In January 2025, Craig Tilleman will join the NADA board of directors. Among the many new responsibilities of this position, being the voice for Montana dealers in D.C. is one that Craig is ready to take on. As a second-generation dealer and owner of Tilleman Motor Co., he understands all too well the issues facing dealers today and is prepared to take on this challenge. 

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Craig and learn more about membership in the association, issues facing dealers, what he can do to help from D.C., and his career. The following are excerpts from our conversation. 

How long have you been an MTADA member, what positions have you held and why is membership important? 

Tilleman Motor Co. has been a member of MTADA for decades — before I moved here and joined my dad at the dealership in 1998. I started getting active in the association around 2002. I have served as a regional director, president and past president for MTADA. When I was president, I was also on the board of the Health Trust and have been on the board ever since. I am a lifetime member. 

There are many benefits of membership. One of the most important is it provides access to the Health Trust. The trust offers smaller dealers a competitive place and market to get health insurance. It is easier for big dealers to get insurance on their own. But for a little dealer with a small number of employees, it’s harder to get a competitive rate. A good portion of dealers belong to the trust. We pool our money, have reserves and run it as a self-insured health trust. There are many components involved in managing the trust. It’s complicated, but I enjoy it! 

What are the top issues facing Montana dealers right now? 

There are a lot of government regulations that are stifling business. Regulations that are supposed to be in the best interests of the customers, but they’re not. It becomes very difficult for small businesses to manage all the different regulations and rules that come out of D.C.

As you start your term as the state NADA director, do you have any goals? 

I’m going into this with my eyes wide open, prepared to get to work, join committees and help wherever I can. I’m direct and vocal. I will let people know when I have an issue. These qualities are a benefit, especially in a setting like this. 

How can the MTADA membership help support you in this role? 

Please let me know if there is an issue or something that needs to be discussed at the national level. I will bring up any member concerns at the board meetings. In short, take the time to communicate. We’re all busy in our lives, and running a car dealership is very time-consuming, but you can’t complain too much if you’re not involved.

Did you always plan on going into the industry? 

I was a chemical engineer and had no plans of changing careers until my father needed help with his growing dealership and asked me to move home and help. At 28, I moved back to Havre, Montana, and joined my father in business. 

I am happy I came back because I enjoy living here. I’m glad my kids grew up here. I’m thankful that I live close to my parents. I have always had a good relationship with them, but I have a much different, more meaningful relationship after 26 years of working with my dad and spending so much time with my mom. I am so grateful for that.

What do you love most about the industry? 

The relationships with my customers. The other day, I sold a car to a repeat customer who used to buy from my dad, and now he comes to me. The customer thanked me for selling him a car and hugged me. That’s what this business is all about, earning lifetime customers that become part of the family. 

My employees are like family as well. The first person my dad hired to work here retired at the same time my dad did. That employee’s son came to work for us and just retired. The second person my dad hired kept working for me when I took over, and he retired shortly after my dad passed away. I’m very proud that we have lots of long‑term employees. I am so grateful for my employees.

I’m thankful to be part of this great community. They have supported us for so many years. I am proud of what Tillman Motor Co. has done to give back. We just finished our 24th Annual Celebrity Pheasant Hunt, where we raised money for MSU-Northern scholarships for the football, wrestling, basketball and cross country teams. My dad started this event, and I’m moving forward with it.