Our Employee of the Month for December 2009 is Travis Johnson. Travis is in charge of our Reconditioning Department. While he has not been with Einspahr's for a real long time, he has shown tremendous ability, initiative in working with the managers, and being able to prioritize his work. He has been such a help to us and does a really great job. Travis will be our last employee of the month because starting in 2010, we will select Employees of the Quarter. We will keep you posted when they are selected. Congratulations, Travis!!

Congratulations to Stacey Warner-Welbon, our 2009 Employee of the Year. Stacey was named at our Annual Employee Party which was held Jan. 30 at the Shamrock in Brookings. Stacey was chosen for this award by all of her fellow employees. And what is even nicer...all the employees voted Stacey as the Employee of the Year in 2008 as well! Stacey is our Receptionist and is the person you usually hear greeting you on the phone or in our showroom. She will take great care of you. Congratulations, Stacey!!

In November, 2009, Ron Einspahr and family celebrated 40 years in the automotive business. Our open house on November 16 brought in many long-time customers and former employees. Governor Rounds and Mayor Reed declared the day, 'Ron Einspahr Day' with proclamations. We want to thank all our many customers and all the people who celebrated with us as we enter this 40th year at Einspahr Auto Plaza.

Recently, the Brookings Chamber Ambassadors paid a visit to our dealership to wish Ron, Jonnie, and Matt Einspahr congratulations for 40 years in business. Thanks to the Chamber and the Ambassadors for all you do to promote new and established local business.

These photos were taken during our original opening at 305 5th Street. Note the showroom, customer lounge, parts counter, sales offices, and closing offices were all in one room. Cars then ran around $3500 and were negotiated on a single sheet of paper.

When Matt Einspahr was about 6 years old, he was recruited by his father to appear in a service ad, again for the movie theatre. Here he is, in action, driving into the service drive in his 'Ford' go kart. They put it up on the hoist and gave it the works.

Yet another promotional theme in those early years was...At The Sign of the Cat...promoting Mercury and the Cougar in particular. Ron brought Cougars to town for a real life demonstration of what life was like 'at the sign of the cat'.