Dave Alpern - Taking the Lead: Winning Business Principles That Fuel Joe Gibbs Racing

Coach Gibbs has always said that you win with people. I know from my own experience that running a race team can be difficult even under the best of circumstances, but in recent years Joe Gibbs Racing has had more obstacles than most. Dave Alpern has been a steady influence throughout a lot of those challenging times. Taking the Lead does a great job of taking you behind the scenes and showing you how Dave and the many other key people at JGR help us continue to win at a high level. For as long as Ive known him, Dave has shown endless energy doing his job at JGR. He is a respected executive within the NASCAR industry and is equally as dedicated to his family and his faith.

KYLE BUSCH, two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCARs all-time wins leader

Without a doubt, Pern has led a lot of amazing things, and you are about to experience them in Taking the Lead. To me, though, I am most impressed and encouraged by who Dave is. It is his heart and character that is revealed throughout every page of this book. Dave is an incredible leader, father, bro, friend, champion, Kingdom builder, and most importantly, a son of God. So enjoy every story, every leadership nugget, and most importantly, my servant-leading friend and his passion to strengthen others.

JACK HOLLIS, senior VP of automotive operations for Toyota Motor North America

I spent twelve years at Joe Gibbs Racing and got to know Dave really well. Even during the most challenging times, he kept a positive outlook. While he has learned a lot from Coach, Dave has always had an impressive work ethic and a keen understanding that the right way of doing things is the only way. Hell come out on top in a battle of wits, too. Daves sense of humor puts everyone at ease. If youre looking for a leader, just look to Dave.

TONY STEWART, three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer

Taking the Lead is an excellent story of leadership lessons learned while overcoming the personal challenges and self-doubt that all great leaders experience. But perhaps more importantly, its a touching tribute to a best friend lost too early and to an amazing mentor in Coach Gibbs. Through a culture focused on people first, Joe Gibbs Racing has built a team that goes fast and delivers, operating with the fundamental belief that winning in life is winning the race.

SHANNON LAPIERRE, CCO of Stanley Black & Decker

I have had the privilege of knowing Dave Alpern since high school. Along with being a great father and husband, Dave embodies what it means to be a servant leader by leading with a meek strength that is rare in men. I have watched him serve with excellence throughout his many roles at JGR, and he has much wisdom to share with us through the principles he has learned on his journey from unpaid intern to president of JGR.

TOBY MAC, seven-time Grammy Award winner and multiplatinum recording artist

J.D.s influence on this book, its author, and the DNA of Joe Gibbs Racing lives in these pages. Im proud that Dave wrote this book so that others can see and ultimately learn from the culture Coach Gibbs and J.D. instilled in their top-flight organization. The style in which Dave offers real-life experiences followed by questions for the reader to reflect on is effective and thought-provoking.

DENNY HAMLIN, three-time Daytona 500 champion and driver of the #11 FedEx Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing

Dave Alpern has been a friend and mentor to me for more than twenty years, and his measured, graceful approach to leadership is rare and impactful. But nothing he has accomplished professionally has impacted me more deeply and personally than his wisdom. In a moment of great complexity and confusion for me as a father, Dave picked me up and walked me through his lifelong negotiation of Tourettes syndrome and the difficulty he faced in attempting to articulate that moment-by-moment negotiation to his own parents and friends. Seeing his success and relationship skills while managing Tourettes gave me tremendous hope.

MARTY SMITH, ESPN reporter/host and author of the New York Times bestseller Never Settle: Sports, Family, and the American Soul

Having been in relationship with Dave, Coach, J.D., and the JGR crew since the very beginning, I can say that alignment on the principles outlined by Dave in Taking the Lead are what brought us together, and those same principles have sustained our winning relationship for all these years. What a ride it has been!

SCOTT MILLER, CEO of Interstate Batteries

Dave has had the opportunity to work with leaders of successful corporations and with Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs during his career at Joe Gibbs Racing. This book does an excellent job distilling those experiences into practical advice to equip you to be more successful in your professional and personal life.

T. MICHAEL GLENN, retired executive vice president of FedEx

Taking the Lead is about a mans willingness to serve. Dave Alperns humility, transparency, and perseverance are inspiring. But his abiding loyalty to those around him, especially to J.D. Gibbs, and his deep faith in Jesus Christ are at the foundation of his leadership and life story. In the end, we witness a leader who embodies the cultural values of Joe Gibbs Racing: honor God, put people before profits, and relentlessly pursue winning. Its like Dave is standing before us in the race of life and giving the command, Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines!

NEWT CRENSHAW, president and CEO of Young Life

Ive known Dave since he and I both started working in NASCAR almost thirty years ago. I can tell you firsthand that Dave Alpern lives out the mission-driven life. After working for more than two decades alongside legendary Coach Joe Gibbs, one of the most focused and godly men on earth, Dave has a truly unique perspective on life as a leader, friend, father, and husband. I really admire Daves steadfast commitment to his faith, his family, and his mission in life.

MARCUS G. SMITH, president and CEO of Speedway Motorsports

Daves book is an inspiration for anyone looking for purpose or a North Star in their business or personal life. He reveals deeply personal stories on how he has learned to follow his heart and his faith and describes the great people he has learned those lessons from. Dave provides great insight on how to find motivation from the people around you, and his words on the importance of relationships and putting people first are a must-read for anyone looking to ensure their focus is on the things matter. I am proud to call Dave a friend and proud of him for sharing his wisdom and his faith so we can all learn from him.

JILL GREGORY, former NASCAR CMO and current executive vice president of Sonoma Raceway

It didnt take long for me to realize that Dave Alpern was not only a great person but was also going to grow into a great leader at JGR. Weve spent a lot of time together over the years. Pern is a great friend, a great role model, and a man of God.

BOBBY LABONTE, Hall of Fame NASCAR driver

Taking the Lead is an engaging and inspiring celebration of life and faith by someone who knows he was blessed beyond measure, found his passion, did well, and did good. Whether you are a NASCAR fan or not, youll find that Dave Alperns story is an amazing saga of perseverance, creativity, dedication, and friendship.

NICHOLAS DIDOW, professor at the Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill