The remarkable journey of Carina Diehl from grief-stricken widow to powerful automotive industry leader exemplifies resilience in its purest form. After tragically losing her husband Matt at just 46 years old, Carina faced a pivotal decision: sell their single dealership or step into an unfamiliar industry to preserve their shared dream. Despite being advised to sell and having minimal experience, she chose the harder path.

Walking into the dealership with determination, Carina learned the business from scratch, often hiding her knowledge gaps behind closed office doors while seeking guidance from industry contacts. When one manufacturer refused to approve her as dealer principal, she boldly threatened to contact national news outlets about their treatment of "a widow with two children" – they approved her the next day. This moment perfectly captures Karina's defining characteristic: when someone tells her she can't do something, it becomes her mission to prove them wrong.

Fast forward to today, and Diehl Automotive Group has expanded to 22 dealerships across eight campuses with 13 franchises and eight collision centers. This growth occurred organically, starting with a second dealership purchase when her daughter left for college – a decision her accountant advised against. Beyond business expansion, what makes Carina's leadership distinctive is her commitment to work-life balance for employees. By encouraging flexible scheduling for family commitments and ensuring team members take regular time off, she's created a culture that cultivates loyalty and productivity.

Looking ahead, Carina continues building a legacy for her family, with her son actively involved in operations and her son-in-law recently joining the business. Her story demonstrates that even in traditionally male-dominated industries, extraordinary determination can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Subscribe now to hear more inspiring leadership journeys that challenge conventional wisdom and reveal the human stories behind business success.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Executive Profile with Jim Fitzpatrick.
For more interviews with the leaders shaping retail automotive, visit CBTNews.com and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share it with someone in the industry.

Mike Maroone's automotive journey spans generations, beginning with childhood memories of his father purchasing his first dealership in 1955 for $30,000. That foundation led to an illustrious career including 18 years at AutoNation before launching his current dealership group with locations in Florida and Colorado.

The COVID pandemic revealed two critical insights for dealers: the viability of remote sales and the incredible power of margin over volume. "If you look at the profits we've all enjoyed in the last three years, they came from margin, not volume," Maroone reflects. As inventory normalizes, the industry faces the challenge of retaining those margin lessons while returning to a more competitive environment.

Affordability stands as Maroone's greatest concern for the industry's future. With average new vehicle prices at $47,000+ and used vehicles at $35,000+, many consumers find themselves priced out of the market. "Our used car prices are about $5,000 a car too high," he notes, creating significant challenges when combined with rising interest rates. Yet he remains confident in the industry's creative approaches to financing and the increasing availability of more affordable vehicle options.

The electric vehicle transition presents another fascinating challenge. While Maroone supports the environmental benefits, he identifies three critical barriers: inadequate charging infrastructure, consumer confidence issues, and manufacturers struggling to achieve profitability. "No one has figured out yet how to make money at it," he observes, predicting these elements will take 2-3 years to align properly.

What truly sets Maroone's business approach apart is his talent strategy and operating model. "I look in the mirror and say you've failed if you've got to look outside your company to get talent," he shares. His "freedom frame" philosophy establishes clear boundaries while allowing operating partners (who receive equity ownership) to express their personalities and leadership styles within those parameters.

For those looking to thrive in today's automotive retail landscape, Marooney offers perspective gained from decades of experience: "Don't get too high when things are good and don't get too low when they're not. Just stay true to your principles and work really hard." Subscribe now to hear more wisdom from industry leaders who are navigating today's complex automotive marketplace.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Executive Profile with Jim Fitzpatrick.
For more interviews with the leaders shaping retail automotive, visit CBTNews.com and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share it with someone in the industry.

When John Bergstrom and his brother first applied to become GM dealers in 1982, they were flatly rejected. What happened next—a clerical error that somehow approved their application—launched one of America's most successful automotive retail enterprises. Today, Bergstrom Automotive stands as Wisconsin's largest dealer group with 39 locations representing over 30 brands, annual sales reaching $2 billion, and a team of 2,500 employees.

The secret behind this remarkable growth? A deceptively simple philosophy instilled by John's Norwegian mother: "Look your customer in the eye, smile, and thank them for coming." She would remind him that "neither the floor nor the ceiling ever paid a bill." This customer-first approach, combined with an unwavering commitment to community service, has created an automotive powerhouse built on relationships rather than transactions.

What truly distinguishes Bergstrom from competitors isn't just commercial success but philanthropic impact. Since founding their first business—a neighborhood bar—the Bergstroms have maintained a policy of returning 25% of profits to community initiatives. This commitment has expanded dramatically, now supporting Boys and Girls Clubs, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and programs feeding thousands of children daily. For John, this represents the true measure of achievement: "When you punch out, what's the score?"

The conversation explores pressing industry challenges including manufacturer relationships, the electric vehicle transition, and the digital evolution of car buying. While acknowledging technological change, Bergstrom remains convinced that automotive retail fundamentally thrives on personal connection—especially when helping customers navigate major financial decisions. His insights reveal why, despite industry headwinds, a culture focused on genuine customer care and community impact creates lasting business success.

Curious how value-driven leadership transforms business results? This candid conversation with one of automotive retail's most respected leaders offers insights applicable far beyond the dealership world.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Executive Profile with Jim Fitzpatrick.
For more interviews with the leaders shaping retail automotive, visit CBTNews.com and subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, and share it with someone in the industry.