This year's nominees for the American Truck Dealers/Heavy Duty Trucking Truck Dealer of the Year Award have been announced.


The award is evaluated based on several categories, including dealership performance, civic contributions and industry leadership. The winner of the 2009 award will be announced at the opening general session of the 46th Annual ATD Convention and Exposition in Washington, D.C., on April 18.

The nominees are:

Christine J. Alicandro, dealer principal and CEO of Marty's GMC/Buick/Pontiac/Isuzu in Kingston, Mass. Alicandro began her career at the dealership at a young age working for her father throughout high school and college. She has held virtually every position in the dealership including parts and service, general office and sales. After 15 years, she was promoted to general manager in 1990. In 2000, she purchased the majority stock of Marty's Inc. and officially became the dealer principal and CEO. Alicandro attributes much of the company's success to her business philosophy-employee satisfaction correlates to customer satisfaction. Her employees are empowered to resolve customer issues resulting in high customer satisfaction. Her motto is, "Be there, make their day, choose your attitude and play."

Ben Bruckner, chairman of the board of Bruckner Truck Sales in Amarillo, Texas.
Bruckner began his 53-year career working for his father. He worked his way up to chairman starting as a floor sweeper and then progressed to parts runner, parts man, mechanic, truck salesman, office bookkeeper, sales manager, store manager, vice-president and president. He attributes much of the company's success to three core values: "We are customer focused. We value our people and our community. And we do what it takes."

Glenn Larson, president of The Larson Group in Springfield, Mo. Larson began his career selling Peterbilt trucks for Sioux City Truck Sales in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1983 along with his father, Claire Larson. In 1988, they acquired their own Peterbilt dealership, Peterbilt of Springfield, with a market area that included all of southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Over the years, the number of dealership locations continued to grow. In 1998, the dealer network was combined under one entity named the The Larson Group (TLG). Today TLG operates Peterbilt dealerships in Springfield, Joplin, O'Fallon and Sikeston, Mo., as well as Fort Smith, Ark., Jeffersonville, Ind. and Sauget, Ill. Larson attributes much of the company's success to his philosophy of "customer satisfaction." Of TLG's success, Larson says, "Creating a culture focused on satisfying the customer has led to increasing market share, stability and growth throughout the company's history."

Kelly Sheehan, president of Sheehan's Truck Centre in Burlington, Ontario. Sheehan began her career working at the family dealership while a college student. Upon graduation in 1992 she worked full-time at the dealership as an accounts receivable clerk. In 1995, she became the assistant controller. That year she attended the ATD Dealer Candidate Academy and began to work actively with all department managers. In 1998, she was promoted to vice president/general manager of the company. On Jan. 1, 2000, she became president and dealer principal. Today, she and her brother own the dealership. Sheehan attributes much of the company's success to its employees and its many long standing customer relationships that have been developed over the years. Sheehan's Truck Centre "employees are a very dedicated group," she said. About 25 percent of the employees have more than 10 years of tenure and another 30 percent have more than five years. "It's truly a family business with fathers and sons, brothers, sisters and spouses all working under one roof," she said.

Thomas Strohlein, president and general manager of Del-Val International Trucks in Montgomeryville, Pa. Strohlein began his career at his father's dealership right after graduation from Penn State University with a degree in accounting in 1983. He started as a delivery driver and moved into truck sales. In 1989, because of health issues with his father, he became the operations manager with all managers reporting to him. In 1996, his father passed away and he became president and general manager. In 2004, Strohlein and his brother, Frank, now owners of the dealership, moved to their larger present location. Strohlein attributes much of the company's success to hiring and retaining talented, well-trained employees who are committed to service, a loyal customer base and quality supplier support.

Richard Sweebe, president and CEO of Diamond Companies in Memphis, Tenn. Sweebe began his career fresh out of college with International Harvester Co. Over a 10-year career with International Harvester, he held numerous positions. In 1982, with the help of an International program called Dealcor, he opened Mid-America International Trucks, Inc., as his first dealership. From first-day employment of 56 employees (seven are still with the company) and first year sales of just under $20 million, he has grown to more than 600 employees and more than $220 million in sales with 17 facilities in 12 cities and four states. Sweebe attributes much of the company's success to the work ethic he learned growing up on a farm in Ohio. He believes International gave him the opportunity to be a dealer because they knew he was honest, would work hard, treat people right and use the good common sense instilled in Midwest farm boys in making decisions, and that he would represent them well in the marketplace.

Watch for a special feature with the nominees' views on the economy, trends in the industry, along with a profile of the winner in the May issue of Heavy Duty Trucking magazine.