May 11, 2021

As the first quarter of 2021 ends, the end of the pandemic is beginning to look like it might be closer than anyone thought as recently as January. A new president is in the White House, three vaccines have been approved for use, and medical professionals throughout the nation are getting those vaccines into people at an accelerating rate. The country is moving closer to herd immunity every day. As a result, analysts and industry executives expect strong demand as the economy stabilizes. Early forecasts predict vehicle sales between 15.6 million and 16 million.

With the FDA’s issuance of an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for multiple COVID-19 vaccines and vaccines becoming more widely available, many U.S. employers, eager to safely transition employees back to work or transition workplaces back to normal, are considering implementing vaccine recommendations or mandates in the workplace. The fluidity of the pandemic has yielded yet another decision point for employers — can employees be required to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment?

My degree was in communications. I wanted to work in the advertising field, and actually, I really wanted to be a travel agent and travel around the world. I had moved to Dallas for an entry-level job, and they were getting ready to promote me. My father was adamant about me not doing that, so he intervened. He knew that if I went any further, I would never come home. He wanted me to advertise for our company instead, so I went from working for an agency to working for the company.

This was a move for you and your family; what brought this on?
It was a bit unexpected. Gay Williams announced her retirement, and Don Hall, with the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, brought it to my attention and encouraged me to consider applying for the position.