Luther Automotive (DEV)

Blog

  • Little Miss Inver Grove Heights

    Inver Grove Heights, a city in the Southeast metro is bordered on the East by the Mississippi River and the Luther Nissan Kia dealership that is perched on the hill to the North. Every September the community celebrates Inver Grove Heights Days which includes a treasure hunt, a street dance, parade, fireworks, and the coveted Little Miss Inver Grove Heights. 

    This past summer, Luther Nissan Kia sponsored 9-year-old Nora DeMarre throughout her journey as she competed for Little Miss Inver Grove Heights. This was the first year Jennifer DeMarre’s daughter ran for candidacy. “Luther has been a parade sponsor of the Little Miss Scholarship Program for a long time. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to have Nora run since she seemed excited about the events related to the candidacy,” said Controller Jennifer DeMarre. Typically, each participant is placed with a sponsor each year, but since Jennifer works at Luther Nissan Kia, Nora was able to have the dealership be her sponsor. 

    Throughout the summer, the nine girls who competed would regularly visit their sponsors, take etiquette classes, and participate in various community service projects for charities like Feed My Starving Children and Angels in the Outfield. Judges would often come to these events to help them determine who would be the best ambassador for Inver Grove Heights. The girls would be judged on how well they interacted with others at various events and their overall stage presence.

    The coronation was held on September 9th during the Inver Grove Heights Days. The day started with the annual parade in which all the girls participated, followed by the official crowning. “Nora had a great time competing this year and we’re lucky that Luther Nissan Kia was able to be her sponsor,” said Jennifer DeMarre. Although Nora did not win this year, she’s looking forward to running again next year for the Inver Grove Heights Little Miss title. 

  • Minnesota’s Best 2023

    On Thursday, October 12th, the Star Tribune hosted its annual Minnesota’s Best event at Orchestra Hall. This was the third year the Star Tribune has recognized and celebrated the winners who represent the best Minnesota has to offer. 

    Minnesota Best is a widely-recognized program that receives hundreds of thousands of votes for the top picks in hundreds of categories. The categories range from Eat & Drink to Education, Health, and Shopping. The winners who are selected each year are featured in the magazine, serving as an essential guide for readers to visit throughout the seasons.

     

    For three years running, Luther Automotive won multiple gold awards in the Star Tribune for being Minnesota’s Best New Car Dealership, Used Car Dealership, Automotive Customer Service, Service Center, Body Shop & Customer Service. 

    “The best part of seeing us be recognized as the best New Car, Used Car, Service Centers, and Collision Centers is knowing that really what we are is the company with the best people. Without every person on our team this wouldn’t be possible,” said Andrew Gadient, Chief Operations Officer.

  • Company Milestones

    Congratulations Q2 Employees! 

    We greatly appreciate you for your years of dedicated service and loyalty to the Luther Automotive Group. You may not know this, but we are aware of all your efforts and hard work, and we cannot thank you enough. We value all your sacrifices in helping this company grow to where it is today.

    3 Years

    Amber Morgan, BVH

    Anthony Smebak, HHO

    Austin Chanhdara, RLT

    Bradley Dise, CAM

    Brian Leonard, RCN

    Brett Condon, IOB

    Caleb Kerhin, PPM

    Cassandra Daher, BMM

    Christopher Anderson, BPH

    Christopher Morriss, ARK

    David Abramovich, WVW

    Dominic Saver, BVH

    Emil Heim, ARC

    Emily Mudgett, LEF

    Fernando Lopez-Belasquez, ANW

    Frank Majsterski, LAG

    Gloria Ede, ARC

    James Cerutti, ARK

    Jerry McDowell, ART 

    Jorge Lopez- Chavez, LAG 

    Joshua Grubbs, RCN

    Juanita Phothisanh, BVW

    Justin McGee, MMC

    Kelly Bistodeau, LCC

    Luis Andrade, LAG

    Michael Aeilts, AC1

    Michelle Kowalski, NCF

    Melissa Getzke, BHM

    Mitchell Rose, BAS

    Mohsin Alvi, WVW

    Nicholas Lira, OKC

    Scott Wilkie, FCG

    Terri Ellison, KCM

    Thomas Schaub, JCC

    Trenton Walker, ANW

    Young Vang, WBA


    5 Years

    Alberto Espinoza-Palmeno, LNK

    Alex Peterson, DTJ

    Alexander Gillie, LBB

    Andrew McGilvery, ANW

    Anthony Roxstrom, PLC

    Brent Phillips, LCC

    Brian Reinstra, BLH

    Brianna Baker, OKC

    Brianna Baker, ARC

    Brittany Kelly, AAS

    Carlos Tapia-Lopez, LAG

    Chip Anderson, ANW

    Christopher Koble, LMH

    Clayton Buzzell, CAM

    DeGeorge Tebbs, LAG

    Demetrius Wallace, ARC

    Duy Tran, LAG

    Edward Vorobey, HHO

    Ethan Anderson, LFF

    Ervin Schoppe, NCF

    Gary Eickelberg, LAG

    Jeffrey Hayes, MMC

    Jose Ortega-Chepetla, WVW

    Joseph Zecena, ANW

    Justin Kopp, FCG

    Kala O’Neal, WBA

    Kathleen Southam, BCG

    Kelvin Yang, LBB

    Kevin Brick, RLT

    Kyra Jones, OKC

    Larry Davis, HCR

    Lukas Roust, STC

    Ma Her, RCN

    Manrique Valdez, ANW

    Maria Jarrett, PLC

    Matthew Moebeck, BPH

    Musab Abdi, BLH

    Nahun Anariva, LBB

    Nou Thao, RCN

    Richard Mattson, LAG

    Riley Titus, CAD

    Roberto Hernandez-Velazquez, LAG

    Saloeun Chea, RLT

    Sara Miller, LAG

    Sarah Rackley, ANW

    Smith Pease, OKC

    Spencer Rasmussen, WVW

    Trenton Plack, ANW

    Tyler Newstrom, BAS

    Vincent Hunter, ARK

    Xuetshi Vue, BPH

    Yvonne Vollman, WBA


    10 Years

    Benjamin Ferry, LAG

    Carol Kirk, BAS

    Coral Smith, ARC

    Cory Zaback, RLT

    Dale Amsbaugh, LFB

    Dylan Duffy, BAS

    Gail Tritle, BAS

    Greg Johnson, JCC

    Greg Schantzen, BPH

    Jay Lenk, BHM

    John Ritter, BAS

    Jordan Dock, HCR

    Joshua Sieling, WBA

    Justin Rudell, ARK

    Michelle Smith, JCC

    Minh Tran, STC

    Nicholas Buechner, HCV

    Peter DelGreco, RLT

    Roderick Elliott, ART

    Rufus Taylor, ARK

    Susan Guggemos, BVW

    Thomas Manship, BAS


    15 Years

    Alex Mohanna, RLT

    Barbara Nelson, LAG

    Bradley Davidson, WVW

    Charisse Kingsbury, NCF

    David Nelson, LAG

    David Warner, LBB 

    Eric Kellas, LAG

    Gerald Grosz, LFB

    Jason Kellas, LAG

    Jason Mitchell, LCC

    Jeffrey Gage, LAG

    Jennifer Harris, BPH

    John Reinan, BAS

    Michelle Love, WVW

    Mike Deutsch, BLC

    Nicholas Simmons, WBA

    Tim Jubie, MMC

    Wilbert Brown, ART


    20 Years

    Ardell Hanson, HHO

    Bruce Pap, BAS

    George Wokson, LBB

    James Isaacson, LFF

    James Jones, LFB

    Jane Dohn, LFB

    Jennifer Brinkman, LFF

    Jeremy Jensen, LFB

    Jody Jackson, LFB

    Jon Gunderson, CAM

    Joshua Homan, LFF

    Karen Breitbarth, IOB

    Linda Pratschner, LFB

    Mark Carlson, LFB

    Michael Sundvor, LFB

    Mindy Hodgson, LFF

    Misty Jeanotte, FCG

    Pamela Emmerich, LFB

    Rodney Tyson, LFB

    Roger Holland, LFF

    Scott Halter, RLT

    Shawn Preabt, LFB

    Stewart Schrenk, LNK
    Suzy Olson, HCV

    Tim Ebens, LFB

    Tim Wilkins, BVW

    Todd Brown, LFB

    Trygve Letnes, LFF


    25 Years

    Boris Sonkin, RLT

    Curt Johnson, MMC

    Jack Wong, DTJ 

    Kevin Nyberg, NCF

    Mike Gallagher, MMC

    Patrick Rienstenberg, LBB

    Raymond Tuenge, LCC

    Ruth Stachowski, DTJ

    Ryan Kottke, BCG

    Tim Reil, NCF

    Vicki Severson, NCF


    30 Years

    Matthew Waich, WBA

     

    35 Years

    Greg Bindewald, DTJ

    John Meyer, HHO

    Kyle Allison, MMC

    Ramona Elwood, PLC

    Steven Williamson, DTJ

    Troy Weist, LFB

    Wesley Littler, BCJ



     

  • Youth Soccer Pizza Party

    On Wednesday, August 9th, the City of Brooklyn Center, sponsored by Luther Automotive, hosted its annual Soccer Party  at the Centennial Amphitheater for all the participants who played in the summer soccer league and programs. This was the 10th year Luther has participated in the end-of-the-season party for the Brooklyn Center youth soccer programs. 

    The summer soccer program consisted of an in-house league with eight teams for children between the ages of 8-13, mini-skill clinics for ages 2-7, and free soccer camps for ages 5-12. This past summer, Brooklyn Center had over 300 youth players join their league and programs. 

    “Seeing all the kids come together from around the world and play is truly amazing and we’re glad to be a part of it,” said Matt Oquist, Luther Automotive’s Community Engagement Director.

    Everyone who participated this past summer was invited to the pizza party, and nearly 200 people from the community attended. At the event, each player was recognized in front of their family and other teams, and was presented with a Luther Automotive medal. Each team also voted on one player to receive a Luther Automotive Sportsmanship award in the form of a yard sign or window cling that they could display. 

    “I really appreciate everything that Luther has done for the city of Brooklyn Center. I look forward to the year-end pizza party for the youth every year. The best thing about it is to see all the young athletes and their parents attend,” said Police Chief Kellace McDaniel. 

  • Luther Automotive’s Top 25 ‘Best of the Best’ Sales in 2022

    For nearly 10 years, Luther has celebrated the “Top 25” to recognize the people who’ve sold the most for Luther. The Top 25 people are determined by the total amount of final sales from the previous year. 

    For 2022’s end-of-the-year sales, we celebrate Helton Cerquiera from Westside Volkswagen for having the Top Used Sales, Yvonne Vollman from White Bear Acura for the Top New Sales, and Melissa Garvey for the Highest Overall Sales. We would also like to recognize our other top sellers in no particular order. 

     

    Top Overall – Melissa Garvey, Brookdale Mazda 

    Top New – Yvonne Vollman, White Bear Acura

    Top Used – Helton Cerquiera, Westside Volkswagen

     

    Aaron Sands, Burnsville Hyundai 

    Abdi Abdikadir, Bloomington Hyundai

    Alex Rensch, Brookdale Mitsubishi

    Ben Gates, Bloomington Hyundai 

    Bobby Scala, Westside Volkswagen

    Chad Walczak, Brookdale Mitsubishi

    Daud Mohamed, Brookdale Toyota

    Hector Espinoza, St. Cloud Subaru

    Igor Tenenbuam, Luther Nissan Kia

    James Remer, Bloomington Kia 

    James Thomas, Landers Toyota 

    Joe Ray, Luther Nissan Kia

    Jovonie Wilson, Luther Nissan Kia

    Kristopher Kelly, St. Cloud Subaru

    Linda Radue, Burnsville Volkswagen 

    Marwan Merhy, Brookdale Honda

    Mark Sullivan, Burnsville Hyundai

    Nic Johnson, Luther Nissan Kia

    Ross Haugen, Brookdale Mitsubishi 

    Sam Basho, White Bear Acura 

    Scott Holerud, Luther Nissan Kia

    Toua Yang, Brookdale Toyota

    Victor Oates, Brookdale Honda

  • Brookdale Mazda’s Melissa Garvey Hold’s Nations Top Ranking

     

    Melissa Garvey started with a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit, but after being introduced to the automotive industry and becoming a top salesperson, she is putting Brookdale Mazda on the radar. Currently, Garvey ranks as the Top Female New Mazda Seller in the U.S. and is within the Top 30 Mazda Sellers in the U.S. overall. 

    “I started out not knowing anything about the car business. I thought I would be in this industry for a year – max – then go back to a non-profit,” said Garvey. 

    Back in 2008, after Garvey wrote her thesis for her Master’s, she was on the job hunt hoping to find a career that would allow her to travel and help others. However, it became difficult to find the perfect non-profit job during this time, so her friend suggested that she go into sales in the automotive industry. “It took a bit of convincing at first. But I knew that I was good with people so I gave it a shot,” said Garvey. Now after working for the industry for 15 years, Garvey doesn’t see herself doing anything else anytime soon. 

    Garvey started her automotive sales career at Morrie’s Hyundai. Then after four years in the business, she began working for Luther Hyundai in Burnsville until she moved to Luther Mazda. “When I first started, I studied a lot. I wanted to become an expert at everything anyone would ask me so that they wouldn’t doubt me.”

    For the past seven years at Luther Mazda, Garvey found a process that works for her that has helped lead her to her success within the industry. “You have to not let the bad things bother you, such as losing a deal or a customer being rude to you – it happens. There’s nothing you can do about it. As long as you know that you put in all the work that you can do. Make sure you treat people right, and the deals will come to you,” she said. 

    Throughout the years, Garvey has continued to grow and constantly impress those who work with her and visit her at the dealership. When she isn’t at her desk or out on the floor talking to a customer, you can find Garvey calling or messaging her clients to see who she can help out next.

  • Explore the Success of LTTC’s Fast-Track Program

    A fast-track program that guarantees immediate career placement and dealership-sponsored mentorships is gaining popularity among students wanting to become Automotive Technicians. On January 31, 2022, Luther’s Technical Training Center (LTTC) opened its doors to its first group of Module 1 students. Now, over 16 months later, 100+ students have graduated from Module 1, and many have progressed to Modules 2 and 3.

    The training program at LTTC is split into five modules. Students can choose whether they would like to complete all modules to become a Certified Master Technician, or depending on their personal goals, they may stop and/or resume classes after each module session. To complete all five modules, students are expected to be in class for 39 weeks and spend roughly 24 weeks at their internships. 

    Student Shue Her finished Module 2 at LTTC and plans to attend Module 3 soon. He was awarded the best overall GPA and MPI Champ of his class. “I wish I could have started sooner at LTTC, the instructors (Mike and Mark) are great. They are super interactive, create fun competitions, and teach you all the details on how and why specific things work,” said Her.

    Luther’s Training Center runs a diverse program that isn’t quite like others in the area. The program offers free tuition to students, and with hard work and dedication, students will receive a weekly stipend during training.

    “We want to make life easier for students while they go to school,” said Service Specialist, Matt Carlson. Upon graduation, students will receive manufacturing certifications for a specific dealership of their choice and will have the benefit of immediate career placement into one of Luther’s dealerships. 

    Currently, there are available seats left in October for those who are interested in attending Module 1.

     

  • Luther Automotive Becomes Title Sponsor for the Minneapolis Mile

    The Minneapolis Mile Automotive Festival was brought to life on August 12th and 13th in downtown Minneapolis between the Convention Center and the Nicollet Mall. This is the first year Luther Automotive was a title sponsor for the event.

    The festival features cars, trucks, motorcycles, food trucks, and a career fair. The event first started in 2018, and over the years has grown into a unique experience that features higher-quality cars, more events and shows, and more sponsors. 

    “This year was extra special because we’ve had people not only from surrounding states attend the event, but also there were attendees that traveled from Mexico and Canada,” said Daniel Boto, CEO of Carmmunity Inc. 

    This year, the event featured over 500 vehicles from show cars to sponsor vehicles, motorcycles and trucks. There were over a dozen Luther Automotive dealerships involved in the event including Rudy Luther Toyota, Bloomington Acura and Subaru, Brookdale Honda, Luther Family Buick/GMC, Brookdale Mazda Mitsubishi, Brookdale Chevrolet, and Brookdale Chrysler Jeep Dodge, North Country Ford, and Luther Kia. The Luther Technical Training Center also had its own booth at the career fair, and the Automotive Performance Studio gave away a free vehicle wrap in a raffle. 

    The awards for the event were certainly something to write home about with Luther sponsoring over 50 of them. Congratulations to all the winners at the event and a huge thank you to all the Luther employees that volunteered. To view additional photos and to see all the award winners go to the Minneapolis Mile’s website at www.minneapolismile.com.

  • Luther Automotive Announces New Street Team

    On July 13th, Motors Management announced a new idea to all employees – The Luther Auto Street Team. This team is responsible for managing Luther’s presence and company booth at various community events and fairs throughout the year. The team is comprised of current Luther employees who raised their hands to help take part in showcasing the Luther brand and company culture. 

    Some of the events you can expect to see the Street Team attend in the near future are the Minneapolis Marathon, the Edina Art Fair, and many more. All the events are held during the evenings or weekends, with each team member having the option to choose which events they’d like to participate in. 

    Besides attending multiple events throughout the year with their co-workers, the Street Team will help generate leads for Luther’s sales and service teams, engage and develop relationships with event attendees, and share information about Luther’s products and services. This is a great way for employees to connect with others, share their passion for Luther Auto, and create a positive difference in the community.

  • Luther Hockey Team Start Up Fall Season

    What started as a casual Thursday night pick-up game turned into a year-round hockey league for a group of Luther Auto employees. 

     “The theme of our story echoes the movie ‘Mystery, Alaska’,” said Bart Archer, the coach of the Luther Auto Hockey Team. Roughly 14 years ago, every Thursday night from March until May, a group of Luther employees would show up to Victory Memorial to play each other in a few hockey games. Their “team” included players of all positions and dealerships, of all ages ranging from late teens to mid 60’s. “It was a lot of fun. After a few years of doing it we had so much fun we continued to skate til August,” said Archer. 

    Then, in 2014, Archer took their team to the competitive leagues and formed the Luther Auto Hockey Team (LAHT). 60-70% of their team consists of current and former Luther employees. 

    Last year, the LAHT ended their season at the top of their league. With nine wins and one tied game, they had no problem rising to the top over the 11 other teams. While they’re currently finishing up their summer session, on September 2nd, the LAHT will play their first game of the year in the league.

    “We’re excited to be back and welcome other Luther employees who love the game to participate throughout the year,” said Archer.