Friday, November 21, 1997

Car dealership juggling complete

By Doug Williamson / Abilene Reporter-News

Ray Sisneros is the new Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealer in Abilene.

Sisneros, owner of Sisneros Pontiac-GMC in San Marcos, purchased the dealerships from General Motors.

The transaction culminates a juggling of Abilene dealerships caused by GM's brand marketing strategy of channeling franchises. GM wants complementary vehicle lines grouped together at dealerships.

In September, Fred Hughes Motors announced that it was selling its Buick, Cadillac, Nissan and Pontiac franchises. Rocket Oldsmobile purchased the Cadillac and Nissan dealerships and GM bought Buick and Pontiac from Hughes and GMC Truck lines from Rocket.

Sisneros has taken over the 2200 N. 1st Hughes lot and its collision center at 1234 S. Clack.

"I am excited to be in Abilene and to be a part of the automotive community," said Sisneros, who serves as both owner and president of the dealership. "I see this as a fantastic business opportunity."

Sisneros said he tries to view things through the eyes of the customer. Employees are trained th think that way, he said.

He has been in the retail and wholesale automotive business for 20 years. He began with a GM dealership in northern New Mexico and then worked for 13 years for the Oldsmobile Division of GM on various assignments.

Sisneros served as the general manager for Coulter Motor Co. in Tempe, Ariz., and he was instrumental in opening the Tempe Autoplex.

Mike Sullivan, formerly vice president of Fred Hughes Motors, is the new general manager for Sisneros.

KEAN being sold

SunGroup Inc. of Sarasota, Fla., owner of KEAN AM & FM and KROW FM, has entered into a letter of intent to purchase the stations and four others.

Sunburst Media Management Inc. of Dallas is offering $24 million for the broadcasting outlets. The letter of intent also leaves SunGroup with its accounts receivable and cash.

"I'm excited about the possible sale," said KEAN General Manager Lou Murray. "I see it as a possibility to grow even more."

Sunburst owns stations in Springfield, Mo.; Lake Charles, La.; and McAllen-Brownsville. SunGroup's stations are in Abilene, Longview, Bryan, Shreveport and Albuquerque.

Three of the SunGroup stations are No. 1 in their markets and a fourth is No. 1 in its target demographic group. Murray said.

The transaction still must be approved by the shareholders of both companies and federal agencies.

David Curry was named "Young Engineer of the Year" Thursday night by the Abilene Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.

The 1993 Texas A&M University graduate works with Tippett and Gee Consulting Engineers in Abilene.

The mechanical engineer's achievements include engineering support of the design and installation of a fuel-conversion system for a large electrical generating station and responsibility as the lead project mechanical engineer for the connection of a co-generation facility to an oil refinery.

Curry has been active in the local TSPE chapter, the United Way Day of Caring and other civic and church work.

SWB in HEB

Southwestern Bell Wireless has opened a store in the HEB at South 14th and Barrow.

The full-service store includes cellular (wireless), paging and messaging products and services.

Manager Cecilia Bowers said three employees will work there. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

The store is located between the photo processing shop and First National Bank branch.

Several joint ventures between SWB Wireless and HEB are open across the state. In Abilene SWB Wireless has kiosks in Wal-Marts and another location at 3329 Turner Drie.

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