Michael Dickerson is the dealer principal of the Whitson-Morgan Motor Company. For the past 26 years, he has dedicated himself to the business and the industry through various ways of giving back — whether it be in the community, at local schools or through his involvement with AADA.
As the incoming AADA chairman, Michael is poised to build upon the strong foundation laid by his predecessors and looks forward to advancing the association’s mission. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Michael and learn more about his career, his thoughts on the state of the industry and what he aims to accomplish as chairman. The following are excerpts from our conversation.
How did you get into the business?
I graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1998 with degrees in both logistics and economics. During the latter part of my college years, I completed an internship with a logistics company, which led to a full-time position after graduation.
Around Thanksgiving of 1999, I came home to visit my family. My cousin, Turner Whitson, who was the dealer at the Ford dealership in Clarksville, asked if I would be interested in working in the car business. He only had one child who was not interested in following in his footsteps, and my cousin was planning for his retirement. When I was growing up, I was always riding go-karts, four-wheelers, ATVs and motorcycles, and as I grew older, I transitioned into driving fast cars, but I never really considered it a career option.
My initial response was, “I doubt it.” I had a career path laid out with the company that I was working for. “Let me think about it, and I’ll let you know by Christmas.” I was still living in Fayetteville at the time, and moving back to a small town would be a big change for me.
I took a leap of faith and made the change. I started off as a commission-only salesman, even though I had never sold anything. For the first two years, that’s all I did and really enjoyed it. I liked dealing with people and making relationships. In 2002, I attended the NADA Dealer Academy. I quit selling at that point and started working in various departments throughout the dealership. I continued to learn about the business, and about six years later, I became the dealer principal. Deciding to work in this industry has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Since that time — with the help of my partners who are my brother and his wife — we have grown the business from a one rooftop store to now having multiple rooftops and more brands.
Have you had any mentors along the way, and what did they teach you?
When I was growing up, my parents, Marian and Billy, owned a grocery store — at times, multiple grocery stores — and I worked in the family business. Watching them work hard together day after day taught me the value of a good work ethic and that owning a business doesn’t mean you don’t have to go to work or that everybody else does it for you. It’s quite the opposite. As an owner, you need to dedicate a considerable amount of time to your work. The car business and the grocery business are two very different industries, but when you get right down to the roots, both are businesses, and both require a lot of the same things.
When I started in the business, my cousin and his then-general manager, Larry Chronister, had over 50 years of experience between the two of them and held a wealth of knowledge. My cousin was gregarious, outgoing and very involved in the community and the economic development of our little town. On the other hand, the general manager was very quiet. He was an accountant; his mind worked in a different way. I was able to get the best of both worlds while learning about the business from them.
What has been the most rewarding part of your career?
Building relationships within the community has been the most rewarding part of my career. Our dealerships are all located in small towns, and we have always been a staple in these communities. We strive to give back in various ways, primarily giving back to education in the schools. Due to our contributions, the local high school football stadium is now known as Whitson Morgan Stadium. We also helped with a new gym floor for the basketball team. Our efforts go into the school side as well. I dedicate my time to visiting classrooms and talking to the students in business classes. We sponsor a lot of events as well.
What are the biggest challenges in the industry?
Managing the complexities and the costs that are associated as the industry has started to transition toward the EV side of the market has been challenging. It’s very complex. There are many things to consider when deciding whether to be in the EV business or not. The technology in the EV segment changes rapidly, and it has been difficult to manage as it becomes outdated very quickly.
In my opinion, there is not enough skilled labor, especially in the technician segment. We struggle to find factory-trained technicians. There is a tremendous amount of demand for their skills, and they can bounce around and go to the other stores, which is hard.
The economic and political side of things with tariffs and so forth have caused some supply chain issues. Because the disruption is caused by outside forces, we can’t necessarily control it; that’s been difficult.
What inspired you to take on the role of chairman?
Early in my career, after the NADA Dealer Academy, I started attending 20 Groups. I recall listening to some of my fellow dealers discuss legislative issues. Hearing how they were able to get involved with their state association and make some real changes that benefited not only them, but the industry in their state. I could see how it was working for them and decided that with a little more time under my belt and some confidence, I would be able to make a difference as well.
A little over 10 years ago, I was in my 20 Group with fellow Ford dealer, Kenne Ketcheside. Kenne happened to be on the board of AADA, and I let him know that if a position ever became available, I would like to get involved with the association. The very next year, he nominated me. I received a call from then-AADA president Dennis Jungmeyer and have been involved with AADA ever since.
What goals do you have as chairman, and what can members do to help you reach them?
Similar to my friend and past-chairman, Jay Dooley, I see a need to get more dealers more actively involved in the association. I believe we have 100% membership in our state, but very few members are engaged and participating. Continuing to hold grassroots meetings throughout the state is a great way to re-engage with members and will be a priority. Our industry is always going to have issues, whether they be with a manufacturer or a legislative issue. Having a collective dealer network is the most effective way to address these types of issues. There is strength in numbers.
We also need more members to attend the convention. Greg and the AADA staff are fantastic when it comes to getting a lineup of very good speakers. You will learn something new, grow your network and have fun. It’s definitely worth your time.
What is your favorite way to spend your free time? Do you have any hobbies?
My favorite ways to spend free time are driving through the mountains on my motorcycle or in one of my classic hot rods, and spending time at Hot Springs lakes. Driving back and forth between where I live and the Hot Springs, you cross through the mountains, so I get to experience both things at the same time.
Any last thoughts?
I want to encourage everybody to make an effort to attend local grassroots meetings and the convention. If you haven’t been in a while, I think you’ll find it well worth your time. If you can’t make it, please consider sending somebody from one of your stores. Your involvement and your voice are welcomed and needed.
