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My name is James Bracken, owner of Advantage Automotive, and I am honored to stand before you as a candidate for the President of the NAPA Auto Care Business Development Group of New Mexico. With over 36 years of experience in the auto repair business, I understand the challenges we face today and those that lie ahead. It is my desire to continue the progress we have made under the leadership of our retiring President, Jim Dearholt, and to work closely with our local NAPA team to strengthen and grow our organization.

As Vice President of the Albuquerque BDG for several years, I have had the privilege of working alongside Jim Dearholt and our current executive team. Together, we have set plans for training, education, advertising, and meeting content. I have also worked with both David Padilla and Jason McMahon, who are exceptional managers. I believe that my strong relationships with these individuals, as well as my experience in the auto repair industry, make me an ideal candidate for the role of President.

My primary goal as President will be to increase member participation within our organization. The more engaged our members are, the stronger our BDG becomes. To accomplish this, I will work closely with all BDG members to identify their needs and objectives, and then collaborate with the executive team and NAPA to provide real value to our members. This includes continuing our new informative meeting structure with guest speakers and offering as much training for technicians, staff, and owners as possible. Additionally, our Albuquerque BDG 15 Group, headed by Robert Munoz, provides an excellent opportunity for members to come together and discuss business issues and regulations that affect us all.

The biggest challenge facing our BDG in the coming years is providing enough value to increase member participation. We must also work on creating greater public awareness of our Albuquerque NAPA AutoCare Centers and the expertise, quality, and value of automotive repair and service we bring to the Albuquerque area. To address these challenges, I will work with all BDG members to ensure their concerns are heard and use that input to enhance the meetings and training we provide. Furthermore, I plan to collaborate closely with NAPA and the group to develop new advertising campaigns that will effectively promote the NAPA AutoCare brand.

In conclusion, I am passionate about continuing the progress we have made under Jim Dearholt’s leadership and working closely with our local NAPA team to ensure a bright future for our BDG. Together, we can increase member participation, provide valuable training and resources, and raise public awareness of our exceptional automotive repair and service offerings. I am confident that with your support, we can make the NAPA Auto Care Business Development Group of New Mexico stronger than ever before.

Thank you for your time and consideration, and I humbly ask for your vote as President of the NAPA Auto Care Business Development Group of New Mexico.

My name is James Santistevan, owner of Zia Automotive, and I am honored to be a candidate for the President of the NAPA Auto Care Business Development Group of New Mexico. For over 46 years, I have been in the automotive industry, working tirelessly to build a successful business with my wife Patty. 33 years and 23,000 cars sold later, we have developed Zia Automotive into our Gold Auto Care status with 8 Technicians, 14 Lifts, 18 Bays and 3 Service Advisors and run a NAPA IBS in the shop. Our journey has given us a deep understanding of how to leverage the NAPA Auto Care Brand for our profitability. For years, I have been an active BDG member and have served in the BDG as Vice President and Treasurer. And, I have served on the Ad Council.

I am dedicated to the NAPA Brand and feel passionate about sharing best practices and helping each other grow. I believe in the power of this group and the opportunities it presents for all of us. We’ve grown our business to double the size over the past 5 years and through reinvestments in the business we operate a multi-million dollar business. I was the sitting member of the Western Region National NAPA Advisory Board 2014-2015 and have seen firsthand the potential we have to grow and succeed together. We visited Atlanta four times and learned a lot about BDGs and what the future holds for our organization. I have also been privileged to be offered and serve other National roles including the DC Legislative Committee for the NIADA where we lobbied for “Right to Repair” and other legislation. We were also NMIADA 2015 Dealer of the Year and we are a Master Certified Dealer. I am well connected to help bring resources to my role as President.

As President, my first priority will be communication. I will call people, visit their shops. I will be a present leader dedicated to helping shops look at the future. I will listen to your needs, ideas, and concerns, and bring them back to the group as actionable items. Together, we can tackle the challenges that lie ahead, such as the lack of viable employees in the market, pricing and supply challenges, and fighting national brand encroachment like the Take 5 oil change business.

So, how do we address these challenges? By focusing on finding new profitability centers that don’t tie down the bay all day, and by investing in training and branding to make our shops more competitive. I started my career in the parts department, then moved into deliveries. I worked my way through the shop and then out on to the sales floor, where I turned financing skills into ownership skills. My wife Patty comes from a Transmission Shop family, whose father has built a 40 year Transmission business and who manages the finances of Zia’s family of businesses.

Most importantly, I want to foster a strong sense of community and collaboration within our group. We are all here to benefit from the powerful NAPA Auto Care brand – the signs, the strong national warranty, and financing options that come along with it. When we work together, we can achieve great things.

My passion and experience of successes (as well as some set backs) and making our shops profitable are what drive me to seek this leadership role. From digital inspections to training and branding, I want to share with you how we can achieve success with the incredible toolbox that NAPA Auto Care provides.

As your President, I promise to be a dedicated advocate for each and every one of you. Together, let’s make our NAPA AutoCare Centers in New Mexico stronger, more profitable, and more successful than ever before.

Thank you for your time and consideration.