Originally Featured on Park Cities People on May 19, 2019

Two incredibly fast cars and the hybrid of all hybrids recently made a stop in Dallas on their world tours.

So exclusive, so popular, so rare are these vehicles, that they are only being shown in a few locations throughout the globe – with recent stops including a car collector’s home in Northwest Dallas and the Dallas Arboretum.

While in town, we got a chance to experience the Koenigsegg Agera RS, Jesko, and catch the reveal of a groundbreaking new take on the grand tourer by McLaren.

Per officials, the $2.8 million Koenigsegg Jesko has a 5.0 litre twin-turbo V8 engine that gets 1280 horsepower on standard gasoline and an expected top speed at 300 mph.

The Jesko travels from zero to 60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds, making it one of the fastest cars in the world.

“There is a level of simplicity and humility to the design of these cars,” said Joachim Nordwall, Design Director of Koenigsegg. “That’s something that reflects the character of both Koenigsegg as a company and of our founder, Christian von Koenigsegg. Those same design ethos are also present in Jesko. It’s humble and assertive, but not angry.”

Only 125 Jeskos will be produced and have already sold out.

A predecessor to the Jesko, the $2.6 million Koenigsegg Agera RS broke the world record for land speed last year at 277.9 mph. The Agera RS moves from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds.

After leaving Texas, the cars will travel to California and Canada before leaving North America.

At the Dallas Arboretum, McLaren Automotive and McLaren Dallas for the North American highlighted their newest vehicle; a hybrid that combined competition level performance with continent-crossing capability, all wrapped in a beautiful lightweight body – a new level of comfort and space paired with an agility never before seen in this segment.

The new McLaren GT (from $210,000) delivers classic Grand Tourer attributes of competition levels of performance and continent-crossing capability, yet is lighter, faster, more engaging and more usable.

Positioned alongside the established Sports, Super and Ultimate Series families, this is a new McLaren for a new audience and provides an alternative to existing products in an expanding market segment. In re-imagining, the spirit of traditional Grand Touring – long distance driving in comfort, at higher speeds and with room for luggage – McLaren has also redefined the modern GT ownership experience with a car that is lighter, faster and more engaging than existing products in the segment, with greater space, comfort, and usability.

At over 15 feet, the new McLaren is longer than any of the cars in the McLaren Sports or Super Series – total stowage capacity of 20.1 cubic feet with rear luggage bay accessed via front-hinged, full-length glazed rear tailgate, available electrically powered; room for bags as well as golf clubs or skis.

“The new McLaren GT combines competition levels of performance with continent-crossing capability, wrapped in a beautiful body and true to McLaren’s ethos of designing superlight cars with a clear weight advantage over rivals,” said Mike Flewitt, chief executive officer, McLaren Automotive. “Designed for distance, it provides the comfort and space expected of a Grand Tourer, but with a level of agility never experienced before in this segment. In short, this is a car that redefines the notion of a Grand Tourer in a way that only a McLaren could.”

Creating a new type of McLaren – and the first true Grand Tourer from the brand – saw the McLaren design team embracing the visual history of Grand Touring cars while remaining true to the philosophies that underpin all McLaren design.

The long, elegant exterior lines that are widely recognized as Grand Tourer design cues are executed in the new McLaren GT according to the aerodynamic principles that define every McLaren. The muscular rear fenders – another design trait commonplace in Grand Touring history – are an example of the form of every McLaren being true to its function, incorporating here the air intakes for the high-temperature radiators that cool the engine.

The performance statistics* speak for themselves: with a launch control function optimizing acceleration from a standing start, 0-60mph in 3.1 seconds, 0-124mph is dispatched in 9.0 seconds. The maximum speed of the McLaren GT is 203 mph.

Another defining element of the new McLaren GT – and arguably what will cement its position as the new segment leader – is its dynamic prowess. The suspension, steering, and brakes are all bespoke to the car and optimized to provide an outstanding Grand Touring driving experience, with inherent balance, responsiveness, and precision, yet better ride comfort, than any other McLaren.

The infotainment system developed for the new McLaren GT is the company’s most sophisticated to date. Among the fastest-operating in any car, it also features industry-standard HERE® navigation mapping and real-time traffic information.  The driver interface operates in a similar way to a smartphone and the seven-inch central touchscreen is used to select from vehicle functions such as satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephony, media streaming, and voice activation.

There will be 18 new Hybrid cars built between 2018 and 2025, and by the middle of the next decade, McLaren has promised to go hybrid across its entire range of cars.

Grammy Award-winning artist Kirk Franklin celebrates the consistency in music and family

Kirk Franklin was raised in Fort Worth, Texas, and was adopted by his 64-year-old Aunt, Gertrude Franklin.

“I had a rough childhood,” says Franklin. “I didn’t know my mother or my father. I had a lot of abandonment issues. So, I got into a lot of trouble and didn’t do well in school. But Gertrude really believed in my musical gifts. So, from the time I was four I would take piano lessons once a week.”

Gertrude paid for his piano lessons by recycling aluminum cans and old newspapers.

“Unfortunately, Gertrude died before she heard any of the music that I recorded. So, she didn’t get a chance to see me get my life together. I kind of live with that ‘chasing the ghost’ type of energy in my life.”

Franklin organized “The Family” in 1992, forming a 17-voice choir with neighborhood friends and associates. Their debut album, “Kirk Franklin & The Family,” was released in 1993.

Eventually earning platinum album sales, it spent nearly two years on the Gospel music charts, as well as moving up the R&B and Pop charts.

It was the first gospel music album to sell over a million units.

The group released “Whatcha Lookin’ 4” in 1996, sealing Franklin’s stardom. The album was certified 2X Platinum, and earned Franklin his first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Since his debut in 1992, Franklin has received six platinum certifications on his albums, including the 3X Platinum “Gods Property,” which won him a second Grammy for Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album.

Franklin has worked with a variety of artists over the years, including Cheryl “Salt” James of Salt-N-Pepa, Whitney Houston, Mary J. Blige, Bono, and TobyMac. The winner of more than 40 Stellar Awards, 16 Dove Awards and 14 GRAMMY Awards, Franklin states, “I really believe it happened because I am a firm believer in the message I preach.”

“One thing about music is that you can’t have a bunch of musicians playing what they want to play,” explained Franklin. “They have to play what the song demands. So, what you don’t want to feel is that everyone is playing different notes, because it’s not a melody… it’s not a nice harmony. And it doesn’t sound good, nor does it feel good. The star in the room is always the song.”

“What I love about Park Place is that the star in the room every time you go is always the client. You can tell that they have been rehearsing, that everybody’s playing the same note.”

“Park Place team members are committed every day to create an ownership experience that can’t be found anywhere else,” explains Dave Evans, Park Place Dealerships Chief Marketing Officer. “Our clients tell us fabulous stories about Park Place members who have gone above and beyond to make their experience memorable. We want people to think of Park Place as My Place.”

“Coming from a past where a lot of things in my childhood were very inconsistent, consistency has been something I have always strived for,” Franklin concludes.

“Park Place is ‘My Place’ because they make me feel like a classic soul.”

Park Place Lexus Grapevine embraces service tech and his family

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/sg-serviceman-welcomed-home_dallas-fort-worth/139274

In April 2018, U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant Joseph Rasey left North Texas for a deployment to Kuwait, leaving behind his pregnant wife Megan and two toddlers. While Sgt. Rasey was deployed, Megan gave birth to their third child, Hannah, last August, while the two older girls Josie-Anna and Martha-Eden celebrated their first and third birthdays, respectively.

On April 30, 2019, Rasey resumed his job as a service technician at Park Place Lexus Grapevine. But Park Place did much more than just hold Rasey’s job for him. They took care of his family while he was deployed.

“Joseph is part of our Park Place family,” said Gary Venner, Park Place Lexus Grapevine general manager. “So that makes Megan and the girls family, too. I can’t imagine how much this family has sacrificed for him to go and serve our country. We’re very proud of him. And we’re glad he’s home safe. We’re very happy to have him back in the shop.”

Before Rasey deployed, Park Place held a going away party for him at the Grapevine dealership: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw2cMLb9jsc

While Sgt. Rasey was deployed, Park Place Lexus Grapevine threw both girls a birthday party where the dealership gave them toys and books featuring their daddy’s voice so they could feel his presence while he was away. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-ADxqJEWgKs%3Fautoplay%3D0%26mute%3D0%26controls%3D1%26origin%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.aardvarktx.com%26playsinline%3D1%26showinfo%3D0%26rel%3D0%26iv_load_policy%3D3%26modestbranding%3D1%26enablejsapi%3D1%26widgetid%3D1

“Park Place has proven they’re family,” said Joseph Rasey. “They took such loving care of my family while I was gone. There was never a question where I would work when I got back. Without doubt, Park Place is MY place.”

Sgt. Rasey just finished his third deployment. He also served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea. He was active duty for more than eight years before joining the U.S. Army Reserves.

Located at 901 East State Highway 114, off Minters Chapel Road, Park Place Lexus Grapevine is has been recognized as an Elite of Texas dealer 11 years in a row, and received a number one national ranking for customer satisfaction. In 2005, Park Place Lexus was the first automotive dealership to ever be awarded the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, McLaren and Maserati. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

The Hilton Anatole ballroom in Dallas will be transformed into “Margaritaville” for the Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular Sunday, May 5. This is the largest fundraiser of the yearfor the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, which sponsors sports programs for kids across North Texas. Last year’s event raised nearly $750,000 for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. 

The event begins with a cocktail reception presented by Tequila Sheela at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner, the program, and the game shows. Emily Jones and John Rhadigan of FOX Sports Southwest will serve as MC’s for the evening. To reserve tables or purchase individual tickets, contact the Foundation at (817) 273-5275 or go to texasrangers.com/tripleplay.

“This is one of our favorite charity events of the year,” said Neil Grossman, Chief Executive Officer of Park Place Dealerships. “It’s a lot of fun for everyone  and we are proud to be support the efforts of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. They have invested more than $30 million in our community to improve the lives of local children, including the creation of the Texas Rangers MLB Academy Sports Complex in Dallas which provides instruction for kids 6 – 18 years old.” 

The Park Place Dealerships – Texas Rangers Triple Play Game Show Spectacular features Texas Rangers players, coaches, broadcasters, and alumni. Fans enjoy unparalleled access to their favorite Rangers for autographs, photos and sharing their love of the game of baseball. 

The highlight of the evening is always when the Rangers players compete against each other in hilarious game shows.

This year’s competition will include the fan favorite Fielders Feud and a new entry Heads Up. The list of participants for each game will be announced at a later date. Fielders Feud pits Rangers Infielders against Outfielders in a game designed after the popular TV show “Family Feud.”  The players’ answers and the teasing banter between them is always entertaining. Their true personalities, as well as their competitive nature, really comes out.

Among the items available for bidding in the live and silent auctions are a road trip to Boston to see the Rangers play the Red Sox that includes transportation on the Texas team plane and dining with Hall of Fame pitching great Dennis Eckersley; a trip to the Dominican Republic with a tour of the Rangers’ new Baseball Academy; and special suite experiences for the Paul McCartney and Billy Joel concerts later this year at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

There will also be private hitting and pitching lessons with current Rangers players, and many other exclusive Rangers experiences, including the opportunity to watch a home game with Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez from seats next to the first base dugout.

Park Place Dealerships is the title presenter of Triple Play, with other sponsors including FOX Sports Southwest, CBS11, TEXAS21, and 105.3 The FAN.

Originally Featured on CBS DFW on April 24, 2019

Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth will continue its annual tradition of yoga and zumba in the plaza this spring and summer. The free classes will be held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Sundance Square Plaza, Main Street between 3rd and 4th Street.

From newcomers to veterans, everyone is welcome, with no registration necessary. Participants are asked to bring their own mats and filled water bottles.

Dates for Yoga In The Plaza: Dates for Zumba In The Plaza:

April 27 May 04

May 11 May 18

May 25 June 01

June 08 June 15

June 22 June 29

July 06 July 13

July 20 July 27

August 03 August 10

August 17 August 24

August 31 September 07

September 14 September 21

September 28

In case of inclement weather, the instructor will make the call 30 minutes to one hour prior to the class start time to cancel the class.  If a class is cancelled, it will not be rescheduled and the next class will be held as listed.

Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 36 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year for dining, shopping, events, and performances. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.com or follow the business and entertainment development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare, Instagram.com/sundancesquare or Twitter@sundancesquare.

Park Place Lexus Grapevine GM Gary Venner; Park Place Motorcars Grapevine GM Robert Hinkle; Carroll Education Foundation Chairman Kathy Talley; Carroll Education Foundation Director of Development Leighanne Christon; Park Place Jaguar-Land Rover Grapevine GM Matt Woolsey

Carroll Education Foundation (CEF) has been integral in supplementing funds for teachers and educators to bridge the gap between state funding and the needs of the teachers to provide a quality education to Dragon students. For the past 11 years, Park Place Dealerships has supported CEF and will be the presenting sponsor of the Carroll Education Foundation Gala next month.

With a theme of “A Night with Carroll Superstars,” the CEF Gala will be held Saturday, May 18 at The Bowden in Keller. The CISD Superstar Teachers will be revealed. The event is already 85% sold. More information is available at carrolleducationfoundation.org/annual-gala/

A kick-off reception was recently held at Park Place Motorcars Grapevine in conjunction with the launch of the all-new Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan and the new GLE SUV.

Starting at a base price of $33,000, the sporty new A-Class is the entry-level luxury compact for today’s tech-savvy driver. With advanced voice recognition software, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the car responds to commands and requests much like the smart phones. Powered by a turbocharged inline 4-cyclinder engine that pumps out 188 horsepower, and driven by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with manual shifting, this peppy sedan can go from 0-to-60 mph in about six seconds. But the A-class also offers extensive driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and many advanced safety features.

The fourth-generation GLE, priced at $58,000, is king of the mid-sized SUVs. Standing tall on the new “Modular High Architecture” platform, the GLE looks great and performs even better. The GLE 350 offers a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that cranks out 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 comes with a groundbreaking 48-volt 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with hybrid assist that cranks out 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both come with Mercedes’ nine-speed automatic transmission.

Both models also feature dual 12.3-inch screens mounted side by side on the dash, one for virtual gauges and the other for the infotainment touchscreen. Simply say, “Hey, Mercedes,” and the new MBUX system’s voice-command feature will respond to commands such as “Find the nearest restaurant,” and it will set the destination in the navigation system. Say, “I’m cold,” and it’ll raise the interior temperature. Like your smart phone, the more you use it the more it gets to know your preferences.

The Carroll Education Foundation’s mission is to build financial support from the community and corporate partners to ensure excellence in education for all students in CISD.

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place Dealerships employs more than 2,000 people and operates 16 full-service dealerships in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. For more info, visit parkplace.com.

Article Written by Stephanie Allmon Merry for Dallas Culture Map on April 9, 2019

What: Aging Mind Foundation Gala

Where: The Joule

The 411: A who’s who of Dallas philanthropists and supporters of the Aging Mind Foundation gathered on March 23 for the organization’s fifth annual gala and gave generously from their hearts. The elegant evening raised over $720,000 to find the cause of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Presented by Headington Companies, The Joule and Forty Five Ten, the event kicked off with a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner with special musical entertainment, a live auction, and after-party on the Joule Terrace.

Yvonne and Mayo Crum were recognized as the 2019 gala honorees. Sherwood Wagner served as the honorary chair, and Kathy Nelson as gala chair. Greg Creed, Yum! Brands CEO, acted as master of ceremonies and hosted the dinner.  

“Over 6 million Americans are currently battling Alzheimer’s disease and by 2050, that number is expected to increase to 14 million Americans,” said Laree Hulshoff, co-founder of Aging Mind Foundation. “The gala is our largest fundraiser of the year. This year, the event benefits Yale University’s Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, and Repair program.”

Guests feasted on exquisite food and drinks created by The Joule culinary team, including roasted zucchini and spinach soup with whipped Parmesan cream and focaccia croutons; dry aged New York strip with ravioli, broccoli rabe, and green peppercorns; and limoncello mousse with a mélange of berries, and a fennel pollen cookie.

Guests bid competitively in a live auction of seven fabulous items: an ultimate staycation at the Joule Hotel; an exclusive golf experience and lunch at the Dallas National Golf Club with Cowboys legend Ed “Too Tall” Jones and former Dallas Maverick all-star Jason “Jet” Terry; a private hunt at Togo Island; a Palm Desert driving experience; a VIP Hollywood trip to attend a taping of Will & Grace; private wine tastings and tours of Jean-Charles Boisset Collection in Napa Valley and Delouch Vineyards in Russian River Valley; and an exclusive VIP dinner at AT&T Stadium for the 2019 NFL Season kickoff.

Country-songwriter singer Jay Allen entertained guests. Among his songs was “Blank Stares,” a viral hit on social media that he wrote and recorded in honor of his mother, who passed away from Alzheimer’s in February.

The evening concluded with a rooftop after-party on The Joule Terrace against a gorgeous Dallas night sky.

Since the founding in 2013 and with the backing of Michael Tregoning, president of Headington Companies, the Aging Mind Foundation has raised over $2 million to fund high-quality brain research. 

Who: John Clutts, Martha Wyly Miller, Sami Arslanlar, Jonika Nix, Carey Moen, Alana Sada, Adrian Sada, Kiki Pennington, Shandi Hudson, Katy Avrea, Sanders Avrea, Cara Owens, Gary Owens, Stacy Nutkis, Mark Hiduke, Heather ArDeel, Kathy Nelson, Ben Fischer, Barbara Daseke, Dan Hagood, MiChel Hagood, Kara Goss, andRandall Goss.

A press conference, when done right, can be a very effective way to convey company information. In addition to a spokesperson explaining the finer details of a new product, service, or event, it gives the client the opportunity to build relationships with key media representatives.

Park Place Dealerships hosted a press conference at the 2019 DFW Auto Show to announce it will open its first dealership in Austin, talk about a new marketing campaign, as well as showcase their new mobile experience unit. Hesham Elgaghil, Chief Strategy Officer for Park Place Dealerships, spoke with approximately 50 media representatives.

Here at Aardvark Communications, we have more than two decades of experience planning successful press events for our clients. Below are a few tips we have learned to plan a successful press event.

Make sure you have something newsworthy to share

The first question you should ask: Does the information warrant a press conference? Your news must be compelling and topical to the audience.

For example, during the Park Place press event at the Auto Show, they shared information about a new Jaguar/Land Rover Dealership opening in North Austin, the Luxury and Supercar Showcase at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas in Las Colinas, a new marketing strategy and a new mobile marketing unit the company launched. The audience was a large group of automotive writers looking for interesting stories.  

Pick a good background

Aardvark communications recommends having a background that reflects your organizations image so that a tight or wide shot of the spokesperson(s) will clearly showcase the companies branding. The background for the Park Place press event was the brand new mobile marketing unit, which they will set up at local events to showcase the brands and vehicles that they offer.

Get the media to show up

You should always send out a media advisory to your contacts via email including the date, time, and location of the press event. For the past few months we have been sending a media advisory to our contacts in the media about the event to let them know about the Park Place Press Conference at the DFW Auto Show. After the show we answered questions from the media, as well as providing them with hard copies of the latest Park Place press releases.

Take Photos

After your press event, showcase the event with photos. In addition to promoting your event on all your own assets, you want to be sure to send photos to any media who were unable to attend your event.

The end of the press confrence is not the end to your work

After the questions are over and members of the media have left there is still work to be done. You should always send out a press release for your event, or multiple depending on the information that you shared. It is possible that the best results come from media that did not come to the event, but received the press release(s) and they may request photos or an interview about the announcement.  

Aardvark Communications is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of each client. Since 1992, we’ve developed and implemented innovative and successful public relations and marketing programs for a broad range of clients. We measure our accomplishments by our clients’ success.  When companies want their stories told, they turn to Aardvark Communications for creativity and results.​ For more info, visit Aardvarktx.com

DALLAS (April 8, 2019) –The 5thAnnual Aging Mind Foundation Gala was held at The Joule Dallas and raised over $720,000 to find the cause of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Presented by Headington Companies, The Joule and Forty Five Ten, the event kicked off with a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner with special entertainment by country music singer Jay Allen, a live auction and after party on the Joule Terrace.

Yvonne and Mayo Crumwere honored as the 2019 Gala Honorees. Sherwood Wagnerserved as the Honorary Chair and Kathy Nelsonas Gala Chair. Greg Creed, Yum! Brands CEO, acted as Master of Ceremonies and hosted the dinner.

“Over six million Americans are currently battling Alzheimer’s disease and by 2050, that number is expected to increase to 14 million Americans,” said Laree Hulshoff, co-founder of Aging Mind Foundation. “The Gala is our largest fundraiser of the year and since 2013, Aging Mind Foundation has raised more than $2 million to fund high-quality brain research. This year, the event benefits Yale University’s Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair program.”

Guests were treated to exquisite food and drinks created by The Joule culinary team including roasted zucchini and spinach soup with whipped parmesan cream and focaccia croutons; dry aged New York strip with ravioli, broccoli rabe and green peppercorns; and limoncello mousse with a mélange of berries, and a polen fennel cookie.

The Aging Mind live auction gave guests the opportunity to bid on seven fabulous items such as an ultimate staycation at the Joule Hotel; an exclusive golf experience and lunch at the Dallas National Golf Club with Cowboys legend Ed “Too Tall” Jones and former Dallas Maverick all-star Jason “Jet” Terry; a private hunt at Togo Island; a Palm Desert driving experience; a VIP Hollywood trip to attend a taping of “Will & Grace;” private wine tastings and tours of Jean-Charles Boisset Collection in Napa Valley and Delouch Vineyards in Russian River Valley; and an exclusive VIP dinner at AT&T Stadium for the 2019 NFL Season kickoff.

Country singer Jay Allenentertained guests. Among his songs, Allen sang “Blank Stares,” a song he recently wrote and recorded in honor of his mother, who passed away from Alzheimer’s in February.

The evening concluded with a rooftop after-party on The Joule Terrace with the rich elements of the Dallas night sky.

The Joule Hotel was the presenting sponsor for the Aging Mind Gala. Additional sponsors included Headington Companies, Forty Five Ten, Mirador, The Spa at the Joule, CBD Provisions, Midnight Rambler, Wheelhouse, Sassetta, Maestro Dobel Tequila, Genevieve Gurchak, Pogo’s, PaperCity, Heritage Auctions, Thermal Club, BMW Performance Driving School, Jean Charles Boisset Collection in Napa Valley, Raymond Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery, Elleco Construction, Newt Walker Company, Vitro, Home Health Companions, Harbor Chase and Long Cove.

Since the founding in 2013 and with the backing of Michael Tregoning, President of Headington Companies, the Aging Mind Foundation has raised over $2 million to fund high-quality brain research. Alzheimer’s is the fifth leading cause of death for those 65 and older and one of the most expensive diseases in the nation. There is currently no way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression. Aging Mind Foundation is dedicated to supporting research designed to find the cause of the dementias.

For more information on these events and the Aging Mind Foundation, please visit AgingMindFoundation.orgor Facebook.com/AgingMindFoundation.

The intersection of education and sports forever changed two local men’s lives

Dr. Nate Hearne grew up in poverty: one of eight children living in a small three-room house that lacked indoor plumbing. His mother worked as a domestic helper and his father a gas station attendant in a small West Texas town. He struggled with trust issues. But he left a lasting legacy on many young people along the way.

“I grew up wearing hand-me-down clothes with patches sewn on them,” says Dr. Hearne.  “I hated elementary school. I wanted to quit. But when I started seventh grade, I had a science teacher, Mr. Clyde Hague, who greeted me every day with a smile, a firm handshake, and an encouraging word. Because of his affirmations in the classroom, I came to a self-awareness that those C’s and D’s I made in elementary school were not an indication of my intelligence.”

Dr. Hearne met another strong influencer when he tried out for seventh grade football.

“Because of my football coach, Mark Wallace, who affirmed me on the field every day, I came to the awareness that those clothes with patches on them and holes in my shoes were not indications of who I was going to be.”

Hearne went from being a kid who hated school to wanting to be a coach and a science teacher. 

“Those men saved my life.  I continued making good grades. I went to high school and made the honor roll. I attended college on an academic scholarship.  I coached football and taught science for 25 years. And the only reason I went into teaching and coaching was to live out those two men’s legacies. Every athlete that I coached, I wanted to give him that big Coach Wallace hug and tell them, ‘I knew you could do it.’ I wanted to affirm every student that came into my classroom as Mr. Hague had done for me.’’

Dr. Hearne was an assistant coach in the Permian High School football program when they won six State Championships. In 1988, an author followed Permian through their football season and wrote “Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and A Dream,” which made the New York Times “Top Ten Bestsellers” List. In 2004, the film was released. A few years later the television show became an Emmy-Award winning series.

“When my book, “Friday Night Lights: Untold Stories from Behind the Lights” was released, many former students reconnected with me,” said Dr. Hearne. “One of those students was Tony Carimi. I was his basketball coach when he was a 16-year-old high school sophomore. Recently, Tony invited me to speak at the annual executive leadership meeting for his company, Park Place Dealerships, and we reminisced about the good ol’ days.”

Today, Tony Carimi is the Chief Operating Officer at Irving–based Park Place Dealerships.

“Coach, do you remember that conditioning drill you had us do called snakes?” Carimi asked. “I said, “Yes, I definitely do.”

For this drill players would run out of the main gym and up into the stands. They would run up and down the stairs, snaking their way through the stands, across all the stands. And they’d have to do this before practice even began.

“Tony could run those snakes drill all day and never break a sweat. He ran his hardest and never quit… never slowed down. I remember one day hearing the upper classmen berating Tony.”

“Carimi, slow down. You’re making the rest of us look bad, if you don’t slow down we’re going to get you after practice,” his teammate said. 

“I blew the whistle to end the conditioning, and called Tony over. I looked him in the eye. ‘Carimi, don’t you EVER let anyone else dictate your behavior on this team. You have been blessed with a special gift, and I want you to use that gift every single day,’ I told him.”

“You have individuals and experiences that leave an everlasting impression on your life,” remembers Carimi.  “Coach taught me valuable leadership and character qualities.  He invested in cultivating and growing not only great athletes but even better humans.  He personally helped maximize my potential for the short-term goal of winning a game, while planting seeds to help maximize my potential in the larger game of life.” 

Dr. Hearne and Carimi recently teamed up to make a dream come true for Dr. Hearne’s wife, Callie.

“I wanted to do something special for my wife’s birthday,” recalls Dr. Hearne. “As I drove by the Park Place Motorcars store in Arlington one day, I remembered how Callie always dreamed of driving a Mercedes-Benz. But I absolutely hate the car buying experience. It’s just hard for me to trust.”

Park Place has just the right touch with its “One Touch” solution, providing clients with a single person to walk them through the entire purchasing process. This allows the sales associate and client to build trust to help with all of the client’s needs. 

Dr. Hearne remembered Tony was in upper management at Park Place and gave him a call.  Carimi said, ‘Coach, don’t worry about it. Call your wife and have her meet you at the dealership.’ 

“When she sat in the car, I asked how she liked it, said Hearne. “Of course, she said she loved it. And then I told her it was hers. Even the receptionist was crying. It was a magical moment.” 

“For me, it is an honor to be part of something so special in his life,” said Carimi.  “To help Dr. Hearne purchase Callie’s dream car was a role that was decades in the making. For me to be a member of an organization that reflects the constant striving for excellence that he helped impress upon me as a young man, brings the story full circle.  Through my role at Park Place, combined with the relationship I have had with Dr. Hearne for more than 30 years, I was able to leave an impression on his life.” 

“My wife and I had never been treated with such respect and professionalism before in the car buying experience,” concluded Dr. Hearne. “Park Place is ‘My Place’ because it’s all about the service.” 

“It is more than just games won or transactions that business creates,” said Carimi. “To know that Dr. Hearne is able to look in his rearview mirror as he leaves our dealership and say, ”wow,” makes all of those snake drills worth it!”

Ken Schnitzer founded Park Place Dealerships in 1987 with a single Mercedes-Benz dealership on Oak Lawn. Today, Park Place employs more than 2,000 people. For more info, visit parkplace.com.