IOWA
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) has elected John P. McEleney chairman for 2009. McEleney, owner of 
McEleney Autocenter Inc. in Clinton and McEleney Autoplex Inc. in Iowa City, has been part of NADA's leadership for the past five years. He currently serves as the association's vice chairman. John McEleney of McEleney Auto Center in Clinton has also achieved silver-level status for reducing energy 20 to 29 percent.
As of Oct. 27, Des Moines Imports in Grimes is the new location for four dealerships including Kia of Des Moines, Des Moines Mitsubishi Saab, and Des Moines Suzuki.
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) recognized 20 dealerships that took part in the NADA Energy Star Challenge. Each dealership reduced electricity or natural gas consumption by at least 10 percent since January 2007. This amounts to a reduction of more than 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide, close to the amount generated by 148 houses in one year.
KANSAS
Three affiliated truck dealers are seeking to put Kansas City truck operator Copp Transportation into involuntary bankruptcy. The three petitioning creditors--KCR International Trucks, Idealease of Mo-Kan, and Diamond Idealease--claim Copp owes them a total of $288,361.
The Greensheet reported that 1-800-Radiator has acquired all seven locations of Automotive Cooling Products Inc. (ACP). ACP, in business since 1980, is a specialty distributor of heating and cooling products for the automotive, light-truck, heavy-duty truck, agricultural, and industrial industries. It serves the Minneapolis; Kansas City; Rock Island, Ill.; Omaha; Madison, Wis.; Appleton, Wis.; and Milwaukee markets.
Newton Radiator & Auto has reopened under the new management of C.J. and Janelle Stucky. C.J. Stucky said they reopened the shop to help farmers and ranchers in the area. "Harvest is a bad time to break down, and the farmers need their equipment up and running as soon as possible," he said.
MISSOURI
On Sept. 25, Myers Brothers held the second annual Chuck Myers Memorial Golf Tournament at Winter Stone Golf Course. Owner Kirk Ecton said 102 golfers from the equipment industry and local business community participated. The event raised $7,000 for the American Heart Association.
On Oct. 16, Automotive Service Association of Missouri and Kansas (ASA-MO/KAN) hosted a business training seminar at the Metropolitan Community College Business & Technology Center in Kansas City. George Witt, owner of George Witt Service in Lincoln, Neb., who is also the chairman of the 
Automotive Management Institute's (AMI) Board of Trustees. The class, "Dos & Doughnuts," focused on solutions for shop owners to make their businesses run more smoothly.
More than 500 students converged on the Metropolitan Community College Longview campus in Lee's Summit for Automotive Career Day. During the event on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, students took a tour of the campus automotive building, engaged in round-table discussions with people in the automotive field, and talked with possible employers during the employer showcase. A car show was also put on, and students voted for "Best in Show."
NEBRASKA
After 41 years in the tire business, Carl Bateman has retired from the Goodyear tire shop in Kimball. Bateman began managing the store in 1967 and bought the store in the early 1970s. "Losing the daily contacts with my customers and business friends will be the most difficult part of retirement," he said.
Ben Barnett recently opened Ben's Auto Repair in Ogallala. Barnett has 32 years of experience in the automotive repair industry and previously owned a shop in Colorado Springs.
Capitol Mitsubishi of Lincoln has moved to the old Suzuki AutoPlex location. Suzuki AutoPlex shut its doors this summer after Owner Chad Gutschow surrendered his license due to customer complaints.
"Speedy" Bill Smith, founder and owner of Speedway Motors in Lincoln, will 
receive the 2009 Robert E. Petersen Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be presented at the 2009 Hotrod & Restoration Trade Show on March 12-14 in Indianapolis.
Ryan Tisthammer and Tom Buettner opened Albion Auto Care Center in Albion. Both were former employees of Sullivan Motor Co. service department.
Jeremy Borchard is a co-owner of Tri-State Truck and Trailer in Benkelman, along with co-owner Kenny Haines. Prior to partnering with Haines, Borchard worked in North Platte, where he had more than 10 years of experience at Nebraska Truck Center.
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