Pub. 1 2018-2019 |Issue 1

6 How did you become a car dealer? Did you always aspire to be part of the automotive industry? I started selling cars for Jerry Seiner in 1991, as a summer job before heading to law school. I liked it, and never left. I worked my way up, and in 2012 bought the majority interest in the dealership. Do you have family members in the auto industry? My brother works here, and so does my oldest son. He just graduated college with a degree in marketing. I didn’t come from a car background. Jerry Seiner was my father-in-law, so I do have some family in the business. Describe your education background. What did you study? My degree is in computer engineering, so it’s a long way from the car industry. I chose computer engineering because I knew I could get a job, not necessarily because I liked it. I am lucky in that I found a career I enjoy early on, and I got to do it. Are there any specific individuals that had a major impact on your career? I believe that any success – personal or professional – hap- pens with a lot of help, from a lot of people. So, I certainly didn’t get here by myself. My father-in-law, Jerry Seiner, was a good business man. He cared about his customers and his employees. He never went to college; he was a graduate of “the school of hard knocks.” What is themost rewardingpart of your career? I enjoy helping our employees achieve their professional potential. What do you think will be some of the dominant trends within the auto industry in the next 5-10 years? I think we’re going to continue to see alternative powertrains in cars. In the short run, there will be more electric vehicles, but, in the long run, I think there will be more hydrogen. I also believe that there will be more manufacturers entering the market, especially from China and India. We hear a lot about shared ownership of cars, or paying to have the use of a car – not necessarily the same car, but, a car. I think those concepts are interesting, and I suspect that we will see more experimenting with this type of ownership model. What is the biggest importance of being an NCDU member, what makes it beneficial? The benefit of an organization like NCDU can’t be overstated. They advocate on many, many levels which is invaluable for dealers running businesses. NCDU is active in state legislative affairs and they keep us informed of new legislation and changes in the industry. What inspired you to serve as a leader within the association? NCDU is a member-led organization. I have personally benefited frommy involvement, so, I felt I needed to take a turn. In looking back at this year, what stands out for you? Are there any accomplishments that you are especially proud of? I am especially happy with the purchase of our new building. Not only will it give the staff of NCDU a nicer space to work in, but, it will provide a great venue for meetings and train- ing events. Getting to Know Chris Hemmersmeier, NCDU’s Outgoing President