Tag: Employee Spotlight

Employee Spotlight: Brandye Andrews

Here we are again, sitting down with one of our team members to learn more about them. We love learning about our team! This month we are talking to Brandye Andrews, in Sales Support at our Chevrolet location. Brandye has been with the company for 14 years now. We sat down and gave Brandye our usual “spotlight” questions and here is what we learned!

VanDevere: Hi Brandye, thank you for taking the time to sit with us. We will start off easy… What is the best thing about your job?

Brandye: The excitement knowing everyday will bring new challenges and all of the friends I have made over the years!

VDV: That’s great! We do have such a great staff that helps us grow and laugh everyday. What are 3 words you would use to describe VanDevere?

Brandye: Caring, Generous, Fun!

VDV: Fantastic three words that I can easily agree with. There are always fun events, opportunities to give back to our community, and teamwork within the staff. What do you like to do when you are not at work?

Brandye: Spend time with friends and family. I am an animal lover, so spending anytime I can with mine or feeding the birds outside, working in my garden and yard. I also love to cook and try new foods.

VDV: Friends and family are the best way to spend time. It also doesn’t hurt to have furry friends, nature, and food to keep us busy and having fun too! Speaking of keeping busy, what inspires you the most?

Brandye: Everyday heroes inspire me to be a better person.

VDV: Well put! I also think that it’s the little things and everyday people that can make big impacts on the world. Speaking of heroic people, if you could pick a superpower, what would it be?

Brandye: The ability to teleport! How awesome would it be to have dinner or visit a different place in the blink of an eye!

VDV: I completely agree! You for sure would be able to try so many different cultures food and learn so many new things that way. With this superpower, where would your first travel spot be?

Brandye: Virginia Beach and New Jersey! We try to go once a year. The beach is such a special place to me. I hope to live near the beach someday.

VDV: The beach is a magical place! You can never go wrong with the warmth, the water, meeting new people, trying fresh food, and relaxing! Now, do you have a favorite place to eat or visit when you are there?

Brandye: Cheesesteaks from Philly. Also, I am kind of a pizza snob. We love to try all the great pizza places in town.

VDV: Cannot go wrong with a cheesesteak, especially if it is hot and fresh from Philly! I also think you have to try all the local; favorite pizza spots in new cities. Last question, since we are in the car business, what is your dream car?

Brandye: Nothing fancy, but I would love a large SUV someday!

VDV: Nothing wrong with a large SUV! Super practical and great for doing all of the traveling that you love doing! A big thank you to you, Brandye, for taking the time to talk with us today. We appreciate your hard work over the past 14 years of employment with The Vandevere Bunch. Happy Holidays everyone! See you all in the New Year!!!

Employee Spotlight: Ben Matthews

Here we are again, sitting down with one of our team members to learn more about them. We love learning about our team! This month we are talking to Ben Matthews, a Sales Representative at our Kia location. Ben has been with the company for a year and two months now. We sat down and gave Ben our usual “spotlight” questions and here is what we learned!

VanDevere: Hi Ben, thank you for taking the time to sit with us. We will start off easy… What is the best thing about your job?

Ben: The reward of helping a customer find the right vehicle!

VDV: That’s great! It is a great feeling to help someone or have the customer feel at home here. What are 3 words you would use to describe VanDevere?

Ben: Fun, welcoming, customer-focused

VDV: I do love the drive to support each other and how dedicated everyone is to help the customers. We also have so much fun as a staff with holiday events, activities, and more! The holidays are going to be full of fun! What do you like to do when you are not at work?

Ben: My boys Wyatt and Sawyer, 8 and 6, have most of my attention when I’m off work. We watch movies and play Legos now that it’s getting colder outside

VDV: There is nothing better than family! All fun things to do for sure. Speaking of taking up your time, what inspires you the most?

Ben: My family. My wife Crystal is very talented at things I am terrible at and we would be lost without her. My boys surprise me everyday with how quickly they are learning and growing and the wonderful, strange, funny things that come out of their mouths. They’re the reason I get up every morning

VDV: Well put! Family is so important and we love our little family here at VanDevere too. Fill in blank: I once met_______

Ben: On a plane I sat next to Kevin Pike, the guy who helped make the DeLorean in Back to the Future and Bruce the Shark from Jaws. We had an interesting conversation.

VDV: That is Crazy! What a great experience to meet some iconic figures. Speaking of iconic figures, if you could pick an iconic superpower, what would it be?

Ben: The same super power Batman and Ironman have… being super rich

VDV: Love their stories of using their brain to make something of themselves! I would not be made with that either. With this superpower, where would your first travel spot be?

Ben: Probably Disney World or Hawaii

VDV: Great answer! Cannot go wrong with either of those places. Now, locally, do you have a favorite place to eat or visit in your city?

Ben: My wife and I like to try different restaurants but our current favorite is Thyme Squared in Medina

VDV: I have never been but I will have to try it! I love to try new places too. Last question, since we are in the car business, what is your dream car?

Ben: I would love a Audi S8

VDV: Beautiful vehicle! What a great Dream Car choice. A big thank you to you, Ben, for taking the time to talk with us today. We appreciate your hard work for over a year of employment with The

Employee Spotlight: Vong Sanouvong

Here we are again, sitting down with one of our team members to learn more about them. We love learning about our team! This month we are talking to Vong Sanouvong, a reconditioning technician at our Chevrolet location. Vong has been with the company for 13 years now. We sat down and gave Vong our normal “spotlight” questions and here is what we learned!

VanDevere: Hi Vong, thank you for taking the time to sit with us. We will start off easy… What is the best thing about your job?

Vong: I would say the comradery of the team. We always have each other’s backs.

VDV: That’s great! We do have such a great team of coworkers. Also, fun activities like holiday contests and dressing up for Halloween. What are 3 words you would use to describe VanDevere?

Vong: Family. Oriented. Company.

VDV: Love to see how much the company feels like home! We also help so many Akron non profit organizations which really makes it feel like home. What do you like to do when you are not at work?

Vong: Spending time with my family is always a great way to spend my time. I also attend fishing tournaments!

VDV: There is nothing better than family! It is amazing that you do Fishing tournaments too. How did you get started with pro fishing tournaments? Do you usually travel for these events?

Vong: I got started in 2011 and loved everything about fishing so I decided to see if I could take it a step further and join tournaments. I get to travel instate and outside of

Ohio too. I am actually going to be participating in the Bass World Championship at Lake Murray South Carolina. I will be able to represent my home country of Laos.

VDV: This is amazing! Good luck in South Carolina’s tournament. We hope to be able to see you on TV! Who/What inspired you to do this?

Vong: A man named Jacob Wheeler! He is the number one fish angler in the world! He is definitely a world class fisherman.

VDV: It is great to have such an amazing role model. I once met ____________!

Vong: I was actually able to meet Jacob Wheeler!

VDV: That is Crazy! What a great experience to meet the person that got you into the sport. Speaking of superhuman fisherman players, if you could pick one superpower, what would it be?

Vong: Mind Reading for sure.

VDV: Who would be the first person you would utilize your superpower on?

Vong: I would read my wife’s mind!

VDV: What a great answer. Would also love to be able to read people’s minds. Now, locally, do you have a favorite place to eat or visit in your city?

Vong: I love to go to Fisherman Central. I find a lot of bait and tackle items there

VDV: Great place to be for a fisherman! Last question, since we are in the car business, what is your dream car?

Vong: I would love a brand new 2023 Toyota Tundra TRD!

VDV: That is great for all your fisherman needs! Especially since it will be able to carry your boat with ease. A big thank you to you, Vong, for taking the time to talk with us today. We appreciate your 13 years of employment with The Vandevere Bunch. We all wish you the best of luck in the tournament in South Carolina. Cheers to you!