Somos Familia - A Clark Chevrolet History

90 YEARS LATER AND 4 GENERATIONS STRONGER

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLARK FAMILY LEGACY

To our friends and family in the Rio Grande Valley.

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t Clark Chevrolet, our 90th anniversary means more than reaching a milestone in time. It is an affirmation that our company is committed to being a long-term family member of the community we love. We see 90 years as a validation that “We’re Family” is more than just a company slogan. It represents four generations of family ownership, and a demonstration of Clark Chevrolet’s enduring commitment to being fullyinvested in the McAllen-Rio Grande Valley community.

company, our business philosophy, a little bit about ourselves and our employees, and how we have strived to give back to a community that has given so much to us.

and it will reveal some of our vision for the next 90 years that lie before us. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed the process of sharing our story with you.

In the following pages, we will share the history of our

This publication will express what the last 90 years have meant to us,

Sincerely,

2 - Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History

Alex and Daniel Clark

GROUNDED BY FAMILY. DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY.

90 YEARS LATER AND 4 GENERATIONS STRONGER Clark Chevrolet’s commitment to service, integrity and transparency is second to none. It’s the reason the Rio Grande Valley has counted on us for almost a century. From first-time buyers to customers we’ve served for decades, thank you for choosing the Clark Family.

We’re honored to serve you and devoted to earning your business for decades to come.

Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History - 3

90 Years of

Clark Chevrolet A

lthough the history of Clark Chevrolet officially began in 1933, the genesis of our dealership began one year earlier with a phone conversation between one of McAllen’s earliest business leaders, Sam Miller, and our founder, James Vance Carpenter, who was Miller’s cousin. Miller urged Carpenter to leave Kansas City, where he was working for Oldsmobile, and come to McAllen to open an automobile dealership.

According to Carpenter’s grandson, Kirk Clark, Miller told Carpenter, “You‘d better get down here, this is a happening place.”

Carpenter followed Miller’s advice, and invested his life savings to acquire a CadillacLa Salle dealership which had recently become available.

According to Clark, Carpenter’s relationship with LaSalle soured quickly, but he had to keep selling their cars in order to continue selling Cadillacs. Then in 1933, Carpenter found himself in a McAllen barber shop along with Dwight Yoder, who was the local Chevrolet dealer at the time.

LT. JAMES VANCE CARPENTER

Carpenter told Yoder about his dissatisfaction with LaSalle cars, and Yoder told Carpenter about his desire to sell Cadillacs. According to Clark, the conversation went something like this:

“Dwight Yoder said, ‘I’ve always wanted to be a Cadillac dealer.’ A light comes on in my grandfather’s head and he said, ‘I wouldn’t mind being a Chevrolet dealer.’

They looked at each other and said why don’t we swap? They got up out of the barbers’ chairs, and shook hands. That afternoon they began moving their inventories and parts. He called General Motors, and my granddad said, ‘I’m the new Chevy dealer in McAllen and Dwight’s your new Cadillac LaSalle dealer.’”

But before Carpenter could open his new Carpenter Chevrolet Sales Company, a natural disaster would strike that almost ended our dealership before it even started.

On September 5, 1933, the CubaBrownsville Hurricane, a category 5 storm, made landfall on South Padre Island and barreled toward McAllen.

The storm devastated the entire Rio Grande Valley. 40 people were killed, and total property damage was estimated to be $16.9 million. Our dealership building at 801 Hwy 83 was still standing, but everything inside was destroyed by floodwaters.

“There were two and a half feet of water in the showroom,” Kirk Clark told McAllen podcaster Roberto Garza.

“All the cars were destroyed. My grandmother [Melba] took one look at that and said, ‘We’re going back to Kansas City.’ [My grandfather] said, ‘Darling, everything we own is in that swamp. We gotta make that swamp work.’

4 - Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History

CARPENTER CHEVROLET CIRCA 1940

Carpenter cleaned up the damaged building, restocked the flood-damaged inventory, and Carpenter Chevrolet Sales Company officially opened its doors October 10, 1933. Our founder’s decision to stick with McAllen (literally come hail or high water) would become emblematic of our company’s steadfast commitment to McAllen and the greater Rio Grande Valley.

The early years of our dealership would continue to be challenging, but we survived the Great Depression years of the 1930s. We also made it through the

CARPENTER WAREHOUSE

1940s, especially the World War II years when very few new cars were even being manufactured.

One of the veterans who returned home from that war was Carpenter’s stepson, Charles Clark, who joined the Carpenter Chevrolet Sales Company in 1947. Clark learned the business from

the ground up, and he became Dealer Principal in 1952. Our dealership’s name changed to Clark Chevrolet in 1955 after our founder passed away.

to understand, not with the intent to respond.

I want the employees to hold themselves accountable, and to believe that they can make the difference.”

me, and help me make sense of what’s happening on the floor. And I in turn can report back to him with what’s happening out there. So I think we make a great team, and we’re very lucky.”

“It’s clear from old newspaper clippings that JV, our founder and great Kirk was our Dealer stepgrandfather, was interested in It was Charles and Principal until his community engagement,” said Alex.

Dorothy Clark who passing on March 11, “It’s very clear that Charles carried on began Clark Chevrolet’s 2022. Today, Clark that interest, and he in turn molded our legacy of community Chevrolet continues dad, Kirk. One of the things they were engagement. When the under the leadership all serious about, and we are too, was McAllen Junior League MAJ. CHARLES D. CLARK of two of Kirk’s sons – that this business doesn’t just exist to sell founded the International Museum of Art and Science in 1967, Alex and Daniel Clark. Together, they cars and make money. We do something Clark Chevrolet was among the represent the fourth generation of Clark even more important than that, and museum’s original donors, and Charles Chevrolet’s family-owned pedigree. that’s how we treat our community and and Dorothy were charter members They are committed to carrying on the our employees. We have to be stewards of the IMAS Board of Directors. They foundational principles that have been of our community. We have to care about would run the company together for four with us since 1933, while each brings his what happens in the Valley, because own skill set to the table. without the Valley we’re nothing.” decades.

Meanwhile, Charles and Dorothy’s son, Kirk, began working on and off at the dealership from the age of 10 (whenever he wasn’t in school). Kirk joined the family business full-time in 1969, and he became our Dealer Principal in 1990, following Charles’ death.

Under Kirk’s leadership, Clark Chevrolet earned a long list of accolades from General Motors, including eight consecutive GM Mark of Excellence Awards. Kirk also greatly expanded the dealership’s community engagement initiatives by supporting a wide array of community organizations such as the Valley Symphony Orchestra, the IMAS Night at the Brew-seum, National Lemonade Day, the Jane Cozad Memorial 5K Run-Walk, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Pharr where Kirk was a member of the congregation for more than 50 years.

“I tend to be the ‘front of the house’ kind of guy, interacting with customers and going out and talking to people,” said Daniel. “My brother, Alex, is an excellent analytical thinker that can sit down in the office and crunch the numbers with

As we at Clark Chevrolet celebrate our first 90 years in business, we embark on the next 90 firmly committed to an operating philosophy that focuses on our relationships with customers, employees, and the community at large. Without the strength of the McAllen community to support Clark Chevrolet, our dealership would not have reached its 90th anniversary, nor would we have been able to earn the company slogan that we use today and will continue to use in the future:

“We are Family.”

In 2017, Kirk reflected on some of the reasons Clark Chevrolet had been able to stay in business for so many years.

“A lot of it has to do with knowing your product, and how that product could best serve the customer,” Kirk said. “We expect our employees to treat each other and our customers with respect; to be approachable, to listen with the intent

Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History - 5

Clark Family Tribute C

lark Chevrolet’s 90th anniversary celebration is not just an observance of our company’s longevity, it is also a commemoration of our family’s 90-year partnership with the city of McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley. It began with James Vance Carpenter’s decision to volunteer and contribute to the city’s early business leadership, and it continues today with Alex and Daniel Clark’s pledge to carry on the family legacy of civic stewardship.

The success of our community engagement has been a team effort by everyone on our staff, but the heart and soul of Clark Chevrolet’s philanthropic outreach will always serve as our testimony to the legacy Kirk Clark, and his parents, Charles and Dorothy Clark.

“They set such a marvelous example for me,” Kirk said of his parents in a 2016 interview with Livability.com.

“They collected more than 30,000 works of art, and also gifted more than 30,000 pieces of art to 34 museums, colleges, and universities around the country, which I thought was absolutely amazing. It really inspired me.”

One of Charles and Dorothy’s earliest civic contributions came in 1968 when the McAllen Junior League founded the International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) in a building

6 - Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History

donated by the City of McAllen.

The couple became founding board members and were among the first major corporate and private donors.

Kirk, an accomplished artist in his own right, became the torch bearer after their passing. He helped fund renovations to IMAS, and was a perennial sponsor of its fundraisers.

Kirk donated proceeds from the sale of his art to charities in McAllen and abroad. He donated his art works to several local schools, and founded an art scholarship program at South Texas Community College.

In recognition of his lifetime contributions, Kirk was the 2014 honoree at the IMAS Collage fundraiser, and a gallery at IMAS bears the Clark Family name.

“If I had two words to describe Kirk, they would be gregariously generous,” said IMAS President and Executive Director, Anne Fortescue. “It was clear that he loved life, art, and the city of McAllen.

His understanding, the appreciation, and his responsibility for community stewardship was something that that Kirk grew up with. He was an IMAS supporter literally from the cradle.”

The McAllen Chamber of Commerce also honored Kirk’s benevolence by naming him Man of the Year in 2012.

Former Mayor Jim Darling says the only thing that Kirk Clark would not do when it came to the city of McAllen was get involved in politics.

“Anything else you asked him to do to help the city, Kirk was there,” said Darling. “A lot of times he was already active in a project before I even asked. If I had to ask him for something extra, he would simply say, ‘I’ll take care of it for you,’ and you knew it would get done. He was just a great community leader, and as a person he was a fantastic guy.”

“Kirk was tremendously giving, and not only in terms of money and helping different organizations, but he offered his friendship, and he offered it unconditionally,” said Dr. Peter Dabrowski, Music Director and Conductor of the Valley Symphony Orchestra (VSO).

“I feel fortunate to have been working for the Clark family for almost 40 years.”

Rick Cantu - CFO

Palmas), the McAllen Heritage Center, and Futuro McAllen (now Futuro RGV).

they serve as a challenge to us at Clark Chevrolet to strive for in the years ahead.

Kinerk described her friend of more than 25 years as someone who left behind a legacy of love, creativity, and giving that were “simply unique.”

“It is important that as adults we do everything we can to share the best experiences with our young people,” Kirk told TBB. “I am a fortunate and blessed husband, Thank you Jeri, and a father.

“Kirk was an artist, he was a I get to work with the finest people I philanthropist, he was an astute know, and work for the best customers businessman, and he was a sponsor of groups and people that were working for on the planet. I want to be remembered the beautification, and economic welfare for providing a good living for my family of our city, and the Rio Grande Valley. He and having provided leadership with integrity to my businesses, church, and was a giver. He saw the potential in the people and their projects, and he helped community.” us all to be more than we thought we could be.”

Kirk was never one to shine the spotlight on himself, but in a 2011 interview with Texas Border Business (TBB), he did offer some self-reflection on his life, and what he thought his legacy might entail. His words were prescient, and

Dr. Dabrowski recalled having many conversations with Kirk about art and music, and when asked about the importance of Kirk’s contributions to VSO, he was straightforward in his response.

“Without Kirk’s help we wouldn’t be here, we wouldn’t have this orchestra,” Dr. Dabrowski said. “Kirk, along with others, was involved from the very beginning. He donated not only through the dealership, but with his personal funds as well. I am happy to say that his legacy toward the orchestra is being continued by his sons.”

“Kirk was a very good friend, and I miss him very much,” said Nedra Kinerk, who worked alongside Kirk and other founders of Palm Fest (now Fiesta de

Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History - 7

Clark Chevrolet Believes in Business

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t Clark Chevrolet, we believe that working with other members of the business community – even our competitors – helps the entire community thrive. Our goal as a local business partner has always been to add value to the marketplace and not just derive benefits from it.

Here are some local business leaders who graciously agreed to help us celebrate our 90th anniversary by sharing their thoughts about their relationships with Clark Chevrolet, beginning with Billy Canales, the founder of Rio Motor Company in Rio Grande City.

Not too many people know this, but Billy is a former Clark Chevrolet employee. Billy joined the Clark family in 1981. He installed our first parts department computer system and expanded our service department to include motor homes.

During his 13 years with our dealership, Billy says it was Charles Clark who mentored him, and it was Kirk who made it financially feasible

for him to acquire the dealership that would become Rio Motor Company.

“Mr. Charles Clark would take me to have coffee with him every morning at the Sheraton on South 10th. He insisted that I go with him,” Billy recalls.

“He introduced me to Bud Payne’s father, and the owner of McAllen Pipe and Supply, and I met a lot of other business leaders through him. Then in 1994, Kirk was the one who signed the note at the bank for me to buy my dealership. I couldn’t handle something like that myself, but Kirk had faith in me.

Once we got rolling with everything, he just stepped aside. That’s the reason we’re here. I’m very appreciative of the Clark family. My whole family is appreciative of them.”

The truest test of any partnership’s strength comes in the difficult times.

Such was the case during the 2008-09 financial crisis when many institutions were cutting back on their indirect loans for automobiles.

Kirk Clark and Roger Solis traveled to San Antonio to meet with one of Clark C h e v r o l e t ’s key thirdparty lenders – Security S e r v i c e F e d e r a l Credit Union (SSFCU).

On the other side of the table were Charles Goss, SSFCU’s Executive

8 - Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History

Vice President & Chief Lending Officer, and Jay Gable, Senior Vice President of Indirect Lending.

“I said we’re going to be here for you in the long haul,” Goss recalled telling Kirk. “We just built an unbelievable level of trust and confidence in our relationship with Clark Chevrolet, and it’s because the culture at their company is very similar to the culture at our company. Kirk cheered about his people, and he took care of them like we take care of our people.”

“What was great about Kirk is that he practiced what he preached,” Gable added. “The relationship started at a high level of management, but it also trickled down into the day to day operators so we really had a top-down relationship with Clark Chevrolet, and it all started with Kirk.”

Clark Chevrolet’s contribution to the growth of the state’s automobile dealership industry is reflected in our 45-year membership in the Chevy 20 Group. The organization of noncompeting car dealers was formed by the Texas Automobile Dealership Association (TADA), and its members meet three times a year to discuss industry advances, business ideas, and mutual improvement.

Chuck Price, TADA Vice President and moderator for Chevy 20, says Clark Chevrolet is a throwback to an era when family-owned dealerships were the mainstay of the industry, but whose numbers have dwindled to only an elite few today.

“I don’t know the exact amount, but the number of family dealerships that have achieved 90 years is a very small club,” Price said. “I have a very deep fondness for Kirk in particular.

He was very astute in the industry, and he understood the importance of

educating and training his employees.

Kirk was very active in the group, too.

He always shared unique perspectives on the business, and he was a forward thinker when it came to preparing for change.”

“Life is about helping people accomplish their goals and dreams. When we are in a position to help, we should. Kirk was a great example of that. That’s what Kirk and I loved about the retail business, helping people accomplish their goals, while being honest and upfront. Our industry is not trusted by many and we are always striving to change that by making sure our team does everything the right way.”

Roger Solis Partner and General Manager

One of our fellow members in the Chevy 20 Group is Bobby Knapp.

It was our privilege to partner with Bobby and his family in 1992 when we jointly opened our Clark Knapp Honda store. Like the Clark family, the Knapp family has also been in the dealership business for four generations, and they have a long history of philanthropic that any business exists for 90 years. giving in the Rio Grande Valley.

It’s even more a rarity that a family With such an esteemed family legacy, business survives 90 years. I just have we are humbled that Bobby feels he to say hats off to the Clark family. When has learned much from his relationship you think of all the things you have to go through in business, both good and with our family. bad, and the flux of each generation “Kirk was a mentor and trusted advisor taking over, that’s a lot, and they’ve to me,” Bobby said. “It’s a rarity today done a great job.”

The Clark family is grateful for having been a part of the Valley’s business community for the past 90 years. We see it as an opportunity to learn and gain more knowledge from each other.

It is our pledge to continue being a member in good standing with our fellow entrepreneurs, and whenever we can, to present new ideas that make the community even better.

Where Drivers Find Their Sense of Adventure.

From family-hauling trucks and SUVs to corner-hugging cars for those who love to push their limits, Clark Knapp Honda is the Rio Grande Valley’s premier Honda dealer. We offer the widest selection, fair and transparent pricing and the knowledgable staff you need to make your next vehicle choice your best choice.

Discover Adventure at Clark Knapp Honda.

Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History - 9

1947: Charles Clark begins working for his stepfather, J.V. Carpenter as an auto body paint assistant in the Body Shop

1933: J.V. Carpenter purchases what is known today as Clark Chevrolet. With the help of 11 employees, Mr. Carpenter sells 147 cars during his first year of business

1952: After working his way through each department of the dealership, Charles Clark becomes Dealer Principal

2013: Groundbreaking for new Clark Knapp Honda dealership in Pharr

2013: Clark Chevrolet Celebrates its 80th Birthday

1955: Carpenter Chevrolet becomes Clark Chevrolet

1969: Charle Clark’s son, K is promoted fr Salesman to U Car Manager

2012: Kirk Clark is honored as Man of the Year by the City of McAllen

2014: IMAS presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Kirk Clark

2014: Kirk’s son, Alex Clark launches full-service, in-house Allstate Insurance Agency

2017: Kirk and Jeri Clark Celebrate their 35th Wedding Anniversary

10 - Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History

2018: Kirk’s youngest son, Daniel joins the leadership team to lead Business Development and Public Relations

1992: In partnership with the Knapp Family, Clark Chevrolet adds Honda to its line of automobile offerings with the opening of Clark Knapp Honda

1976: Charles Clark appoints his son, Kirk to the position of Dealer. Charles remains as General Manager until his passing on February 22, 1990

1990: Kirk’s mom, Dorothy, appears in a television commercial with Kirk featuring their infamous on-air exchange, “Right Mom? Right Son!” Kirk and Dorothy, fondly known by many as “Mom” continued to appear on television together until her passing on March 22, 1997.

es Kirk rom Used

2007: Clark Chevrolet wins GM’s Dealer of the Year Award

2010: Roger Solis is named partner at Clark Chevrolet

1999: Clark Chevrolet celebrates the grand opening of its new facility in the same location in the heart of McAllen

2003: Clark Chevrolet earns its first of eight consecutive Mark of Excellence Awards from General Motors

2023: Clark Knapp Honda breaks all-time sales record claiming the #1 position in the District – outperforming every Honda Dealer in the Rio Grande Valley, Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Laredo

2022: Alex Clark named Dealer Principal.

Family and friends mourn the loss of Kirk Clark on March 11th

2023: Clark Chevrolet Celebrates 90 Years in the heart of McAllen

Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History - 11

The Employee Perspective

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inding good employees can be challenging, but over the past 90 years, Clark Chevrolet has been blessed to have some of the best workers in the dealership business become part of our family. We’ve had the privilege of hiring bright, young people fresh out of school and watching them rise through the ranks to become part of our leadership team. We’ve also attracted seasoned professionals with many years of experience elsewhere who chose to make Clark Chevrolet their longterm home.

Rick Cantu became part of our family in 1984 after working in the accounting department at a local construction company. Rick started with Clark Insurance, and over the years worked his way up to become an office manager, then business manager, and now serves as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for both Clark Chevrolet and Clark Knapp Honda.

“The most important piece of advice Kirk Clark gave me was to take care of the customers,” Rick said.

“When someone says the Clark family does the right thing, it means taking care of the customer both on the sales side of it and the service side of it. The one thing that has remained the same during my time here is taking care of the customer whether it’s to trade in a vehicle for a new one, or to get a second vehicle. Take care of the customer in the best way that you can. I feel fortunate to have been working for the Clark family for so long.”

dealership business.

In 2010, Roger became a partner in our Clark Knapp Honda dealership.

Roger says he chose to become part of the company because of a corporate philosophy that places people above profit.

Rick’s predecessor as CFO was Roger Solis, who joined our Clark family in 2006 after more than a decade in the car

Israel Silva came to Clark Chevrolet in 1986 just a few years removed from college. Israel started out selling used cars, and was promoted to Finance Manager just five years later. Today he serves as Finance Director at Clark Knapp Honda.

“Kirk was all about doing things with integrity, and making sure that we always did the right thing for the employee and for the customer,” Roger noted. “I find myself trying to do my best to share everything that Kirk taught us, trying to keep his memory and legacy alive. We’re all trying to keep his memory alive and conducting business with integrity and treating people the way he treated us.”

“I joined Clark Chevrolet in 1995 and have had the pleasure of working with 3 generations of the Clark family.”

Rosalinda Leal Human Resources

“To be part of the Clark Organization has been a life changing experience for me and my family. Mr. Kirk Clark instilled some great principles for this organization to stand on. Building relationships by treating everyone like family and with respect can take you a long way not only in business, but most importantly, in life! I am a better person because of the amazing opportunity I got to be part of the Clark Organization. From top to bottom, Clark Chevrolet and ClarkKnapp Honda are second to none.”

Andy Moreno - General Sales Manager, Clark Knapp Honda 12 - Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History

Over the past 37 years, Israel has worked under three generations of Clark family leadership, beginning with Charles Clark, then Kirk, and now Alex and Daniel Clark. As he reflects on nearly four decades with us, Israel has especially fond memories of Dorothy Clark, the woman who the public remembers as “Mom”

from her TV commercials with Kirk.

Israel says Dorothy personified the “We’re Family” company slogan, which is a big reason he’s been with us for so long.

“I remember when the Clark Chevrolet Truck Center was across Business Highway 83 from the main dealership,” Israel mused. “When I had to go over there, Mrs. Clark would always say to me, ‘Be careful crossing the street.’ It was just like my mom would say. That meant a lot to me, because it showed she and the Clarks cared about me and my family. She even had her own business cards that said ‘Mom.’” Israel, Rick, and Roger are just three examples of why many Clark employees stay with the company for so long. The Clark corporate family has at least 10 employees who have been with the company for 25 years or more. The result is a continuity of integrity, knowledge and experience unparalleled in the RGV auto industry.

It also translates into a customer experience that people can put their trust in, as our late Dealer Principal, Kirk Clark, summarized in 2017.

“A lot of it has to do with the way we expect our employees to treat each other – with respect,” Kirk said. “We want them to be approachable, to listen with the intent to understand, not with the intent to respond. Each person holds themselves accountable, and they hold their team accountable.

And they know their contribution to the team can make the difference.”

“There’s a spirit among this team deeply rooted in integrity and driven by possibility. We show up for each other, wrap our arms around the communities we serve and build lasting relationships with our customers. As we navigate the next decade and grow forward, Kirk Clark’s legacy is our compass.

I know he is incredibly proud of this team.”

Michele Sparks - Marketing Director

NOW HIRING

The Family You Get To Choose!

For 90 years, we’ve been the Rio Grand Valley’s premier Chevy dealer. We’re a family-oriented

business deeply committed to promoting from

LEARN MORE AT CLARKCHEVROLET.COM

within. And now’s your chance to join the family.

From sales to support, we are looking for the

next great generation of Clark team members.

JOIN THE FAMILY. DISCOVER OUR OPEN ROLES. “I joined the Clark Family in 2006 and worked my way through various departments, learning as much as I could about the business from veteran team members. It was an honor to work with Kirk for more than 15 years.

Kirk strongly believed in selling a car the right way. If the vehicle wasn’t the right fit for the customer, Kirk would rather not sell the car - a guiding principle that leads our team every day. ”

Hugo Hernandez - General Sales Manager

Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History - 13

The Next Generation:

Alex and Daniel Clark discuss family, fun, and the future of Clark Chevrolet

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s we sat for a conversation with Alex and Daniel Clark, it quickly became apparent that they are typical brothers. One minute they were poking fun at each other. The next minute they were finishing each other’s sentences, as if they were psychically connected.

grandfather had, and how that professional relationship deepened their bond as father and son. That really appealed to me.

As the fourth generation of family leadership at Clark Chevrolet, Alex serves as our newest Dealer Principal and General Sales Manager, and Daniel serves as Partner and Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

Both of them have periodically worked at Clark Chevrolet since childhood, but they have arrived at their leadership roles by different paths.

“I had no real intention or thought of going into the car business,” Alex explained. “I enjoyed what I was doing in academia, but dad invited me to get the Clark insurance agency up and running.

The big thing that called me back was the kind of relationship my father a n d

I thought I would do it for a couple of years and then return to academics, but I loved the car business so much I decided to stay.”

“I started off in the car business when I was 14 years old,” said Daniel. “My dad said I would really have to work my way up, so I started off washing the cars across the street at the Make Ready department. After that I got to work in many different departments, including Sales, Service, Parts, and getting to know the entire dealership so I was very lucky to see how everything was done from many perspectives.”

Alex and Daniel say they bring different, but complementary skill sets to their leadership roles, and they both say genetics is the reason why. Alex says he is more analytical and methodical like his grandfather, Charles, while Daniel says he is more like the people-person that his father, Kirk, was.

“I get to spend a lot of time out in the community, working with a

Kirk and Daniel filming for a television commercial

14 - Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History

lot of great organizations,” said Daniel.

“As a representative of Clark Chevrolet, I work with Friends for Hope which benefits the Vannie Cook Children’s Cancer Center, the Teach for America Rio Grande Valley Advisory Board, McAllen Crimestoppers, and many other great organizations. So a lot of my work is trying to make a difference in the city of McAllen and the entire Rio Grande Valley.”

“As Dealer Principal, it’s my job to carry on the legacy that Kirk Clark, Charles Clark, and JV Carpenter left for us.

To make sure that Clark Chevrolet is a good place to buy a car. And, to make sure Clark Chevrolet is a good place to work while we make a positive difference in our community. It’s my commitment that we’re going to continue to do what we’ve always done, which is to take leadership roles in all those things.”

One of the unique things about Clark Chevrolet is that it has remained at its original downtown location since 1933. Clark Chevrolet has resisted the trend among other dealers to move to an expressway location where it’s easier to sell cars. Alex says the dealership will remain downtown under his and Daniel’s leadership, because something more important than selling cars is at stake.

“Legacy is important to us,” Alex said.

“But also, what would happen to that space if we suddenly take 150 jobs out of downtown McAllen? We have people that shop downtown, eat downtown, and do all that. We have an anchor of employment providing high-quality jobs in the middle of downtown McAllen.

That’s something that’s important to us.

We’re here because we care, and we’re here because it matters to us where we are located.”

Daniel and Alex add that the commitment to stay in downtown McAllen dovetails well with Clark Chevrolet’s commitment to its customers, community, and employees. They say that commitment will also remain unchanged as Clark Chevrolet embarks on the next 90 years of doing business the family way.

“We’re very lucky to be in a community that has supported us now for 90 years,” said Daniel. “As the fourth generation, it’s an honor just being here to talk about this. It’s something not a lot of people get to say and I just strive every day to make sure we’re the kind of organization that deserves a fifth, sixth, seventh generation. That’s something that really motivates me.”

“When Chevrolet is making spaceships, I hope my great grandchildren are selling them,” Alex mused. “As I said at the celebration of dad’s life after his funeral, the Clark family and Clark Chevrolet will be here as long as the community wants us to be here, and as long as we have something to contribute, so as long as those things are true, we’ll be here.”

Alex and his wife Amanda, Daniel and their mom Jeri Clark

Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History - 15

In 1964, my family left Alice, Texas, to move to Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, where my parents previously lived.

My dad stopped in McAllen on the way. He dropped my mother, my brother, Willie, and I off at Archer Park. Little did we know my dad had gone to Charles Clark Chevrolet, a few blocks away, to see if there was a job opportunity for him there.

My dad spoke to the Clarks and told them he had worked at the Chevrolet dealership in Alice as a paint-and-body man. Mrs. Clark, Kirk’s mother, knew the owners and immediately called them. Mrs. Clark later shared with me that her friends in Alice told her, “If you can stop Tony from returning to Mexico, do it! He is a wonderful worker and person.” That was the beginning of the Aguirre family in McAllen.

My dad worked at Charles Clark Chevrolet for 11 years. Then, with

encouragement from everyone at the dealership, he built his own shop, Tony’s Paint & Body, in McAllen in 1975.

Over the years, I developed a great relationship with Kirk and his sons.

Clark Chevrolet will always remind me of my dad and his decision to make McAllen our home.

Tony Aguirre Riverside Development Services LLC

Congratulations to Clark Family on their 90 Years of Service! The Kirk Clark I knew had 2 outstanding citizenship passions - Local charities and art. He was always ready to contribute his time and money to local causes and his love and talent for art was evident both publicly and privately. I am one of many lucky ones to have one of Kirk’s paintings hanging on my wall.

I met Charles Clark in June of 1974 while purchasing a van for La Posada. It was the beginning of a long relationship with the Clark Family. I continue to be amazed by the generous way the Clark Family gives back to the community.

There’s no question the Clark Family helped mold McAllen into the vibrant city it is today.

Congratulations to Clark Chevrolet on their 90th Anniversary!

Jim Darling Former Mayor of McAllen

Rick Guerra Castle Hospitality/ Macaroni Grill McAllen

Congratulations to Clark Chevrolet Family on their 90th Anniversary! We remember Kirk Clark was the consummate gentleman. He always wore a smile on his face. When it came to civic and non-profit support, he never said no. We were so fortunate to have had him among us and call him our friend.

Joe and Dora Brown Prominent Bankers, Former V.P. and Executive Operations Officers

Congratulations to Clark Chevrolet for celebrating 90 years in business!

It says a lot about the Clark family’s customer and community focused . approach to business.

Good luck into the future!

Stephan Wingert Publisher/Editor, Aim Media Texas DBA The Monitor

16 - Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History

Congratulations to Clark Chevrolet for an amazing 90 years. It has been a pleasure and privilege to know the Clark Family for the past 70 years. Our Valley home is a better place because of their efforts in supporting this town and supporting its citizens.

Bill Stocker Owner, Palace Cleaners

Congratulations to 90 Years of Service!

I’d like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Clark and Clark Chevrolet Family.

As a board member of the International Museum of Arts and Science alongside Jeri Clark, I witnessed the unconditional support by Kirk and the entire family. It was truly inspiring. For decades they have set an inspiring example of a local business that not only thrives but also gives back generously.

Lesley ChavezAmbiance Flowers & Rental, President and Owner

DOWNTOWN EXPRESS MAKES SERVICE A SNAP.

I absolutely love that in this family-owned business, everyone is genuinely valued as members of the family - customers, colleagues, and community. Clark Chevrolet truly is a family - one I’m incredibly proud to be part of.

Cami Tienda - Sales Manager

WHETHER YOU NEED AN OIL CHANGE, STANDARD SERVICE OR SOMETHING MORE, OUR DEDICATED STAFF AND COMFORTABLE, MODERN SERVICE FACILITY MAKE IT EASY TO GET YOU BACK ON THE ROAD WITH CONFIDENCE.

(956) 664-8800 DOWNTOWNEXPRESS83.COM

TAKE IT TO TINA! Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History - 17

strength “Our

is our people.”

Dear Clark Chevrolet Family,

Thank you so much for being an integral part of the Clark Family.

The role each one of you plays is vital to our success as an organization.

I’m a very small part of a big thing. I appreciate each and every one of you.

- Alex Clark

Clark Chevrolet Family 18 - Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History

Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History - 19

In Spirit

Kirk Clark

May 2, 1946 - March 11, 2022

20 - Somos Familia: A Clark Chevrolet History