NOMINEES
John W. Muchmore
President
North Jersey Truck Center
Saddle Brook, N.J., Freightliner,Mitsubishi Fuso
"It is very difficult as a parent to say 'no' to your child when so many other parents have told their children 'yes.' It is very difficult as a leader to say we are going right when the popular way is to go left."
Muchmore's father owned a minority interest in the dealership, and he joined his father as a salesman in 1976. Realizing the company suffered from too many owners, in 1978 Muchmore and his father bought out the other owners, and in 1982, Muchmore became president.
This single location offers a lot, including sales and leasing, a wholly owned finance company, a body shop, towing service, and license, permits, and fuel tax reporting services.
The dealership has a long record of sales performance with large, private companies such as Mobil Oil, ABC Sports and Nabisco. In its relations with the community, the company emphasizes environmental matters. Recent awards include an Atlantic Detroit Diesel Loyalty Award and the Triple Diamond Award from Mitsubishi Fuso.
Thomas B. Reynolds
President and General Manager
Peach State Truck Centers, Norcross, Ga.
Ford, Sterling, Western Star
"Spending more money on training has armed us with a competitive advantage going into the improvement in sales in the industry."
In 1974, Reynolds opened his dealership under the Ford Dealer Development Program after 21 years working with Ford. Today, there are three full-service sales and parts facilities, in Norcross, Atlanta, and McDonough, Ga.
Reynolds was ahead of the curve on parts and service. The dealership began offering service 24 hours a day 15 years ago, long before some manufacturers started pushing the idea with their dealers.
"Our society holds the belief that nice guys finish last," says Jerry Turnauer of Bayshore Ford Truck Sales in Newscastle, Del., who nominated him. "Tom Reynolds proves this so-called belief wrong."
David Weiger
President
Palm Peterbilt-GMC Trucks
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Peterbilt, GMC, Mitsubishi, Workhorse
"We can only be as successful as the work we turn out in the shop, and without the technicians it doesn't happen."
Weiger has spent most of his career in the family business, starting out as a paint/collision technician helper in 1975 and working in parts and sales before becoming dealer principal in 1996. The company has three full-service sales and parts facilities.
Weiger has started a number of innovative programs, including a technician training program, free truck maintenance clinics, and a preventive maintenance program that any employee can earn a commission selling.
The dealership has received several awards from Peterbilt and GMC, including Peterbilt Medium Duty Dealer of the Year in 1999.
Art Bickford
Chairman of the Board
Bickford Motors
Snohomish, Wash.
Ford, Mitsubishi Fuso
"You hear about people stabbing each other in the back in sales departments, but that just doesn't happen at our place."
Bickford grew up in the business founded by his father in 1934. He started out as lot person, office clerk, parts person and inventory clerk in the early '50s and gradually took on more responsibilities until he became dealer principal in 1983.
Still a single location, the dealership has quadrupled its vehicle sales in the last 15 years. The vast majority of the dealership's business is light vehicles (under 14,000 GVW), with a smattering of Class 4-6. It is active in the local community, and much of its business comes from repeat customers and referrals.
The dealership has received several awards from Ford, most recently the President's Award in 1998.
Ken V. Yacobozzi.
President
Chicago Mack Sales & Service
Summit, Ill.
Mack
"There will be far fewer new trucks sold this year than in the recent past. The success of the dealer will be determined on how aggressively he approaches the business and what value-added features his dealership has over his competition."
Yacobozzi started working for Mack Trucks in 1974 as a parts manager trainee. He worked his way up to regional vice president by 1992, and in 1997 was offered the opportunity to buy the factory store in Summit, Ill., which he had operated for the company for six years before his promotion to vice president.
In addition to Chicago Mack, Yacobozzi operates a satellite store of Mack of Joliet in Channahon, Ill., and is a full line R&S Body & Trailer dealer.
The dealership has received awards from Mack Trucks and other organizations every year since Yacobozzi bought it, including regional dealer of the year in 1999 and 2000.
Return to Main Story
More Dealer of the Year
Edward A. Kyrish
Marshall Cymbaluk
John P. Niebauer Jr.
Terry C. Young
Past Dealers of the Year
