November 2024
Q4
WHEELERS & DEALERS
Driven | Learner | Kind | Team Player
Jeff Niesen
Van Horn Automotive Group
President and CEO
We received so many incredible ESOP logo submissions, and we were truly blown away by the creativity and talent across our teams. Choosing just one winner was no easy task!
After careful review, we’re excited to announce Ben Deehr, Parts Manager from Sheboygan Ford, as the winner of the ESOP Logo Contest. Please join us in congratulating Ben on his outstanding design and creativity!
A sincere thank you goes out to everyone who participated. The time, thought, and enthusiasm put into each submission did not go unnoticed and made this contest a huge success.
The new ESOP logo will be used to represent the ESOP Committee across:
We’re excited to begin using this design and celebrating ESOP pride together. Thank you all for making this such a fun and inspiring experience!
We recently held our first Support Services Town Hall, bringing teams together for open conversation, collaboration, and alignment around what’s ahead. These sessions create space to share updates, ask questions, and strengthen how we work together across departments.
Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and shared thoughtful feedback. Your engagement plays a key role in helping us move forward, together.
Our new space is designed to bring teams closer and encourage collaboration across departments.
Executive Wing:
Support Services Wing:
We’re excited about the collaboration this new space supports and look forward to continuing these Town Halls in the future.
The holiday season was full of fun, community spirit, and festive moments across Van Horn!
We were proud to participate in both the Plymouth and Sheboygan Christmas Parades, with our Sheboygan team earning First Place for Corporate Entry, nicely done!
Congratulations as well to BDC, the winner of this year’s Christmas Tree Contest!
2022- Latino
2023-Latino
2024-Budget
2025- BDC
To top it all off, Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by the BDC office, where kids enjoyed photos, holiday activities, and plenty of smiles. (Do you recognize Mrs. Claus? 😉)
Thank you to everyone who helped make the season so special for our teams and communities.
Despite a challenging November overall, our Black Friday & Beyond campaign proved to be a bright spot, running from November 17 through December 6 and helping drive momentum across the stores.
During this period, we sold 238 vehicles that were a part of the campaign, up from 217 in 2024 and 216 in 2023. While sales were nearly flat year-over-year in prior years, 2025 showed a modest but meaningful increase of 21 additional vehicles sold, highlighting strong execution during a difficult month.
This performance reflects the continued efforts of our sales teams, BDC, marketing, and support staff, who worked together to convert traffic and engagement into results.
👏 Thank you to everyone for pushing through a tough month, the effort did not go unnoticed.
We’re excited to share that the Board of Directors of Van Horn Automotive Group Holdings, LLC has appointed Jeri Johnson as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, effective immediately.
Over the past three years, Jeri has been a steady and trusted leader, guiding the organization through growth and change while staying deeply committed to our people and culture. Her leadership, judgment, and values continue to make a meaningful impact across the Van Horn family.
In her expanded role, Jeri will continue leading our Human Resources strategy while serving as a key member of the executive leadership team, reinforcing the vital role HR plays in our long-term success.
Please join us in congratulating Jeri on this well-deserved promotion!
As we reflect on the past quarter, we’re also looking ahead to an exciting milestone. 2026 marks the 60th Anniversary of Van Horn Automotive Group, celebrating six decades of growth, community impact, and employee ownership.
Throughout the year, you’ll see “Celebrating 60 Years” messaging across our marketing, including websites, videos, social media, and public relations, along with our new 60th Anniversary logo.
One easy way you can help support this milestone is by updating your email signature to include the 60th Anniversary logo. This small step helps create consistency and awareness with every message we send.
⚠️ Important Note:
The attached logo is approved only for email signature use. Please do not use it elsewhere without approval from the Marketing team.
In 2026, we’ll be combining our traditional January Christmas Party and ESOP Picnic into one major celebration:
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
📍 The Osthoff Resort – Elkhart Lake
In 1966, Joe and Kay Van Horn moved their family from Chicago to Plymouth, Wisconsin to open Joe Van Horn Chevrolet. Sixty years later, that legacy continues, thanks to our employee owners and the communities we serve.
You’ll receive an official Save the Date and more details as the celebration approaches.
Thank you for everything you contributed this past quarter. As we move into 2026 and celebrate 60 years, together.
Tim Rice
Family:
My wife Emily, 3 kids Lily(10) Evie(8) and Liam(5). 2 Dogs, an English Mastiff named Moose a Black Lab named Raya. 2 cats Pumpkin and Morgan. And about 30 chickens.
What one word would you use to describe yourself or 1st Car:
If I had to sum up myself in one word I would have to go with “Me” Anything else would be less than satisfactory.
Your dream job (other than the one you have now):
CIA spy, but you said other than the one I have now so I guess Ill have to come up with something else.
Favorite hobby, pastime or passion:
I've been into weight lifting (power lifting) since I was a kid. Its always been a passion of mine.
Favorite Food or Restaurant:
I don’t really have a favorite restaurant, but I’m always on the lookout for a good coffee shop with a great sandwich and latte.
If I won the lottery I’d:
Invest the money and live off the income. I probably wouldn't buy anything extravagant just travel and not have to worry about anything.
A favorite movie:
Braveheart and Gladiator. I enjoy a good movie about overthrowing an oppressor.
Famous person living or dead, I’d like to meet:
Isaac Newton He invented calculus in order to find answers to questions others didn't even think to ask yet. The stuff he was able to do without technology was beyond impressive. Id imagine he would have some interesting perspectives on a lot of things. Especially if he came to this day and age.
My dream vacation (one you haven’t taken yet):
So many places I haven’t seen yet. I’m open for going pretty much anywhere new. It would be pretty neat to see the Amazon rain forest.
My favorite music group:
This is where people start to realize I’m a little weird. I don’t listen to a whole lot of music. Usually just whatever is on the radio or on in the background. It would probably be some kind of rock, pop or rap.
I wish I knew how to:
Create a tech company and become and eccentric billionaire.
Describe your perfect day:
Wake up, hit a new PR in the gym. Take the family out to lunch. Go to some outdoor place and have a relaxing evening with no responsibilities.
Favorite TV show:
There are a lot of good shows out there. Most of mine would be thriller shows not sitcoms. Id have to say Game of Thrones is the best show of all time if you exclude the last season.
Most people don’t know:
I’ve been known to bench press 365 lbs. Hopefully this year I can hit 405. Well see though that’s a lot. I’m aware of at least 3 people in the group that can put me to shame on that front though. I’m coming for you Rob :)
