Sun State International CEO Oscar Horton Named ATD’s 2020 Truck Dealer of the Year
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LAS VEGAS — Oscar Horton, CEO of Sun State International Trucks in Tampa, Fla., was selected by American Truck Dealers as the winner of its 2020 Truck Dealer of the Year award.
The national award, which recognizes business success, industry leadership and community service, was presented Feb. 16 at the annual ATD Show.
In the year ahead, Horton will act as a spokesman for truck dealers across the nation and will meet with government leaders on their behalf.
Oscar Horton from Sun State International Trucks, LLC in Tampa, Fla. was named the 2020 Truck Dealer of the Year: https://t.co/w1lUQbTdp2 #NADASHOW — American Truck Dealers (@TruckDealers) February 17, 2020
“I want to thank you for selecting me to be the truck dealer of the year, and trust me, I will make you proud,” he said.
Horton gave thanks to those who have helped him along the way.
“There’s an old African proverb that says if you want to travel fast, travel alone. But if you want to travel far, travel with others,” Horton said. “I’ve been on a ride with others for over 40 years. This is not an overnight success story by any means.”
After graduating from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1974, Horton joined International Harvester, which is now Navistar, and moved up the ranks to eventually become vice president and general manager of International’s foundry business in 1995.
Five dealers were nominated for ATD’s Truck Dealer of the Year Award: Wilson (from left), Pearson, Mitchell, Horton and Bland. (Seth Clevenger/Transport Topics)
By the end of that decade, Horton left Navistar and began the process of purchasing his truck dealership business.
Under his guidance, Sun State International has expanded its business while growing revenue by more than 400%.
Today, the company operates six locations across Florida, offering a full line of International Trucks and representing a variety of other products, including IC Bus, Hyundai Translead trailers, Godwin Truck Bodies and Fontaine Trailers.
Looking ahead, Horton and his wife, Miriam, are focused on ensuring that Sun State will become a second-generation family business. Their daughters, Kelli and Alisan, are active in the business and have completed the ATD Dealer Academy training program.
ATD also honored four other nominees for Truck Dealer of the Year.
The runner-up for the award was Jim Bland, co-president of TranSource Inc. in Greensboro, N.C.
The three other nominees were: Lance Wilson, general manager of General Truck Sales & Service Inc. in Memphis, Tenn.; Tim Mitchell, president of Motor Truck Equipment Co./Kenworth of Pennsylvania in Carlisle, Pa.; and Scott Pearson, president of Peterbilt of Atlanta in Jackson, Ga.
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