ValdostaSOLD Real Estate Services Top agents for 2016 are Hope Brown-Franklin, Walter Scott Jr., Van Newberry and Victoria Copeland.

Cass Burch awarded for excellence

VALDOSTA — Cass Burch was one of 387 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT dealerships to earn Customer First Award for Excellence certification.

Customer First dealerships provide highest level of sales and service experience, according to a press release.

The 387 dealerships succeed the inaugural group of 124 dealerships who earned certifications in 2016. The FCA U.S. dealerships will be recognized by consumers as leaders in customer sales and service experience. The winning dealerships touch 24 percent of FCA retail sales volume in the U.S.

“Our dealers are striving to not just improve the customer experience in their facilities, but to become the industry leaders in customer satisfaction on both the sales and service sides of the business,” said Al Gardner, head of dealer network development, FCA – North America. “We now have triple the amount of winning dealerships that may proudly market themselves as Customer First Award for Excellence achievers. Consumers will know that they are in Customer First dealership from the logos, but more importantly, they will experience the evolution of these elite stores.”

FCA U.S. created the Customer First Award for Excellence with its dealer partners and J.D. Power to improve customer satisfaction with Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT dealerships in the United States with a specific focus on the sales and service experience, employee training and facility condition.

All 2,600 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT dealerships are eligible to pursue and earn the prestigious award on an annual basis, according to the press release.

Cass Burch achieved stringent goals in five core “pillars” to earn the coveted Customer First Award for Excellence designation.

Facility Certification: Facility provides a clean, comfortable environment for customers.

Performance Measures: Dealership has achieved highest levels of customer-oriented sales and service goals.

Training Certification: Employees have received the highest level of required FCA-certified training.

Employee Surveys: Completed to promote the voice of your employees and a customer-driven culture.

Process Validation: Certified sales and service processes that support excellence in customer handling.

Teems named top technician

VALDOSTA — Mopar Tech Technicians Program named David Teems with Cass Burch Auto Group of Valdosta as one of its top technicians for 2017.

Out of more than 25,000 eligible technicians,Teems is one of the top 72 in the nation based on his exemplary Fixed First Visit performance as well as his commitment to Cass Burch Auto Group dealership and FCA technical training, according to a press release.

“Because of Teems’ performance of a very high Fixed First Visit score in 2016, he will be rewarded with Mopar Top Tech Snap-On Roll Cart and two cordless impact wrenches,” according to the press release. “This is our way of acknowledging and honoring Teems for his high level of success in what is one — if not the most difficult — positions in the dealership.”

ValdostaSOLD honors agents 

VALDOSTA – ValdostaSOLD Real Estate Services acknowledges the achievements of the Top Agents for 2016 at its annual banquet.

Hope Brown-Franklin is the 2016 top sales agent; Walter Scott, Jr is the 2016 overall top agent; Van Newberry is the 2016 top listing agent, said Victoria Copeland, broker and owner of ValdostaSOLD Real Estate Services.

Langdale Forest announces retirements

VALDOSTA — Two Langdale Forest Products Company employees, with a combined service of 105 years, retired recently, according to a press release.

Lewis Reed, who worked in the machine shop and maintenance for 45 years attended a luncheon in his honor, Feb. 2, at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, that was attended by his wife, company owners and members of management.

Geraldine Clifton, an accounting supervisor and employed for a record 60 years, retired Feb. 3. A luncheon was held in her honor in the Winn Dixie complex on Madison Highway that included members of her family, company owners and a host of fellow employees.

“Both Lewis and Geraldine have been the backbone of their respective departments and leave tremendous shoes to fill,” according to the press release. “We wish Lewis Reed and Geraldine Clifton rewarding and fulfilling retirements.”

Valenti attends health conference

VALDOSTA — Nick Valenti, CPA, CFP, recently attended the 2017 health care conference in Atlanta sponsored by the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Industry leaders discussed a wide range of issues in the legal, regulatory, audit, income tax and operational realms of health care, according to a press release.

Valenti is the managing partner of Valenti, Rackley & Associates, CPA, LLC in Valdosta.