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Member Spotlight: Dreams Changed for Malcolm Gage as Doors Opened for New Opportunities

Malcolm Gage Enrolled in Pre-Med Courses at SMU until a Part-Time Job Led Him Down a Different Road

Malcolm R. Gage Jr., current General Manager at Park Place Motorcars Arlington, never envisioned a career in the automotive industry. In fact, he was in a Pre-Med program at Southern Methodist University in 1997 when his college roommate suggested he could get Malcolm a job at a Lewisville Ford dealership during his college break.

“My friend thought my quick wit and personality would be a good fit,” recalled Gage. “Reluctantly, I took his advice, and they hired me the same day I interviewed. I fell in love with the job, and changed my focus to a career in the automotive industry. Now, 23 years later, I know it was the right decision.”

A Journey to Automotive

In 2005, Gage joined Park Place Dealerships as New Car Sales Manager at Park Place Motorcars Bedford, which is now located in Grapevine. Gage quickly rose up the ranks at Park Place, where he spent the past five years as New Car Sales Director at the Park Place Premier Collection in Dallas, representing luxury brands Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Maserati, and McLaren. He was recently named General Manager at Park Place Motorcars Arlington.

“The automotive business is unlike any other,” said Gage. “I’ve made some amazing contacts, and it’s given me opportunities I never could’ve imagined. Having the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art facilities with world-class brands, and interacting with professionals of the highest caliber, one cannot put a value on that. I consider myself blessed to have reached this point, but I credit a lot of mentors and managers that have supported me and given me guidance to reach this point.”

Rolls-Royce Sales Manager of the Year, Coach of the Year, and SMU Alum

Some of his greatest accomplishments are being named Coach of the Year from two different Park Place dealerships, and being part of teams that were recognized as Dealerships of the Year, both nationally and internationally. Gage was also named the first-ever Rolls-Royce Sales Manager of the Year by Rolls-Royce Motorcars North America.

“As leaders of this organization, we try to predict future trends based on metrics and the past,” explained Gage. “But there are so many external factors that can affect it at any moment. Hiring and retaining the best talent is a challenge, but we pride ourselves on our industry-leading retention rates. I think the biggest challenge is probably the pressure we put on ourselves to exceed expectations.”

Gage graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Affairs and Corporate Communications, and he is still involved with the SMU Alumni Association. He is an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Lifetime Member, and he volunteers with Equality Texas, the Human Rights Campaign, the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and several other organizations.

“I’m involved with these organizations to give back to the Dallas/Fort Worth community that has given so much to me. Much of my success in this industry has been from networking and forming relationships with business and civic leaders in the area. I’ve always believed in dedicating time to serve others.”

Featured on the Food Network, Too!

Food Network fans may remember Malcolm Gage and Ophelia’s New Soul co-owner Cordey Lash as winners of the acclaimed TV show’s Food Court Wars. Formerly located in Plano’s Collin Creek Mall Food Court, Ophelia’s New Soul launched in 2014 and specialized in modern interpretations of classic soul food dishes served in a fast, yet relaxed, atmosphere.

“We have been approached by fans of the restaurant asking if we were going to open a new location,” Gage explains. “But I think my time in the restaurant industry has passed. We achieved great success and national recognition with Ophelia’s New Soul, and it allowed us to create a franchising plan for someone who might want to continue the brand. Who knows what the future holds? It’s still a treat to see the episode on Food Network at times.”

Park Place Motorcars Arlington is located at 4201 Beltway Place off I-20 at S. Center Street. Founded in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn in Dallas, Park Place Dealerships also represents luxury brands Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Maserati, McLaren, Koenigsegg, Lexus, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

 

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Member Spotlight: Alycia Johnson, Business Improvement Manager, Park Place Porsche Dallas

Spend two minutes chatting with Alycia Johnson and one thing becomes abundantly clear – her cheerful determination to do the right things right.

As Business Improvement Manager for Park Place Porsche Dallas, determination comes with the territory. The cheerfulness comes from the heart.

“I love training people,” she says while explaining the role of a business improvement manager. “I mentor, coach and train new hires, and make sure their desktops and logins are ready to go on day one. I also make sure that our long-time members are using all the tools and techniques of our various systems and software programs to best advantage. If I do my job well, then they do their jobs well, and our business thrives. It’s that simple.”

She may call it simple, but there’s a complex set of procedures behind what Alycia does so well. Preparation is the key, and she sets a blistering pace for herself when it comes to exceeding expectations. “I worry about the details so nobody else has to,” she declares.

Welcome to Dallas

The Okinawa-born Johnson arrived in Dallas at an early age and attended W.T. White, R.L. Turner and Brookhaven College before accepting a job with aircraft leasing pioneer Flexjet. She served first as flight coordinator and then customer account manager and, after more than a decade, transferred her expertise to a successful sales role at a local dealership in 2016.  

At the persistent urging of several friends who already worked at Park Place, she joined Porsche Dallas in July 2018 as a Sales Experience Manager, then moved to her current role on September 2019. “I got to Park Place as fast as I could,” she laughs.

In Her Spare Time

In her spare time, she says she hangs out with pals and indulges in creative handcrafts – as a grandmother-to-be, she assembled a Star Wars-inspired diaper cake for a recent baby shower. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandmother,” she enthuses. “This is so exciting!” (Editor’s Note: at the time of posting, we are happy to report that Alycia is a  proud Grandmother!)

She also admits a weakness for footwear, confessing that she owns around 200 pairs of shoes. “Macy’s loves me,” she says with a mock groan. 

She also admits to a fondness for rom-com movies like “The Ugly Truth” and “The Perfect Man,” and her musical tastes run to Prince and Michael Jackson.

But what really gets her jazzed is Taco Tuesday. “I love Tex-Mex food. Tacos every day as far as I’m concerned!”

Her outlook on life is practical and courageous. “We all have personal struggles,” she says. “It’s important to always look at the positive side. Everything happens for a reason – the good, the bad, and the ugly, but it always passes and, in the end, makes us stronger.”

Visit our team at Porsche Dallas in-store or online at ParkPlace.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Park Place Dealerships is Open, With You in Mind

Hours of Operation 

Sales: 10:00am-7:00pm Monday through Friday & 9:00am-6:00pm on Saturdays

Premier Collection Sales: 9:00am-6:00pm Monday through Saturday

Service: 8:00am-6:00pm Monday through Friday & 8:00am -5:00pm on Saturdays.

Premier Collection Service: Closed Saturdays

Recent Updates

Our clients’ health and the health of our employees is our number one priority. Every decision we make is through that lens. As we begin to find a “new normal,” we wanted to share the updates we’ve made in how we serve you and your vehicle needs.

  • Conduct daily health screenings for our employees
  • Providing face coverings for all of our employees
  • Taking steps to allow for social distancing of six feet or more
  • Increasing cleaning and sanitization of our dealerships, client vehicles, service loaners and newly purchased vehicles
  • Offer vehicle pick-up and delivery options for both sales and service clients
  • Provide virtual test drives and online buying options
  • And while we always want to warmly welcome you into our dealerships, we’ve asked our employees to refrain from hand-shakes or hugs with clients

We look forward to seeing you again whether that be in our dealership or virtually as we know how important a safe and reliable vehicle is to your daily life.

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Download the Porsche Taycan – All Electric- Coloring Page

The all-electric Porsche Taycan made a powerful statement this year, proving that power and eco-efficiency are not independent of one another. In fact, the driving capabilities have consistently stunned- leaving Porsche enthusiasts and newbies- questioning if they were actually in a one hundred percent electric car. 

General Manager of Porsche Dallas, Patrick Huston, had this to say as we debuted the Porsche Taycan in early 2020 prior to any stay at home orders in Dallas county. 

“Make no mistake, the Taycan is 100-percent Porsche. It looks, drives, and responds unmistakably Porsche. It handles corners like a true sports car, but it’s very comfortable on long drives. And it’s one of the fastest recharging EVs on the market.”

At-Home Activity – Taycan Turbo Coloring Page!

Download our Porsche Taycan Turbo Coloring Page (Blank) and add your own flare or print for any little creatives at home for a fun “Art” project.

Porsche Taycan- Blank Coloring Sheet

Upload the finished art to your story and tag @parkplacetexas on Facebook and Instagram with your finished products. 

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Jaguar Land Rover North Austin to Hold Virtual Event for New Defender

SOCIAL DISTANCING HAS COMPANIES GETTING CREATIVE

Learn a New Recipe, Create a Fun Drink and See the Reveal of a New SUV all Online

In these days of social distancing, the community can’t gather for events, so two local companies joined forces to host a fun and innovative get together to enjoy at home. Austin’s popular Rosedale Kitchen and Bar and Jaguar Land Rover North Austin will launch a virtual event this Friday, April 17, at 3 pm via Facebook, YouTube, and IGTV.

The online event features the Rosedale Kitchen and Bar mixologist, Aaron Hernandez, demonstrating a step-by-step guide to create the “Landy,” a cocktail named after the new Land Rover. Executive Chef Janelle Reynolds will show us how to make Seared Halloumi with Tomato and Zucchini. Rosedale Kitchen and Bar has shared both recipes. Jaguar Land Rover North Austin will reveal the much-anticipated new 2020 Land Rover Defender.  This is the first dealership in Austin for Park Place, which opened on March 2.

TUNE-IN

Guests are invited to join the event on Park Place’s YouTube, Facebook, and IGTV channels at 3 pm Friday, April 17, for a virtual event, including an unveiling of the new 2020 Land Rover Defender. 

Land Rover brought back its Defender this year after a 23-year hiatus. It has always had something of a cult following in the U.S. because it couldn’t be purchased here. The 2020 Defender is a rugged off-road vehicle, but it’s also a luxury SUV that’s equally at home on the urban streets of downtown Austin or deep in the back roads of the Hill Country. 

Inside, the Defender is the most connected Land Rover product ever. Available in two-door or four-door models, the Defender has a new infotainment system with over-the-air software updates, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a 12-inch digital instrument panel.

“While we just opened our first store in Austin six weeks ago, Park Place Dealerships has been around more than 30 years,” said Matt Woolsey, general manager of Jaguar Land Rover North Austin. “We have already developed some great partnerships with Leander ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Seton Williamson Hospital. Putting this fun event together allows us to interact with our community and offer something fun to share and enjoy.”

Located at 13910 FM 620 North on State Highway 45 and Parmer Road, Jaguar Land Rover North Austin features a large, glass-enclosed showroom to accommodate up to 12 new Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. The 70,000 square-foot facility also includes a five-story garage, a shop with 42 service bays, a nine-car service drive, and a 2000-square-foot carwash.

Jaguar Land Rover North Austin Management Team. (L-R) John Gasparaitis, Parts Director Justin Griggs, Shop Foreman Walter Rhodes, New Car Sales Director Jose Fernandez, Service Manager Matt Humphrey, Service Director Matt Woolsey, General Manager Chris Nations, Pre-Owned Sales Director Cade Mannetti, Sales Manager Erika Falk, GM Admin Vy Nguyen, Finance Director Jordan Case, President of Park Place

Founded in 1987, Park Place Dealerships also represents luxury brands Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Maserati, Koenigsegg and McLaren. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

 

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Park Place Land Rover “Defender 2020” Coloring Pages and Fun Facts

GRAB YOUR PENS AND COLORED PENCILS!  Park Place Land Rover is excited to introduce the next generation of the iconic Land Rover Defender after a 20+ year production hiatus with some lesser-known facts to tickle your brain and a custom coloring sheet to help relieve some stress and unleash your (or your kid’s) inner creative.

 A Short Introduction to the 2020 Land Rover Defender

The “Defender” as we know it didn’t start out known as the Defender.  Instead, when the first version was released Land Rover dubbed it the “Land Rover” meant to be an all-purpose auto. There were three iterations of this Land Rover- Series I, II, III- with Series I debuting in the late 1940s and costing a total of £450 or about $568. In just a year, orders for the Series 1 totaled about 8,000 with the British Army ordering their first batch of trial Land Rovers. Fast forward almost 60 years, and the Land Rover is officially christened with the immediately recognizable name of “Defender” as the “Discovery” officially joined the Land Rover line-up. 

After a 23-year hiatus, we are finally welcoming the next iteration of the Defender family, which features a four-door Defender 110 (to go on sale first) and the two-door Defender 90 which will be available at a later date.

To help celebrate #athome, we’ve compiled a list of fun facts and released official Park Place Land Rover / Land Rover Defender color sheets for a fun at-home activity. Just scroll down for whichever you’d like to read first.

Your Defender, Your Way – Coloring Pages Available for Download

The new Defender is extremely customizable; with various options to fit your unique adventure needs.  So, we challenge you to create your own bespoke variant by downloading our Custom Coloring Sheets featuring the 2020 Defender or by following us on Instagram 

When your art is complete – post it to Facebook or your Instagram story and tag @parkplacetexas. You can download the Coloring Sheets here: Park Place Land Rover DEFENDER Coloring Sheet – Blank

10 Fun Facts about the Land Rover Defender (Past and Present)

Below  you’ll find a list of 10 more fun (and maybe lesser-known) facts about the Land Rover Defender:

  1. In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II of England took delivery of her first Land Rover shortly before coming to the throne in 1952– and continues to use Land Rover to this day. According to a CNN article, the Queen learned to drive in 1945 when she was a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) where she trained as a mechanic and military truck driver. 
     
  2.  There were three=ish iterations of Land Rover prior to it officially being named the Defender: 
    1. Series I launched in 1948 at the Amsterdam Motor Show
    2. Series II launched in 1958 sporting an enlarged Petrol Engine (2.25 liter engine) 
    3. Series IIA launched in 1961 
    4. Series III launched in October of 1971
  3. the 1,000,000 Land Rover was built-in 1976
  4.  The Defender is officially launched in 1990
  5. 2015 was termed the ‘Year of the Defender by Land Rover” which included    1km-wide sand drawing (below) of the original Land Rover shape on the beach at Red Wharf Bay in Anglesey; the launch of three new Limited Edition Defenders; and the recreation of the Series I production line at Solihull.
  6. The 2020 Land Rover Defender is the first production Defender in 23 years.
  7.  The new Defender was tested within temperature ranges of -40°F to 122°F for over 750,000 miles in 45,000 individual tests
  8.  the new Defender has a massive towing capacity of 8,201 pounds (great for an off-road road trip)
  9.  There is a 2,573 piece Lego version titled Land Rover Defender. This is a part of Leo’s Technic kits and retails for $199.99.
  10.  the New Defender 90 is about 9 inches longer (wheelbase) than the original Defender 90, and 5 inches longer than the  2020 Jeep Rubicon

What else do you want to know about the new Defender? You can reach out to our team at Jaguar Land Rover DFW and now, Jaguar Land Rover North Austin on our website and by sending us a message on Instagram (@parkplacetexas). 

 

Jaguar Land Rover DFW

1300 E State Highway 114
DFW Airport, TX 75261

Jaguar Land Rover North Austin

13910 N FM 620
Austin, TX 78717

 

 

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Park Place and Area Partners Donate Over 60,000 Meals to North Texas Food Bank

NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK RECEIVES $21,000 DONATION TO SUPPORT FAMILY MEALS

IRVING, Texas (April 10, 2020) – The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) has seen a tremendous demand for nutritious food as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Park Place Dealerships mobilized its clients, partners and members and together raised more than $21,000 to help feed families in the community.

The Food Bank’s mobile pantry generally serves an average of 300 households. Distributions recently have surged from 1,000 to almost 2,000 households in the last few weeks because of COVID-19.

“In these challenging times we are glad to support the community and are humbled by the generosity of our clients and members,” said Dave Evans, Chief Marketing Officer of Park Place Dealerships. “Now, more than ever, we must find ways to help each other get through this unprecedented period.”

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a top-ranked nonprofit hunger-relief organization operating a state-of-the-art volunteer and distribution center in Plano. Last year, the Food Bank provided almost 77 million nutritious meals across a diverse 13-county service area serving more than 200,000 meals per day for hungry children, seniors, and families.

The need for hunger relief in North Texas is complex and in order to meet the need, the NTFB is working to increase food distribution efforts with a goal to provide access to 92 million nutritious meals annually by 2025.

Over the past 30 years, Park Place has helped more than 300 community organizations across North Texas. The company supports philanthropic efforts in the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. 

Founded in 1987, Park Place operates 18 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Koenigsegg, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren, and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

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Member Spotlight Featuring Diki Terry: A Rare Bird Takes Flight

Diki Terry spreads cheer, optimism and professionalism at Park Place Motorcars Arlington

She’s that rarest of North Texas birds – an actual Arlington native!

“Born and raised right here,” says Diki Terry with an easy laugh. “I graduated James Martin High School, which is only 15 minutes west. Go Warriors!”

And while she’s still a proud supporter of the school’s black, red, and silver, she’s unabashed about her dedication to Park Place Motorcars Arlington, where she’s served as Parts Director since October 2015.

“The pace can be quite hectic at times,” she freely admits. “The key is focus. Our clients need us at the top of our game every day.”

She’s a firm believer in the power of teamwork and doesn’t miss a chance to praise the six members of her busy team. “Our team works extremely well together and we get along really well together, too,” she says. “When you’re responsible for selling, tracking and replenishing inventory, for a huge variety of vehicle models and years, things can get pretty complicated fairly quickly. But our team gets it done!”

Diki holds brief (15-minute) “tune-up” meetings every morning with her staff so they can identify challenges and solutions. “I believe in the power of team communications and being open and up-front,” she says. “You can only control what you can control, so we take it one day at a time and focus on what needs to get done.”

She came to the world of automotive parts service after stints at another local dealership where, after serving as a receptionist, her office manager approached her with an opportunity – parts administrative assistant.

She accepted and thrived in the fast-paced environment. “I was like a sponge, absorbing all the action,” she says with typical enthusiasm. “I especially liked being a backup service dispatcher, it was a blast!”

She’s also typically frank about her experience as a woman in a traditionally male role.

“This was back in the late 1990s when it was sort of weird to see a girl at the parts counter,” she says. “But once clients have confidence you know what you’re doing, it’s all systems go and really not a big deal at all.”

Her Park Place Journey

She joined Park Place Motorcars Fort Worth in 2005 as a Parts Advisor and moved up to Assistant Parts Manager in 2007. Her sunny outlook and positive attitude garnered management attention and ultimately led to her current role. She keeps her team enthused with shared book studies about practical tools to enhance culture, communication, and performance.

“We’ve studied Jon Gordon’s ‘Power of a Positive Team’ and ‘Who Moved My Cheese?’ by Spencer Johnson,” she says. “Right now, we’re on ‘The Mamba Mentality’ by Kobe Bryant and it’s great,” she adds.

In Her Spare Time

In her spare time, she gathers strength from her faith and her family: her husband of 23 years, their 19-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son. From their home base in Aledo, they jump into their Sprinter RV and head for the hills as often as they can. “We all love camping,” she chuckles.

She also acknowledges being a fan of Def Leppard. “’Hysteria’ is a great album,” she says with a smile. Seemingly on the opposite side of the cultural fence, she admits that her favorite movie is the classic weeper “Sixteen Candles.”

Some Real Advice

What advice does she have for women who’d like to explore careers in the automotive industry but feel uncertain?

“Just be yourself, go out there and be willing to learn and ask questions,” she states. “Nobody’s standing in your way. Immerse yourself in what you’re learning, figure out your niche and just keep going.”

 

 

 

 

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Start Your Auto Purchase Online with Path to Purchase

Use our “Path to Purchase” tool and start your purchase online in the comfort of your own home. 

We want to assure you that we are still committed to providing exceptional client experiences, even if the experience looks a bit different. If you are in the market for a new or pre-owned vehicle, you can actually start your purchase online with Park Place’s Path to Purchase.

Park Place’s ‘Path to Purchase’ option allows you to browse and shop for your new vehicle from the comfort of your own home. It’s as easy as – select your vehicle, personalize your payment, value your trade, apply for credit and then choose your delivery option!

We are determined to provide you with an exceptional car-buying experience that is also personalized based on what works best for you and your family. To start your Path to Purchase, you can view our inventory here. 

Check out this video to see how to use our online retailing tool

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Park Place Extends Pick-Up and Delivery Services to all Locations

‘Pick-up and Delivery’ will temporarily be offered at all Park Place Dealership locations for clients who continue to have service and detail needs. 

Park Place Dealerships recognizes that COVID-19 is affecting our clients’ day-to-day lives and we are here to continue to assist by offering pick-up and delivery for all your service needs. We want to make this difficult time as seamless as possible for you and your vehicle, while also ensuring you and our members assisting feel safe.

Click Here to Schedule Service

Park Place is taking extreme safety measures when it comes to sanitation for the health of our clients and members. You can expect the following precautions to be taken with every pick-up and delivery appointment for your vehicle and your loaner vehicle:

    • Member must wear latex gloves
    • Member will spray a liberal amount of dis-infecting cleaner into a micro-fiber rag
    • They will wipe the driver’s door handle thoroughly and then open driver’s door and wipe down interior door handle, switches, and armrest
    • Additional disinfecting cleaner will be sprayed into a micro-fiber rag and wipe down the steering wheel, center console climate control, console screens, switches, center console lid, and gear-shift selector
    • Our member will exit the vehicle and spray additional disinfecting cleaner into a micro-fiber rag and wipe down the driver’s side rear door exterior handle, interior handle, switches, and armrest.
    • FOR SUVS: Members will also wipe down the rear tailgate exterior release handle
    • They will wipe down passenger’s side rear door exterior handle, interior handle, switches, and armrest
    • and finally, they will wipe down the passenger’s side front door exterior handle, interior handle, switches, and armrest.

Once the sanitization process is complete, the member will mark the driver’s front window with a checkmark, and keys will be sanitized prior to handing them over to our clients.

Check out this service delivery from our team at Motorcars Dallas to see what these new pre-cautions look like:

Disclaimer for clients scheduling an appointment:  

Prior to a service appointment being scheduled, our service coordinators will ask the client the following questions to ensure the safety and health of everyone involved:

  1. Have you recently traveled outside of the United States or to a hot-zone state?
  2. Have you recently been around anyone with COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms?
  3.  Are you currently experiencing any flu-like symptoms?

Park Place’s top priority is to take care of our clients during this difficult time with top-notch service and increased health precautions. Contact us today to reserve your pick-up and delivery appointment:

  • Book Online: https://www.parkplace.com/schedule-service.htm
  • Call: 855-361-6745

Pick-up and delivery is by appointment only. Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license, insurance and credit card. Geographic restrictions may apply. See your dealer for full details.