Growth rarely follows a straight line, but the lessons learned along the way define the leaders who last. On today’s episode of Training Camp, Adam Marburger welcomes Townsend Auto Group leaders: General Manager Kielan Whitner and his father, Acquisition Manager Keith Whitner, who share how perseverance, family leadership, and hard-earned lessons have shaped their approach to growth.
Before beginning his career in retail automotive, Keith was a professional baseball player. He spent several years playing for the Detroit Tigers before stepping away to open and operate multiple sports training facilities in Atlanta. A Los Angeles native, Keith grew up watching lowriders cruise along Crenshaw Boulevard, where his love for cars developed. His passion for lowrides is evident today is his personal collection, which includes several ’64s, ’61s, and a ’57 Bel Air convertible.
Despite his love for lowriders, Keith’s journey into automotive was unexpected. His father-in-law was already in the business and had begun selling dealerships. To keep the business in the family, Keith’s wife suggested relocating to Tuscaloosa to help her father manage and grow the operation.
Once immersed in the dealership, Keith committed himself to learning every aspect of the business from the ground up. He served as a lot manager, assisted with cleanup duties, and worked in the service lane, gaining firsthand experience across departments and building a deep understanding of dealership operations.
Today, the dealership remains a true family operation. While working alongside relatives can be challenging, the family embraces it. Kielan believes friction is necessary for growth, noting that without challenge, progress tends to stall.
"I don't want a frictionless workplace. If there's a lack of friction, that means we're not challenging the status quo." — Kielan Whitner
Setbacks can also be a powerful catalyst for growth. In 2025, one of the group’s primary goals was to reduce aged inventory across its used-vehicle departments. Although a plan was in place, unexpected challenges disrupted execution, resulting in performance suffering. Looking back, Kielan identified strategic planning as the core area of opportunity.
The original plan assumed linear progress, something the real world rarely delivers. Moving forward, Kielan and his team are stress testing their strategies by intentionally challenging them with potential obstacles that could arise throughout the year. The goal is to identify weaknesses early and build more resilient plans.
"You have to find a way to be kind... Being kind to everyone—not only opens doors—but opens minds." — Keith Whitner
Perseverance through adversity remains central to both leaders’ philosophies. Keith’s advice to individuals who feel stuck or frustrated is simple, yet often overlooked: choose kindness. He emphasizes not allowing bitterness or difficult circumstances to dictate how you treat others, noting that kindness opens the door to meaningful conversations, stronger relationships and long-term growth.
For young automotive professionals looking to advance, Kielan encourages unwavering belief in oneself, lifting others along the way and giving full effort every day. Keith adds a practical recommendation of his own: join a gym. Physical discipline is the foundation for confidence, resilience, and consistency both inside and outside the dealership.
Together, Keith and Kielan Whitner offer a grounded view of leadership built on discipline, adaptability, and personal accountability. Their experiences highlight the value of learning every role, pressure-testing strategy, and embracing friction as a necessary part of progress. By combining resilience with kindness and confidence with humility, their approach reflects a long-term mindset that prioritizes sustainable growth, stronger teams, and leadership development across every level of the dealership.
