Findlay VW exec celebrates 30th year with company

In a state dominated by unemployment and turnover, Findlay Volkswagen General Manager James Krumme is happy to be working for the same company that hired him as a lot porter in 1980.

On Jan. 14, the 49-year-old Krumme celebrated 30 years with Findlay Automotive Group, and you can bet that he's not moving on any time soon.

"At the time that I wandered into Findlay Oldsmobile at 3024 E. Fremont St. as a teenager, I was attempting to become a professional motocross rider," explained Krumme, a native Las Vegan. "I thought that I could fund my motocross career by getting a job with Findlay Olds. But the motocross career didn't work out because I couldn't commit to it financially, so I unexpectedly found a home with Findlay Automotive Group."

Krumme found himself working as a lot porter in a dealership that Pete Findlay opened in 1961.

"Right off the bat, I liked the fact that Cliff and Ed Findlay were into drag racing," Krumme said, laughing. "All of a sudden, I was working on their race cars, and having the time of my life. I worked as a lot porter for three months, and then worked as a technician working on cars. I did that for 11 years."

After being named service director by Cliff Findlay in 1991, Krumme continued his climb up the ladder at the age of 30. He went to a newly opened Oldsmobile store in the Valley Automall serving as general manager in the mid-1990s.

Eventually, Krumme would become service director of Findlay Volkswagen in 2002. He became general manager of the store in 2008.

"When the economy tanked in the fall of 2008, the Findlay group stuck it out and muddled through the recession," recalled Krumme. "It was a terrible time for all of us, but the entire operation continued to grow. Many car dealers left Las Vegas or shut down their dealerships, and this chain is going as strong as ever.

"There is a level of dedication to this city by Findlay Automotive Group that you just don't find very often. Anywhere you go, people know of the Findlay name. When a person buys a car from this group, they don't have to worry."

Krumme escapes the rigors of the car business by participating in triathlons. He began competing in September of 2009 adding that he realized he needed to stay in shape; and is proud of the fact that he finished one of the hardest Iron Man events in the world on Nov. 7, 2010.

"Staying physically fit is so vitally important especially when you get into your 40s," said Krumme. "By staying fit, I have been able to avoid the stress that takes so many others down. It's all about discipline whether it's the car business or taking care of yourself."

Cliff Findlay lauded his long-time employee.

"We love to see people thrive, and we promote from within," Findlay said. "He is a proven product of our model and he has gone from the bottom position all the way to the top. We love him like a brother, and he's part of the family. He's almost like one of the kids although we need to keep him off the race track."

Findlay Automotive Group has several employees who have been with the company for more than 25 years including courier Charlie Davis; Findlay Toyota GM Rich Abajian; Cliff Findlay Auto Center (Kingman, Ariz.) General Manager Hank Nolte; Bobbie and Dennis Rand, both of Findlay Cadillac; and Findlay Kia Service Manager Bob Williams.

Findlay Automotive Group now has 22 stores in Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Idaho. Findlay Volkswagen is situated in the Valley Automall.