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Porsche Dallas Techs Are Solid Gold

Park Place Porsche Dallas Technicians Tony Araguz and Jade Dugurechaff recently earned the prestigious Certified Porsche Technician – Gold  (CPT Gold) designation! They join six other Gold techs at Porsche Dallas and approximately 575 Gold techs in the U.S., with less than 2,000 worldwide.

‘We are extremely proud of Tony and Jade for their commitment to this lengthy process and accomplishing their goal,” said Patrick Huston, Porsche Dallas General Manager. “Our clients will be the beneficiary of their hard work and we will continue to support each team member in their journey to hone their skills and truly be an expert in the industry.”

A Porsche Gold Technician must have a minimum of one year experience before they are eligible to take the Gold test. The candidate must work their way up from Bronze to Silver, then Gold level. It takes an average of six years to obtain all the required training courses. Testing is broken up into two parts: they must first pass a written assessment in order to be eligible to take the hands-on portion, which includes diagnosing and documenting repairs on a bugged car.

The Gold test was conducted at Porsche Training HQ in Atlanta. It is a pass or fail test. The same test is conducted worldwide. After achieving the Gold standard, the technician has to maintain certification quarterly and attend at least 40 hours of hands-on training at the Porsche facility in Atlanta every year.

“I had never so much as changed a car’s oil before becoming a tech at a Honda dealership when I was 23 years old,” said Tony Araguz. “I spent 10 years at Honda and have been a tech at Porsche Dallas since 2017. I was absolutely in awe when I started at Park Place! It’s a great shop and everyone was so helpful. It’s really a team effort!” 

Porsche Dallas is located at 6107 Lemmon Avenue, near Love Field. 

Park Place Dealerships employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Acura, and Land Rover. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA.

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Love at First Sight

It was love at first sight. Their eyes locked together.  “I didn’t go looking to adopt another dog,” said Park Place Lexus Grapevine’s GM Charles Owen. “But seeing how sweet Zeke was just made me want him!” 

A team from Park Place Dealerships recently visited the Apollo Support & Rescue in Justin to present the no-kill animal shelter with a Season of Giving grant.

While there, a man pulled up to surrender a 5-year-old Bernese Mountain dog.

“Unfortunately, this is not at all uncommon,” explained Danielle Stewart, Apollo Support & Rescue founder. “Many days we arrive to find abandoned animals tied to our fence. It’s really heartbreaking.”

A week later the Owen family went back to Apollo to adopt Zeke. Charles’ wife April had reservations at first. They already had Cona, a one-year-old black Labrador. And everyone knows how puppies can be a handful. But Zeke won April over, too.

“April has become the Dog Mom! Zeke helped with Cona’s puppy phase. And Zeke needed someone like April, who would give him around the clock love. Those two are something special. He doesn’t take his eyes off her.”

Charles says Zeke is the biggest lap dog ever! “He has to be right next to you and touching you at all times. He likes to play and run with Cona, but is also content laying on the couch right next to you. The way he looks at you is the sweetest thing it’s almost like he is smiling.”

Park Place Cares delivered $100,000 in grants to a total of 18 non-profits across DFW.

The non-profits included: Sixty & Better in Arlington; Academy 4 (Ft. Worth); Primo’s (Dallas); Vogel (Dallas); Mammogram Poster Girls (Dallas); Hope Center 4 Autism (Ft. Worth); Evan’s Avengers (Denton); Annie’s Place (Dallas); Camp Summit (Dallas); The Vitamin Bridge (Coppell); Carry the Load (Dallas); Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas (Farmers Branch); Canine Companions (Irving); Community Caring Center (Azle); Heroes For Children (Plano); Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas (Lewisville) and Ability Connection (Irving). 

“I know it was a hard decision for Zeke’s previous owners to take him to Apollo,” said Charles. “I hope they know Zeke found his forever home and gets all the love and attention he wants!”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. 

Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates eight full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Acura, and Land Rover. Park Place Bodywerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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From Parts Driver to General Manager, Patrick Huston Loves Serving People

Porsche Dallas GM Patrick Huston is celebrating 20 years at Park Place. He entered the automotive world at an early age, helping his Dad open and operate an auto parts store in Kansas when he was only 11 years old.

“That is where my passion for automobiles started.” By the time he was 16, he was driving a Parts truck.

Patrick moved to Dallas at 18.  “I moved here in my Ford Bronco and a U-Haul with no job secured. But I was employed within a few days given all of the opportunities the big city had to provide.”

Eventually he landed at Porsche Dallas as Pre-Owned Director. “When I started, we did not have electronic communication or lead generation. Technology has allowed for a more connected interaction with our clients in both Sales and Service.”

His advice to someone just starting at Park Place: “Have fun! Showing up every day excited and happy about what you do only leads to growth, success and relationships that will last a lifetime.”

Founded in 1987, Park Place Dealerships has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Paul Quinn College Receives $20,000 HBCU Change Donation

Park Place Dealerships recently visited Paul Quinn College in Dallas to present a $20,000 check from the “Round Up Change for HBCU Change” program.

“I’d like for every student that graduates from Paul Quinn College to believe they are capable of more now than when they started,” said Paul Quinn President Michael Sorrell. “I’d like for them to believe in the inevitability of their own success.”

From May 2021 – August 2023, Asbury Automotive Group (ABG) dealerships across the U.S. raised more than $800,000 for the HBCU Change program through guests’ donations and the company’s matching donations.

“Through our interactions every day, we’ve had the opportunity to educate our North Texas community about what HBCU does and how it can impact them,” said Tony Carimi. “We both strive to make an impact in our own backyard…to provide not just a higher level of service, but a higher level of connection.”

This was the third presentation to a HBCU in the past 12 months. Asbury Automotive executives David Hult, Wendy Reynold-Dobbs and Sid Barron presented a $100,000 check to Clark Atlanta University in October 2022. Malcolm Gage and Plaza Motors St. Louis presented $20,000 checks to both Lincoln University and Harris Stowe State University last month. HBCU Change has a goal of raising $1 billion for Historic Black Colleges & Universities over the next 5 years working with partners like Asbury.

Founded in 1987, Park Place Dealerships has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Land Rover DFW Tech Goes the Extra Mile to Help Couple in Distress

Paul Vandenberg, Team Lead/Technician at Land Rover DFW, was in his Park Place uniform a few weeks ago when he stopped at a grocery store on his way home from work. He noticed an elderly couple sitting in their car. When he came out of the store, they were still there, and he noticed they had a flat tire. Paul tapped on the window and asked if they needed help.

What Vandenberg didn’t know was the Graffs had called Roadside Assistance and had been waiting three hours for help.

“It took me five minutes to pull the flat off,” said Vandenberg. “Their spare was also low, so I ran it up to a station and aired it up. They offered me money, but I said, ‘I can’t take any money from you, sir.’ They couldn’t change the tire themselves. It didn’t cost me anything to help.”

Since Vandenberg was in uniform, Mr. Graff called the dealership the next day and talked to Land Rover Service Director Jordan Welch. “We preach and preach that we must represent Park Place at work and outside of work,” said Welch. “Mr. Graff took the time to tell me all about their experience. To Paul it was easy. A simple tire change. To Mr. Graff, it meant the world. He was crying as he shared his story with me. You never know what your actions mean to others!”

It’s worth noting the Graffs are not Park Place clients. They simply needed help. And Vandenberg didn’t hesitate to help.

“I know I represent the company any time I’m in uniform,” concluded Vandenberg.

About Park Place Dealerships

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Cam Mayfield Promoted to GM of Park Place Motorcars Arlington

Cam Mayfield was recently promoted to general manager of Park Place Motorcars Arlington.

“Our strong commitment to serve is our competitive advantage,” says Mayfield. “We cater to our client’s every need with a servant’s heart.  When you see someone take delivery of their Mercedes, it should give you goosebumps.”

Mayfield has more than 30 years of automotive experience. In 2003, he joined Park Place Lexus as service director. He also served as service director and fixed operations director at Park Place Motorcars Dallas. Last year, he graduated from the North American Dealer Association’s GM Academy.

“Cam has always been a valuable asset to Park Place,” said Tony Carimi, Park Place Dealership’s Managing Director. “He is passionate about the experience and a transformative leader. I’m proud to see him take the helm in Arlington.”

Former Park Place Motorcars Arlington GM Malcolm Gage was recently promoted to Market Manager at Plaza Motors in St. Louis by Asbury Automotive Group, which owns Park Place and Plaza Motors.

A native Texan, Mayfield was born and raised in Dallas. He graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Arts in English and still lives in Dallas with Katie, his wife of more than 20 years.


Park Place Motorcars Arlington is located at 4201 Beltway Place off I-20 in Arlington. The Mercedes-Benz dealership has won the “Best of the Best” award multiple times since opening in 2015. This prestigious award honors the top 20 percent of 345 Mercedes-Benz dealers nationwide for outstanding sales, service and customer satisfaction. 

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Park Place Dealerships Collects Gloves and Bats for Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy

In the spirit of teamwork, Park Place Dealerships members collected more than 100 baseball bats and gloves to donate to the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy. Located in West Dallas, the Academy serves the community year-round by providing baseball and softball instruction, league play, travel, and tournament opportunities, along with providing academic, social and emotional support to under-served kids ages 8 – 18.

“Each year, more than 20,000 young people participate in the Texas Rangers Youth Academy programming,” said Justin Henry, Director of Development for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. “The gifts Park Place members made touch the lives of the children and help us to engage the community in a meaningful and powerful way.”

Park Place Dealerships invited their team members, families, significant others and friends from across Dallas/Fort Worth to Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, for the annual Park Place Member Celebration Sunday, April 16th.

“It was a treat to see so many of our members laughing and playing together,” said Tony Carimi. Park Place Managing Director. “Gathering away from work for relaxation and fun is an integral part of building and maintaining our culture. Our members truly care about each other, and this was an opportunity to share the day with spouses, friends, significant others and children alongside our work family.”

Outdoor games and giant inflatables were spread across the outfield where guests could laugh, jump and play together. They also had the opportunity to run the bases around the infield. Inside the Lexus Lounge, guests enjoyed casino games and a Park Place trivia game. Texas Rangers staff gave behind-the-scenes tours of the stadium.

Guests also enjoyed a buffet of traditional baseball food and drinks, including hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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Park Place Marketing Director Shares Retail and Social Media Expertise with UTA Students

Park Place Dealerships Marketing Director Amber Garrison participated in the University of Texas at Arlington’s Business Week by sharing her expertise in retail marketing and social media to upper-level business majors. 

“It was an honor to speak with our future leaders and showcase some of our branding and marketing techniques with a classroom full of business students,” said Ms. Garrison. “I was able to engage with these students and their knowledge of social media and marketing and apply it to real world techniques that we utilize in our branding across various platforms.”

Park Place positions itself as “Experts in Excellence” by providing exceptional client service, building trust and understanding clients’ needs, and by creating extraordinary ownership experiences.

Ms. Garrison shared examples of how Park Place’s “Experts in Excellence” branding works in print ads, digital marketing, billboards, social media, website, experiential marketing, community relations, and even internal communications.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates eight full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Acura, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com. 

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Southlake Native Matt Woolsey Celebrates 25 Years at Park Place Dealerships

Jaguar Land Rover GM Grew Up and Raised Family in Southlake

According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released last September, the median employee tenure for men was 4.3 years and 3.8 years for women, relatively unchanged from 2020. Park Place Dealerships’ median tenure is nearly double the national average with 8 years for men and 6 years for women. Matt Woolsey, General Manager at Park Place Jaguar Land Rover DFW, recently celebrated 25 years at Park Place Dealerships.

“When I first started at Park Place, we were just beginning to use this thing called the internet,” Woolsey says with a chuckle. “Today, we have all the tools necessary to provide our Members (Park Place employees) with everything they need to do their jobs. What I love most about Park Place is the commitment to help our members learn and grow, and ultimately to ensure the client has the best experience.”

Woolsey moved to Southlake in 1980 with his parents and sister Kristina. “There were less than 1,000 people here. After graduating from Carroll High, I went to Austin and studied Business Economics at the University of Texas. Hook ‘em! I met my wife Anne there. I graduated in 1997 and got in the car business in ‘98.”

Woolsey started as a sales consultant at Park Place Motorcars in Bedford. He worked his way up to General Manager at the Mercedes-Benz store and has served as GM at Lexus Grapevine; Jaguar Land Rover North Austin; Jaguar Land Rover Porsche Volvo of Greenville, South Carolina; and Jaguar Land Rover DFW, where he currently works.

“Matt’s passion for our members makes him a leader that others are eager to follow,” said Tony Carimi, Park Place Dealerships’ Managing Director. “His relentless drive for excellence has helped him meet our clients’ needs and mentor hundreds of members. Over the years, he has assisted families with multiple generations of drivers.”

While everyone wants to be liked, Woolsey says it’s imperative he continues to earn his employees’ respect. “When I walk through the store, people see “the GM” walking by. Not the person. It’s just human nature to see the title, and not necessarily the person for who they are. I told one of my directors just last week: it is so much more important to be respected than to be liked. As leaders we have a responsibility to provide for our members and to make sure they can provide for their families. Having our members see our dedication and commitment to excellence will ultimately lead to respect. I’d love for all our team members to like me. I’m human, too!  But I’d rather have their respect.”

He and his wife Anne raised their sons Austin (23) and Bennett (20) in Southlake. “They graduated from the same high school as me. Austin graduated from Carroll in 2017. He was the band president. He graduated from UNT with a major in Jazz studies. He married his college sweetheart, and they live in Austin. Bennett graduated in 2021. He’s in Nashville pursuing his dream of being a singer/songwriter.”

Woolsey’s advice to young people just starting their careers: “Stay the course. The grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence. It’s greener where you water it. Keep working hard and great things will happen for you.”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,400 members. Park Place Dealership operates three collision centers, an auto auction, and nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. Asbury is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

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SPCA of Texas Opens Sensory Garden for Shelter Dogs at Animal Care Center in Dallas

Park Place Dealerships Members Built Sensory Garden to Provide Physical and Mental Challenges for Animals

Members from several local Park Place Dealerships recently volunteered to build a Sensory Garden at the SPCA’s Animal Care Center in Dallas to provide shelter dogs an environment to use their natural senses to relieve stress, and in some cases, to aid in rehabilitation.

“Enrichment is what we use to improve our dog’s quality of life by providing them things in their environment that stimulate them mentally and physically,” said Dr. Valarie Tynes, SPCA of Texas Shelter Veterinary Behaviorist. “Ultimately, when you provide environmental enrichment, you are attempting to give an animal the ability to utilize as many of its natural behaviors as you possibly can. Olfactory enrichment is good at doing that, simply because dogs love using their nose to investigate their world.”

The Sensory Garden’s different textures, scents and materials stimulate a dog’s brain, activate their natural canine instincts, and build their confidence.

“We had some dogs coming in who were high-arousal and high energy like Django, a German Shepherd,” said Rebecca Woodward, SPCA of Texas Behavior Program Manager. “He had some kennel stress, so we started agility training using the Sensory Garden. It completely de-compressed him. Django became a different dog and was adopted right away. We developed a program we call the ‘Django Treatment’ in the Sensory Garden. Some dogs just want to do Zoomies (running around at top speed to burn off energy) so we use the Garden in many ways. But it’s already been extremely useful in our Behavior Program.”

In addition to Park Place providing the supplies for the Sensory Garden, the company’s generous VTO (Volunteer Time Off) program allowed Park Place Members paid time off to donate their time and energy to build the Sensory Garden.

“When we look to give back to North Texas communities where we live and serve, there’s no better advocate for our four-legged friends than the SPCA,” said Park Place Managing Director Tony Carimi. “To start with a pile of boards and some tires and see this end result is very exciting! It’s easy to write a check, and that’s very beneficial, too. But our Members also enjoy giving their time and talents to such a worthy cause.”

The SPCA of Texas plans to rotate dogs in and out of the Sensory Garden three times per day.

Park Place Dealerships has supported the SPCA of Texas financially for many years, but when polled about which causes Park Place Members wanted to personally volunteer their time for, SPCA of Texas ranked very high.

About SPCA of Texas

SPCA of Texas is the leading animal welfare organization in North Texas. Founded in 1938, the non-profit operates two shelters, two spay/neuter clinics, two mobile spay/neuter and wellness vehicles, one mobile adoptions vehicle and an animal rescue center, all located in Dallas and Ellis Counties, and maintains a team of animal cruelty investigators who respond to thousands of calls in North Texas counties. The organization does not euthanize animals for time or space. Moreover, the SPCA of Texas serves as an active resource center for an array of services that bring people and animals together to enrich each other’s lives.

The SPCA of Texas is not affiliated with any other entity and does not receive general operating funds from the City of Dallas, State of Texas, federal government or any other national humane organization. SPCA of Texas is dedicated to providing every animal exceptional care and a loving home. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas, visit spca.org.

About Park Place Dealerships

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and employs more than 1,400 members. Park Place Dealership operates three collision centers, an auto auction, and nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. Asbury is one of the largest automotive retailers in the U.S. For more information, visit parkplace.com.