This holiday season arrived almost unnoticed.

After logging more than 30,000 miles in recent weeks, I realized Christmas was near only when I saw a hotel lobby decked in lights. That moment sparked a thought from a conversation with a gentleman last week: God puts us here to manage, not to own. Everything—our family, friends, work, even our daily bread—is entrusted to us by Him. We’re managers, not owners.

This truth feels especially profound now. As a business owner, it’s easy to think in terms of possession. But I’ve learned, through both success and struggle, that nothing truly belongs to me. Years ago, I faced personal battles with alcohol dependence and control. Pastor Charles Stanley once described this as a trap, ‘believing in Jesus for salvation but trusting exclusively in ourselves for daily living.’ That was me. Today, I see life differently.

In quiet moments—on yesterday’s flight and again in my early morning time—I reflected on all I’ve been given to steward. That perspective fills me with gratitude. Zig Ziglar said, ‘The greatest source of happiness is the ability to be grateful at all times.’ I believe that now more than ever.

As we enter this season, I’m ready to celebrate with a renewed sense of understanding: everything I have is a gift, and my role is to manage it well.

May your holidays be filled with peace, joy…and a grateful heart.

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” Those timeless words from John Wesley remind us that attitude drives action. For me, the two words that define the best attitude are simple: Can Do!

This mindset came to life last Friday with two remarkable visitors: Tyler Heard, Executive Vice President of Eastern U.S. Operations for Penske Automotive Group – a client and friend since 2018 – and Kelli Croyle, who leads the ASCEND program at Big Oak Ranch along side husband Brodie, who we have charitably supported since 2008.

Tyler visited our TV studio to record the holiday message for 2025. Beyond thanking his team for navigating challenges like tariffs, Tyler extended a personal invitation: commit to your future with PAG. He even shared his personal cell number—proof that his leadership is rooted in a genuine ‘Can Do’ spirit.

While accepting our donation to Big Oak Ranch, Kelli spoke passionately about ASCEND, which helps young adults aging out of foster care. With classrooms, townhomes, and a work-for-rent model, ASCEND teaches resilience and purpose. Big Oak Ranch, which has housed over 2000 in-need children since 1974, operates debt-free and without government funding—a true testament to what ‘Can Do’ looks like. If you want to support this incredible mission, visit bigoakauxiliary.org.

As someone who believes Attitude is Everything, Tyler and Kelli exemplify what happens when ‘Can Do’ becomes ‘Did It!’

This holiday season, let’s embrace opportunities to help others and carry that attitude into the new year. May these days be filled with hope, generosity, and joy!

Every morning begins with quiet time—faith, reflection, and stretching my thought process. Recently, Pastor Chuck Swindoll’s devotional on Innovation sparked something big. Webster calls innovation “the introduction of something new.” Swindoll adds, “It takes guts to innovate, because it takes creative thinking. Thinking is hard, but creative thinking—ah, that’s work.”

He’s right. Creative thinking isn’t casual brainstorming; it’s challenging the status quo and refusing to settle. History’s great innovators—Edison, Ford, the Wright brothers—proved success is “1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” In business, I’ve seen the same among top-performing dealers—the “2 Percenters.” Their edge? Hard work fueled by curiosity and courage.

So, what does creative thinking look like? Earl Nightingale, the “Dean of Personal Development,” gave us a roadmap of 25 traits, and here’s how they come alive:
• Drive, Courage, Goals—the ambition engine.
• Knowledge, Good Health, Honesty—a foundation of strength and integrity.
• Optimism, Enthusiasm, Humor, Curiosity—energy and spark that fuels ideas.
• Judgment, Dynamism, Chance Taking, Enterprise, Persuasion, Outgoingness—push boundaries.
• Patient yet Impatient, Adaptability, Perfectionism—keeping progress balanced, steady.
• Versatility, Individualism (Self-Esteem), Imagination, Communication, Realism/Idealism, Receptive—turning thoughts into action.

Here’s the wow moment: you don’t need all 25 traits to succeed. Just having some means you’re capable. But here’s the kicker—creative thinking isn’t the hardest part. Change is. Embracing new tools, processes, and perspectives takes courage. It means letting go of “how we’ve always done it” and leaning into “what’s possible.”

As we face 2026, remember: creative thinkers expect achievement, seek better ways, and radiate positivity. They know attitude isn’t just important—it’s everything. Success isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. And progress begins with the willingness to think differently…and the guts to change.

Saturday night was historic: Indiana Hoosiers stunned THE Ohio State Buckeyes to win the Big Ten Championship. For a program long considered a conference underdog, this wasn’t luck—it was leadership. Curt Cignetti, the 64-year-old firebrand at the helm, didn’t just talk about winning. He declared it, owned it, and delivered.

Cignetti’s pedigree includes a championship ring from his time under Nick Saban at Alabama, but he’s carved his own path. From his first press conference—‘I win, Google me!’—to his unapologetic swagger when introduced at an Indiana basketball game, “Purdue sucks, so does Ohio State and Michigan,“ he set a tone: no more backseat, no more excuses. His record speaks louder than any quote: 25–2 since arriving in Bloomington.

What makes Cignetti different? He rejects hope as a strategy. His mantra: ‘This isn’t a hope and a prayer. This is a plan and execution.’ He doesn’t chase stars in recruiting; he builds culture. ‘Talent sets the floor. Culture sets the ceiling.’ And when asked about limitations? ‘We want to be the best. No self-imposed ceilings.’

The lesson is clear: success isn’t about slogans—it’s about standards. Talk the talk, yes—but walk the walk every day. Set the bar high, act elite, and execute relentlessly. As Cignetti says, ‘The standard is the standard. It doesn’t change because of who we play.’

As we close 2025, let’s take a page from Indiana’s playbook. Hope is not a plan. Define your standard. Build your culture. Execute your process. Then, when the moment comes, you won’t just dream of being #1—you’ll say it with confidence: ‘Google us.’

Curt Cignetti and team after the 2025 Big Ten Championship (photo: AP News)

As we pause on the eve of Thanksgiving, my heart is full of gratitude for the incredible people who make this company what it is. Our core value of GROW isn’t just a word—it’s a way of life here. We grow people, and in doing so, we grow possibilities.

This year, I’m especially thankful for the dedication and drive of our team. From winning new clients to strengthening relationships, you’ve shown what happens when talent meets determination. These successes aren’t just numbers—they’re proof of your hard work and the culture we’ve built together.

Beyond business, your commitment to giving back inspires me. Whether raising funds for charitable causes or volunteering in the community, you’ve demonstrated that growth isn’t only professional—it’s personal. You’ve embraced the idea of paying it forward, and that speaks volumes about who we are as a team.

I’m also deeply grateful for the innovation from our leadership that fuels our progress. Your relentless pursuit of excellence has created a ripple effect—leaders developing leaders, ideas sparking ideas. It’s a privilege to witness this kind of momentum.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s remember that gratitude is more than a feeling—it’s an action. Thank you for living out our values every day and for making this company stronger, smarter, and more compassionate.

Enjoy this special time with family and friends. Here’s to continuing to GROW together.

God Bless America!

Growing people is at the heart of what we do. For me, that means investing time—something that doesn’t always come easily when you’re wired to move fast. Yet I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about speed; it’s about consistency. Every day is a mission to help others grow.

Years ago, I heard a phrase that stuck: ‘Grow yourself by growing those around you.’ That’s the challenge I embrace daily. Some days are easier than others, but the responsibility never changes. As leaders, we carry the weight of helping people reach their potential. It’s not optional—it’s essential.

I often remind myself of John Maxwell’s words: ‘A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.’ That’s the standard. It requires patience, humility, and a willingness to show up even when it’s hard. Growth isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily practice.

Our people are everything. If they succeed, we all succeed—our company, our clients, our partners. Growth isn’t just a value; it’s survival. It’s the foundation for happiness, progress, and purpose.

So, we grow. Daily.

Picture Mission Control before a rocket launch: every system checked, every voice answering ‘Go’ or ‘No Go.’ One ‘No Go’ and the mission stops. Leadership is no different—alignment is everything.

After a whirlwind week of travel, I realized something: growing people isn’t easy. Everyone has their own ambitions, and sometimes they don’t match yours. The real challenge? Helping people see the mission and believe they can do more.

Our company is thriving—new clients, fresh initiatives, new hires. Growth is essential. But here’s the truth: company growth means nothing if we aren’t growing ourselves.

I understand a growth mindset  applies to me first and foremost, as Henry Kissinger said, “The task of the leader is to get their people from where they are to where they have not been.” Yet, sometimes that’s the most frustrating thing to me:  You pour energy into helping people grow, yet some never see what’s possible.

While the failure of personal growth might be as simple as someone who can’t see the forest for the trees, the cautionary note for any company is the Chinese proverb, ‘be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.’ My personal challenge, and the same for any leader, is to help people understand that if they’re not growing, they’re moving backwards.

In the Mission Control Room, the decision is binary: Go or No Go. In leadership, it’s similar. There are only two mindset evaluations: ‘Grow’ or ‘No Grow.’ The clear choice isn’t always easy.

Tuesday was a Green-Letter Day for our company (we don’t do red), marking a major shift in how advertising investments are made and measured.

We proudly announced the relaunch of our Media Department in the new year as Modern View: The Smarter Way to Connect Broadcast & Streaming. This milestone reflects our core value Grow — staying curious, asking questions, and always learning.

What our team achieved — with contributions from every department — is extraordinary. Like climbing Mt. Everest, the path wasn’t always straight, but the goal was clear: Up, always!

Modern View unifies broadcast TV and streaming to match how today’s car shoppers consume content. By integrating platforms like Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN with traditional TV, dealers gain consistent, targeted reach across all screens. Campaigns are tailored to dealer goals, media schedules are synchronized, and Strong’s proprietary Retain platform enables smarter audience targeting. Direct partnerships with premium networks ensure top-tier ad placements, boosting ROI and market saturation.

This isn’t just a new program — it’s a breakthrough. It’s not just about impressions anymore; it’s about accountability and measurable impact. Our team’s relentless pursuit of clarity and innovation made this possible.

We’ve raised the bar, but there’s always another mountain. To grow, you must embrace change, challenge yourself, and never settle.

Self. Team. Respect. Optimize. Nurture. Grow.

In the STRONG acronym, ‘Grow’ stands as the final and most forward-looking Core Value. It represents our commitment to continuous improvement—not just surviving, but thriving. To grow means to raise the bar, embrace change, challenge ourselves, and never settle. It’s about becoming better as individuals, as teams, and as a company.

Here’s what some of our team leaders had to say about growth:

Creative Director Gene Gill:  Experience matters – and our team has decades of it – but evolution matters more. Because success isn’t about driving change – it’s leading through it.

Chief Marketing Officer Michael Sundquist: We are built to evolve… dedicated professionals who live and breathe new technology and digital marketing, always one step ahead

Director of Organic Marketing Katie Myers: it’s our in-house team of experts who give AI tools and technology purpose – combining insight with experience to keep you ahead of the curve

Art Director Holly Blalock: design isn’t just about making things look good — it’s about making your message move people, helping you sell more cars, and stay ahead of the curve.

Director of Paid Social Kerri Boozer: custom solutions are just the starting line. We utilize strategy that’s relevant, efficient, and built to drive more qualified traffic and sales.

Director of Paid Ad Avery Arthur: every dealership is different. Inventory moves fast. Incentives change…shoppers jump between Google, YouTube, and Discover…we turn that chaos into growth.

Growth is not just a goal—it’s a mindset. The pursuit of excellence demands both skill and attitude. As we continue to evolve, it’s our passion, adaptability, and relentless drive that set us apart. Because in the end, attitude is everything—and excellence is always within reach.

Driving through the rain toward Pursell Farms, I’m reminded of the purpose behind our off-site leadership retreat. It’s more than a meeting—it’s a moment to reset, refocus, and nurture the very people who carry our mission forward.

This morning, Proverbs 27:17 was in my Bible reading: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” That’s the essence of nurture. Before we can pour into our clients and help them grow, we must first sharpen ourselves—our leaders, managers, and directors. We must be aligned, disciplined, and ready.

Even in the midst of year-end chaos, we pause. We take two days to clear the fog, to see beyond the noise, and to cast a vision that will guide us—and our clients—into the future.

Last year, I called this summit Visio Manifesto—clear vision. And today, despite the cloudy skies, I’m reminded of Johnny Nash’s timeless lyric: “I can see clearly now the rain is gone.” Written during his recovery from cataract surgery, it’s a metaphor for clarity to overcome a  struggle. This retreat is our moment to nurture the soul of our company. And from that, everything else flows.

Nurture is not just about growth. It’s about encouragement, refinement, and connection. It’s about investing in our people so they can invest in others. It’s about sharpening each other, so we’re ready—together—for whatever comes next.