HENDERSON AUTOMOTIVE FAMILY

About Henderson Automotive: Full-service automobile dealership.

Rank on Top 100: 9

Top Executive: Randy Henderson

Employees: 130

Website: www.HendersonAutomotiveFamily.com

We asked Randy Henderson, CEO, to talk about his business.

Question: Tell me briefly about your business.
Henderson: We provide the following: automotive sales, retail (fleet, certified and pre-owned) service, parts, collision center, new vehicle franchises for Chrysler Jeep, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury.

Question: How did your business get started?
Henderson: They were takeovers of existing businesses.

Question: What does being on the Top 100 mean for your business?
Henderson: It was certainly an honor for us; it confirms our level of growth.

Question: What is the outlook for auto sales in this area?
Henderson: The outlook for the near-term will possibly be flat for 2007, with projected growth trends in 2008 and 2009.

Question: What trends are you seeing among your customers in terms of preferences?
Henderson: In general, we are seeing more options in features being used across the model lines. There is some steadiness with our truck products and growth with our car products.

Question: What are the biggest opportunities you see ahead, as well as the biggest challenges?
Henderson: The biggest opportunity is that all the manufacturers we enjoy relationships with have exciting and innovative products and they are being introduced within a short period of time. The biggest challenges would be the state of the economy and the issues of consolidation surrounding our industry.

Question: What would you like to see happen in our region, and in our state, to help businesses thrive?
Henderson: I would like to see a more business friendly attorney general, and a more business friendly tax structure.