Bradley B. Dillon serves as president of Dennis Dillon Co., a family-owned and operated automotive business that has been serving customers in Idaho’s Treasure Valley for more than 33 years. As the son of company founder Dennis Dillon, Brad is a knowledgeable RVer and boater himself who has helped guide the company’s evolution since Dennis opened his first GMC Motorhome Center in 1973.

Under Brad’s leadership, Dennis Dillon Co. has grown to become Idaho’s largest motorhome dealer, operating multiple locations throughout the Treasure Valley. The company serves Boise, Meridian, Caldwell and Nampa with quality vehicles from brands including Nissan, GMC, Mazda, Kia, Jeep and Chrysler, while also offering comprehensive RV, marine and powersports divisions.

Brad maintains the company’s founding philosophy of treating customers like neighbors rather than faceless transactions, with many team members having worked with the company since its early days. His personal passion for outdoor recreation aligns perfectly with the company’s mission of providing the tools for customers’ recreational adventures and family memories throughout Idaho’s diverse landscape.

Kelly Olson has made history as the first woman to serve as President/CEO of Western States Equipment Company, leading the Caterpillar dealer since 2019 with a mission of “Building our communities for a better tomorrow.” She has implemented programs like the company’s accredited Technician Academy and remote-controlled “Cat Command” technology that allows equipment operation from anywhere in the world.

Under her guidance, Western States has grown to employ approximately 1,100 people across 17 locations in five states, servicing 191,000 square miles.

Olson joined Western States in 2004 as finance manager and advanced through multiple leadership roles including vice president of finance before her promotion to president. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Montana State University and maintains an active CPA license since 2003.

Her leadership emphasizes employee development through programs like paid volunteer time off and the nine-month Technician Academy, which creates skilled workforce pathways through partnerships with local high schools. The company recently opened a $40 million, 120,000-square-foot facility in Liberty Lake, demonstrating continued growth under her strategic direction.

Grant Petersen Jr. has led the family automotive business for decades, growing Bronco Motors from a single location to six dealerships with more than 150 employees across the Treasure Valley. He most recently led the acquisition of Bronco Motors by Kendall Auto Group in July 2025.

Under his leadership, Bronco Motors expanded from its 1971 origins to become one of Idaho’s premier automotive dealership groups, representing Hyundai, Nissan, Infiniti and Mitsubishi brands.

Petersen began in the automotive industry at age 9, pulling weeds, cleaning offices and washing cars in his father’s business. He guided major expansions including the 1993 Fairview Auto Row superstore, partnerships with Nissan (2002), Mitsubishi (2010), Treasure Valley Hyundai (2011) and Idaho’s first Infiniti dealership (2013).

Petersen serves as President of the Idaho Automobile Dealers Association, where he successfully advocated for landmark legislation preserving the franchise model in Idaho. His commitment to environmental sustainability includes implementing state-of-the-art recycling centers across all dealerships and promoting electric and hybrid vehicles through his manufacturer partnerships.

Brady Peterson serves as President of Peterson Auto Group, representing the fourth generation of family leadership in Idaho’s largest car dealership chain. A 2016 Automotive News 40 under 40 honoree, Brady earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from BYU Marriott School of Business and completed the NADA Dealer Academy program.

Since April 2009, Brady has overseen operations across multiple automotive brands including Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram. Peterson Auto Group operates 10 brands across five locations in Boise, Meridian and Nampa, continuing a legacy that began in 1923.

Under Brady’s leadership alongside his brother Nils, the company has maintained its commitment to family values while serving multiple generations of customers. Many clients are third- and fourth-generation customers, reflecting the deep community relationships that have defined Peterson’s century-long presence in Idaho’s automotive landscape. The company’s philosophy views each sale as the beginning of a lasting relationship and welcome into the Peterson family.

Justin McAfee has established himself as a key leader in Idaho’s equipment industry as co-owner and manager and finance/accounting manager of Boise West Equipment Company. His most significant recent accomplishment includes building the company into a trusted regional provider of used construction equipment, trucks and industrial machinery with more than 20 years of experience in the used truck and equipment business.

Under McAfee’s financial management and co-ownership, Boise West Equipment Company has developed expertise across multiple sectors including light industrial and heavy construction equipment, over-the-road trucks and trailers, pickups, compressors, snow removal equipment and various miscellaneous industrial items. The company operates from its Boise location serving customers throughout Idaho and the Northwest region.

McAfee brings strong financial acumen to the equipment dealership industry, combining business management skills with deep knowledge of construction and industrial equipment markets. His dual role as both co-owner and finance manager allows him to provide comprehensive oversight of operations while ensuring sound financial stewardship of the growing business.

Steven Schow has built upon his family’s 75-year legacy in Idaho’s trucking industry, leading Schows Truck and Equipment as President while maintaining the company’s reputation for excellence without compromise. He helped establish the company as Idaho’s No. 1 Western Star Truck Dealer, specializing in custom-built trucks designed to perform in any terrain, climate or application requirements.

Since its founding in 1949, Schows has evolved from a service station business into a comprehensive truck and equipment dealership with multiple locations across Idaho. Under Schow’s leadership, the company operates as a full-service dealer offering Class 8 trucks, new and used truck sales, service and parts, while maintaining partnerships with national leaders including Western Star Trucks and NationaLease.

Schow has maintained the company’s commitment to personal customer service while expanding its capabilities to include multi-axle truck alignments using the latest Hunter alignment and balancing equipment.

Schows Truck and Equipment employs 50-99 people and generates $10-25 million in annual revenue, demonstrating sustained growth while preserving the family business values.

Jake DeBerg has established himself as a leader in Idaho’s construction industry through his role as strategic account manager for United Rentals and his commitment to advancing the construction community. His most significant recent accomplishment includes being selected as the 2025 Chair of the Idaho Associated General Contractors Membership Forum, where he works to grow AGC membership and provide meaningful membership experiences.

In his role at United Rentals, DeBerg manages strategic accounts and helps construction companies across Idaho access the equipment and tools they need for successful project completion. United Rentals provides more than 3,300 equipment and tool classes for industrial and construction sites.

As membership forum chair, DeBerg leads quarterly meetings focused on growing Idaho AGC membership and works collaboratively with AGC staff to enhance member experiences. His dual role in equipment rental and industry leadership positions him as a bridge between service providers and contractors, helping strengthen Idaho’s construction ecosystem.

Randy Stewart has led Mountain View Equipment Company for more than 50 years as an award-winning dealership in the hay and forage industry, serving agricultural customers across Idaho and Washington.

Stewart helped lead the completion of a new $10 million facility in Jerome, featuring nine service bays, a 10-ton overhead crane and 5,000 square feet of parts storage on a 13-acre site.

“I would like to personally thank the thousands of customers we service, and I look forward to meeting many more of you,” Stewart said. “Mountain View Equipment Company firmly believes in the importance of offering the ‘best in class’ service in all departments.”

Under Stewart’s leadership, the company has grown to four locations across southern Idaho and eastern Washington, serving hay, forage, dairy, construction and landscape markets. The company carries leading equipment brands including CLAAS, New Holland, Oxbo, Amazone, MacDon, Ferris and PARMA, supported by professionally trained personnel and CLAAS-Certified Master Technicians.

Haley Hennessey has transformed Tates Rents into a 100% employee-owned company while maintaining its 75-year legacy as the Treasure Valley’s premier equipment rental provider. She successfully transitioned the family-owned business to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan in December 2020 and completed the company’s first acquisition under employee ownership with the purchase of McCall Rental and Sales in 2021.

“Know what you don’t know. I’m lucky enough to lead a company with hundreds of years of combined rental industry experience,” Hennessey said.

Under her leadership, Tates Rents has expanded beyond its traditional scaffolding roots to offer Idaho’s largest inventory of rental equipment, with more than 50,000 replacement parts from more than 100 suppliers. Hennessey was recognized as one of Idaho Business Review’s “Accomplished Under 40” in 2021, acknowledging her professional achievement, leadership and community service.

A Boise State University graduate, Hennessey emphasizes the company’s culture of “treating people right, working hard and playing hard” while investing heavily in software improvements to enhance customer experience in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Jim Sterk has spent 26 years as a general manager in the automotive industry, with 17 years leading Lithia Ford Boise. His most significant recent accomplishment is the dealership’s 11 consecutive Ford President Awards and 13 Lithia Partners Group Platinum Awards — the most in company history.

Sterk graduated from the NADA GM Academy in 1996 and has navigated numerous industry challenges throughout his career.

“Many recessions, strikes, [the] pandemic, all very difficult to navigate,” Sterk said. “Been around a while, seen a lot.”

His career began out of necessity when he was unemployed and applied to sell cars at a local dealership in Pueblo, Colorado. From there, he made a goal of becoming a general manager and never looked back.

“I set my sights on becoming a GM of a car dealership, and honestly haven’t thought of anything else,” he said. “[I] would have no idea what else I could or would want to do.”

His goals for the coming year include continuing to earn industry awards while focusing on being “a good husband, father, grandfather.”