Pub. 1 Issue 2

7 SUMMER 2013 An Interview with Incoming President Ian Thomas How did you become a car dealer? Did you always aspire to be part of the automotive industry? I am a 4th generation car dealer and developed a passion and love for engines and things that are mechanical early on. When I was younger my mother used to drop me off at my grandparents’ house some Wednesdays after school and I would help my grandfather, LaRue Thomas, work on cars. He could do anything with his hands in that workshop next to his home. He used to restore Model T Fords and old Cadillacs. He and my great grandfather, Cecil Thomas started selling Studabakers in 1932 in San Pedro. Throughout his lifetime, LaRue amassed over 100 Cadillacs, which was one of the largest collections of Cadil- lacs in the world. Describe your all-time favorite ride. The coolest car is the Noble M400. There are only about 220 in the country. Go to http://www. youtube.com/watch?v=N6gOopt8gtM. It speaks volumes of what that car can do. It’s very light and nimble on the track and hits 60 mph in just over 3 seconds. It is literally the equivalent of a 600cc sportbike on the track, a phenomenal ride. What did you study in college? Have you always lived in California? I graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.S. inManagement and Opera- tions. When I was younger, my mom used to be an Australian citizen so I spent some time there with family and going to school in Victoria. Tell us about your family. I married my high school sweetheart, Colleen, who is fromNewOrleans. We met at a friend’s 18th birthday party and I still remember what she wore that night chatting with her on the diving board. We now have 3 children, ages 14, 11, and 6 and live in the South Bay. What’s your favorite way to spend your free time? (We don’t imagine you get much of it!) Any unusual hobbies? I enjoy sporting clays and used to compete na- tionally. My most relaxing days are spent with my family, or hunting completely disconnected from our electronic lives. What’s the most rewarding part of your career? What challenges have you faced? There are a lot of challenges in a low-margin industry, you have to be “present” in your opera- tion if you want to survive today. The most rewarding part is watching all the hard work, training, leading, and coaching people, and watching their success. It’s fun to watch some- one flourish and move up through the ranks, like someone who has never sold cars, who eventually reaches a management position. That’s what I get a big kick out of, seeing people immerse themselves in the car business and make it their career. Where do you think the auto industry is headed in the future? I think it’s going to be a tough road ahead in  Ian Thomas — continued on page 8