Franchesca Doty, daughter of Greg and Julie Runde has joined the family business that has been around since 1927. She will be working with the office staff and managing Accounts Payable. Hometown: East Dubuque, IL Favorite Food: I don’t really have a favorite food, I like to try new foods and I love to cook so it’s always fun to experiment with different recipes. What is your work background in the Auto Industry?: I’ve been around the auto industry my whole life, but I’ve never held a full time job here so I’m excited to get work with my family and learn the family business! Pets: A dog named Baxter. What is your Favorite vehicle?: My favorite vehicle is probably the Chevy Tahoe. What you like to do in your spare time?: I like to read, cook, and spend time [...]

Runde Auto Group is excited to announce that Doug Frank of East Dubuque will be joining the Runde Staff as their new Marketing Director! Doug has had various marketing roles since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2012. “I am excited to learn more about the auto industry and be a part of a company that has been serving the Tri-State community for nearly 100 years.” When not in the office, Doug spends his time renovating his home and relaxing with his wife (Catie) and their two dogs (Millie & Lola). If you would like to talk about a sponsorship or marketing opportunity, please reach out to Doug Frank at marketing@rundeautogroup.com or visit our donation/sponsorship request page.        

In 1927, Alfred Runde opened the East Dubuque Garage in downtown East Dubuque. Fast forward 94 years and his great-grandson, Harrison Runde, is taking a seat at the table in the family business, which has since expanded to include four car dealerships. Harrison, who graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Business Management, is starting his career as a salesperson and assistant to his father, Greg Runde. While attending school, Harrison dabbled in the dealership’s washrack, IT, service and parts departments. “What made me want to get into sales was it was something I’ve never really done before, and I think I could be a good fit,” he said. Harrison is enthusiastic about joining the team at Runde Chevrolet. “My dad has taught me a lot about the business and I plan [...]

Please join us in welcoming Andrew Frommelt to the sales team at Runde PreDriven in Hazel Green! Andrew, who was born and raised in Dubuque, is also a server at The Moracco Supper Club. That experience has taught him how to work in a fast-paced work environment and make conversation with anyone – both skills that will help him in the auto industry. “The main reason I got into car sales is that I have been a car enthusiast for many years now and love learning about different cars,” he said. Andrew loves Ford Mustangs and has owned three of them: a 2008 Mustang GT (his first car), a 2011 Shelby GT500, and his current ride, a 2006 Mustang GT Supercharged. “In my spare time I just get in [...]

Runde Auto Group is pleased to announce that Aaron Young has been named the General Manager of Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manchester. Young, of Delhi, IA, has worked at the dealership for nine years. He began his career as a salesperson, and then worked as the dealership’s sales manager. He will continue to sell vehicles, along with his new duties of overseeing sales and service operations at the dealership. “I’m so honored to take on this leadership role,” Aaron said. “We’ve got a really great group of people here and I’m excited to really hit the ground running.” In his spare time, Aaron enjoys writing, cooking, working on motorcycles, and doing random acts of kindness, as well as hanging out with his daughter, Josie, who is currently attending college. “A [...]

Please join us in welcoming Mike Griesinger to the team at Runde PreDriven in Hazel Green! He has a long history in the automotive industry, starting his career as a technician, then doing painting and custom painting, and now in sales. “I wanted to work in sales because I like being around cars and it was time to do less physical things,” he said. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, woodworking, making Tomahawks and Viking Axes, as well as spending time with his children and grandchildren. His favorite vehicles are the Plymouth Superbird and the Hemi Cuda. If you are in the market for a used vehicle, Mike Griesinger can be reached at 866-396-6832 [...]

Enjoy this day-by-day recap of Runde sales manager Aaron Young’s Jeep adventure with his daughter, Josie: 2020 has been an interesting year to say the least. My daughter, Josie, and I decided to plan a much needed vacation to the Carolinas and enjoy some lazy time on the beach, see a lot of historical sites and explore, explore, explore! Seemed simple, but as we were within just a couple of weeks of going, Covid-19 cases were spiking in that area and regulations/shutdowns were a big unknown. Some of the metro areas were seeing violence break out and to top it off, there was a tropical storm headed that way. The idea of heading into all of that no longer seemed relaxing to either of us, so we tossed those plans away and made a new one: a Jeep adventure. Head out west and wing it, literally. No plans can be ruined when you [...]

Please join us in welcoming Nic Spriggs to the sales team at Runde Chevrolet Buick GMC in Platteville, WI! Nic grew up in Potosi, WI, playing high school basketball, baseball, and football. While he hasn’t previously worked in the automotive industry, he is catching on quickly and enjoying learning the ropes. “I like meeting new people and being able to help them out, so being an automotive salesperson is perfect,” he says. “My goal as a salesperson is to give every customer the best car buying experience possible so that they will always want to come back again.” His dream vehicle? A Rolls Royce Phantom. “They look awesome and they come equipped with some really crazy features,” he says. In his spare time, Nic enjoys watching and playing sports, as well as hanging out [...]

Please join us in welcoming Brent Phillips to the sales team at Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque! Brent, who was born and raised in Dubuque, is new to automotive sales. He has worked in auto repair in the past and also owned Murph’s Tap in Dubuque for four years. “I have always enjoyed being around vehicles and this gave me an opportunity to do that every day while earning a living,” he says. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking and camping with his wife Sarah and two daughters, 8-year-old Samantha, and 4-year-old Brianna, and their dog Jethro. He also enjoys grilling and doing anything outside. His favorite vehicle is the Chevy Camaro – specifically the early and late model second generation Camaros. “I had an ’81 the last year of the second [...]

The staff of Runde Auto Group would like to thank you for your business, support, and for being our customer at our dealerships in East Dubuque, Hazel Green, Platteville, and Manchester. We are thankful that you have continued to choose us for your vehicle sales and service needs. Deemed essential business, our dealerships remain open during this time. We continue to help you with sales and service while practicing social distancing and with enhanced hygiene procedures throughout our dealerships. For service, we can pick up your vehicle at your home or work and deliver it back to you when service is complete. For sales, we can bring a vehicle to your home for a test drive, and work the deal completely by phone or email. You can fill out an online trade evaluation and online credit application, and browse over 1,500 vehicles on our website – all shown with real prices and up-to-date [...]

Runde Chevrolet salesperson Mark “Flop” Fleege attended the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Sales Academy back in January! Held in Pahrump, Nevada, the class gave Chevrolet salespeople from around the country an opportunity to learn about the new mid-engine Corvette. The two-day academy took place both in the classroom and on the track. “We got to see the bare frame of the new Corvette right next to the frame of the old Corvette so we could compare the two,” Mark said. “It was interesting to learn how they built it and all the new features.” One of the major highlights for Mark was getting to put the pedal to the metal in the 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray, driving over 100 mph on a track. (video below) “It was awesome, I can’t wait to [...]

Brandon Goranson, a technician at Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Manchester, recently completed his Ford Senior Master Tech certification. You’re probably saying to yourself, “Well don’t all repair shops have trained mechanics?  Doesn’t that place down the street advertise having ASE certified mechanics?” Well let’s briefly examine what ASE certified means.  In a nutshell it means that a mechanic takes courses at a local college or community college and takes a test. The Senior Master Technician title is strictly for techs who have gone to the greatest lengths of the Ford Training Curriculum. Since the title of Master Tech was first introduced in 1999, only a relatively small number of technicians have actually achieved this level of accomplishment. To reach the Ford Master Technician level, a mechanic is required to complete hundreds of hours of school, pass many certification exams and be a Ford Technician for at least [...]

Nate Elder:  Manager of the Runde Reconditioning Department   Some people collect photographs to remember specific moments in their lives. Nate Elder, reconditioning manager at Runde PreDriven, collects shoes. He has about 25 boxes of unopened shoes in his closet at home right now – some have been there for years. “Each one has a story and a memory attached to it,” Nate said. “I have a pair that I bought in 2003, that’s one of my older pairs.” He recently opened a pair of DC Pure XEs because he had worn out the DC Mikey Moes he had been wearing. Working in the PreDriven washrack area means his shoes get dirty and wet – so he is very aware of that when choosing shoes. “I went through the collection [...]

Runde PreDriven in Hazel Green hosted a goodbye gathering for Reconditioning Manager Gary Reiter today. Today was Gary’s last day of work after working at Runde PreDriven for 10 years! His daughter arranged for him to be dropped off in a limo this morning so he could arrive for his last day in style. “When it showed up, I thought, ‘They are going to think I am crazy!'” Gary said.  But if there’s anyone who truly deserved to be treated like this, it’s Gary.  For as long as we’ve known him, he’s been the epitome of “hard [...]

Matt Nemitz may be new to Runde Auto Group, but he is no stranger to automotive sales! Matt recently joined the sales staff at Runde Chevrolet Buick GMC in Platteville and this GMC salesman has been in the auto industry selling vehicles for over six years. “I love meeting new people and learning the products,” Matt said. “I have been a car guy since I was a child. I love old muscle cars and trucks!” Born and raised in Lancaster, WI, Matt has a large close family and two daughters. He enjoys spending time with his family, motorcycling, boating, and camping. Matt said he is enjoying his first weeks as a GMC salesman and he looks forward to serving the Platteville and surrounding communities. “Great customer service is all about the customer, not the sale,” Matt said. “A no-hassle price and a well-rounded dealership with great customer service will always make the experience perfect and [...]

Many Runde Chevrolet customers are familiar with Wayne Konrardy.  Wayne, who resides in Dubuque, sold new Chevrolet vehicles for the Runde Chevy dealership for many years.  And folks who know Wayne know that he’s an avid world traveler. Seeing his smiling face on the Dupaco website recently made us wonder what he and his wife Mary have been up to!  Where in the world is Wayne Konrardy? This month, he’s on the Dupaco website!   As we guessed, Wayne and his wife Mary have been busy globetrotting since Wayne retired from Runde’s in 2012. Here are just a few of the places he has been since he retired: Washington D.C. Memphis, TN Las Vegas, NV Dominican Republic as a graduation gift to his grandson Natchez Trace Parkway down to New Orleans South Dakota Badlands Custer’s Last Stand in Montana Brentwood, TN Ocala, FL Los Cabos, Mexico Italy Louisville Asheville, NC Ireland Phoenix, AZ Mountain Home, ID Yellowstone National [...]

We are excited to welcome our newest salesperson at Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque, Jacob Puls!  He joined our team recently after completing his college degree. Jacob is the great grandson of founder Alfred Runde, thus a fourth generation Runde. He will be starting his career as a personal sales assistant to Tim Runde. Jacob recently graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL with a double major in Finance and Marketing, along with a minor in Economics.  Jacob loves sports and played football along side his twin brother Jared for four years at Augustana. “I am a huge football fan and I love college basketball, but also enjoy watching the Blackhawks and Cubs,” he said. “I have been a Fighting Illini fan since my grandfather Paul Runde introduced me to them when I was a young kid and really follow the football and basketball teams closely. Besides that I enjoy spending time with my [...]

Hi, this is Aaron Young from Runde Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Manchester and I wanted to tell you about this one-time event. Imagine this: It’s bitterly cold and the subzero wind is whipping at the windows. Instead of having to battle the winter weather, you simply press a button to start your car from the comfort of your home. When you get in your car, the leather seats and steering wheel are warm and toasty. With the brilliant HID lighting and built-in navigation, you easily find your way to your next destination while a concert of music surrounds you from the 9-speaker Alpine stereo. A call comes in and you answer it without removing your hands from the heated leather wrapped steering whee

Runde PreDriven in Hazel Green, WI is excited to have Donavon Nelson join its sales staff selling used vehicles in Dubuque are the surrounding area. Donavon was born and raised in Rockford, IL, and moved to Dubuque when he was 16. He attended Hempstead High School and Northeast Iowa Community College, where he started his business management degree. While he has a background as a restaurant manager and chef, he decided to move into sales a few years ago. He started with insurance sales and then moved into vehicle sales and he’s excited to be able to sell used vehicles in Dubuque and surrounding area. “A friend of mine turned me onto Runde’s —he heard it was a great company to work for, so I went for it,” Donavon said. “People seem caring and eager to help. I look forward to being here for a very long time.” In his spare time, Donavon likes to [...]

Salesperson Tim Meyer of Dubuque will soon be celebrating a retirement and a birthday all at the same time.  He will retire from Runde Chevrolet in East Dubuque on Nov. 4 – two days before his 62nd birthday. “I’ll have 29 years and 9 months in the car business and most of that has included selling new Chevy vehicles in Dubuque and the surrounding areas,” Tim said. “I come from an automobile parts family over in Dubuque, so I’ve been fed and clothed by the automobile industry almost all my life.” Tim is excited to travel to visit family members, like his brother in Ohio, sister in northern Illinois and his brother in the Chicago area. He also is excited to spend more time with his family members here, including his 2 children, Megan, 34, and Jesse, 32, as well as his grandchildren and friends in Arizona. Tim started in the car business [...]

The Runde Golf Outing on Saturday was a great success! More than 80 people golfed at Lacoma Golf Course and then enjoyed a delicious dinner. Here are some photos from the event:   Prizes were awarded to: Runde Golf Outing First Flight 1st: Sullivan, Rowe, Totman, Dodds 2nd: Konrardy, Konrardy, Reiter, Meyer   Second Flight 1st: Runde, Larson, Oster, Wahlert 2nd: Zeimet, Zeimet, Vickerman, Vickerman   9 Hole Flag Prizes 1. Closest to the Pin – Jonathan Sutter 2. Closest to the Pin with 3rd Shot – Chris Kerkel 3. Closest to 150 Marker – Cliff Splinter 4. Longest Putt (Men) – Nick Roche 5. Longest Putt (Women) – Jan Splinter 6. Closest to Pin from Off Green – Jeff Runde 7. Shortest Drive Used – Jan Splinter 8. Closest to Pin – Gloria Markers   Best Dressed 1st – Ryan Larson and Chance Runde 2nd – Kyle Larson and Dan Wahlert

Customer service is extremely important to Kathy and Robert Simon.  Today they were reminded why they keep coming back to Runde Auto Group: the dealership’s dedication to customer satisfaction. The Dubuque couple purchased a white Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, but their salesman Mark Fleege didn’t disappear after the deal was complete.  Just the opposite actually. The heart of great customer service ultimately comes down to time … Mark takes the time to work with his customers, he takes the time to explain things to his customers, and he also takes the time to make sure has has met all of his customers’ needs.  That’s customer service and that’s Runde Auto Group. Mark has worked for Runde’s for so long that excellent customer service is actually encoded into his DNA strands.  All [...]

Norm Hinderman has been a Runde’s driver for over a decade! The time has come for Norm to retire and leave Runde Chevrolet to get some well earned rest and relaxation. We had a celebratory lunch in Norm’s honor where Norm and his wife, Shirley Hinderman, blessed us with their presence, sharing stories and laughs. Here are a few words from Norm: How long have you been working as a driver for Runde’s? Back on February 20th of 2001. Boy, it’s been 13 years now! What are your plans now that you are retired? Grow my garden, play around and take it easy. But I’m a guy that likes to keep busy so I’m sure you’ll be seeing me around here every once and awhile. What [...]

Runde Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep salesman, Aaron Young, is a Jeep man at heart.  It’s a trait that has radiated through his family as his parents are also Jeep people. Aaron story of how he and his parents acquired their new Jeeps is a story of love, endurance, and sacrifice. A touching story that really shows the pride and way of life that is a commonality between many Jeep owners. The story of how my parents purchased a new Jeep is an interesting one, but let me start by giving you a little background. We are a Jeep family. For me it began nearly 20 years ago when I purchased a plain boxy 1989 Jeep Cherokee and built a bumper for the front and started customizing it. Through the magic of the internet this [...]

Tim Meyer of Dubuque is an old pro when it come to selling new Chevrolet vehicles.   He recently started working at Runde Chevrolet and he’s already had the pleasure of helping several a quite a few new vehicles here. Tim has a storied sales past and a good appreciation for art and music. If you were fortunate enough to sit down with Tim for two minutes and you’d quickly feel like he’s a lifelong friend.  How long have you been in the car business? 26 years. Are you familiar with automotive industry? Absolutely, I come from pretty humble beginnings. I’m from an automobile parts family from here in Dubuque Iowa. My father ran an auto parts company called Sieg Dubuque Company. So I’ve [...]