[Page S2605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                    RECOGNIZING MIKE MOLSTEAD MOTORS

<bullet> Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair of the Senate Committee on 
Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an 
outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Mike 
Molstead Motors of Charles City, IA, as the Senate Small Business of 
the Week.
  In 1982, while attending the University of Northern Iowa and playing 
football, Mike Molstead began selling cars at a local dealership in 
Cedar Falls, IA. He worked his way up to general sales manager before 
deciding to open his own dealership. In 1995, encouraged by his wife 
Paula and with the financial backing of two friends, Mike opened Mike 
Molstead Motors in Charles City, IA, and purchased the entire business 
within a year. In the early days of operation, Molstead Motors 
primarily sold General Motors cars, but in 1997, the dealership outgrew 
its downtown location and moved to the outskirts of Charles City to 
make room for Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac vehicles. In 2012, shortly 
after an expansion to sell Ford vehicles, Mike acquired a neighboring 
Chrysler dealership and opened a second location across the street. In 
2021, the growing business further expanded its lineup by adding GMC 
trucks to the new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram center.
  Today, Mike Molstead Motors continues to operate from two locations 
in Charles City and employs over 75 loyal team members across three 
core divisions: sales, service and parts, and detailing. The business's 
emphasis on real-time market pricing and personalized financing, in 
addition to top-tier auto repair and detail servicing, cemented the 
dealership's positive reputation across Iowa. Today, Mike's sons have 
stepped up to take part in the family business. Jordan and Josh serve 
as vice presidents of the company, Jackson works as a sales manager, 
and Jared--alongside his wife Kelly--leads the business development 
center.
  Beyond the business, Mike Molstead Motors maintains a strong presence 
in the greater Charles City area. As a former football and basketball 
coach at the local high school, Mike is proud to have contributed over 
$400,000 to Charles City schools over the years, including a $150,000 
donation to complete a new gym at Charles City Middle School. Mike 
Molstead Motors also recently collaborated with other local businesses 
to donate over $36,000 to the Charles City Police Department to 
purchase specialized ballistic equipment, in addition to frequently 
loaning cars to local law enforcement for canine training sessions. In 
recent years, the business has partnered with the Waterloo Black Hawks 
for Hockey Fights Cancer Night, donating over $10,000 to the American 
Cancer Society this past February. The dealership regularly hosts 
fundraisers like Ford Drive 4 UR School and participates in community 
associations, including the Charles City Chamber of Commerce, the 
Charles City Area Development Corporation, and the Charles City Lions 
Club. In 2023, CarGurus named Mike Molstead Motors a Top-Rated Dealer 
and awarded the dealership with their third Customer First Award for 
Excellence. In 2021, TIME Magazine named Mike as a top five national 
finalist for the TIME Dealer of the Year award.
  The entrepreneurial drive and commitment to community demonstrated by 
Mike Molstead Motors is clear. As they celebrate their 30th anniversary 
this year, I want to congratulate the Molstead family and the entire 
team at Mike Molstead Motors for their hard work and leadership in both 
business and service. I look forward to seeing their continued growth 
and success.<bullet>

                          ____________________