Finding Purpose and a Tribe at Toyota - How a veteran transitioned to selling cars and mentoring colleagues at Toyota of Kirkland
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THE MAGAZINE FOR NOVEMBER 2021
TOYOTA D E A L E R S H I P S
Finding
Purpose
and a
Tribe at
Toyota
How a veteran transitioned
to selling cars and mentoring
colleagues at Toyota
of Kirkland
THE MAGAZINE FOR NOVEMBER 2021
TOYOTA D E A L E R S H I P S
Finding
Purpose
and a
Tribe at
Toyota
How a veteran transitioned
to selling cars and mentoring
colleagues at Toyota
of Kirkland
IN THIS ISSUE: click to jump to article
P 01 B I G H E LP F O R C H I LD R E N I N N E E D P03 F I N D I N G H I S TR I B E AT TOYOTA
A West Virginia dealer digs deep to help children Military veteran David Anderson transitions into civilian
and students in need. life at Toyota of Kirkland.
P 02 G OAL S F O R G O O D P 05 R E L A X ATI O N & R E S PITE
Touchdowns translate into generous donations thanks Kalispell Toyota provides relaxation and respite for
to the Baltimore Toyota Dealers Advertising Association. active-duty military and their families.
BALL TOYOTA DEALER DOINGS | 01
Big Help for Children in Need
Dealership hopes to help neglected children, tech students thrive.
— JORDAN GRINNELL
HELPING HAND
In partnership with the United Way of West
Virginia, the Ball Toyota Family Dealerships
announced a donation of $50,000 to WVU students
and $250,000 to WV CASA.
The Ball Toyota Family Dealerships have According to West Virginia CASA, celebrating its 30th
donated $300,000 to help children and students in need. anniversary this year, volunteers donate five to seven hours of
Ball Toyota, L&S Toyota and Advantage Toyota announced in their time each month to advocate for children involved in child
October that the group of dealerships owned by the Ball family protection cases.
would be donating $250,000 to CASA (Court Appointed Special “’Court appointed’ means that those children have gone
Advocates). L&S Toyota donated $50,000 to the West Virginia through trauma and abuse,” says Delegate Danielle Walker, a
University Institute of Technology. WV CASA board member, to The Charleston Gazette. “Child
Through a new partnership with CASA and the United Way advocacy is the blood, sweat and tears of every CASA director,
of West Virginia, the money will help support children assisted employee, volunteer and board member. The Ball family has
through the court system and state CASA volunteers. given us more than just a check; they have paved the way to
Aiming to help children affected by the pandemic, the funds make sure that no child within the borders of West Virginia will
will be applied to all 55 counties in West Virginia. go without.”
“We have all seen a rise in the number of cases of child L&S Toyota’s annual gift of $50,000 to WVU will go toward
abuse and neglect across the state,” says Shawn Ball, Ball scholarships and an emergency contingency fund for Tech
Toyota president, to The Charleston Gazette. “My brother and students.
partner David Ball and I wanted to find a way to bring some “I think the generosity of the Ball family is not only important,”
relief to kids. Raising awareness, shining a light on poverty says E. Gordon Gee, WVU president, “but it is also a signal
is the goal. We all need to work toward a solution and protect about the importance of what we’re trying to accomplish in this
our children.” state in terms of making sure our children thrive.”
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BALTIMORE AREA TOYOTA DEALERS DEALER DOINGS | 02
Goals for Good
Baltimore dealers donate $500 to nonprofit for every
Ravens touchdown.
— JORDAN GRINNELL
GOALS FOR GOOD
Baltimore area Toyota dealerships announce
donation of $500 to nonprofit for every
touchdown scored by the Ravens football team
this season.
There’s nothing like doing good while “When we saw how much they benefit from our mobility
rooting for the home team. transportation options, we knew this was the kind of partnership
This football season, the Baltimore Area Toyota Dealers that our franchisees are inspired to support,” he says.
Advertising Association announced that for every Ravens Brad Schlagger, president and CEO of Kennedy Krieger
touchdown, they will donate $500 to the Kennedy Krieger Institute, says the nonprofit is grateful for the support of Toyota
Institute, which helps children with neurological, rehabilitative dealers and the Ravens football team.
or developmental needs. “We also love that they came up with such a fun way to
The collaboration between dealers and the nonprofit began champion our work by linking their generosity to the Ravens’
a few years ago, when Toyota was looking for a way to help with performance,” he says. “It gives us one more reason for our staff
the mobility of the community. They ended up donating two members and the children and families we serve to cheer on the
Siennas to help the institute transport children with disabilities home team.”
around the county. The donations apply to home and away games, plus the
Fred Anderson, director of the Baltimore Area Toyota Dealers playoffs, with an estimated $25,000 to $30,000 going to the
Advertising Association, says the organization improves the nonprofit.
lives of children, and they just simply wanted to help.
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Finding
Purpose
and a
Tribe at
Toyota
When his military career ended,
David Anderson was looking
for a way to translate his skills
and transition into civilian life.
He found it at Toyota of Kirkland.
By Kristen Pettineo
FINDING PURPOSE AND A TRIBE AT TOYOTA TOYOTA TODAY | 04
“We lost a lot of
guys over there. But
at the same time,
it helped make me
who I am today.”
“Many veterans, when they leave the military, they feel
disconnected,” he says. “They’re searching for a new tribe of
people, similar to what they had before.”
He went to school for a bit and began driving for Uber. But in
2017, he walked into the Toyota of Kirkland showroom. Not only
did he end up buying a car, he also found a job.
“I had a great experience that day,” he says. “But I also thought,
‘Hey, I think could sell cars, too.’”
It was an easier transition than he expected. Two of his sales
David
managers both had close ties to the U.S. Marine Corps and were
well aware of Anderson’s skill set. In the Marines, Anderson
became adept at learning complex information, and then relaying
it to colleagues in a way that was easy to understand—a skill that
Anderson
he says translates seamlessly into selling vehicles.
“Whether it’s explaining a complicated piece of machinery
in the military, or explaining how the lease process works to a
customer, being able to break that down simply is so helpful,”
he says. “Cars can be intimidating to people. It’s a lot easier to
sell automobiles if you just put yourself in the customer’s shoes.
S E R V E D H I S C O U N T RY P R O U D LY I N T H E U N I T E D Whether it’s listening to them and getting them in the right car
States Marine Corps. For five years, the Long Beach, California, based on their needs, or helping them understand something
native traveled the world—searching for pirates in the Gulf that seems complicated.”
of Aden, deploying to Afghanistan and various global hot spots Anderson knows what he’s talking about: he’s one of the
in between. dealership’s top-performing associates, averaging about 20 sales
Ask him about his experience and he doesn’t hold back. Even per month.
if you ask how it ended. But beyond the numbers, Anderson is perhaps most grateful
“I was blown up on November 10, which is recognized as the for the sense of family and community he has found at Toyota of
Marine Corps birthday, in Afghanistan,” says Anderson. “I was Kirkland. Because of his success, Anderson serves as mentor to
driving an MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle to his colleagues, advising them on selling strategies and customer
transport marines off of a patrol base, when a rocket hit my vehicle. service tips.
Shrapnel actually hit my helmet, and I suffered a concussion. It “I’m selling the best cars on the planet,” says Anderson. “And
was a tumultuous deployment, but I consider myself lucky. We lost it’s nice to know that if I work hard, I’ll be compensated for
a lot of guys over there. But at the same time, it helped make me my efforts. But mostly, I’m just so grateful for the team here at
who I am today. Now, I see every day as a gift.” Toyota of Kirkland for giving me this opportunity. And especially
After his injury, Anderson was honorably discharged from the for their recognition of my success. To be recognized and be
Marines in 2013. But when Anderson returned home, he found seen … that’s filled a huge void I felt when I left the military. I feel
himself searching for the same connection and purpose he valuable again. And after everything I’ve been through, I couldn’t
shared with his military brothers and sisters. be happier to be here and be part of this tribe.”
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A Little R&R
Active-duty service members and families enjoy vistas like this on their
all-expenses-paid retreats, sponsored in part by donors like Kalispell Toyota.
relaxation
� respite
Thankful for their service & sacrifice, Spend some time talking to Donnie Ketter,
and it’s apparent that he has a deep respect for our troops.
Kalispell Toyota provides “These are people who go above and beyond to protect us and
relaxation & respite for active-duty our country,” he says. “They have my deepest gratitude and I’m so
thankful for their service.”
military and their families. But in his capacity as general salesmanager at Kalispell Toyota
in Kalispell, Montana, Ketter wanted to put his sentiment into
by Kristen Pettineo action and show his appreciation and support.
Beyond employing at least six veterans as full-time associates
at the dealership, Kalispell Toyota sponsors a program to provide
REL AX ATION & RESPITE TOYOTA TODAY | 06
“to be able to help them
relax and spend time
recharging their batteries, A Trip of a Lifetime
Guests are led on skiing excursions in Whitefish,
even if it’s just for a few Montana, near the base of Glacier National Park.
days, feels great.”
—Donnie Ketter
all-expenses-paid vacations for active-duty military and their
families, who come from across the country to enjoy beautiful
Montana resort towns.
The dealership partners with Montana Special Forces
Association Chapter 28, a nonprofit that welcomes military
service members to week-long retreats across the state for skiing,
dog sledding, fly fishing, snowmobile rides and more.
The trips are offered at no cost to families who visit, thanks to
the generosity of sponsors like Kalispell Toyota. The dealership Ready for a Ride
covers the cost for bussing guests from point A to point B, along As part of the Special Forces Association retreat, active-duty military
and their families are invited on snowmobile rides in the Rocky Mountains.
with providing rental cars at no charge to families so they can
explore independently.
“These military service members tend to have very little
downtime and don’t get paid a lot for what they do,” Ketter says.
“So, to be able to help them relax and spend time recharging
their batteries, even if it’s just for a few days, feels great.”
The retreat’s organizer says the dealership’s help makes a
huge difference.
“It’s simple, we couldn’t do it without Kalispell Toyota’s help,”
says Ike Slaughter, a retreat organizer and retired Special Forces
Colonel. “They help us tremendously in a multitude of ways.
They provide transportation for hundreds of people at a cost of
thousands of dollars, and they pick up the cost. It’s amazing.”
But ask Ketter and he’ll tell you it’s anything but amazing. It’s
just the right thing to do.
“This is the least we can do,” he says. “And it’s the right
thing to do. As long as there are soldiers putting their lives on
the line to protect us, we’ll keep doing what we can to show
our appreciation.”
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FOR EVERYTHING YOU GIVE, WE WANT TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK.
A $500 MILITARY REBATE IS AVAIL ABLE TO: TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE REBATE:
• Eligible U.S. military personnel • Provide verifiable proof of military status or active service:
• Household members of eligible U.S. military personnel ‐ Leave and Earning Statement OR
(including Gold Star families) ‐ Military ID card OR
• U.S. military retirees ‐ DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge
• U.S. military veterans (within 2 years of discharge) from Active Duty
This rebate can be used toward any new Toyota vehicle • Receive a qualifying salary
purchased or leased through your dealer and Toyota • Receive credit approval by Toyota Financial Services
Financial Services.* To apply for credit online, visit toyotafinancial.com/apply.
For more information visit your local Toyota dealer.
*$500 rebate offered by Toyota Motor North America, Inc. and may be applied toward finance or lease contracts on new Toyota vehicles, dated from October 5, 2021, through January 3, 2022.
To qualify for the rebate, at the time of purchase or lease you must (1) be in current active duty status in the U.S. military (Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard and active
Reserve) OR a U.S. military inactive reserve (i.e., Ready Reserve) that is part of the individual Ready Reserve, Selected Reserve and Inactive National Guard; OR a retiree of the U.S. military, OR a
military veteran within two years of their discharge date; OR a household member of an eligible U.S. military personnel, including Gold Star family members; AND (2) provide verifiable proof of
military status or active service; (3) receive a salary sufficient to cover ordinary living expenses and payment for your new vehicle; and (4) receive credit approval from and execute a finance or lease
contract through a participating Toyota dealer and Toyota Financial Services. Not all applicants will qualify. On lease contracts, rebate must be applied toward the Amount Due at Lease Signing
or toward the Capitalized Cost Reduction. On finance contracts, rebate must be applied toward the Down Payment. Limit one rebate per finance or lease transaction per eligible U.S. military
personnel or eligible household member. Offer not combinable with the College Graduate Rebate Program, the iFi Program and the Lease-End Refi Program. Vehicle must be taken out of dealer
stock. Terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Program is not available in AL, FL, GA, HI, NC and SC. Rebate terms may be more generous in your local area. Ask your participating dealer about
the military rebate terms in your area. Must pay sales tax. Void where prohibited by law. Not redeemable for cash.
©2021 Toyota Financial Services. All rights reserved. Toyota Financial Services is a service mark
used by Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC). TMCC is the authorized attorney-in-fact
and servicer for Toyota Lease Trust.
22-519201 (9/21)
EDITORIAL STAFF
Senior Manager Manager Editor Writers Design
SCOTT DEYAGER LISA YAMADA KRISTEN PETTINEO JORDAN GRINNELL AKINSPARKER
& DAN MILLER
TOYOTATODAY.COM
Published for Toyota dealers and dealership personnel by the Corporate Communications Division of Toyota Motor North
America. Copyright ©2021 by Toyota Motor North America. Contents may be reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Address
magazine inquiries to: toyota_today@toyota.com • For customer inquiries, please contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center:
tel: 800.331.4331 • For product and company information: web: toyota.com • tel: 800.GO.TOYOTA
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