A web-based publication of the Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota GRAND FORKS DEALER ELECTED ADAND CHAIRMAN Robert Rydell of Honda Nissan of Grand Forks and Rydell Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC, Grand Forks, was elected Chairman of the Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota during ADAND s annual conference held recently in Bismarck. A member of the ADAND Board of Directors since 2004, Bob served as Chairman-Elect during the past year. Bob, a native of Grand Forks, attended Red River High School (84), Aakers Business College (Accounting) and the University of North Dakota (Business Management). Bob began his career at his father s Chevrolet store, where he worked during high school and through college. He learned the business through various jobs including detailing vehicles, working retail and wholesale parts, accounts receivable / Robert Rydell payable, used car inventory management, and new and used vehicle sales. Bob was reconditioning manager for three years before moving to Saturn of St. Paul in 1991 where he sold cars before becoming a Sales Manager. A 3 rd generation Rydell in the car business, Bob has been the General Manager of the family s Honda Nissan dealership for the past six years, overseeing that location s growth and major remodel in 2007. His brother Brian is General Manager of Rydell Chevrolet Buick Cadillac GMC. They are involved in buy-outs of the Grand Forks stores as well as the Rydell GM dealership in Crookston, MN, from their father, Wes, who is still very involved in the companies. Wes bought Rydell Chevrolet in 1976 from his father, Leonard, who founded the company in Montgomery, MN, during WWII when GM was not producing new autos. Leonard moved his family and business to Grand Forks in 1954 when he purchased the former Border Chevrolet company. The Rydell Group now includes 68 dealerships in 11 states. Bob and his wife Cheri reside in Grand Forks with their three children: Brendan, 12; Camryn, 10; and Lauryn, 7.
Page 2 SIREK BECOMES ADAND CHAIRMAN-ELECT Joel Sirek, Smith Motors, Wahpeton, became Chairman-Elect of the Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota during our organization s 2011 Conference held in Bismarck. He has been a member of the ADAND Board of Directors since 2005. Joel attended Wahpeton High School and North Dakota State College of Science, earning a degree in Business Administration. He joined his father, ADAND Past Chairman Stan Sirek, at Smith Motors in Wahpeton, the family-owned business. Smith Motors handles Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC. Joel is a board member for the Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC line meeting groups. He is also a past board member for the Chevrolet-Heartland Dealer Association. He currently serves as a board member for the North Dakota State College of Science Alumni Foundation, and for the City Economic Development Committee. Joel Sirek Joel and his wife, Tami, have two children: Parker, 16, and Brooklyn, 13. Passing the ADAND Gavel Immediate Past Chairman Justin Theel (L), Bismarck, congratulates incoming ADAND Chairman Bob Rydell, Grand Forks, during ADAND s recent conference. Both Justin and Bob are third-generation North Dakota auto dealers.
Page 3 ADAND WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER Christian Kostelecky, Dickinson, ND, has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota. He is General Manager of Sax Motor Co., a Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick dealer with locations in Dickinson, Bowman, and Killdeer, ND. Christian graduated from Dickinson High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Minnesota State University Moorhead, and a Master s degree in Finance from the University of Denver. He is also a graduate of the General Motors Institute of Automotive Management in Flint, Michigan. Christian worked at the family dealership during high school and college in the detail and service departments. Upon graduation from college, he worked as a bank examiner for the FDIC for two years before returning to graduate school. Christian Christian Kostelecky then worked ten years as a financial analyst and an investment manager with Asset Management Group in Englewood, Colorado. Christian and his family moved back to Dickinson in 2001 to re-join the dealership, and became the General Manager in 2004. Sax Motor Co. is a family-owned dealership, and Christian represents the 4 th generation to be involved in the business. His great-grandfather, Fred Saxowsky, started Sax Motor Co. in Hebron, ND, in 1923 and moved the company to Dickinson in 1926. Christian s grandfather, Gilbert Saxowsky, became the dealer/owner in 1952, and his mother Pam (Saxowsky) Kostelecky became dealer/owner in 1993. Both Gilbert and Pam served as ADAND Chairmen, making Christian a 3 rd generation ADAND Board member. Christian is the Past Exalted Ruler of Dickinson Elks Lodge 1137, a past member of Optimist International, and a current board member of the Dickinson Chamber of Commerce, and the Dickinson State University Foundation. Christian and his wife, Lisa, reside in Dickinson with their two sons, Tony, 14, and Tyler, 13. Mark these dates for 2012! 2012 ADAND Conference November 12-13, 2012 Ramkota Hotel Bismarck, ND
2011-2012 ADAND BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADAND Online Page 4 Seated L to R: Past Chairman Bill Wallwork, Fargo; newly-elected director Christian Kostelecky, Dickinson; Chairman Bob Rydell, Grand Forks; Chairman-Elect Joel Sirek, Wahpeton; and Past Chairman Don Vigesaa, Cooperstown. Standing L to R: Dan Wilson, Fargo; Jesse Peterson, Bismarck; Immediate Past Chairman Justin Theel, Bismarck; Karl Christian, Finley; Rod Wilhelm, Jamestown; and Past Chairman and National Director Donovan Bertsch, Bottineau.
Thank you... ADAND Online Page 5 The Automobile Dealers Association of North Dakota would like to thank the many dealers, associates, and sponsors whose support and efforts made our annual dealer gathering possible. 2011 ADAND Conference ence Sponsors Thanks Justin and Missy! Pinnacle American Financial and Automotive Services Elite Association Services Inc. Farm & Ranch Guide Partner ADESA Fargo ADP Dealer Services Manheim Minneapolis and Northstar Auto Auctions Ramkota Hotel Bismarck Reynolds & Reynolds General Auto Auction of Montana Automotive Parts Solutions, Inc. AutoSoft International Brady Martz & Associates P.C. Dealer Development Systems DSI Automotive Products Eide Bailly LLP Federated Insurance JM & A Group Mid-State Auto Auction To our 2010-11 Chairman Justin Theel, Bismarck, and First Lady Missy, our deepest thanks for your dedicated service and leadership, and for your hospitality during our annual conference.