COLORADO
Chrysler LLC held its annual Service and Parts Business Conference for the Denver Business Center on July 9-11 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. The event featured meetings, a trade fair with nearly 50 vendor exhibitors, and a presentation by Simon Boag, Chrysler's president of Global Service and Parts. Boag said that during tough economic times, people tend to hang on to their cars longer. "Now more than ever, we need to push service," he said, pointing out that motorists are three times as likely to purchase a new vehicle from the dealership who services their current one. "The more people we can get through service today, the more likely they'll come back to buy a car."
Nancy Ariano, owner of New Country Auto Center in Durango and Cortez, was elected the first chairwoman in the 75-year history of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) in July. She previously served as CADA vice chair and in other volunteer positions with the organization. Other CADA elected officers include Mike Faricy, The Faricy Boys, Colorado Springs, vice chairman; A.J. Guanella, Burt Chevrolet, Englewood, treasurer; Don Gerbaz, Berthoud Motors, Glenwood Springs, secretary; and Bob Ghent, Ghent Motor Co., Greeley, past chairman. New board members are Jack TerHar Jr., Sill TerHar Motors, Broomfield, and Ed Tynan, Tynan's Fort Collins Nissan-Kia-Saab.
Officials at Go Ford West, an AutoNation dealership in Wheat Ridge, have appointed David Meisner as parts manager. Meisner has more than 35 years of experience with Ford. He replaces Mark Manson, who has taken the role of dealership service manager.
Denver-area tire dealers tested Bridgestone-brand tire lines during Firestone North American Tire's Classroom Behind the Wheel session July 31-Aug. 1 in the parking lot of Invesco Mile High stadium near downtown Denver. BMW 328i sedans and Volkswagen GTI sported their latest tire brands.
Family Tire & Auto Service Center opened on April 28 in Loveland. The general repair facility, owned by Tire Operations Group LLC, performs light and heavy repair, including engine and transmission installations. Sean Goldsberry and Jim Hammond are the shops co-managers, Chase Mueller is the head tire technician, and Steve Twiss serves as the lead general repair technician.
George Stone of Englewood was recently honored at Farmers Insurance's new 150,000-square-foot training facility at the University of Farmers, in Agoura Hills, Calif. The event marked the organization's 80-year history. Stone wrote Colorado's financial responsibility law, which completely changed the insurance environment in Colorado, opening the door for Farmers' expansion in the state. After spending 20 years with Farmers, Stone is now retired and resides in Englewood.
Pueblo Dodge recently added Jeep and Chrysler to its lineup. The move is part of Chrysler's initiative to have dealers carry all three brands.
The Rocky Mountain News reported that BJ's Used Jeep Parts, an automotive recycler in Lakewood, has fallen victim to RTD's West Corridor light-rail expansion. Owner Dave Crespin is being forced to close his doors after 20 years. The yard is near West 12th Avenue and Benton Street and appraises at $340,000, Crespin said.
In Memoriam:
Ron McNall, a longtime automotive equipment sales manager for McGee Co., died June 18. McNall worked more than 40 years in the industry, with 22 spent at McGee Co., a Rocky Mountain region distributor of undercar tools, equipment, and supplies. He was raised in Chelsea, Iowa, and later joined the Army, working in the vehicle maintenance department in Germany and at the Fort Carson base near Colorado Springs. He moved to Colorado in 1963 and worked as a sales representative with Charlie Konstanzer and Bear Automotive Equipment. In 1982, he joined the McGee Co. as sales manager. After retiring in 2004, he and his wife, Jan, moved to Las Vegas. He also spent time restoring his prized 1956 Ford Crown Vic and attending auto shows. He is survived by his wife and three children, Gina Daly, and David and Scott McNall.
NEW MEXICO
The Automotive Service Association of Central New Mexico (ASA-CNM) has a golf tournament planned for Aug. 24 at Isleta 
Eagle Golf Course in Albuquerque. The tournament is sponsored by BG Products distributor Mesa Enterprises. The cost is $100 per person or $400 per team. For player registration or $100 hole sponsorships, contact Bill Elliot at 505-348-1206, Tom Quirk at 883-0793, Scott Benavidez at 505-255-7022, or Jim Maddox at 256-1531 before Aug. 15.
John Moore of Blue Diamond Parts LLC reported that Ziems Ford Corners in Farmington and Bob Turner's Ford Country in Albuquerque both won the Power Stroke Diesel Top 50 Volume & Growth Award. For the third year in a row, those dealerships rank among the largest sellers of retail/wholesale diesel parts. They received their plaque this week.
A $3.5 million remodeling and expansion project is under way at Hi-Country Chevrolet in Aztec. The project includes an expanded parts department, added service bays, a new showroom, and new sales and administration offices. Dealer Principle Jeff Thomas noted that sales have grown 300 percent since 2004.
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