McCandless Honored as ATD's 2015 Truck Dealer of the Year
McCandless, who started his career at his father’s International Truck dealership in Las Vegas in 1972, received the award alongside his wife, Melissa, here Jan. 23 at the American Truck Dealers annual convention.
He said it was particularly special to share the award not only with his parents but also with his four children — three of whom now work with him in the dealership.
“What a complete honor,” McCandless said. “It is especially humbling to be selected from such a select group of dealers.”
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McCandless joined an International dealer — which is now part of McCandless Truck Center — in 2000 as new truck sales manager. Between 1996-99, revenue at the dealership had fallen about 50% to $24 million.
His efforts were credited with helping turn the dealership around, providing McCandless additional opportunities. McCandless Truck Center includes six locations in Colorado, including two that were added last year. Annual revenue totals more than $100 million.
Nominees for the annual ATD award come from local, state and national association leaders. They are evaluated not only on dealership performance, but also industry leadership and community contributions. A panel of professors from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business chose the winner and top finalist out of this year’s six nominees.
“My father showed me that this business is about taking care of customers, being involved in the community, and developing good working relationships with employees and suppliers,” McCandless said.
McCandless has served as president of the Fremont County Rotary Club and has been a member of the Denver Chamber of Commerce. As president of the Rotary Club, he led fundraising to support the organization’s mission to eradicate polio worldwide. McCandless also is a vocational volunteer who continues to express the importance of the trucking, transportation and diesel technician fields in the local community.
He is a member of the International Truck Product Advisory Board and played a role in the development and launch of the International ProStar.
“Our dealers consistently go beyond the truck itself to provide exceptional service and support that customers demand and deserve,” said Bill Kozek, Navistar’s president of truck and parts. “We are proud of the McCandless Truck Center team; their professionalism, dedication to the community and their ongoing commitment to outstanding customer service is what sets them apart.”
Brian Bruckner, president of Bruckner Truck Sales in Amarillo, Texas, was named the finalist for the award. He has grown sales to more than $480 million last year from $189 million in 2010 and is active in his local church and community, ATD said.
The other nominees were Kevin Holmes, CEO of Tri State Truck Center Inc. in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts; Robert Neitzke, president of GATR Truck Center in Iowa and Minnesota; Kari Rihm, CEO of Rihm Kenworth in Minnesota and Wisconsin; and James Sayre Jr., president of G.L. Sayre Inc. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
Last year’s winner was Kyle Treadway, president, dealer principal and legal counsel of Kenworth Sales Co., which is based in West Valley, Utah, just outside Salt Lake City.
In comments prior to the announcement of the 2015 winner, he said the award illustrates the “character of the dealership body that is shrewd in business, but has the dedication to share the success with the community.”
The former ATD chairman also said it had been an honor to represent the industry over the past year as dealer of the year and had particularly enjoyed being a guest speaker at Indiana University and the ATD Dealer Academy.
Current ATD Chairman Eric Jorgensen, CEO of JX Enterprises in Hartland, Wisconsin, told Transport Topics he only recently had the opportunity to get to know McCandless.
Jorgensen said he was very impressed with McCandless’ work ethic and success in turning around the dealership. He also praised his close family bonds and work in the local community.
