Spotlight on Fowler

First I would like to welcome

Dwayne Brown to Fowler

Holding Company. He has

been working on the new

DOR (Daily Operating Report),

a management tool, for

Fowler. When he finishes,

we’ll have the most compre-

hensive and state-of-the-art

DOR in the industry!

We have currently made

offers on new acquisitions

From the CEO’s Desk

and essentially there is no

news at the time, but I will

keep you informed and up-

dated with the status of these

acquisitions. We have promis-

ing prospects ahead.

With the earthquake in

Japan, it is easy to see how

sudden things can change in

the industry. There are

inventory shortages in the

auto industry that will pale in

comparison to the rebuilding

and loss of lives in Japan. We

send our thoughts and

prayers to those affected by

the tragedy.

The good news is that as a

company, new car sales (with

the exception of VW) are up

28.85% and used car sales are

up 18.6% in the first quarter!

Century is leading the

Trans fat is vegetable fat that

has been chemically altered by

a process called hydrogenation.

This process turns healthy fat,

such as corn oil or soy bean oil,

into a solid unhealthy fat. The

result is a type of fat that is

worse for you than saturated

fat, and is linked to increased

LDL (―bad cholesterol‖),

decreased HDL (―good

cholesterol‖), and increased

triglyceride levels, which all

contribute to heart disease and

insulin resistance.

How Much is Too Much? The American Heart Associa-tion recommends that less than 1 percent of your daily calories come from trans fat (that’s two grams of trans fat for a 2,000 calorie diet).

Trans Fat: The Worst Fat

Fowler Auto Group

January—March 2011

Volume 6, Issue 1

Healthy Recipes 2

Salesperson of the Month 3

You’re Appreciated 3

Employee Showcase 3

New Hires 4

Announcements 5

Alcohol Awareness Month

5

What is Alcoholism? 6

Important! Ideal Homes Panel Discussion

6

Inside this issue:

Special Points of

Interest

2 Healthy Recipes!

Who is Keith Russ?

VW is #1!!

How to talk to your

kids about the

dangers of alcohol.

Find out how RSVP to

Ideal Homes panel

discussion regarding

home ownership at

Fowler! Read more

inside! Continued on page 2

percentage increase this year

with 70% in sales. Toyota’s

certified used car sales are up

50% in the first quarter.

I would also like to congratu-

late Jonathan Fowler and the

VW team for an incredible

start at Fowler VW, with

special attention to Chris Hale

for an outstanding job in

Volkswagen’s used car sales

this past quarter.

Congratulations to John

Walter and the entire Finance

Department team for an all-

time record in F&I for the first

quarter.

As I promised in the last

newsletter, we have set many

goals for this year, and if the

first quarter 2011 is any

indication, we have a good

year ahead!

Mike Fowler, Owner & CEO

How Do You Avoid It? Read nutrition labels and look at the saturated fat and trans fat. Remember that the information is given per serving, so check the serving size as well. Choose reduced-fat and fat-free products, but only if other unhealthy ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils have not been added. Always check ingredient listings for the term partially hydrogenated. The ingredient list is different than the nutrition label, and is often where fat information is hidden. Ingredient information is listed from greatest to smallest amounts, so if partially hydrogenat-ed oils or high fructose corn syrup are listed as the first few ingredients, choose another product. What Types of Foods Have It? Here’s the top 10 list of where you are most likely to find trans fat:

Margarine – Look for no hydrogenated oil and the least amount of both trans and

saturated fat. If you choose butter, use small amounts and those that are whipped or mixed with canola oil.

Packaged foods – Mixes like cake and pancake mixes have added fat. Bake homemade instead.

Soup – Dried and liquid soups both contain very high levels of trans fat.

Fast food – Anything deep-fried will have trans fat. Order food grilled instead.

Frozen foods – Check the label. Even frozen foods listed as ―low fat‖ may contain trans fat.

Baked goods – Donuts, cookies, and cake are loaded with trans fat. Bake your own instead.

Candy and desserts – Lots of trans fat hides here too.

Trans Fat: Continued Choose jelly beans or licorice over chocolate.

Chips and crackers – Go for baked or whole grain. Have popcorn instead of pretzels.

Breakfast foods – Cereals and breakfast bars are included. Choose whole grain instead.

Toppings, dips and condiments – Salad dressing, gravy, mayon-naise, whipped toppings, and similar items are loaded with fats. Use oil and vinegar or low-fat milk creamers instead.

Remember, often when fat is removed, sugar, salt, and hydrogenat-ed oils are added, so don’t trust a food simply because it says ―low fat‖

on the label.

Page 2 Spot l ight on Fowler Volume 6, I ssue 1

Along with the negative

effects it has on your

cholesterol levels, too

much trans fat in your diet

can also increase your

chance for heart disease,

stroke, or developing Type

2 diabetes.

Source: MHBT Newsletter

Healthy Recipes

Fish Tacos 1 tsp. olive oil 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth ½ tsp. ground cumin 1 lime 2 large tomatoes, diced 1 cup scallions, chopped ½ cup cilantro, chopped 1.5 lbs. halibut filets 12 corn tortillas

Sauté garlic and scallions until browned. Add chicken broth, tomatoes and cumin to the mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add halibut. Cook 15-20 minutes or until the halibut is easily flaked with a fork. Sprinkle with lime juice and garnish with cilantro. Wrap in warmed corn tortillas and serve. Serves 4.

Turkey

Meatloaf 1 lb. lean

ground turkey

½ cup regular

dry oats

1 large egg

¼ cup chopped sweet onion

¼ cup low-sodium ketchup

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Bake in a loaf pan at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Slice and serve with your favorite side of vege-tables. Serves 5.

Page 3 Spot l ight on Fowler Volume 6, I ssue 1

Salesperson of the Month

January 2011

Brent Baus (Toyota)

February 2011

Bruce Pitts (Toyota)

March 2011

Bruce Pitts (Toyota)

Salespersons, see your GSM/GM for sales criteria.

You’re Appreciated We would like to show our gratitude to the following

employees for their dedication to Fowler throughout

the years. The following represent anniversaries of

January—March 2011.

10 years

Darrick Marshall Ray

Julius Dan Zeyen

THANK YOU!!!

Introducing ... Keith Russ Employee Showcase

Keith with his son, Hayden, his wife, Jennifer, and his

daughter, Kynlee.

Keith and

his brother,

Kyle Russ.

Meet Keith Russ! Keith is the Comptroller for Fowler

Toyota, VW, Honda and I-240 Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

He maintains an accurate account of the dealerships’

financial situation according to the manufacturer’s

guidelines. He also manages all expenses, analyzes

data, reports information, handles all financial

aspects of all the Oklahoma dealerships all while

managing a staff of thirteen people! When asked

what he likes most about his job, Keith said,

“The overall challenge and my girls. We have cen-

tralized our Accounting office once with the Chrysler

Jeep Dodge store, and again two years later with

Continued on Page 4

Toyota. We had never done this before and it made me feel a real sense

of accomplishment knowing it has succeeded over the years.” Keith also

said it’s a blessing to have such a strong staff. “They understand my

expectations and I understand theirs.”

Keith has worked with Fowler since August of 2003. He started at the

corporate office. After a year and a half, Keith moved into the Controller

position at Honda when the former Controller left to take another

position. Within the next 3-5 years, Keith said he would like to see

Fowler at or above the pre-recession benchmark the company once had.

He would also love to see a couple more franchises under Fowler’s belt.

Keith is a very competitive person, constantly thinking of ways he can

improve the office. He said if there was somehow an award for

“Accounting Office of the Year”, he thinks his office would definitely win.

“That’s kind of silly, but that is how I am. I hate losing and hate being

average,” Keith said.

Keith was born and raised in Norman, Oklahoma. He graduated Norman

High School in 1996, and proceeded to University of Oklahoma, where

he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and got his degree in

Accounting in 2000.

Besides his work ethic, Keith values his family more than anything.

“I will have been married for seven years to my wife Jennifer this August.

We have a wonderful son, Hayden, who will be four years old in June,

and a very outspoken daughter, Kynlee, who will be two in October.”

Page 4 Spot l ight on Fowler Volume 6, I ssue 1

Keith and Jen with Heisman winners.

Keith and Jen at the Mavs vs. Clippers Game

Employee Showcase Continued If Keith had an open weekend

where he could do absolutely any-

thing, he would love to take his kids

to Disney World once they got a

little older. He really loves golf and

would love a chance to fly out and

play a PGA course as well. “If my

funds were unlimited, I would also

get Peyton Manning and Matt

Kenseth to join me,” he chuckled. “I

would love to travel to Germany

also. My father was born there and I

have never seen where he grew

up.” Keith relaxes by working in the

yard. Most of all, he enjoys his

family and watching his kids grow

up every day. He is a huge Nascar

fan and said he could probably

watch that and football 24/7.

“I just want to thank my office staff.

It is easy to be a good boss when you

have good girls who understand you

and vice versa. I’ve worked with a lot

of them for a long time. My office is

what they make of it and, in my

opinion, they do a really great job.”

Keith’s words of motivation to his

fellow employees is simple, direct

and honest. “Work hard every day,”

he said. “If for some reason you

leave the dealership, at least you

know you left everything out on the

table and no one can ever take that

from you.” His advice to anyone is to

be yourself and tell it the way it is.

“It’s more simple that way,” he said.

Fowler is extremely lucky to have

Keith Russ. He works hard to give

Fowler his best, he is very reliable,

and is a great role model. Thanks for

all you do, Keith!

New Hires! Please welcome the following... Honda

Ahmound Dawson, New Car Manager

Kerah Gomez, BDC Associate

Jarret Bolfer, Sales Associate

Erik Montgomery, Sales Associate

Jeanne Keffer, Sales Associate

Tim Irwin, Service Manager

Jeff Scott, Lot Attendant

Brad Anderson, F&I Producer

Travis Miller, Service Advisor

I-240

Joe Tresner, Sales Associate

Kyle Winans, F&I Producer

Herman McGee, Sales Associate

William Groves, Service Tech

Brad Kokes, Sales Associate

Darren McKinley, Service Tech

Mayla Corrales, Receptionist

Jessie Escobar, Used Car Sales Mngr

Nathan price, Internet Sales

Foster Baker, Sales Associate

Chris Rutledge, Service Advisor

Josiah Leach, Lube Tech

Kortny Killman, Service Advisor

Reinaldo Alverez, Sales Floor Mngr

Elton Freeman, Lube Tech

Volkswagen

Vincent Radish, Sales

Associate

Jonathan Chatman,

Sales Associate

Justin Cole, Lube Tech

Toyota

Reginald Gibson, Service Porter

Jose Gutierrez, Sales Associate

Steven Rimmer, Sales Associate

David Carey, Sales Associate

James Lopez, Parts Counter

David Beavers, Sales Associate

Jordan Probst, Sales Associate

Samiayah Britton, rental Clerk

Catie Birabent, F&I Producer

Jeff Reynolds, New Car Manager

Katie Ketner, Café Employee

James Walker, Tech Apprentice

Amanda Chartrand, Café Employee

Gina Elrod, Title Clerk

Dillon Neufeld, Lube Tech

Stephanie Rizk, Receptionist

Welcome Back

Dan Pantalia, GSM (Honda)

Chris Ayers, Sales Associate (Honda)

Jasime Parra, BDC Associate (Toy)

Gwendolyn Schillo, BDC Associate

(I-240)

Page 5 Spot l ight on Fowler Volume 6, I ssue 1

Announcements! Announcements! Announcements!

Fowler VW was #1 in new car

sales for January—March

2011!

They also won the Area 31

C.E.I. Cup (Excellence in

Customer Care) for the month

of February 2011

Fowler I-240 was 1 of 3

dealerships in the entire

Southwest Business Center

(Oklahoma, New Mexico,

Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas &

Tennessee)

that won an award for the Best

Premier Event presentation!

Please send your thoughts and prayers to Janice Ryan and Wayne Willis for their loss of their mothers.

Jim Goolsby has had a great recovery. He visited everyone not too long ago, and looked amazing!

Toyota’s café, Cokie Bay, recently had it’s one year anniversary!

Congratulations to John Crosby! He moved from F&I Producer to Used Car Manager at Toyota!

Alcohol Awareness Month April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and although talking with your kids about the dangers of drugs and alcohol can be very difficult, there are strategies that can help. Following the five suggestions below can help you develop regular communication with your children, if you haven’t already. Talking with them about their day-to-day lives will make it much easier to bring up the harder topics, such as drugs and alcohol, when the time is right. Listen. Make eye contact with your child, and let them know

you’re paying attention. If it’s the end of a long day and you need time to relax, say so. Explain that you need a few minutes to unwind, and then you’ll be ready to give your full attention.

Do activities together. Do chores together and talk while you’re working. Or, run to the grocery store together – car rides can be a great time to spark up conversa-tion.

Set up regular family meetings. Use this time to let every member of your family discuss what’s on their mind.

Role-play with your child and teach them how to say no. Simulate a situation where a friend is pressuring your child into drinking or smoking. Ex-plain how to think through a situation like this and empha-size the potential consequenc-es of their choices.

Support your child in every-thing they do. Regularly encouraging and supporting your child in school, sports and extracurricular activities shows them that you support them should peer pressure come into play.

Source: MHBT Newsletter

Page 6 Spot l ight on Fowler Volume 6, I ssue 1

You ended up drinking more or longer than you intended? Y or N

More than once, you wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but could not? Y or N

More than once, you have been in situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of

getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area or having unsafe

sex)?

Y or N

You continued to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your

usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?

Y or N

You continued to drink even though it made you depressed or anxious or added to another health

problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?

Y or N

You spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over other after-effects? Y or N

You continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends? Y or N

You found that drinking or being sick from drinking often interfered with taking care of your home or

family? Or caused job troubles or school problems?

Y or N

You have given up or cut back on activities that were important to you or interesting to you, or gave

you pleasure, in order to drink?

Y or N

More than once, you have been arrested, been held at a police station or had other legal problems

because of your drinking?

Y or N

You found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as

trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a facing heart or a seizure? Or sense things

that were not there?

Y or N

What is Alcoholism? Differences between dependence and abuse Alcoholism is a lifelong illness. People with alcoholism, or alcohol dependence, crave alcohol, and as their tolerance grows, they need to drink more to achieve the same “buzz.” Alcohol is a drug.

In addition to cravings and tolerance, alcoholism includes these symptoms: Loss of control. A person cannot stop drinking once he

or she has started. Physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms, such as

nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped.

Is alcohol abuse different from alcoholism? - Yes, alcohol abuse is different from alcoholism, but it can be just as dangerous. People who abuse alcohol may drink too much alcohol at a time and drink too often. You may know someone who abuses alcohol who has problems at work, at home or with the law because of problem drink-ing. People who abuse alcohol may not be dependent on it and have alcoholism. But people who abuse alcohol have a higher risk of developing alcoholism.

For people who choose to drink, doctors usually recom-mend no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men.

Does alcohol abuse cause the same problems as alcoholism? A problem drinker or alcohol abuser may not be addict-ed to alcohol, but he or she shares many of the same health risks. Quality of life, in particular, can be severely lessened. In addition, alcoholics and alcohol abusers alike may bring havoc into the lives of their loved ones and on others around them. Studies show that alcohol-ism and alcohol abuse are not only a leading cause of death but also a significant factor in violent crime, teen pregnancy, date rape and certain other types of crime.

Source: UnitedHealthcare

Continued on Page 8

How can I know if I have an alcohol problem? Ask yourself the following questions.

Page 7 Spot l ight on Fowler Volume 6, I ssue 1

Mark your calendars! On June 9th, 2011 from 11:30—1:00 p.m. at Fowler Toyota, Ideal Homes

will host a Home Ownership Series Panel Discussion to answer any questions you ask. You are

able to RSVP and submit your questions directly to Kristy Boone, their Community Outreach

Specialist via email at kboone@ideal-homes.com or by phone at 405-589-0662.

There will be 40 seats available, so please respond when you receive this. Lunch is

provided and there will be multiple door prize drawings!

“How do I learn the total cost of home ownership?”

“What are the best financing options for a home purchase?”

“Where do I begin the process of purchasing a home?”

“How do I know if I even qualify for a mortgage?”

“Is it safe to purchase a home in this economy?”

If you have asked yourself these questions and were unsure

where to turn for answers, we have the perfect solution:

The Panelists are Vernon McKown, Co-owner and VP of Sales & Marketing at Ideal

Homes and Kent Carter, President of Citywide Mortgage:

Vernon McKown oversees sales, marketing, land development and mortgage operations for the company. This year Ideal Homes and its 86 employees are celebrating 20 years of business. Since 1990, the company has built over 7,000 homes for Oklahoma families and has received virtually every industry award for quality and customer service – including 2010 National Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine.

McKown serves on numerous local boards including the Norman Youth Soccer Association and the Cleveland County YMCA. He also serves on the national board for the Energy and Environ-mental Building Association, of which he is a past president.

When not leading Ideal Homes, you will most likely find McKown coaching soccer or t-ball, watching his son at wrestling practice or enjoying time with his family at the lake. McKown, his wife and two children live in Norman.

Kent Carter has extensive experience and touts successes in the banking / lending indus-try. He started in 1974 after receiving his Masters of Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Finance. He also holds a B.A. with an emphasis in Finance / Economics.

Kent is a Board member of Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers Association as 1st Vice President; an active member of Moore and Norman Chambers of Commerce; Leadership Norman graduate; past President of Center for Children and Families, Inc.; an active member of Alameda Church of Christ Leader-ship Team and a coach for youth sports teams.

Kent is passionate about helping home buyers and as a result he is an industry leader. Kent above all is a dedicated family man.

Primary Business Address

2721 NW 36th Ave. Suite 100

Norman, OK 73072

We’re on the web!

www.fowlerholding.com

Phone: 405-573-9909

Fax: 405-447-1704

E-mail: news@fowlerholding.com

mrgen@yourhrresource.com

People are the lifeblood of Fowler.

Fowler Auto Group

“To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.”—Bertrand Russell

What is Alcoholism? (continued from page 6) If you have answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you may have a problem with alcohol. The

more symptoms you have, the more urgent is your need for help.

Take this test to your doctor to talk about your concerns. He or she can look at your answers to tell

whether you have an alcohol problem. Several therapies are available to help people stop drinking,

including counseling, medications and support groups.

Recognizing symptoms, being honest about them and making a change is tough for many people. People

with a drinking problem must decide for themselves when to quit. For many, that decision to quit comes

only after an arrest, divorce or other tragic scenario.

You can make positive steps even if you are not ready to quit drinking. You might want to:

• Keep track of how much and when you drink.

• Make a list of all of the consequences of continuing to drink.

• Look at situations that may be contributing to a drinking problem, such as stress, lifestyle, peer

pressure, habits or other factors.

• Talk to someone you trust about making a change.