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TOP 100 PROGRAM DIRECTOR Adam Quandt | aquandt @ epgacceleration. com
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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Roberto Almenar | ralmenar @ epgacceleration. com | 763.383.4494
Leadership, culture and intention
I was at my family’ s dealership on New Year’ s Eve, and the energy was noticeably light – partly because of the holidays and a shorter workday, I’ m sure. But when I mentioned this to my sister, the general manager, she smiled proudly and contently.“ We have a great team and we have a great culture,” Montana said. Turnover, changing customer demands and growing pains make some seasons, even years, harder than others. But I’ ve watched my family push resiliently past setbacks while continuing to take care of their team, and it has paid off.
I can’ t preach about leading a team, but I can share what I’ ve observed – the impact of prioritizing a great workplace environment. Later that day, Montana was gifted an orchid and a card filled with handwritten notes from her team. Her teary eyes showed how much their words and the small act of kindness meant to her. I got a glimpse of the healthy cycle of leaders showing they care and employees caring in return.
This same level of care was reflected throughout the 2025 Top Dealer applications. It was easy to distinguish the applicants who were passionate about their work and proud of the relationships they’ ve build with employees and customers. Their detailed responses to difficult questions showed the extent of their dedication.
What stood out most wasn’ t a specific process or metric, but a mindset. The strongest applicants were intentional about how they communicate, evaluate performance and adapt as conditions change. They take great care of their team, who in turn take great care of their customers.
One of the intended benefits of the Top Dealer application process is to help businesses recognize what they’ ve accomplished and where they’ re headed. They must evaluate the organizational charts and business plans they believe equip them to be among the best of the best in North America.( As the saying goes,“ the devil’ s in the details,” and winning applicants work to address them all – in their budgeting, training, marketing, sales, organization and customer service strategies).
Are we proud of how we lead and serve our co-workers and customers? When we look at our work, are we still passionate? Are we intentional with our goals, plans and visions for the future? Are we allowing economic uncertainty to reshape our business, or are we navigating it proactively?
While these types of questions tend to surface at this time of year, this isn’ t an intentional New Year’ s reflection piece, because the strongest businesses are asking them year-round to shape what comes next.
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4 january 2026 www. boatingindustry. com