Tag: vandevere

Employee Spotlight: Brian Smith

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 Brain Smith, the sales manager at our Auto Outlet location. Brian has been with the company for 13 years now. Brian started with us as a sales representative. We sat down and gave Brian our normal “spotlight” questions and here is what we learned!

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

Brian: I would say the team, friends, and having fun! It is a warm, family feeling working at the Outlet and for the VanDevere Bunch.

VDV: That’s great! We do have such a great team of coworkers. Also, fun activities to get to know them like the Company Picnic. What are 3 words you would use to describe VanDevere?

Brian: That’s easy… Family, Integrity and Truthfulness

VDV: Love to see how much the company positively impacts each other and the costumers! What do you like to do when you are not at work?

Brian: I love to spend time with my wife and three kids! I am a season ticket older so I really enjoy attending Cleveland Browns games Too. I even spend time collecting items such as sports cards, comic books, and more!

VDV: That’s great! Football season has almost started, so do you have a favorite player and how far do you think the Browns will go this year? Also, do you have a favorite collectors item?

Brian: The Browns will go all the way!! Myles Garrett is probably my favorite player right now. As for a favorite collectors item that I have possessed, I would say The Amazing Spider-Man comic!

VDV: We are also hoping for the Cleveland Browns to go all the way! Hope your comic collection continues to grow too. What inspires you?

Brian: I am inspired by my family. I appreciate and I am thankful for my parents, wife, and kids everyday!

VDV: Great answer! That’s a great way to start each day. I once met ____________!

Brian: It was awesome to be able to meet and shake Michael Irvin’s hand. He played for the Dallas Cowboys as wide receiver and is in the hall of fame.

VDV:  That is Crazy! What a great experience. Speaking of superhuman football players, if you could pick one superpower, what would it be?

Brian: The ability to fly!

VDV: I’m sure with that power you could fly anywhere! Where would you fly to or what is your favorite travel spot?

Brian: Jamaica for sure! I had a great time there in the past and would love to fly there again sometime.

VDV: With that super power, you could be there and a couple other places by tomorrow! Now, locally, do you have a favorite place to eat or visit in your city?

Brian: My family and I like to go to Buffalo Wild Wings together. My go-to order is flat wings extra crispy with medium sauce and ranch on the side.

Employee Spotlight: Paul Salibi

Here we are again, sitting down with one of our team members to learn more about them. We actually love learning about our team! This month we are talking to Paul Salibi, the company’s controller. The controller deals with our finances and keeps us all in check. Paul has been with the company for 3 years now. Paul has learned several aspects of the business from service to sales. We sat down and gave Paul our normal “spotlight” questions and here is what we learned!

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

Paul: I get to work with awesome people that work hard but have fun while making things happen!

VDV: Love it. That is a great combo to have from a group of coworkers. What is the best thing about VanDevere?

PS: I would have to say it is our culture.

VDV: It is a good well-rounded family like atmosphere. What are 3 words you would use todescribe VanDevere?

PS: Care (about people), integrity and fun.

VDV: YES! We see the VanDevere Care shirts around the dealerships this summer! Ok enough about work… What do you like to do when you are not at work?

PS: I love spending time with family. Making memories with my wife and kids is at the top of that list.

VDV: Sounds great and I bet they keep you busy. We hear you have 2 young kiddos! What inspires you?

PS: Growth. Learning new things. Improving myself to be a better person in my professional life and in my personal life.

VDV: That is a great way to go about it. Growth as a person is a big deal. Fill in the blank: I once met ____________!

PS: I once met a Saudi Prince, well actually I went to school with him.

VDV: Where did you go to school that they had princes? If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?

PS: Flight! I love to travel so it would be awesome to fly on my own time and for free
whenever I wanted (without the lines and TSA).

VDV: Yes! That would be a great super power. Can you imagine how quickly you could see the entire world? Speaking of travel, what is your favorite travel spot?

PS: We switch it up. Beach and mountains are where it’s at!

VDV: You need a beach by the mountains! Favorite place to eat or visit in your city?

PS: Right now, I am on a Beyond Juicery + Eatery kick. They have tasty food and I feel good after I eat it.

VDV: Nice sounds fresh and yummy. OK last questions, since we are in the car business, what is your dream car?

PS: I think this is where I am supposed to say Ferrari or something. But with a growing family, I’ll take a Suburban.

VDV: Well we do sell Chevys so maybe a Corvette? LOL but we can definitely get you into a nice new Suburban! Thank Paul for taking the time to talk with us today. And thank you for 3 years of great employment! Cheers

Employee Spotlight: Rich Borodkin

This month we sat down with VanDevere Chevy Equity Manager, Rich Borodkin. Rich has been with the company for 13 years! We took some time to get to know him a little better, with our normal line of questioning.

VanDevere: Hi Rich, congrats on the 13 years here and thank you for sitting down with us. We will start easy… What is the best thing about your job?

Rich: The best thing is when the customer takes deliver for the first time, they are so excited. They are smiling and glowing.

VDV: That has to be a great feeling to help them get in their new car. What is the best thing about VanDevere?

RB: I think the best thing about VanDevere is the family atmosphere.

VDV: We hear that a lot in these interviews. What are 3 words you would use to describe VanDevere?

RB: Hmm, the three words would be family, friendly and fun!

VDV: Ah yes, gotta have the fun in there. Let’s move to something not work related. What do you like to do when you are not at work?

RB: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy playing the drums at my church.

VDV: That is pretty cool! What (who) inspires you?

RB: That is easy, my family inspires me to move forward for them. Emily, Jared and Julia are my 3 children and my wife, Michelle.

VDV: That is awesome. Nice to see that you are so close with your family. If you could pick one superpower, what would it be?

RB: I would want to be Spiderman, so I could climb and jump tall buildings and such.

VDV: Ha, nice. That would be fun!