Scott McCandless, president of Aurora, Co.-based McCandless Truck Center, was named the 2015 Truck Dealer of the Year by American Truck Dealers. The national award focuses on excellence in dealership performance, as well as industry and community leadership.
According to International, McCandless started his career at his father’s International Truck dealership in Las Vegas in 1972. By holding positions in almost every department of the dealership, McCandless had the opportunity to learn the business from the ground up—from entry level to management.
“My father showed me that this business is about taking care of customers, being involved in the community, and developing good working relationships with employees and suppliers,” McCandless said.
To illustrate the commitment to his customers, McCandless insists on meeting with customers and suppliers in-person. Also, McCandless rode with the parts delivery and outside parts and truck sales people for six months in order to learn more about the shop-side of their customers’ businesses and how their parts and service representatives interacted with customers.
As a member of the International Truck Product Advisory Board, McCandless played a role in the development and launch of the International ProStar, and he previously served as the chairman of the International Truck Executive Dealer Council. McCandless has fostered and promoted open dialogue with Navistar leaders, which has created a stronger foundation for collaboration and the important work of addressing mutual opportunities for growth.
“Scott’s knowledge and industry experience have helped him to build and develop a great team that is dedicated to customer service and high performance,” said Richard Ryan, president, Carolina International Trucks Inc. “Growing up in the truck dealership environment, Scott learned that every interaction with a customer is important and he instills that philosophy throughout his organization.”
In the community, McCandless has served as president of the Fremont County Rotary Club and a member of the Denver Chamber of Commerce, noted International. As president of the Rotary Club, he led fundraising to support the organization’s mission to eradicate polio worldwide; he volunteered to give polio shots to disadvantaged children, and supported many of their initiatives such as community refuse cleanups. McCandless is also a vocational volunteer who continues to express the importance of the trucking, transportation and diesel technician fields in the local community.
“Our dealers consistently go beyond the truck itself to provide exceptional service and support that customers demand and deserve,” said Bill Kozek, Navistar president, Truck and Parts. “We are proud of the McCandless Truck Center team; their professionalism, dedication to the community and their ongoing commitment to outstanding customer service is what sets them apart.”
