Auto Scene
Jeffrey Zygmont
August 31, 2008 01:35 am <Caption>Marshall Jespersen, who created Danvers-based International Cars by consolidating dealerships, stepped down as president and chief executive of the company. Jack Donachie, a 25-year veteran of the auto business, takes over as the new CEO of International Cars.</Caption> Car-business veteran Jack Donachie moved into the chief executive's office of Danvers-based International Cars in August. The public announcement was made as Marshall Jespersen, outgoing chief executive officer, informed staff members at International's six dealerships: Honda North of Danvers, and New Hampshire's Audi Stratham, Dover Auto World, Porsche of Stratham, Saturn of Manchester and Saturn of Nashua. Noting that he takes over at a time of "economic challenge," Donachie said he plans to carry on International's strategy for growth. "I'm sure he'll keep the company moving forward," Jespersen said of his successor. Donachie comes with 25 years of experience in the auto industry. He started in 1983 as district manager for a car maker. He progressed through corporate positions and regional executive roles before becoming director of sales and planning for one of the largest dealer groups in the United States in 2002. Most recently, he was vice president and northeastern transaction manager for MD Johnson Inc., a financial advisory firm based in Enumclaw, Wash. The company specializes in the sale and purchase of auto dealerships. Donachie earned a bachelor of science degree from Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y., and a master's degree with high honors from East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C. While Jespersen steps down from day-to-day management of International Cars, he remains chairman of the board and the largest shareholder of the employee-owned company. A former Air Force captain and rocket scientist, he entered the car business 1989, when he and his family purchased Honda North. In 1998, the company acquired the Burns Chevrolet, Honda, Audi and Porsche franchises in Dover, N.H., renaming the business Dover Auto World. Jespersen acquired Saturn of Manchester and Saturn of Nashua in New Hampshire in 2002. Porsche of Stratham and Audi Stratham were split off from Dover Auto World earlier this year. Jespersen was the winner of last year's Governor's Highway Safety Association Peter K. O'Rourke Special Achievement Award, recognizing his achievements and advocacy in highway safety during 2006. He was also the winner of the 2006 Massachusetts Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award recipient. Jespersen, 65, resides in Byfield with his wife, Elena. The couple has five children and two grandchildren. Jack Donachie currently lives in Connecticut with his wife, Mary Ellen, and three sons, Jamie, Kevin and Scott. The family plans to relocate to southeastern New Hampshire. Pump prices fall farther The price of motor fuel continued to fall through the end of August. During the last week of the month, as the Labor Day driving holiday approached, average prices in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire stood well below $3.75 per gallon, according to figures compiled by the auto club AAA. After six straight weeks of declines, the trend brought $3.50-per-gallon gasoline within reach. Last week, Massachusetts motorists paid an average of $3.615 per gallon for self-service unleaded regular on Wednesday, AAA figures showed. That was 17 cents lower than the statewide average of $3.782 recorded two weeks earlier. But Wednesday's price was 94 cents higher than the statewide average on the same day last year, which AAA put at $2.676 per gallon. In New Hampshire, the 14-day drop totaled about 14 cents per gallon, with self-service unleaded regular reaching $3.651 on Wednesday, compared to $3.786 two weeks earlier. Wednesday's average was 97 cents higher than the Granite State average one year earlier, which was $2.676, according to AAA. The U.S. national average fell by a dozen pennies during the two-week span. AAA reported a $3.667 coast-to-coast average on Wednesday, compared to $3.787 per gallon 14 days before. Wednesday's U.S. average was 92 higher than the national average on same day of 2007, which was $2.745, the auto club reported.
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