Number of employees you oversee:
We have 350 employees.
Brief background of your business:
I grew up in the business, having several part-time jobs in middle school, throughout high school and college. Some of my early training included learning how to properly detail vehicles, service porter, helping in our accounting department and selling vehicles.
From 1999 to 2003, I moved to Midland, Michigan where I attended Northwood University, a small business school with a specialized automotive curriculum. I majored in automotive marketing and management, graduating with my bachelor’s degree in 2003.
For the next seven years, I worked in the Pasco Autoplex in every department from service to sales management at our Mazda Subaru dealership.
In 2008, we had an opportunity to purchase a Honda franchise from Lithia. We completed the purchase in April of 2009, and I was named the general manager.
In 2013, Bill McCurley (my dad and current president) transitioned from day-to-day oversight of our growing company, and I was named president of McCurley Dealerships in January of 2014.
In 2019, my wife Danielle and I purchased the Subaru store in Yakima, and we are currently preparing to move into a brand-new facility across from Costco in Union Gap.
Tell us about the biggest challenges facing the auto industry.
I don’t know if I can pick out the most challenging over the last five years. The pandemic was challenging on so many fronts. It seemed like information changed daily. We were trying to figure out how to keep our employees and customers safe while trying to continue to operate as the automotive industry was considered an essential industry. We also had never seen such a large supply chain disruption. Our most recent challenges include the transition to electric vehicles and facing environmental regulations while adjusting to changing consumer preferences, workforce adaptation and a cybersecurity issue that pretty much handcuffed 15,000 dealers across the United States for two-plus weeks.
Tell us about McCurley’s philosophy on community service.
We are a stakeholder in the communities we serve. We love the Tri-Cities and all the surrounding community from Yakima to Walla Walla, so that comes with a responsibility to take care of it and help it prosper. We focus on partnering with our community by leading, volunteering, giving and empowering our team to do the same.
What is your strategy to attract and retain talent?
We are focused on growth and with growth it opens new opportunities for those looking for a career, mentoring newer team members as they move up into higher level leadership roles. Secondly, we focus on our culture. Having a high-trust culture has helped us attract and retain some very talented team members.
What do you wish more people knew about your line of work?
It’s very engaging, rewarding and enjoyable. I love working within a team and with new challenges seemingly every month. It’s never stagnant. Also, it’s a wide-reaching industry and there are so many different ways to be successful. It allows everyone the ability to reap the rewards from their hard work and training.
What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?
Empathy – seeking to understand is a great way to open communication and find a win-win for all parties involved.
What is the biggest challenge facing business owners today?
It depends on the year and where the business is in its life cycle. A business less than five years old most likely will struggle with very different challenges than a 30-year-old business. Managing growth while adjusting cash flow can be challenging as well as succession planning and execution.
If you had a magic wand, what would you change about your industry?
I wouldn’t. It’s changed more in the past 10 years than in the previous 30. It rewards those who are creative, challenge historic processes and continue to adapt to the current way of doing business. We strive to continuously evolve, creating pathways that help our customers accomplish their goals.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
Stepping into a leadership position for the first time can be both exciting and daunting. I would focus on being authentic and building relationships. Some keys that I focused on were listening actively, communicating clearly and follow through. I tried to always do what I said I was going to do.
Who are your role models or mentors?
I have a couple, but my parents and in-laws have been the most significant role models in my life. They help shape my views while also supporting me developing my own ways of looking at problems and possible solutions. They have also provided amazing examples for my wife and I to follow.
How do you keep your employees motivated?
Our culture of empowering employees and offering opportunities for growth are probably our top motivating factors.
How did you decide to pursue the career that you are working in today?
It kind of chose me. All I have ever wanted to do was work in the family business. I love it and I’m extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to grow up in the automotive industry.
How do you measure success in your workplace?
We try to keep it simple and focus on three key performance indicators: Market share, customer satisfaction and employee retention.
What do you consider your leadership style to be?
I really promote empowering decision-makers. I focus on encouraging team members to take on a project and to take initiative, make decisions and contribute to the organization’s success in meaningful ways. This approach speaks to our overall culture, emphasizes trust, autonomy, and the development of team members’ skills and capabilities.
How do you balance work and family life?
I didn’t for several years but with the help of my team, we have developed an amazing executive leadership team headed by my CEO John Inman.
What do you like to do when you are not at work?
Staying active. If I can be with my family, ski or on the water, my cup is full.
What’s your best time management strategy?
I’m a firm believer in allocating time blocks and making sure I stick to my schedule.
Best tip to relieve stress?
It’s the gym for me. If I can get an hour in the gym, I’m a much better team member and family man.
Favorite book?
Right now, I’m just trying to keep up with my kids – that’s a full-time venture for my wife and I, but I do love the book “Crucial Conversations.” It was exactly what my team and I needed early on in my leadership development.
Do you have a personal mantra, phrase or quote you like to use?
I really don’t but if I did it would be something along the line of: life is short; embrace every moment with gratitude, pursue your passions with vigor, and cherish the people who matter.