IOWA
Charlie Zook Motors celebrates 40 years of taking care of customers in Sioux City. Owner and founder Charlie Zook attributes part of his success to his employees. His commitment of high standards has earned top awards over the years. "Customer service and service to the community is what we are about," Zook said. "Without our good customers over the past 40 years, we wouldn't be here."
KANSAS
Atchison's only new-car dealership has a new owner. Phalen's at 314 Woodlawn Ave. was purchased by Barclay Close and his fiancée, Ashley Kallman. The dealership will be renamed Atchison Automotive Group. Close previously owned a Chevrolet dealership in Hays before selling it to purchase the Atchison location. "We are 100 percent dedicated to this location," Kallman said.
The Smart Car has recently debuted in Topeka with the help of Topeka businessman Wesley Brown and car dealer Ron Yoder. Brown is working with Yoder, owner of Choice Auto Finder in Rossville, to sell the car locally.
Wichita Technician Johnathan Goodwin, who runs SAE Energy and H Line Conversions out of the Marquee Motorcars building on East Douglas, was featured on the cover of Fast Company, a national magazine focused on technology and innovation, in November. The feature article focused on Goodwin's work to improve fuel economy and decrease emissions primarily by using off-the-shelf parts.
Sharp's Auto Body Clinic of Pittsburg celebrated its 55th anniversary by throwing a birthday bash with sausages, hot dogs, a radio remote, and a lot of nostalgia. Current Owners Richard and Beth Smith and previous owners Mike and Linda Sand with the daughter of the original owner, Mary Dell Sharp, presided over the festivities. Bill Sharp started the business in 1952 and ran it until he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He called Sand, who was a former employee, to run the shop. Sand started on Labor Day of 1975 and purchased the shop 20 years later. Sand continued the tradition and sold to another former employee, Richard Smith.
MISSOURI
Van Chevrolet in Kansas City has announced the appointment of Cliff Eye as parts director. Eye has 35 years of experience in automotive parts. He started his career in La Mars, Iowa, in 1974. He is responsible for 20 employees. Van Chevrolet delivers to Omaha, Lincoln, and Wichita, Kan., with two-a-day deliveries to Topeka, Kan.
ASA-MOKAN elects new Kansas City Chapter officers
The Greater Warrensburg Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center held a recent ribbon-cutting for Sharpe Auto Sales at 211 E. Business U.S. 50. The dealership was formerly known as Buttram Motors before being purchased by the Sharpes.
O'Reilly Automotive of Springfield has announced its 56th quarter of record revenues and earnings since the company went public in 1993. "We are very pleased with our strong performance in the third quarter as we continue to focus on building market share in both professional and 'do it yourself' sides of our business," said Greg Henslee, CEO and co-president. "We opened 43 new stores during the quarter, bringing our net new store total to 134 for the year," said Ted Wise, COO and co-president.
NEBRASKA
The Bob Mendenhall family of Imperial is the new owner of Ogallala's NAPA Auto Parts store at 119 E. A St. Mendenhall, who owns the NAPA Auto Parts store in Imperial, purchased the business on Aug. 29 from Arnie and Terry Bernatchy. The business was formerly known as A-One Auto Supply/NAPA Auto Parts.
Cox Chevrolet and Buick of Ogallala has completed demolition of two old buildings to make way for a sales lot. Craig Cox of the Cox dealership said the northeast corner lot of A and West First streets will hold some of the vehicles formerly located on the south side of Highway 30 for the convenience of their customers. Cox said he is pleased with the way it looks and the added lot space.
Jeff and Bobbi Schmid of David City recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their new business, Northside 66 Inc. The Schmids bought the restaurant, convenience store, fuel service, tire service, and garage from Dennis and Carolee Kirby. Jeff Schmid is manager at Schmid and Sons Enterprise, where he oversees the repair business owned by his parents, Dick and Jan Schmid.
Platte Valley Auto Mart of Lexington recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Jeff McAuliffe, select dealer district manager for Ford Motor Co., presented a plaque of recognition to Todd Booth, Gary Schultz and John Saathoff.
Inter-Tech Collisions Center has opened its fifth location, in Gretna. "Gretna was a natural choice," said Inter-Tech General Manager Brad Proust. "We felt like there was a need here." The plans were kicked off by having shop Manager Lyle Georgeson move to Gretna and immerse himself in the Gretna lifestyle. Inter-Tech is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and can work on all makes and models. It has a key-drop box on site and offers free pickup and delivery within a five-mile radius.
What started as a hobby for Chris Weich and his father, Wayne, of Norfolk has developed into Ultimate Rides, a custom-built vehicle business. His Iguana truck, originally constructed and widely used as a four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle in the Caribbean jungles and mountains, and the Mexican sand dunes, may have found a new niche. Farmers and hunters can fit them with a cattle catcher and a tool box, and drive them through muddy feedlots, in water, and on sand, said Rona Weich, co-owner of Ultimate Rides.
Jenna Haase of the Automotive Service Association of Nebraska has released the results of the election of officers and the board of directors held at Direction '07. President will be Hillary McDonald of Custom Auto Care of Lincoln. Vice president is Richard Hobson of AAMCO Transmission of Lincoln. Treasurer is Robert Batt of Auto Tek Service Center of Lincoln, and the secretary is Wayne Anderson of City Motor Center of Omaha. Board members are Bryan Haase, AAM, of The Local Garage of Lincoln, Marv Dawes of Kearney Tire and Auto, Jeff Whitaker of Whitaker Auto Repair of Grand Island, and Wayne Anderson of City Motor Center of Omaha. Randy Kempf of Pro Auto Tune of Beatrice is in midterm.
OKLAHOMA
Darryl Starbird of Afton has been named Trendsetter of the Year at the eighth annual San Francisco Rod, Custom & Motorcycle Show, which is scheduled for Jan. 11-13 at the Cow Palace. Starbird, 74, president of the National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame Museum, will have two of his signature bubble-top creations, the "Predicta" and the "Star Ship," occupy the main arena show space in the West's largest indoor rod, custom, motorcycle, and specialty vehicle exposition.
Comment on this article
Send This Link To Friend