November 2024
Q4

WHEELERS & DEALERS

Driven | Learner | Kind | Team Player
REFERRAL BONUS: Get paid $500-$3,000 for referring employee candidates Learn More
2025
Q1

WHEELERS & DEALERS

Driven | Learner | Kind | Team Player

COMPANY UPDATE

Jeff Niesen
President | Van Horn Automotive Group
Team,
2024 wasn’t without its challenges, and while we may not have achieved every goal, we made meaningful progress in key areas:
  • Improved total retail sales volume by 995 units
  • Increased fixed operations gross profit by $6 million
  • Raised fixed absorption from 67% to 70%
  • Returned WCC to a path of consistent profitability
  • Increased showroom closing percentage by 10%
The biggest challenge in the business remains the shrinking front-end gross profit on vehicle sales. This is largely due to supply and demand dynamics, as the new car supply for our brands has nearly doubled over the past year. This increase has drastically reduced front-end gross profits on new car sales.
 
Additionally, there is still a supply crunch in the wholesale market for used vehicles. While used vehicle values are declining, there is a continued disconnect in the wholesale market. We can improve front-end gross profits for used vehicles by intensifying our efforts in acquiring vehicles from sources other than wholesale auctions, focusing on acquiring customer trade-ins, and delivering a tailored, one-on-one experience for every guest. Creating unique and positive customer experiences not only fosters positive sentiment but also reduces the need for higher advertising spend to attract customers.
 
Despite these challenges, your hard work, resilience, and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Together, we are laying a solid foundation for a brighter 2025. As we enter the new year, we are presented with exciting opportunities and a clear vision to guide us forward. Our main goal for 2025 is PROGRESS, not necessarily perfection. By focusing on continuous improvement, we will continue to move the needle forward.
Thank you for everything you’ve contributed this year. I’m optimistic about what we’ll achieve together in 2025 and look forward to seeing us grow as a company and as a team.
Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and successful 2025!
Sincerely,
 
Jeff Niesen

IN THE NEWS

Christmas Party

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Honda Auto Show

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Russ Flips Whips

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🎳 Van Horn Hits the Lanes for Youth Mentorship 🎳

Team members from across the Van Horn Automotive Group showed up to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of WI Shoreline at their annual Bowling Event!

We had participation from locations across our automotive group—from Stevens Point and Manitowoc to Sheboygan County—coming together to support youth mentorship and make a positive impact in our communities.

Special shoutout to our crews from Van Horn CDJR of Manitowoc, Van Horn Nissan of Stevens Point, Marketing and the BDC team who came ready to bowl, connect, and represent what it means to Amaze both inside and outside the workplace.

As an employee-owned company, we’re proud to champion causes that align with our values. Whether it's behind the wheel or at the bowling alley.

 

 

💙 2025 Pay It Forward Recap – $7,500 Donated Across Our Communities! 💙

Van Horn Automotive Group proudly continued our Pay It Forward initiative throughout 2025, partnering with local Chambers and community events to support nonprofits chosen by everyday heroes in our communities. Thanks to your support and participation, we donated a total of $7,500 this year to causes that matter!

Here’s a look back at the impact we made together:

  • Lomira Annual Banquet – Citizens of the Year, Phil and Jackie Luedtke, selected the Lomira Fire Department to receive the $1,000 donation.

  • Portage Business Council Annual Dinner – The winner from Oso Brewery directed their donation to the Interfaith Food Pantry.

  • Elkhart Lake Annual Chamber Dinner – Van Horn was honored to be recognized as a Chamber Champion! The Pay It Forward winner from Quit Qui Oc selected the Humane Society of Sheboygan County.

  • Manitowoc Awards of Distinction – Mike Foti presented an additional award, and the Pay It Forward recipient chose Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Shoreline.

  • Stoughton Annual Meeting – A representative from Fort Littlegreen selected Imagine Academy for their $1,000 donation.

  • Sheboygan Annual Champions Gala – A guest from Bookworm Gardens won and directed the donation right back to Bookworm Gardens.

  • Plymouth Chamber Annual Awards Dinner – Jackie Pottratz from Allechant Boutique chose Project Angel Hugs as her nonprofit of choice.

Additionally, Van Horn proudly attended the Samaritan’s Hand and Habitat for Humanity Annual Galas and more to show continued community support.

👏 A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this initiative a success—from our team members attending these events to the incredible organizations making an impact every day. Your involvement keeps our mission alive: People. Purpose. Passion.

To learn more about these opportunities visit: 2025 Events & Guest Lists

Van Horn Sponsorship Spotlight: Amanda Lucksted Leads the Way
 

Amanda Lucksted Shines at Dale Carnegie Women’s Leadership Academy 🌟

Please join us in celebrating Amanda Lucksted for graduating from the Dale Carnegie Women’s Leadership Academy—an opportunity she earned through a company-sponsored scholarship!

Not only did Amanda complete the program with excellence, but she was also honored with the Breakthrough Presentation Award, recognizing her exceptional personal and professional growth throughout the academy.

This program empowers women to strengthen their leadership skills, and Amanda is excited to bring those insights back to the workplace. We’re proud to support her on this journey and look forward to the continued impact she’ll make here at Van Horn!

👏 Way to go, Amanda!

Volunteer Program Reminder

 

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

2023 Volunteers
Retirements
CONGRATULATIONS! KIA's Max Umbs (Selected to KIA's Skills National Cup)

  • Who Owned It?

    If you catch one of your fellow employees going the extra mile for the dealership, your team or a customer; please nominate them to be recognized at the next Town Hall meeting. Winners will receive a trophy for their work station for the month, and they will be entered into larger prize drawings throughout the year.
    Nominate a Coworker

  • Share Your Celebrations!

    We are always looking for new exciting content for our quarterly newsletters. Did you get married, have a new grandchild, a graduation in your family, a wedding anniversary, etc? We want to share your celebrations! To have your celebration featured in the newsletter send an email to Paige in HR at:

    [email protected]

  • Revamp of our Apparel Store!

    When you visit, you'll immediately notice our expanded selection of items and the addition of four distinct logos to choose from: Van Horn, WDS, Cloudlot, and WCC. Notably, our volunteer blue Van Horn shirt is now conveniently available at your nearest parts department, and we're pleased to offer it at a new price of $5. So, if you're in the market for some fresh apparel, be sure to check it out!
    Order Apparel

UPCOMING EVENTS

Looking to participate in a Van Horn Event 
or even use your volunteer hours?
View All Events
November 2024
Q4

WHEELERS & DEALERS

Driven | Learner | Kind | Team Player

WORK ANNIVERSARIES

January
February
March
1 Year
Schawaller, Taylor
01/29/2024
Janke, Nicholas A.
1/8/2024
Kester, Kevin
1/1/2024
Vazquez, Keven O.
1/29/2024
Kieffer, James W.
1/10/2024
Wallace, Benjamin M.
1/2/2024
Jeter, Kalan
1/22/2024
Robles-Sánchez, Ricardo
1/16/2024
Saavedra Torres, Arnulfo
1/15/2024
Schmidt, Julie
1/15/2024
Stier, Gunnar
1/2/2024
Goodwin, Connor
1/24/2024
Tatrow, Ronald
1/24/2024
Hofmann, Gage M.
1/2/2024
Oppliger, Bryanna
1/16/2024
2 Years
Martinez, Ruth N.
1/30/2023
Serwe, Kolton L.
01/17/2023
Betancourt Batista, Hector
1/30/2023
Horning, Nicolas M.
1/23/2023
Yang, Yee M.
1/18/2023
3 Years
Cornelius, Veronica A.
1/3/2022
Luecke, Gavin C.
1/11/2022
Willis, Mark M.
1/17/2022
Urbina, Gavin I.
1/12/2022
Xiong, Cha Kai C.
1/10/2022
Lund, Bryce M.
1/10/2022
Linse, Anna M.
1/24/2022
Burrows, Cody J.
1/24/2022
Leonhardt, John H.
1/10/2022
4 Years
Tasche, Tina
1/4/2021
Szymanski, Gregory J.
1/25/2021
Zeleznikar, Brian
1/4/2021
Aviles, Santiago
1/4/2021
Eynon, Joshua M.
1/4/2021
5 Years
Bickelhaupt, Gary
1/31/2020
Olszewski, Cody A.
1/6/2020
Lehrer, Brett T.
1/6/2020
6 Years
Elliott, Mark E.
1/8/2019
Loose, Robert H.
1/8/2019
7 Years
Rauhut, James H.
1/26/2018
8 Years
Landgraf, Nicholas P.
1/30/2017
Downing, Joseph A.
1/25/2017
10 Years
Greene, Patrick
1/12/2015
11 Years
Allen, Brian
1/13/2014
Foti, Michael
1/2/2014
Housey-Graves, Douglas
1/20/2014
12 Years
Diaz, Antonio
1/21/2013
Pardun, Terry L.
1/17/2013
14 Years
Voelker, Kayce
1/5/2011
15 Years
Vande Slunt, Eric L.
1/18/2010
19 Years
Gutschow, Bryan S.
1/16/2006
22 Years
Watson, Mark A.
1/14/2003
27 Years
Schreiber, Doreen L.
1/13/1998
29 Years
Mickle, Patrick
1/8/1996
1 Year
Moreno, Abigail
2/20/2024
Riebe, Alexandra E.
2/19/2024
Hefter, Jacob
2/12/2024
Wight, Logan
2/6/2024
Bublitz, Alijah Q.
2/20/2024
Dawson, Andrew E.
2/7/2024
Mulhern, Connor
2/1/2024
Smith, Trevor E.
2/26/2024
Popp, Heather
2/12/2024
Severson, Casey T.
2/12/2024
Randall, Jarrod
2/1/2024
Anderson, Paul G.
2/12/2024
Ellingson, Patti
02/19/2024
2 Years
Brown, Jayden A.
02/27/2023
Miller, Rebecca K.
2/6/2023
Areas, Raul
2/27/2023
Beckmann, Kevin B.
2/13/2023
Bell, Kayla N.
2/23/2023
Henry, Daniel J.
2/13/2023
Molanders, Justin M.
2/15/2023
Dillman, Benjamin D.
2/6/2023
3 Years
Kenney, Thomas J.
2/7/2022
Wearing, Sydney A.
2/10/2022
Kolar, Phillip J.
2/1/2022
4 Years
Urbina, Gabriel De Jesus
2/2/2021
Lloyd, Benjamin R.
2/18/2021
Brandl, Alec A.
2/17/2021
Matuszak, Stephen M.
2/4/2021
Nelson, Allysa
2/9/2021
5 Years
Speed, David C.
2/17/2020
Maas, Jeffrey A.
2/17/2020
6 Years
Lorier, Vanessa A.
2/4/2019
Konitzer, Brian
2/11/2019
7 Years
Anderson, Sean E.
2/26/2018
Niesen, Jeffrey A.
2/5/2018
8 Years
Lee, Tee
2/9/2017
Pehler, Laura L.
2/22/2017
9 Years
Schlough, William
2/12/2016
10 Years
Harmer, Terry
2/5/2015
11 Years
Morrison, Nicolaus
2/7/2014
12 Years
Simmons, Justin
2/18/2013
15 Years
Tauschek, David A.
2/8/2010
21 Years
Hansen, Leon
2/13/2004
2 Years
Gempeler, Shawn L.
3/1/2023
Mauer, David E.
3/20/2023
Baker, Matthias
3/7/2023
Davis, Anna Marie
3/7/2023
Dulaney , Thomas
3/7/2023
Fritsch, David L.
3/7/2023
Graf, Sarah E.
3/7/2023
Greenidge, Luther
3/7/2023
Gutzwiller, Maximillian W.
3/7/2023
Henner, Zachary E.
3/7/2023
Hooper, Colin
3/7/2023
Kutches, Luke D.
3/7/2023
Mayhew, Robert
3/7/2023
Morales, Tracey
3/7/2023
Norton, Christopher D.
3/7/2023
Pfeffer, Leonard J.
3/7/2023
Pielmeier, Steven C.
3/7/2023
Prostek, Sean R.
3/7/2023
Roach, Rickey R.
3/7/2023
Rodriguez, Santos
3/7/2023
Streich, Curtis J.
3/7/2023
Tate, John D.
3/7/2023
Thompson, Kyle
3/7/2023
Wilde, Mark
3/7/2023
Ryan, Danny
3/10/2023
Salazar, Isabelle M.
3/20/2023
Buss, Kyle R.
3/14/2023
Enters, Dre J.
3/7/2023
Gonzalez, Saida G.
3/7/2023
3 Years
Pegeese, Jequan W.
3/1/2022
Noordyk, Joel R.
3/14/2022
Behm, Kai A.
3/10/2022
Vang, Peter F.
3/17/2022
Bechthold, Christopher E.
3/21/2022
Simmonds-Chicker, Caitlin M.
3/8/2022
4 Years
Steinert, Charles J.
3/8/2021
Ryerson, Christopher S.
3/1/2021
Brandt, Alan
3/8/2021
Scheerer, Ann-Marie
3/29/2021
Dauterman, Gregory J.
3/26/2021
Zopfi, Mitchell A.
3/1/2021
Kraemer, Jack A.
3/1/2021
Gatica-Liborio, Deyna
3/8/2021
Hansen, Dale K.
3/1/2021
5 Years
Schwab, Jacob L.
03/16/2020

12/30/2019
Tollefson, Cassidy L.
12/16/2019
Wolfe, Jacob L.
12/16/2019
Grys, Edwin R.
12/02/2019
Guenther, Lindsey
12/02/2019
Mercure, Mariah B.
12/02/2019
6 Years
Hastreiter, Jeffrey P.
3/18/2019
Leuck, Eric T.
3/25/2019
Glenetske, Joseph E.
3/11/2019
Jauregui, Clarissa
3/1/2019
7 Years
Dinkelman, Sophie A.
3/19/2018
Abel, Christopher L.
3/1/2018
Schroeder, Matthew
3/12/2018
Minshall, Robert W.
3/26/2018
Murray, Megan A.
3/7/2018
Present, Sandra J.
3/8/2018
8 Years
Meidl, Staci A
03/20/2017
11 Years
McCosky, Donald
03/24/2014
14 Years
Dallman, Steve
03/07/2011

GET TO KNOW

Chase Larson
Marketing Manager
Fun fact about yourself
I enjoy cooking and smoking a variety of food
Favorite hobby, pastime or passion
I am an avid outdoorsman. I love to hunt, fish, camp and capture my outdoor adventures through photography and film.
Favorite Food or Restaurant:
Steak and scallops at Schwarz's Supper Club
What’s on your bucket list?
To live a month in a remote place off-grid
What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever been to?
I stayed at a remote outpost for two weeks, 20 miles north of Armstrong, Canada. That was one of the most interesting places I have ever been to.
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
Power to time-travel
If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?
I actually wouldn't want to be an expert in just one thing. I see value in the philosophy of "master of none"... The idea of being skilled in a variety of different areas than just a single one makes you a more well-rounded person.
If you could live in any time period, past or future, which would it be?
I would like to live in the Wild West time period.

Q & A

How would you describe your team/ culture at your location?
Corina Yang
Marketing
Our marketing team has a lively and energetic culture where everyone brings their own strengths to the table. Whether it’s SEO, content, design, social media, or events, each person has their area of expertise, making it easy to work together. We’re always learning, staying on top of trends, and trying new ideas. Leaders encourage us to take ownership of our work, while providing the support we need, creating an environment built on trust and respect. In our fast-paced world, we adapt quickly to change, all while keeping a positive, inclusive vibe that celebrates both individual and team success.
Trevor Hess
Oconomowoc
Our team has a great culture—it’s energetic, supportive, and feels like a family. After 10 years here, I can say we have a lot of fun while staying focused on helping our customers. Everyone brings a lot of positivity and teamwork to the table, which makes every day enjoyable.
Spencer Smith
Stoughton
At our dealership, our team culture is built on trust, collaboration, and customer focus. We are a tight-knit group that thrives on working together to provide an exceptional experience for every customer. From the sales floor to service and management, we prioritize open communication and mutual support, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to the dealership's success. Our culture is fast-paced, dynamic, and customer-centric. We all share a commitment to providing top-notch service and delivering value to our clients, whether they're purchasing a new vehicle or bringing their car in for service. We embrace a "one team" mentality, where everyone—regardless of their role—is dedicated to making the dealership a great place to work and a trusted resource for our customers. At the same time, we encourage continuous learning and development to stay ahead in the industry. We celebrate team achievements and always support one another to reach our goals. It’s a place where hard work is recognized, and there’s always room for growth.

PET CORNER

Tiffany l Jeri Johnson
Bear l Faith Cunningham
Archie l Maureena Sindric
Grizzly l Dylan Hauck
Tesla l Bryce Remy
Tiffany
Jeri Johnson
Bear
Faith Cunningham
Archie
Maureena Sindric
Grizzly
Dylan Hauck
Tesla
Bryce Remy
Empower People. Amaze Customers.
Copyright © 2024 | Van Horn Automotive Group
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