Whether you are entering this Brooks County town from the east or the west, if you’re on Highway 84, you will be greeted by a Cass Burch car dealership arriving in Quitman.

While Burch has owned Quitman’s Cass Burch Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep since 1998, he recently became a partner with Larry Griner and Fleming Williams in what has for many years been Griner Chevrolet.

Given Burch’s regional and national success in the automotive business, the partners opted to name the dealership Cass Burch Chevrolet at 8640 Highway 84 West.

Burch’s achievements include the successful Cass Burch Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep on Valdosta’s North Valdosta Road. His Quitman Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealership won the 2007 National Dealer of the Year award out of a field of 3,700 other Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealerships across the nation; the award hasn’t been presented since, meaning Burch’s Quitman dealership retains the No. 1 title.

Several weeks ago, Ally Bank (formerly GMAC) appointed Burch to its Dealer Advisory Board, making him one of only 10 dealers nationwide elected to represent the interests of North American automotive dealers.

His advertising catch-phrase of “drive it like you stole it” has made his name and voice recognizable throughout the region.

Throughout his career, Burch has given credit for his success to his faith, loyal customers, management team, employees, and a very supportive family.

With the new Cass Burch Chevrolet, Burch feels honored to be partnered with the two men who gave him his start in the automotive industry.

“I’ve worked for them, I’ve worked with them and been friends with them for 30 years,” Burch says of Fleming Williams and Larry Griner.

Williams gave Burch his first job in the automotive industry. At the age of 15, Cass Burch washed cars for Williams.

In the 1980s, Burch worked for Williams and Griner at an Adel van-conversion business, where he detailed and converted vans. From there, in 1988, Burch took his first job selling cars with Jon Thorne’s BMW-Honda dealership in Valdosta. Within his first week, Burch knew he loved selling cars and has been selling them ever since.

As he sold cars then began building the Cass Burch Automotive Group, he retained his friendship with Williams and Griner.

As they moved toward retirement, Williams and Griner wished to stay connected to the car business while stepping away from the day-to-day operations. Earlier this year, they approached Burch about partnering in the Quitman Chevrolet dealership.

Griner approached Williams and Burch and asked if they would be interested in the Quitman Griner Chevrolet dealership.

“It probably took 15 seconds to answer him, probably not that long, five seconds,” Burch says.

The answer was yes.

On that day, Burch, Griner and Williams entered their partnership. They wanted Burch to manage the Dealership’s day to day operations and call it Cass Burch Chevrolet.

“It is humbling and exciting at the same time to be associated with men who have watched you grow up and have been like older brothers to you and then they want you to be partners,” Burch says. “It is a very humbling experience.”

Burch is also excited about his team of people throughout the Chevy dealership and Cass Burch Automotive. He sees himself now in the role once held by Williams and Griner for him. Cass Burch has the opportunity to lay the foundation for young people entering the car business.

Burch has assembled an outstanding group of managers and dedicated staff.

“They’ve built a good team,” Burch says. “Some of the greatest people I have ever been associated with. We’re growing up a generation of future managers in this company. One day, it will be them running things and it won’t be me.”

Cass Burch Chevrolet is located at 8640 Highway 84 W., Quitman.  

 

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