April - June 2017
SPOTLIGHT ON
Century Chevrolet Hosts Camaro Car Show With Record Attendance
Inside This Issue Community Updates Upcoming events and happenings with Fowler Toyota of Tulsa
The Colorado Camaro Club partnered with Century Chevrolet to host their annual Show N’ Shine event in June.
Even more, the club donated a percentage of the registration fees to The Gathering Place non-profit!
The Camaro Club organized the event, registrations and judging. Century cleared the lot for the cars and brought in food, entertainment, kids activities and offered test drives in a Corvette for all the participants. All the combined efforts made for record attendance and record participation. The show had over 120 cars participating and an estimated 1,500 in attendance throughout the day.
Outside of the event, the club hosts their monthly meetings at the dealership and Century rotates displaying a member’s car in the showroom.
Q&A with Lead Detailer Mike Fortunato
More images from the event can be found on Century Chevrolet’s Facebook page.
Fowler Family
Do you follow us online? Follow FowlerAuto on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Page 3 Employee Spotlight
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Welcome the lovebirds and little ones to the Fowler Family
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: BROOMFIELD
From the Executive Suite departments. In addition to this, our community and online reputations continue to grow stronger every month. Our BDC process is one that has worked very well for us for years now, proving to consistently bring in the number of opportunities we need. We continue to improve our sales training resources in and out of store, and look forward to seeing the fruits of our labor in this area especially.
BROOMFIELD DAYS
Sponsored by Century Chevrolet Sunday, Sept. 16 9:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Midway Park
Century Chevrolet is a proud sponsor of the Broomfield Days Trade Fair. Come enter our “Bowtie Coloring Contest” to win awesome prizes for the whole family! Broomfield Days begins on Friday, September 15, 2017 with a Golf tournament sponsored by Senior Resources of Broomfield and Bingo games sponsored by the Broomfield Lions Club. Saturday, September 16, 2017 is the main event with activities and entertainment throughout the day including a 5K race, clown contest, parade, trade fair, craft festival, food booths, three stages of entertainment, demonstrations, and great community spirit. This is an opportunity for local organizations and businesses to showcase their services and increase community exposure.
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Jonathan Fowler, Vice President of Operations, Fowler Holding Company
We’re in the home stretch. After the first seven months of the year we ended July ahead of National New Car performance by 2.6% as a company year to date, and are set up for a strong end of year push. As far as the economy is concerned, we are fortunate to be in the communities we serve. Denver is one of the hottest markets in the country having added over 100,000 new residents this year with some of the lowest unemployment and highest construction rates in the country. With the rebound in energy prices, Oklahoma employment has bottomed out and once again has begun to grow leaving the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas as some of the most attractive in the midcontinental region for new growth and investment. While these factors are out of our control, they are certainly a positive and will help us to achieve our collective goals between now and the end of the year. Where our focus has to remain is on the things we can control. We’ve made great progress in many areas. Year to date marketing numbers have been in line with planning, and continue to produce record numbers of opportunities to make new customers for life through our BDC and service
Inventory levels are in much stronger positions across the board, and our managers continue to get better in acquisition strategy allowing us to turn inventory faster. With all of this progress, it’s more important than ever before that we focus on customer treatment and our sales and service processes. We know the best practices, we have the resources and people we need, and now we just have to continue to execute. I look forward to what the rest of the year holds for us all!
Jonathan Fowler was honored with the Plaza District Association’s Urban Pioneer Award. The award honors individuals in the community who exemplify Oklahoma’s pioneering spirit with their leadership and commitment to urban revitalization. Fowler has been a sponsor and Friend of the District since 2010, and has helped it’s revitalization through arts and culture.
HR Updates Health and Wellness – A way you can remaster your health, have fun, & reap rewards! Your enhanced Fowler Automotive wellness program is coming soon! Eligible* employees are invited to participate in a preventive health evaluation that will be held at the locations below. The health evaluation includes a blood test, blood pressure screening, nicotine test, and a brief health assessment. Your results are 100% confidential – they will not be shared with your employer. •
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Learn your health status and receive a Personal Health Score and Goal Earn a $50 premium credit for simply participating in the wellness screenings! Earn an additional $50 premium credit for being nicotine free!
Century: Sept. 22 Dodge w/ Skyline: Sept. 11 Toyota of Norman: Sept. 12-13 Honda w/ VW/FHC/ENV: Sept. 14-15 Toyota Tulsa: Sept. 12 Missed an on site screening? You can test at a lab through Sept. 29. *Eligible employees are those who have satisfied Fowler’s waiting period requirements and have enrolled in health insurance. www.fowlerauto.com
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: TULSA FITNESS ON THE GREEN presented by Fowler Toyota of Tulsa brings the community FREE fitness classes every Sunday through Thursday at downtown Tulsa’s Guthrie Green! Class Schedule Sundays, 10:30 a.m.: Total Blast Zumba Mondays, 5:30 p.m. : Yoga Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. : Bootcamp
• Complete your Employee Benefits Online Enrollment by Sept. 17th • Did you know you can donate PTO to an employee who may be in need? Contact Jennifer Scott at 405-321-1301 if you would like to donate PTO • If you are enrolled in an HSA Medical plan, please login to Optum Bank via myuhc.com and designate your beneficiaries. This can be done once your account is active
Wednesdays, 6:00 a.m. : Partner Power Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. : Yoga Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. : Bootcamp
KENDALL WHITTIER AFTER FIVE Presented by Fowler Toyota of Tulsa, Thursday, Sept. 14 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Admiral Blvd & Lewis Ave., Tulsa Second Thursdays mean an evening in Kendall Whittier! Salsa Night with Tulsa Latin Style! Bring your chairs and blankets to the corner of Admiral & Lewis for a night of music and fun in the heart of Kendall Whittier!
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Book & Family
Left: Cover of Mike’s book Right: Jakob, Camryn, Mike and Christy Fortunato
FA: Has your auto career had any impact on your writing career, or vice versa?
LEAD DETAILER & AWARD WINNING CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR MIKE FORTUNATO (CENTURY) TELLS US ABOUT HIS WRITING CAREER AND BOOK, “LATER GATOR, IN A WHILE CROCODILE”
MF: Every once in a while, I will give a book to a customer. Working at the dealership provides me with good opportunities to share my book with others. with someone else. Reading books with my son is what inspired me to write a children’s book. I found too many of them unfulfilling. I thought that if I could do better, I should give it a try.
In the 3-story collection, Crocodile and Gator meet and become friends in the swamp. They swim around and realize how similar they really are even though they are very different. They go on great adventures, meet new friends and see the silly things that can happen close to home. See how much fun they have in the swamp as their friendship grows!
FA: What message did you want the book to convey?
FA: Have you always been a writer? What inspired you to write a children’s book?
FA: What were some of the biggest challenges with writing and/or publishing the book?
MF: Not at all. If someone would have told me I would write an award winning children’s book, I would have definitely said they have me confused
FA: How did you connect with the book’s illustrator? MF: I wanted the book to be Colorado made so I looked online to find a local illustrator who’s style and creativity fit what I was looking to convey in my book.
Employee Spotlight: Mike Fortunato
About “Later Gator, In a While Crocodile”
they had to make sense as well.
MF: When I started writing, I really didn’t have a specific message in mind. In the end, it turned out to be one of acceptance and friendship.
FA: Do you have plans for another book in the near future? MF: After reading my book in over a dozen classrooms, I found that the Ants in purple underpants were the most popular and talked about part of my book. I wrote a story about them and I’m very pleased with how it turned out. Now I just need to find a publisher who feels the same way.
MF: Writing stories that rhyme is challenging. My book is composed of three short stories that rhyme. Not only did the words need to rhyme,
Want to pick up a copy of Mike’s book for you or a gift? Get it on Amazon, or ask your local bookstore to order for you! 4
Fowler Family
Let’s celebrate and congratulate our employees and their families!
Top Left: Christina Mendoza’s (FHC) grandaughter, Isabelle Mendoza, at 5 months old
Middle Bottom: Jeff Sprague (Honda) welcomed his grandson, Jason, born June 18 weighing 6 lb 12 oz
Bottom Left: Stephanie Griffin (FHC) & Alejandro Espinoza are engaged to be married in October
Top Right: Zack Brashier (VW) and wife Nikki welcomed their son, Jensen Dean Brashier, on June 23
Top Middle: Cody Mortus (Century) and wife Megan welcomed their son, Samuel Joseph Mortus, born July 5 weighing 6 lb 6 o.z.
Bottom Right: Molly Johnson (FHC) adopted Sparrow from Central OK Humane Society
www.fowlerauto.com
NOT PICTURED Troy Davidson (VW) and wife Adrienne Davidson welcomed their daughter Lettie Jo Davidson on May 31 Dylan Johnson (VW) and Abbigail Pendleton welcomed Aidan Elric Johnson on May 19 Joshua Ex (Honda) welcomed a son on July 3, 7 lb 13 oz, 20” J.R. White (FTN) and wife Amanda are expecting a baby in January!
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Happy Customers COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: OKC/NORMAN PLAZA DISTRICT FESTIVAL
Presented by Fowler Automotive Saturday, September 30 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. 1700 block NW 16th, OKC Celebrate local arts, culture, and the revitalization of Oklahoma City’s Plaza District! Appreciate and purchase art from over 30 Oklahoma-based artists, enjoy 3 stages packed with an allOkie lineup of musicians and performers, and don’t miss the dedicated children’s area, available between 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. with free, handson activities, along Gatewood. Satisfy your cravings with food and beverages from 12 Plaza District restaurants and 10 popular local food trucks!
DOWNTOWN NORMAN FALL FEST
presented by Fowler Honda Friday, October 27 6 p.m - 9 p.m. Downtown Norman’s Main Street becomes a safe, festive trickor-treat environment for kids and families from 6-9 p.m. with candy, moon bounces and so much more, including costume contests for kids, pets and families.
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Q1 Top Performers Top Sales Dodge Chauncey Lee Toyota Tulsa Marshal Knighten
Anniversaries We are proud these employees have called Fowler home for many years! We appreciate you and thank you for your dedicated service.
Volkswagen Zach Brashier Honda Joey Schwarz
10 Years
Toyota Norman Oscar Chavez
Top Service TOYOTA NORMAN Tim Ostwalt Bryan Mahan Robert Nelson
DODGE Ohn Gatlin Kenny Hall Fabian Munoz
HONDA Joey Colvin Taylor Henson Jerome Stark
TOYOTA TULSA Michael Whitaker Charley Rolon Victoria Thomas
CENTURY Tom Ricicki Cody Mortus John Hobart
VOLKSWAGEN Matt Unrein Taylor Cypert Rob Post
Garry Martin Toyota-Norman Jerry Kelley Honda Tuan Tran Fowler Holding Co.
5 Years Louis Parris, Toyota-Norman SM Revier, Century Anthony Rounds, Toyota Norman
Top F&I Producers
1. Dustin Davis – Dodge 2. Brian Dexter – Dodge 3. Jon Hagan – Toyota Norman 4. Dillon Harris – Toyota Norman 5. Justin Green – Chevy
www.fowlerauto.com
HALLOWEEN PHOTOS! Send your childhood Halloween photos to community@fowlerholding.com or text to 405.808.0588 with subject “Halloween photo”! We want to feature our employee’s photos on our social media accounts! 7
2721 36th Avenue N.W. Norman, OK 73072
Make My Day What makes your day at work? Let us know and you’re entered to win $50 restaurant gift card! #FowlerMakeMyDay Send/Post a photo or comment to enter: Instagram & Twitter: @ FowlerAuto Facebook: www.facebook.com/ FowlerAutomotive Email: community@fowlerauto. com
Editor’s Note: Lauren Rigney drew last month’s doodle contest submission above!
Share with us!
Telephone contact (405) 573-9909
Have an update, announcement or idea for a story to share? Are you an artist, musician or involved in the community? Contact us!
E-mail contact:
kristenv@fowlerholding.com
Headquarters:
2721 NW 36th Ave , Norman, OK 73072