
Dr. Turcotte thanked
the dealerships for their
commitment. “As a young
investigator, this money means
more than you can possibly
imagine,” she said. “With this
award, my hope is that we can
understand how to prevent and
Above, Dr. Lucie Turcotte, with cancer survivor Ashley Burnette, 10, at left, and a current hospital patient. Her department was
presented with the “Hyundai Young Investigators Clinical Award” and a $75,000 check to fund her research. Above right, Burnette
is joined by Burnsville Hyundai Sales Manager Dean Dreckman, Bloomington Hyundai GM Lenny Checheris and Burnsville
Hyundai GM Charlie Rassouli.
eliminate some of the long term
effects with the therapies.”
Hyundai builds fun into the
events by taking child hand
print impressions in paint and
featuring them with names and
ages on the cars.
More photos, videos at
luthernews.com
It also works with cancer
survivor Ashley Burnette, who
gives speeches as a Hyundai
ambassador.
10
Once upon a time in summer.... a technician on his
way to work at Bloomington Acura Subaru was startled to hear some unusual quacking and peeping. He
discovered that a mother duck was trying to reach her baby ducks that had gotten lost in the storm
sewer. He summoned help from his dealership and they got help from the Bloomington public works
department and police department to help them rescue the ducks and to redirect traffic so that the
chicks and the momma duck would be saved. At the urging of one very motherly employee, they did not
give up the challenge of rescuing the ducks the entire day. Eventually the mother duck ran away and
seven baby chicks were rescued by using a net and the ingenuity of seven Bloomington Acura Subaru
employees; One baby chick was nowhere to be found. The very emotional employee packed up all the
chicks and brought them to her neighbor to be raised in his safe neighborhood pond ... and they
lived happily ever after. The End.
INVESTING IN YOUTH GOALS
A regular infusion of equipment and
shirts have been flowing since 2011 to
the Brooklyn Center Soccer program for
youth. At right, Police Officer Peterson and
Brookdale Chevrolet Accessories Manager
Chris Johnson distributed jerseys in a variety of colors at a soccer practice for 3- and
4-year-olds.
The 2014 program drew 208 children up to age 14, with 28 teams and 17 coaches,
said Program Supervisor Kelly Mertes with the City of Brooklyn Center’s Community
Activities, Recreation and Services department.
The season concluded with a pizza party for 500 people, attended by the
dealership managers from the area and Home Office staff members. Johnson, a key
organizer since the program’s beginning, was given a framed soccer jersey from the
police. “I was surprised. It was kind of nice,” he said. “It was a little kid one with a
soccer medal.” More photos and video on luthernews.com.
we ask
employees
If you could spend your summer vacation anywhere, where would it be?
E
ric Rowell, “Jamaica. It
just sounds like a fun place.
Good eating.”
Sales Associate, Brookdale Buick GMC
D
an Gellerman,
“I’ve always
wanted to take a trip
out to Seattle, then
up to Anchorage. I’ve
barely been out of
Minnesota my whole
life. It’s on my bucket
list.”
Runner, Brookdale Chrysler Jeep Dodge
A
my Volle, “I’ve been to Hawaii.
I’d probably go back to Europe. I
love London. I took a trip to Europe
when I was 15, did London, Scotland,
Amsterdam. In London, I really like
the culture there, people who live
there not the big ‘touristy’ stuff.’ I’d
go to pubs, coffee shops, ride the
underground around.”
Receptionist, Brookdale Mazda Mitsubishi
11
B
ob Avery, “Crandon, Wis.,
in Forest County, the
largest county in Wisconsin
without a red and green
stoplight. There’s an off-road
racing track. My wife and
kids go boating and fourwheeling.”
Sales Associate,
Rudy Luther Toyota Scion
BROOKDALE CHEVROLET GOES SKYDIVING
and you just land super soft,”
she said.
One irony is that the
organizer, who took a several
hour class and went for a 170
mph solo dive.
“A lot of people walking
around here today still have
pretty big smiles on their
face,” said Pankratz, two
days after the group’s jump.
More photos at luthernews.com
is that it’s
Service
been on their
advisor Heidi
bucket list.”
Mannella was
The two at
terribly afraid
a time tandem
of heights,
jumps took
but didn’t shy
place at about
away from
13,000 feet
an employee
with chute
organized
deployment
skydiving event.
45 to 50
“This was
Mannella on a 130 mph fall near
one thing I had
Baldwin, Wis.
to overcome,”
seconds into the
said the Brookdale Chevrolet
ride, Pankratz
employee. “It was unreal, and
explained.
better than any roller coaster
Mannella was the
I’ve ever been on.”
last to go, and
Mannella joined five
said witnessing
coworkers from service
the expressions
and parts and six others at
from the others was priceless.
Skydive Twin Cities in Baldwin,
“They do twists and turns
Wis. The idea began with
in the air. It looks like you’re
technician Rich Pankratz,
going to land going 30 mph,
who asked around and
then right before, all of a
then organized the outing.
sudden, they hit the brakes
“Everybody’s answer so far
Clockwise from left, Brookdale Chevrolet
skydivers: Rich Pankratz, Bob Jones, Heidi
Mannella, Jeremy Erickson and Nick
Blattner; parts man Bob Jones (in shorts)
at the jump point; Pankratz, center, the
organizer, chose a solo freefall dive.
“Everybody
thoroughly
enjoyed it
and would
do it again in
a heartbeat.”
store assembles cancer benefit for coworker
short on silent auction
Employees
items or activities for
at Westside
children. On the auction
Volkswagen came
block was a new $800
together on a lateSpecialized bicycle,
August Sunday
Minnesota Twins LUX Suite
to raise funds for
and regular Twins tickets,
a coworker’s wife
Gopher Football tickets,
who is fighting
Above, office staffers share a light moment
a Brainerd hotel stay and
cancer.
at the well-attended event.
SCCA race tickets and a new
Patricia Allen,
promotional skills on display.
Indian-brand motorcycle
wife of service
“Wow, its better and cheaper
jacket valued at $250.
advisor Trevino
than the State Fair!” he said.
A live band, face painting
Allen has accrued
Several staff members
and a bouncy house along
a lot of medical
showed
up early that Sunday
with
food
from
the
grill
expenses after
Trevino, left and Patricia Allen, speaking, thank participants
to move cars and prepare for
being treated for at the Westside VW benefit. Patricia was treated for cancer. kept participants and kids
the event.
entertained. Even GM Steve
a type of colon
Hendricks put his
auction items and five other
cancer.
Luther stores or their
When the call for help
employees helped
went out, employees, stores
out, including Family
and vendors answered.
Buick in Fargo, she
“It’s cool how much
explained.
people actually care,” said
The benefit drew
Tammy Ferguson, assistant
more than 150 to
controller at Westside.
the store, and wasn’t A “bouncy house” helped entertain the children as well as face painting and, above right, silent auction
Employees contributed
items are reviewed on Westside’s new car showfloor as the band plays and balloons dazzle participants.
12
What is it, anyway?
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
Find the answers at luthernews.com
FARGO CELEBRATIONS DRAW CROWDS
Collision and Glass Fargo
Family Buick GMC
The annual barbecue at Luther Collision and
Glass in Fargo this summer was extra special,
with tours of the remodeled facility and award
winning ribs from Spitfire. Manager Bob
Employees took to the
Langlie welcomed body shop managers from
outdoors at Family Buick
across the Luther group, who joined insurance
GMC in Fargo for a summer
agents, adjusters, suppliers and employees
barbecue. Service advisors
from the two area Luther stores to form a
and technicians enjoyed
crowd of 280.
meat from the grill cooked
by Controller Shawn Preabt.
13
thank you notes
NORTH COUNTRY FORD
SERVICE DEPARTMENT STAFF
This past week we were provided
with exceptional service at North
Country ... and we truly appreciate
it. We are highly pleased with the
professional manner in which you
handled the situation with our moving
truck. You not only helped in finding
the necessary parts, but also inspected
and hand delivered them to Duluth for
us, something you had no obligation
to do. You have made raving fans out
of us and we greatly value what you
have done. You can be sure that we
will continue to do business with North
Country Ford for years to come. Please
share and enjoy these pizzas!
Team Firnstahl Real Estate Services
LUTHER COLLISION & GLASS
BROOKLYN PARK STAFF
I was very satisfied with the entire
experience. My truck looked great and
was done when they said it would be.
Everyone that I dealt with was friendly
and professional. Imagine my surprise
when I saw how clean the truck was
when I picked it up. Now that is going
the extra mile! I was very pleased and
would absolutely recommend the work
that they do and the service that they
provide.
Jim H.
via Google Reviews
LUTHER BURNSVILLE HYUNDAI
MARK GREEN, AARON BURR
The reviews for this dealership are really what made
up my mind to go there. This was my first time buying an
actual reliable car that wasn’t $500 ... Mark Green is the
salesman who helped me. He was so nice and funny and
not pushy at all. He showed me right away exactly what
I was looking for, a 2014 Hyundai Accent GLS, and didn’t
mind me getting a little squealy with excitement. The
whole process was explained and Aaron Burr, the man
who helped me finance, was also very nice and patient
and explained everything. They really made me feel like
my wants and opinions mattered and took the time to
explain everything. They made sure all my questions
were answered and even gave me a means of contact in
case I had more questions. It was a great experience and
a fantastic dealership. All the reviews made my mind up
about this dealer so I wanted to make sure people know
how great they really are as well.
PARK PLACE MOTOR CARS
Charyse E.
via cars.com
ERIC JENSEN
... A great experience! Very friendly, pressure free
atmosphere. Eric was very knowledgeable about all the
cars on the lot and could easily explain differences in car
packages. He found out exactly what we were looking for
and helped us make our selection that fit our budget. He
did not try and oversell his product. We received fair tradein prices ... Eric took his time explaining our new vehicle and
all of its awesome features. He was very friendly and honest
in his answers. Eric also ensured that if we weren’t satisfied
with any part of our experience, to simply tell him and he
would make it right. Eric worked very hard for us the entire
time at the dealership. It really felt like Eric was working for
us with honesty and loyalty. I have full confidence that Eric
took great care of me and I can always return to him with
questions. He ensured me that he’s going to be by my side
the entire time I own this car and not just the day I buy it.
I feel very confident in my purchase and confident in the
choice of dealerships. Thank you, Eric Jensen.
Taryn R.
via DealerRater
Notable kudos, for
multiple stores
Honda’s highest and
most prestigious honor
was bestowed on Luther
Brookdale Honda, which won
the 2013 President’s Award.
Qualifications for the honor
include profitability and sales
requirements,
customer
service and
retention
levels in
service,
among
other factors.
Brookdale
Honda has
received the
award for
three years
running
and is hopeful for a repeat
performance in 2014.
Down the
boulevard
from the
Honda store,
Brookdale
Mazda Mitsubishi continues
to excel as one of the largest
Mitsubishi parts operations
in the U.S., explains Parts
Manager Mark Manthey.
The store is ranked 16th
among 400, and is the largest
parts operation in the upper
Midwest. “Chicago is the only
one that would touch us.”
LUTHER HUDSON CHEVROLET GMC
SERVICE DEPARTMENT
Good morning. All of you are familiar with who I am and my vehicle, the 2010 Terrain. It seems to
be running well ... I wanted to share something with you to give you insight into being a customer at a
car dealership. You have to remember no one likes to get their car fixed and our first thoughts are that
it will be a huge bill. As a woman, it is even more frightful because you have no idea how an engine
works. The balancing act you do is quite amazing. Making eye contact and being up front about
everything helps in the process. My life for the last 3 years has been in a whirlwind, to say the least, with
last year hitting bottom ... I have a new job, but it is tentative because the division up here isn’t doing
well. Change is the only constant thing in life and you have to be on your toes at all times. I’ve cried in
front of a few of you when life just got so overwhelming and all of you were so warm and helpful. You
never know what someone is going through. I want to thank you all for being a “friend” to me and
for caring about me and my situation enough to help me through some pretty tough times. You all
deserve a hug and more because you really are a great team; cherish that! From my heart,
Anne S.
Family Buick GMC staff gladly received
the “GMC Dealer of the Year” award.
In Fargo, Luther Family Buick
GMC has again secured GMC
Dealer of the Year honors.
Sales excellence and customer
satisfaction are key elements
in the ranking.
14
Kia store on
winning streak
In the battle for
customer satisfaction
(CSI), it was Luther Kia of
Bloomington’s service
department which was
ranked first in Kia’s Central
Region and second for the
U.S., six quarters running.
“CSI is a really important
factor– it affects your
allocation of cars, it affects
everything,” said Service
Manager
Dave
Boogren.
Thanks to
the store’s
staff and
teamwork,
he explains,
the
Bloomington franchise
has risen from last place in
early 2012 to first, and has
stayed there.
“It’s a very good place
to work, everybody’s
attitude,” the service
manager said. “If you
like your job, it shows to
your customer and they
sense it.” Treating people
with respect and putting
in a little extra can win
a customer for life, he
explains.
Kia of Bloomington
is typically 20 points or
more above the district
average of 942 on a
thousand point scale, and
the clear frontrunner in
the collection of customer
email addresses.
15
Send your story ideas to
[email protected] or
call 651-452-9800
Hobby farm opens neighborly doors
They were seeking peace and
quiet so they moved to Wyanett,
Minnesota in the middle of
winter, to 20 acres and a 118-year­
old farm house. Without cell
phone service, cable TV and
emergency sirens, they only had
each other and eight chickens
to talk to. They definitely found
peace and quiet.
After 29 years of marriage,
Phil Jeglosky, sales manager at
Brookdale Mazda Mitsubishi, and
his wife, Michelle, acted on their
desire to live in the country. They
found the farm on the Internet, a
fixer-upper at a low price, visited,
and in just a few days made the
purchase.
“We love it here,” said Phil. “Our
kids, Madison and
Steven, think it is really
neat.” Moving in the
middle of winter, with
the closest neighbors a
half mile and two miles
away, Michelle baked
scones and muffins
and left packages
on their neighbors’
doorsteps.
Jeglosky grew up in a rural area
where they were on a five-party
neighbor soon arrived with
phone line, with no neighbors.
equipment to remove it. No
His wife grew up
questions
in the city but
asked, no
loves animals.
payment
For safety, they
needed, just
rely on the help
the neighborly
thing to do.
of neighbors, get
Another storm
radio weather
last winter left
reports and
them stranded,
depend on a land
360 feet from
line phone.
their house
They stripped At left, Jeglosky’s grandson Conner is
feeding the chickens. Above, Michelle,
with a broken
the historic
with Phil, holds the keys to the farm as
snowblower
farmhouse to the their Realtor looks on.
and tractor.
bare floors and
walls, removing carpet, paneling
Eventually a local farmer saved
and wallpaper. The original
the day with a massive plow.
window panes are thick and full of
A horse and cow are in
air bubbles. Since all the hardware
Michelle’s plans, and possibly
and appliances were removed,
a joint alpaca farm with a
from light
neighbor. The initial eight
chickens were cut to four by an
fixtures to
overnight predator, requiring
sinks, they
that a chicken coop and runway
focused on
antiques. A
be built over the weekend.
“We are at nature’s mercy,” said
100-year-old
kitchen table
Jeglosky.
His tip for others planning a
and late 1800s
side table look
move: sell your current house
first. “It is a challenge with two
right at home.
A storm last year brought a
mortgage payments.” After six
months, his house was sold.
tree down on their house but a
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