Category: Members

The automotive industry has evolved in the last 30 years and one local resident has seen incredible changes – from safety and design to elevating the client experience. Chris Brunner joined Park Place Dealerships in 1992 as an assistant sales manager and today, he manages one of the largest Lexus dealerships in the country.

Under Brunner’s leadership, Park Place Lexus Grapevine received a number one national ranking in customer satisfaction and has been recognized as an Elite of Lexus dealer 18 times. In 2005, the Park Place Lexus dealerships in Grapevine and Plano became the first automobile dealerships ever to win the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest Presidential honor for quality and organizational performance excellence. 

Brunner has been the General Manager at Park Place Lexus Plano since 2010.

“Chris is the epitome of leadership and customer service,” said Tony Carimi, Park Place Dealerships Managing Director. “He’s built an incredible team at Lexus Plano and is very committed to developing each Member into leaders in their own right.”

Greg Duerr, Lexus Plano Parts Director has worked with Brunner since 1995. “I don’t take that for granted, says Duerr. “Chris has a great sense for what clients expect, and he walks the talk of the Park Place Culture.”

Lexus Plano Finance Director Shiva Olumi recalls, “Chris has been a guide for the 21 years I’ve worked at Park Place. Regardless of the position you hold, he gets to know you and the things that are important to you. He has been the ultimate mentor to me. You see his influence in how pristine everything is when you walk in the Lexus dealership: the white orchids, the attention to detail, the laughter in the halls. He has created an energy and culture of family.” 

Katie Stutts, Brunner’s Administrative Assistant, says, “Chris is a great leader. He possesses a clear vision, is courageous, has integrity, and has a clear focus. Chris is a wonderful coach and always wants his members to succeed. He is a true leader, and we are honored to have him in our lives.” 

Brunner is very involved in supporting the Plano and North Texas communities, including working with Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center; SPCA of Collin County; My Possibilities; Samaritan Inn; Habitat for Humanity, and Plano, Allen and Prosper Teacher of the Year programs and Prize Patrols. When not at work, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife Amie and children Alexa and Camden.

Ted was just 24 years old when he joined Park Place 32 years ago. 

“I came to Park Place hoping to get into a company that would allow me to grow and prosper in a great environment and have a long career. Park Place has surpassed all of my expectations. Two things that have impacted all of us is how much Park Place has grown as a company and the technology that is constantly changing.”

Ted’s parents moved his family to Grand Prairie when he was 14 after his father was severely injured in an accident. His mom became the main breadwinner and Texas was a better environment for her career as a registered nurse. 

Ted graduated from South Grand Prairie High and the Wyoming Technical Institute.

“The biggest challenge I face is to stay on top of the ever-changing technology of all of the different makes and models that we repair. When I worked in Mercedes service it was only one manufacturer, but at Bodywerks we repair all of the different makes that we sell in the Park Place family. Having access to all of the manufacturer’s technical information and assistance from team members at the different stores tremendously helps us overcome these challenges.

Ted’s advice for anyone just starting out: “Work hard. Don’t expect anything to be given to you and earn everything that you get. It will benefit you personally throughout your career with Park Place or wherever you are.” “I’m petrified of heights but my daughter and I took an amazing hot air balloon ride in New Mexico that involved rising to 2,000 feet and then descending down into the Rio Grande Gorge until the basket skimmed the Rio Grande River and then back up again. Life lesson: Face your fears and reap the rewards.”

Juan Ramirez, 31, started in the Car Wash, then advanced to Valet, Warehouse, Parts Counter, and is now an ASM at Jaguar Land Rover DFW. A native Texan, Juan graduated from South Grand Prairie High School in 2008. 

He’s worked at Park Place for 13 years. “My first impression: It was a great environment. All members are extremely polite! I found all members treated me well and had a service focus.”

Juan resides in Grand Prairie with his wife and two kids. He describes his family as “supportive and very energetic!” His son is 13 and his daughter 7. “My wife and I are very involved with our kids’ sports,” he says. Juan is an avid Texas Rangers fan and helps coach his son’s baseball team. He is also very involved with his daughter’s gymnastics.

“The best thing about working at Park Place are the opportunities. You can move to different departments and take advantage of learning opportunities. New situations can feel risky, but there is always help if needed.” His advice to someone just starting at Park Place: “Listen to everyone who has been there. Hard work pays off. The doors will open for you. Always ask questions. It will make you better.”

Gene Ellison always had a thing for Mercedes-Benz cars. 

“While I’m a native Texan, my family moved to Southern California in the late ‘60s where Mercedes were very popular. I would see them on the streets all the time. They were different and sophisticated.”

In the early ‘70s Gene moved to the Rio Grande Valley where his parents bought a farm. “Out of necessity I had to learn how to work on our equipment. I learned a little about diesel engines and got pretty good with them. The saving grace for a young car enthusiast like me was a MB dealership in San Benito. When my girlfriend (and future wife) and I went on dates, I would talk her into stopping by the dealership to check out the cars.”

In 1975, Gene got a job as a mechanic at that dealership, where he was trained by the owner, a Swiss man who had apprenticed at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Stuttgart. “I took to the work quickly and was sent to a number of technical schools. I enjoyed working on what we now call “classic” Mercedes from the ‘50s and ‘60s. We worked in an open-air shop in the sub-tropics, and every time I went to the parts counter, the window would slide open and cool air would flow out. So, in 1977 when a parts position opened up, I jumped at the chance to move inside. A short time later, the parts manager quit, and I got my first job as parts manager.”

In 1990, Gene joined Park Place. “I’ve been privileged to help grow the business and enjoyed meeting the challenges that were part of that growth. Today’s challenges include material shortages in the supply chain. We’ve managed this challenge by aggressively purchasing in advance of demand whenever possible.”

Gene’s advice to someone just starting out: “Sign on, dig in, learn everything about the business you can, think of the client first, and go for the long haul.” Away from work, Gene loves photography and the outdoors. He also has a collection of antique bottles that he started as a kid