CBT News Co-Founder Jim Fitzpatrick caught up with Donald Wallace Kemp, General Sales Manager at Stowasser Buick GMC and a recipient of CBT News’ 2025 40 Under 40 award, which honors rising talent and outstanding achievements among today’s retail automotive professionals.
Kemp’s career in retail automotive began during the 2008 financial crisis. He started in vehicle detailing before moving into sales, quickly advancing through roles as finance manager, finance director, and now general sales manager.
In his current role, Kemp oversees the day-to-day operations of the new and used-car departments. He sets daily, weekly, and monthly goals for both departments while working closely with service and parts teams to ensure a smooth and pleasant experience for every customer.
"I've really taken pride in the ability to work with the staff and try to have a creative outlook on how we're going to approach each obstacle."
Kemp takes pride in his growth as a leader and continually seeks to develop his skills, implementing innovative strategies that have a lasting impact on his team and customers. He cites his proudest professional achievement as revamping the finance department’s processes while serving as Finance Director.
Looking ahead to 2026, Kemp and his team are focused on rebuilding trust with customers and educating them to make better financial decisions. During the pandemic, many buyers accepted high markups and extended loan terms. Now, many customers are returning to trade in vehicles but are upside-down on their loans. Kemp’s team is helping customers navigate shorter, more equitable terms—such as 60-month loans—so they are in a stronger financial position in the years ahead.
Over the next five years, Kemp envisions himself working more closely with ownership, taking a more active role in high-level decision-making and overall dealership operations.
