Dateline: September 5, 2002

Suna makes changes at GM dealership 

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The appearance of the General Motors dealership now known as Suna AutoMall is changing, and new owner Mark Suna says he’s even more excited than when he took over two weeks ago.

The change is readily apparent when a customer walks in the front door of what was Chamberlain Motor Company. The showroom is full with 22 vehicles on the floor, and product literature is within easy reach and eyeshot near the entrance. This week Suna had five televisions delivered and plans to have them installed in the dealership’s main lobby.

“We have one for each GM division line, and each will be running commercials for that line from the 50s, 60s, and 70s to the millennium,” Suna said. “We also will run competitor’s commercials to show how the GM product is far superior.”

New canopies and signs will be installed at the dealership in four to six weeks. Inventory is arriving daily, and General Motors has agreed to supply Suna with 150 new vehicles.

Suna says his goal is to help Clarendon grow, and to that end, he has seven new employees moving to town. The dealership is also looking to hire college students to fill part time positions at the switchboard, in sales, and staffing the CellularOne desk.

“No one is being replaced,” Suna said. “The biggest asset I inherited was the employees. That’s what set Chamberlain’s and now Suna AutoMall apart from the rest.”

Suna said so far only one employee had left the business since the change of ownership occurred and that was the employee’s own choosing.

Suna says he has great respect for former owner Trey Chamberlain and his family, and he hopes to run the dealership the way they wanted it to be.

“My hat is off to Mr. Chamberlain for the way he took care of his employees,” Suna said.

Those employees are now looking to Suna for leadership.

“He’s going to be a great leader,” said Glenn Dale Hearn, who has been with the dealership for 24 years. “He came down personally twice and talked to us as a gentleman. He’s been straight with us.”

Other employees say they are already seeing positive changes.

“There is more action here and more traffic,” said salesman Russell Simpson. “Everyone is in better spirits.”

“Something is going on here, and I’m receiving a lot of positive feedback from customers,” said salesman Jody Dixon, who has been calling past clients and telling them about the new ownership.

Suna says he has a hands-on management style and works with his staff to serve the customers.  He says his staff has “all the makings of an orchestra” and likens his role to that of a conductor.

“Every one of these guys is important to me. They see me with them, and I’m the last one to leave.”

Suna says he’s still amazed at the warmth the local people have shown although some still ask him why he chose to move here from Dallas.

“I came here because I wanted to,” he said. “I saw a community looking to grow.

“The Panhandle still has the pioneering spirit to embrace new businesses and opportunities. I think people who live in the Dallas area are missing out.”