On today's show I chatted about everything automotive with Tom Kelley, president of family-owned Kelley Automotive Group, founded in Fort Wayne in 1952 by his father, Jim, the day Tom was born.
Tom joined the business in 1974 after earning a business degree at IU and playing college golf, using the sport to build relationships with figures like Bobby Knight and George H.W. Bush. He explains how dealership growth accelerated after GM relaxed multi-store restrictions, expanding into multiple brands and markets including Atlanta, Clearwater, and Oklahoma, and how GM's 2010 bankruptcy eliminated divisions like Saturn and Saab, forcing closures, layoffs, asset sales, and new partners to survive.
Tom also recounts entering IndyCar through Tony George and George's grandfather Tony Hulman, running the Indy 500, and later selling Kelley Racing to form what became Ed Carpenter Racing.
He highlights Fort Wayne's civic collaboration, philanthropy, youth career pathways, and why Indiana's people, opportunity, and sports history make it home.
If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.
You are going to learn about:
- How Tom Kelley Scaled Kelley Automotive Group
- Why Tom Started an IndyCar Team
- Tom's Caddying Experience with Presidents
Thank you to our partners:
NCW
Check out these great clips from the show:
00:00 Survival Mindset Teaser
01:18 Guest Introduction: Tom Kelley, Kelley Automotive Group
02:29 Born Into Dealerships and Flying
04:39 Golf Dreams and Career Choice
06:27 Golf Connections and Bobby Knight
08:47 Dealership Growth Rules and Strategy
12:32 Atlanta Expansion and GM Shutdowns
17:05 After Dad Passed Estate Decisions
18:34 How Dealership Financing Works
21:45 Fair Deals and Repeat Customers
24:51 IndyCar Team Origin Story
30:19 Calling the Indy 500
32:24 Caddying for Presidents
36:03 Fame Privacy and Social Media
37:44 Surviving GM Collapse
39:37 Tsunami Bankruptcy Fallout
41:19 Hard Calls With Empathy
41:59 Credit Lines Crisis
43:15 Partners and Sacrifice
44:45 Fort Wayne Rally Crew
45:50 Electric Works Breakthrough
47:34 Sweetwater and Chuck
51:21 Career Pathways For Kids
55:12 Passion Beats Quitting
57:45 Why Indiana Feels Home
59:06 Golf and Fort Wayne Eats
01:02:44 Bring Back The Pistons
01:05:09 Indiana Sports Legacy
01:07:20 Hidden Gem Northeast
01:08:13 Hoosier To Watch
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