Four Star Freightliner managers graduate from ATD Academy

Two Four Star Freightliner sales managers are now graduates of the American Truck Dealers (ATD) Academy. The pair graduated during a ceremony on Friday, Feb. 14 in Las Vegas which coincided with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)/ATD Show.

Utility & Municipal Account Manager Truman Ingram and Western Star Brand Manager Jay Morrison participated in the program. ATD Academy is designed for future operators of truck dealerships and provides the fundamentals needed to operate a successful and profitable business.

“These gentlemen are our future,” said Jerry Kocan, Four Star Freightliner Dealer Principal. “We felt it was important to get them the best education available and no one does a better job of preparing future truck dealers than ATD/NADA. As the Dealer Principal, I feel much better about our future because we have invested in the development of our future leadership team.”

Ingram, who has been with Four Star for nearly 14 years and is based at the Montgomery, Ala. location, said Dealer Academy was one of the best learning experiences of his career.

“This gave me an opportunity to learn all of the different aspects of the dealership and provided me with new insight,” said Ingram. “I’m thankful to Jerry Kocan for this great opportunity and to my family for their sacrifices throughout this process.”

Morrison, who works from the Dothan, Ala. office, is also grateful to his family (wife and two children) for supporting his goals. He has been with Four Star for 8 years and is also thankful for the confidence and investment Kocan has made in him. Morrison pointed out one particular part of the experience that stood out to him.

“Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the entire experience was the interaction with my classmates,” said Morrison. “We all represented different manufacturers, had varying levels of experience, worked in different departments throughout each dealership, but had the same goal. We all came to learn as an investment of our future.”

Ingram and Morrison received their training during five sessions in Washington, DC and one in Las Vegas. The courses centered on financial management, parts, service, new trucks, used trucks, and leadership.

Scott Dixon (Operations Manager), Jay Morrison (2020 Graduate), Jerry Kocan (Dealer Principal), Truman Ingram (2020 Graduate), Scott Coleson (Controller), David Turner (New Truck Manager)