February 2016 SDADA Column

If you know me, you know of my interest in and passion for politics. I follow politics at all levels - whether local, state or national.  

My affinity for politics is what initially drew my interest in NADA. I have had the opportunity to serve on the NADA Legislative Affairs Committee in six of my eight years on the board. I have enjoyed that work immensely and have learned a great deal from the NADA Legislative Affairs staff.

NADA Chairman Jeff Carlson has appointed me as the chairman of the Legislative Affairs Committee for 2016. I am grateful for Jeff's confidence and I am looking forward to working with the tremendous Legislative Affairs staff at NADA in the coming twelve months. Our challenges are many. You have read about them in this space.

If you have followed this space, you know that we are defenders. We defending our business model, the franchise system, our product, our customers, general business practices and our OEMs. I never liked defending when I played sports, but I believe that I have gotten better at it. With practice comes proficiency!

"Offense wins games, defense wins championships"   -Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant

If it's true for football, perhaps it's true for politics!

I encourage you to contact me with ANY concerns, questions, thoughts or ideas you might have for NADA Legislative Affairs.


CFPB: Ready, Fire, Aim!

The House Financial Services Committee recently said the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau could be sending payments from Ally Financial’s $80 million settlement fund to non-Hispanic white borrowers because of a potentially unreliable race identification method. This, according to internal CFPB documents.

In fact, the administration is literally just making up victims to meet the number prosecutors announced in the settlement two years ago. The government has had to send out more than 400,000 queries to Ally borrowers asking them if they are black or Hispanic.

From Investors Business Daily:

Of course, it’s Obama and his race-mongers who are hurting consumers.

With their meritless discrimination cases, they are jacking up the cost of auto loans for average Americans — including minorities with good credit. And with their bogus payouts to phantom victims, they are also denying employees of Ally and these other auto companies, many of whom are minorities, tens of millions of dollars in pay raises and bonuses.

Meanwhile the racketeering agency has added Toyota Motor Credit to the list of auto lenders it has extorted (along with Ally, Fifth Third Bank and Honda Financial Services). The payments by these lenders now total over $112 million. We can look forward to seeing how the rest of this money will be distributed!

NADA Convention Fast Approaching 

Online registration for the 2016 NADA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas is open. As one of the most popular destinations in the country for meetings and conventions, several hotels in NADA’s convention block have already sold out.

Hotel rooms are still available in NADA’s block but they are going fast. The  convention—which runs from Thursday, March 31, through Sunday, April 3, 2016—will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information or to register, visit www.nadaconvention.org.

January 2016 SDADA Column

I am listening to an Federal Trade Commission "Auto Regulation Workshop" as I write this column. This is a rather optimistic title for this "witch hunt".

The FTC has, in the past, shown they supported manufacturer direct selling. Of course this was only the personal opinion of staff - not an official position. 

So the FTC now conducts a "kangaroo court" with panels stacked against the dealers advocating for a demolition of the franchise system (and State Franchise Laws) and endorsing direct selling by manufacturers. 

They are featuring a parade of panelists that are testifying about how the dealers are getting rich ( "average dealership profits of over $1 million/year"), running monopolies within their local markets, adding cost as a middleman and generally doing all of this at the expense of both the manufacturer and the consumer.

The ultimate irony is that the general theme of the panelists is regulation (in the form of State Franchise Laws) is inefficient and adds cost to the distribution system. There has never been an administration that has introduced more regulations (at great cost to our nation's businesses) in the history of our country. But it is only these State Franchise Laws that add costs - none of the federal regulations are guilty of such a travesty!

We can expect the "findings" of this sham to be marched out as evidence that the franchise system is broken and that State Franchise Laws should be sacked. Elon Musk is smiling all the way to the bank.

This is just another attack by the current administration and its legion of regulators who are bitter about the automobile dealers' success in earning a carve out of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010. The attacks by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau over the past five years are similarly motivated.

I think it is appropriate to end this discussion with a reminder of the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which states that the federal government possesses only those powers delegated to it by the United States Constitution. All remaining powers are reserved for the states or the people. 

That is the Federal Trade Commission you hear in that background muttering "Whatever!". 

Multi-Tier Pricing Strikes Again

You've probably seen the story about Napleton Automotive Group alleging FCA US offered dealers large sums of money to report unsold vehicles as sold. While there are many moving parts to this story and I don't care to opine on this until all the facts are out, it is illustrative of the fact that multi-tier incentives or bribing with "marketing incentives" causes problems for all involved.

It undermines the value of each brand, confuses consumers and now we see it leads to potentially scandalous and misleading reports hitting stock values. It is virtually impossible for dealers to offer transparency in their pricing to consumer if manufacturers will not do the same to their dealers. 

NADA Convention Registration Open 

Online registration for the 2016 NADA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas is open. As one of the most popular destinations in the country for meetings and conventions, several hotels in NADA’s convention block have already sold out. 

Hotel rooms are still available in NADA’s block but they are going fast. The  convention—which runs from Thursday, March 31, through Sunday, April 3, 2016—will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information or to register, visit www.nadaconvention.org.

Hang Together? Or Separately?

"We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."  

-Benjamin Franklin

If you're a student of the American Revolution, you will recognize the quote above. Franklin's message was that the signers of the Declaration (as well as colonists in general) had to help and support each other or they were doomed.

I believe that is much like a local community. If those of us in a community do not support our local businesses, we won't hang separately or be executed, but we are doomed.

If you live in a small town, you surely have been encouraged to “buy local.” But what, exactly, does "buy local" really mean? Certainly you are being encouraged buy groceries, hardware and clothing locally. But the higher the price of the items you buy locally, the greater the impact your purchase has on the local economy.

According to the website local-first.org, $73 of every $100 you spend returns to the community through avenues such as taxes (which support the local schools and teachers), payroll (which employees may again spend locally), and other expenditures (like support of local events, activities and organizations).

When you buy locally, businesses have the opportunity to create more jobs locally. Simple economics dictates that more local jobs means a greater demand for workers and thus higher wages and/or better benefits for everyone in the marketplace.

When you buy in Mitchell, Rapid City or Sioux Falls or online, none of the money spent stays in in our local community to pay taxes, payroll or any other expenditures. In other words, you are not supporting the local schools and teachers, local events, activities or organizations. 

"But I Can Save Money"

Can you save money? Are the goods or services you are buying really less expensive? Are they of the same quality? Did you consider the value of your time (driving or riding to another community)? Did you factor in the cost of your transportation (fuel, maintenance, depreciation of your vehicle, etc.)? Did you factor in the cost of shipping and handling (of an online order)?

My experience is that, if given the opportunity, local business owners do or would be willing to match the true cost of goods. To be fair, this should include some of the costs mentioned above. The question is, are you willing to give them that opportunity. Do you care enough about the future of our community to look at a transaction fairly and give the local vendor that opportunity?

I am not advocating feel-good, it's-worth-paying-more-for-local concept. I believe that if you do give the local businesses the opportunity to earn your business, you will be rewarded with better prices, better service and a better community. 

Proud to be Your Local Automobile Dealer

As an automobile dealer with stores in Chamberlain and Winner, I ask you to consider applying the logic above when you purchase your next vehicle. I would enthusiastically welcome the opportunity to help you find your next vehicle, get the financing package that fits your needs and provide service for your vehicle going forward. I believe we can bring value and enjoyment to your ownership experience.

Find the Right Vehicle...

The automobile world has changed drastically over the past 15-20 years. It used to be that you would have to go to the dealership to see a vehicle. The internet allows you to shop online for the right vehicle. Smart phones and tablets let you do that from virtually anywhere. 

It does not make sense for a small town dealership to stock hundreds of vehicles and pay the interest associated with stocking so many vehicles when we can have access to many more vehicles without the expenses. We have a network of dealer-partners across the Midwest with which we trade and buy cars, trucks and SUVs. This expands our "true" inventory exponentially. 

Our professional staff will find the new or used vehicle you are looking for. You won't have to drive all over looking for that "just right" automobile. You tell us what to find, and WE WILL FIND IT!!

...At the Right Price...

When you buy local at Harry K's, you will save money! Our prices will reflect lower costs and will

save you money when compared big city stores. Our overhead expenses (interest, taxes, facility, utilities, salaries, etc.) are much lower and we pass that savings on to our customers!

...And Payment...

At Harry K's, we have access to more than a dozen different financial institutions that specialize in automobile financing. We will shop these banks and pit them against each other to get you the best interest rate possible. 

We will use our buying power to help you get financed even if you have had some bad luck in your financial past. We will work hard to serve your financing needs because you're not just another customer, you're our friends and/or neighbor as well!

...And We'll Take Care of You Down the Road...

Our service professionals are training weekly so that they provide the best service for your vehicle. The value to you is that you can be assured that your vehicle will continue to perform at the highest level and when you come back to trade your vehicle, it retains the greatest value possible because we have a service record.

Growing Together

We believe that when businesses in the community thrive, the community thrives. Unlike big city businesses or dealerships, we are proud to give back to our community. We know the summer rec and swim team schedules because our sons and daughters play and swim on the teams. We are not just your local dealer, we are stakeholders in your community. Supporting your local dealer means supporting the small-town community.


You are more to us than a paycheck or a profit. You are our friends and neighbors. Give us a chance to earn your business. I believe you benefit and our community will benefit!

December 2015 SDADA Column

Since June 16, 2015, one person has been on the news virtually every night. Every Sunday he is on some (or all) of the Sunday morning news shows (often on the phone!). His presence has made typically uninteresting early campaign debates “must see” TV. Despite pledging to spend as much as $1 billion on his campaign, he has spent less than $2 million as of the most recent election reports.

But why would Donald Trump spend any more than that? That attention has propelled Trump to the top of virtually every national and early-state poll. Facebook has a tool (Facebook Signal) that journalists use to identify trends, photos, videos and posts from Facebook and Instagram for use in their storytelling and reporting. According to Facebook Signal, he is responsible for 80 percent (or more) of the conversation around the 2016 presidential race on any given day.

Love him or loathe him, Trump could teach all of us a thing or two about getting free publicity. I would love to see a dollar value for the publicity that he has gotten the past six months. Which raises the question: Is all publicity is good publicity?

I don’t know what will happen in the Republican race over the next six months but I do know we can count on two things: we will see much, much more of “The Donald” and it won’t be boring!

Consumer Finance Protection Bureau Gets Thrashing in Press

Since the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 1737, the Reforming CFPB Auto Financing Guidance Act, on Nov. 18, 2015, the CFPB has been deservedly ridiculed in the media. Many news outlets have found the CFPB actions so onerous that they have called for most drastic actions.

The Wall Street Journal has been particularly pointed in its criticism as they published an opinion piece entitled “Shouting ‘Racism’ Is a Career Move” in which they detail how the CFPB justified framing people for crimes they didn’t commit presumably if it serves a policy or political agenda. The WSJ also posted a video entitled “Consumer Financial Profiling Bureau” on their website in which they discuss the federal enforcement agency’s flawed model of racial discrimination in auto lending. Then on December 9, the WSJ followed up with “The Consumer Bureau Cover-Up” in which they suggest that the CFPB knew their data showing racial bias was false but sued anyway.

U.S. News and World Report published a December 2 article entitled “Take Away the CFPB's Keys” in which they rip the CFPB for overreach and call for the abolition of the federal agency. They praise Congress for their bipartisan rebuke of the CFPB and ordering it to ensure that a cost impact and other real studies are conducted before this kind of policy can take effect.

All of this criticism of the CFPB has me crying crocodile tears! I only wish I have had the chance to shed these tears five years ago!

New York Times Takes Cheap Shot at Auto Dealers

The New York Times published an article in their December 1 issue suggesting that car dealers won’t sell electric cars. They could not cite any reasons why we might not be interested in selling electric vehicles but we were the reason electric cars haven’t reached the heights they were supposed to.

Peter Welch, president of NADA, wrote a Letter to the Editor, published in the December 9 issue of the NYT. In it, he explains that dealers sell what consumers want and the reality is that electric vehicles — and the infrastructure that supports them — unfortunately do not yet suit the needs, desires or budgets of most car buyers.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It…)

Dealers accused of running a monopoly?

Do you remember this Saturday Night Live skit about bows on cars?

Are people ready to buy cars through vending machines?

Hey boss – what do I do with the $50,000 cash I found in this trade-in?

This New Yorker was scammed in Billings by fake auto dealership.

Woman destroys her husband's car after catching him with his mistress.

2015 Knust Kronicle

2015 Knust Kronicle

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Knusts!

Click here to see the 2015 Knust Kronicle

You can find previous Knust Kronicles and Christmas letters here.

November 2015 SDADA Column

Are you my friend? Or are you family? Do you want to buy the tag vehicle? Or does that one have a "super" tag? Is it "Black Friday" yet? It's Thursday but we can give you the "Black Friday" deal! But I'm not sure that you can buy on "Black Friday" if you're in the military! That's not confusing!

When the salespeople are confused, it's a pretty good bet that the customer is confused. Are the incentives designed to confuse? That seems like a rhetorical question. But is it?

Most dealers want to offer the customer all the incentives available. They typically are not an additional cost to the dealer. Dealers, however, may not offer all the incentives available to the customer because there are so many, they are so confusing and they are poorly communicated to the dealership personnel.

Customers are NOT confused about one thing - they do remember the biggest number they hear on the television ad. They may not be certain what vehicle it applies to, how to qualify or when it ends. But they DO remember the number!

Who gets to clarify the incentives for Mr. Customer? The dealer does. How does that work when the dealer is buried in the 60 page bulletin that explains the incentives. Hey manufacturers, maybe you should consider simplifying the incentives!!!

Perhaps the dealership compliance officer can help us with the incentives!

CFPB Bill Passes by Wide Margin House in Bipartisan Vote

Congress rejected the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's attempt to eliminate dealer discounts in the showroom. Eighty-eight Democrats joined all the Republicans in passing the "Reforming CFPB Indirect Auto Financing Guidance Act" by a 332-96 vote.

The bill requires the CFPB to withdraw the flawed guidance that attempts to eliminate a dealer's ability to discount auto financing for consumers. The bill also requires the minimal safeguards the agency failed to follow, such as public participation and transparency. Nothing in the bill would restrict the CFPB's ability to enforce fair credit laws in auto financing.

Before the vote, the Wall Street Journal weighed in on how some Democrats are fed up with the Administration's unending parade of regulations.

NADA Convention Registration Now Open 

Online registration for the 2016 NADA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas is off to a fast start. Nearly 2,200 dealers and their managers registered to attend the convention during the first five days of registration, up 12 percent compared to the same time a year ago. And as one of the most popular destinations in the country for meetings and conventions, four hotels in NADA’s convention block have already sold out. They are Encore at Wynn, Marriott Convention Center, Renaissance Hotel and Wynn Las Vegas.

Sixteen hotels are still available in NADA’s block. Other top hotels include the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Aria Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa. Aria and Vdara are located in CityCenter, which is considered a city within a city spread out over 67 acres on the Las Vegas strip and includes hundreds of restaurants and shops, spas, shows, nightclubs and other unique attractions.

The NADA convention—which runs from Thursday, March 31, through Sunday, April 3, 2016—will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.For more information or to register, visit www.nadaconvention.org.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It…)

Why are there no Malibus in Malibu? Are there Tacomas in Tacoma?

But the factory guys are the industry's smartest people...just ask them!

Your car got hacked; not jacked - HACKED...who's problem is it?

Driving a new Corvette through the showroom windows is a very expensive way to learn how to drive a manual transmission!

Ford wants more friends and a bigger family.

Another Point of Views

South Dakota adopted the slogan "Great Faces, Great Places" in 1990. It refers to the famous faces of Mount Rushmore and all the other interesting people and places across South Dakota. The slogan is seen on license places, promotional materials and some road signs.

The Chamberlain-Oacoma area, my home, has some of those great places. I have chosen my five favorite views in our area. It was difficult to narrow it down to just five. We have many spectacular views and I reserve the right to add to this post at a later time!

I need to point out that the most difficult part of this post was in choosing just one of the many photos that I have of each of these views. It seems that regardless of whether they come from my phone or my DSLR, these great views cannot be spoiled!

(I encourage you to click on each of the photos.)

Sunrise from my Deer Blind

The only thing that would make that sunrise better is the silhouette of a big 5x5 buck on the right or left side of that horizon. There is nothing like being reminded of the majesty of God's creation first thing in the morning. I admit to being a bit drowsy on some of those early mornings but a sunrise like that snaps me out of it better than a strong cup of java! (as does the silhouette of a nice rack of antlers!)

Chamberlain-Oacoma Bridge from ANY Angle

The Chamberlain-Oacoma Bridge (Old Highway 16 Bridge) has an interesting history. Perhaps, more importantly, it has personality. One only needs to look a mile to the south at the Lewis & Clark Memorial Bridge (Interstate 90 Bridge), which was built in 1974, to see a comparably functional, but completely vanilla bridge spanning the Missouri Bridge. The lights make it a great model 24 hours a day. Trust me when I tell you that I have many, many photos of this bridge taken at all times of the day!

Any Fireworks Display Over the Missouri River

If you've ever watched a fireworks show near water, you understand this one. The show is magnified by the reflection in the water. Chamberlain's "Rock the Bluffs" show is one of the area's best every year. Sometimes (as above) Mother Nature contributes to the grandeur.

Cliffs North of Chamberlain at Sunset in Summer

I've told many people that this is my favorite view in our area. Most have seen it from the the deck of Cedar Shore Resort. While this is a spectacular view, the best venue for this view is on a boat in the middle of the river. Ironically, I do not have photo of this view at my favorite time. The best time is when the sun has begun its descent behind the bluffs on the west side of the river casting a shadow on the water. The cliffs are still lit by the setting sun and are glowing in contrast to the deep blue of the water and the emerald green of the bluffs on the east side. This lasts about for only 12-15 minutes. I will have to capture that vista on pixels this coming summer!

 

 Any November, December, January Sunset from my Backyard

This is my favorite despite what I tell people! Those who visit us in the summer tell us how spectacular our sunsets are. They are right...kinda. While our summertime sunsets are great, our sunsets in the late fall into winter are the best. They are even better from our our backyard because the sun sets behind the bridge straight down river which gives us the most reflection possible. I am partial to the orange and red sunsets but the purple and yellow one are equally amazing.

I have learned over the years to identify when we will experience one of these breathtaking sunsets. We need a few clouds in the southwest sky later in the afternoon. The reflection in calm water adds to the splendor as does an ice covered river.

I literally have thousands of photographs of sunsets from my backyard. It took me a half hour to narrow them down to the six photos above. I can't help myself. When I see one of these glorious panoramas, I have to get a shot.

Follow me on Instagram (@DougKnust) for more #SDsunsets!

Update 2/15/2018: How about this one - absolutely untouched! November sunset from Amreican Creek Campground in Chamberlain.

October 2015 SDADA Column

What if you were asked to travel over 1,400 miles to a place of complete dysfunction, where people
think differently (not raising the budget is viewed as cutting it); act differently (people says things they don't believe to get recognition); fight with their friends (members are known to battle it out on the Hill before breaking bread together later that day); and generally act like they have no connection to the people who sent them there in the first place?

Your mission (should you decide to accept it): to change minds, affect policy change and to make it all happen fast (before the makeup of Congress changes again!). Sounds easy right?

Our South Dakota delegation to the NADA Washington Conference in September (Chairman Bruce Eide, Jim Burgess, Dutch VanSanten, NextGen delegate Nick Simon, Myron and me) accepted the mission. The jury is still out on the success of the mission!

As any South Dakota dealer who has attended the NADA Washington Conference can attest, the experience of traveling to DC to learn the issues and lobby our Congressional delegation is invaluable. Not only do dealers learn the current issues that NADA is addressing, they get an opportunity to meeting Senators Thune and Rounds and Representative Noem on their turf and seeing how our government works up close and personal.

The addition of the NextGen program keeps our national association relevant. Many trade organizations are struggling to remain pertinent to their young members. I am extremely pleased that we have brought a NextGen member of the delegation each year that NADA has offered the program. I believe that Nick found this year's NextGen program to be of value.

The Washington Conference is one of the best investments of time and money our South Dakota Automobile Dealers Association makes each year.

Safety Recalls into the Foreseeable Future

One of the issues we discussed with our South Dakota Congressional delegation was legislation that would ground all vehicles under open recall at a dealership. This "one size fits all" concept is flawed because it fails to differentiate between recalls that involve a defect that should be immediately addressed and those with a negligible impact on safety, such as an incorrect phone number in the owner’s manual, or an airbag warning sticker that might peel off the sun visor.

At our October NADA board meeting, we had an extended discussion about how dealers should handle safety recalls. NADA has issued guidance for this topic. It can be found here. (Because of the sensitive nature of this topic, you must log on to nada.org with your user id and password to access this guidance.)

I want to encourage you to look at this valuable information. Dealing with recalls will be a significant part of our business going forward. We are the front line for almost all safety recalls and thus promote the safety of the motoring public. We need to handle these recalls effectively and correctly.

NADA Convention Registration Now Open 

Considered the “Automotive Industry Event of the Year,” the NADA convention includes dealer-manufacturer franchise meetings, new educational workshops for dealers and managers, hundreds of exhibitors on the expo floor showcasing the latest equipment, services and technologies for dealerships and numerous networking events for attendees.

The NADA convention—which runs from Thursday, March 31, through Sunday, April 3, 2016—will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Dealers and their managers who register by Nov. 27, 2015, will receive the early-bird rate—a $100 discount from the onsite registration rate.
For more information or to register, visit www.nadaconvention.org.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It…)
A 60-year dealership employee receives a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado truck as a parting gift.

The mind-numbing number of automobile color choices and color names can paralyze customers.

One industry consumer magazine asks the question: Why Do We Keep Buying Vehicles at Dealerships? 

Will Volkswagen AG's twelve brands survive the recent emissions cheating scandal?

Basking in the Sun

Our local paper, the Chamberlain-Oacoma Sun, as part of their "From Behind the Sidelines" series, featured a local automobile dealer in their October 14, 2015 issue. I was honored to be included with Chamberlain High School football announcer Donn DeBoer.

From the Sun:

DeBoer, Knust discuss what it's like being the 'Voice of the Cubs' 

There are voices that everyone recognizes and remembers - the voices of your mother and father, best friend, a son or daughter. For Cubs fans, there are two more that ring through clear as day: Donn DeBoer and Doug Knust. 

They've been dubbed “The Voice of the Cubs" for their game and other school function announcing, which when added together racks up over 30 years of talking, yelling and cheering. 

"It's been a longtime... I guess it’s a good thing I like to hear myself talk," joked DeBoer, who has announced Cub football games for approximately a decade. He’s also dabbled in basketball, track, the prom grand march and other school events whenever he's requested. 

All that talking has made his voice recognizable - even to strangers he doesn’t even know. 

“Sometimes it’s as if I can’t all anyone on the phone without them already knowing whoit is before I tell them,” said DeBoer. “There’s no disguising this voice." 

Knust keeps his vocal chords ready as well and calls basketball games during the winter season. He's been a Cub announcer at the Armory – the very same gym that he himself used to play in as a Chamberlain High School student while his father’s voice rang through the speakers for close to 23 years. He said  it seems like just the other day he started taking over the announcing duties from his father, Harry. It’s only when he starts doing the math that time is put into perspective. 

“I remember sitting with my dad as he was announcing games for the Cubs - probably hitting him up for a quarter for some popcorn or whatever it was I wanted," said Knust, smiling at the memory. "It's been pretty special." 

It's fitting the two men who perform the Cub announcing have voices with hear like qualities. Each has a deeper voice and one that can roar when necessary, like when there's Cub touchdown or the winning shot for the home team just went swish. Although part of the art of announcing is that announcers are supposed to show neutrality to both teams. But, diehard Cub fans like DeBoer and Knust say that rule doesn't apply to them. 

"I'm definitely a ‘homer.' I want my home team to win and get excited when we do," said Knust, who estimates he's called at least 450 basketball games for the Cubs. "Because it's those home games that are special for athletes, parents, students, and so on. The bleachers are packed. The band is playing. The fans are roaring. This all added together creates the perfect storm for announcers. They feed off that energy and get excited - especially when a win is in reach." 

"Like those Homecoming games - now those are the games you really want to win," said DeBoer. "You can't help it. Your voice gets louder and louder and more excited when home team does something good." 

But announcing is more than just running a play-by-play of the court or field. Every year athletes come and go and it seems like just as they start getting a handle on the athletes' names, the students graduate and new students step-up in their place. It's a never-ending cycle. But, both Knust and DeBoer admit that, for them, it's a bit easier than it looks because both are very active in the community and other Cub events. But, there's always the visiting team that comes with its own, unfamiliar athletes and a few last names that can trip-up even the greatest speakers who can conquer anything during a battle of linguistics. 

"Sometimes you have to get out your phonetics on the tricky ones," said Knust. There's also the aspect of time. It seems to slip by so quickly and both men put in hours and hours during their respective seasons. Although Knust owns Harry K's Chevrolet in Chamberlain and Winner and DeBoer works at Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center, the two don't seem to mind putting in a second shift for the Cubs. It's that and several other traits that make them so important to the Cubs. 

"One thing that both Donn and Doug bring to the events is a great deal of enthusiasm for the Cubs. They are truly Cub Fans. This enthusiasm spills over to the crowd and helps create the atmosphere that I envision our venues having during the events," said CSD Athletic Director Todd Palmer. "The second thing that both bring to the table is knowledge of the game. They help the crowd understand what is going on during the contest by explaining to them officials signals, giving stats out at half time, etc."Palmer said they also bring professionalism to the game and always are there to help out whether it's announcing or another task. 

"They are two individuals that I can count on thus taking that specific stress off of me," said Palmer. 

Neither man does it for the recognition, nor do they do it for the money. Rather, the two fanatics of football and basketball say they do it for other reasons. 

"It keeps me young," said DeBoer. 

"And really why wouldn't I keep doing it?" said Knust. "I've got the best seat in the house."

As the article mentions, I took over for my father. He was the original Cubs basketball announcer and started in 1963. I succeeded him in 1992. That's over 52 years of Knusts at the microphone announcing Cubs games.

I've enjoyed it immensely and am grateful to Sun editor Hannah Ruhlman for her thoughtful article.

September 2015 SDADA Column

Do you remember Groundhog Day, the 1981 movie starring Bill Murray? Murray plays a television weatherman who, during an assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, finds himself in a time loop, repeating the same day again and again. I feel that same sentiment each month when Michelle sends me the email asking for my monthly column.

I try to sit back and look at the issues that are most pressing in our industry and how our industry is dealing with them. But it has seemed like Groundhog Day for the last three years as the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau has taken dead aim at car dealers and lenders. The CFPB remains the preeminent threat to our industry and business model. And so it goes again this month...

I have written about transparency in the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's processes in this space before, but evidence against this agency continues to mount. Investor's Business Daily recently wrote:

In a series of internal documents obtained by American Banker magazine, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau officials acknowledge that the "disparate impact" and "proxy" methodology used to investigate car lenders for racial bias hypes the evidence. Yet they say they prefer that to underestimating bias.

It continues:

But recently uncovered documents show that the assumptions that Obama's race bullies make while sifting through the limited auto loan data are even wilder than the ones they make against mortgage lenders, which already have forked over $100 billion to the government.

You can read the entire opinion here.

In July, the House Financial Services Committee passed NADA-backed H.R. 1737 to rescind the CFPB's flawed auto finance guidance that would limit or eliminate a customer's ability to receive a discounted auto loan in the showroom. The bill, which passed by a bipartisan vote of 47-10, has increased momentum with 133 cosponsors (76 Republicans and 57 Democrats). H.R. 1737 will likely come up for a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives this fall and will likely be a priority at our Washington Conference.

Consumers Tell Their Stories of Saving on Finance at the Dealership

The stories of real consumers who saved money by financing new vehicle purchases through local dealerships are at the center of an initiative by NADA to showcase the true economic value of dealer-assisted financing. Through video testimonials and a new website NADA is bringing the voices of consumers back into the debate over dealer-assisted financing. Dealers have been fighting to preserve the fiercely competitive, pro-consumer financing model ever since it came under threat from the CFPB in 2013.

I encourage you to take a look at these powerful videos!

NADA Announces Keynote Speakers for 2016 Convention

On Friday, April 1, comedian and entertainer Jeff Foxworthy and 2015 NADA Chairman Bill Fox will address the convention. On Saturday, April 2, Mike Allen, Politico's chief White House correspondent, will moderate a panel session with Karl Rove, former deputy chief of staff and senior advisor to President George W. Bush, and Howard Dean, former governor of Vermont and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Incoming NADA Chairman Jeff Carlson will also speak. On Sunday, April 3, Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Denver Broncos, will provide an inspirational address.

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