Momentum Marketing’s Pam Hartley Attends NeSmith Chevrolet’s 40th Anniversary Surprise Celebration

“It was a very special evening honoring a very special man,” said Momentum Marketing agency principal Pam Hartley.

On Saturday, September 27, 2014, Hartley attended a surprise 40th Anniversary party in Claxton, Georgia at NeSmith Chevrolet Buick GMC. The honoree, Martin NeSmith, founded the thriving automotive group in September 1974 and was beyond surprised to see over 100 friends, family members and businesses associates come together to celebrate his accomplishments almost 40 years to the day. “He was literally in tears as he walked around the room greeting everyone after his arrival,” said Hartley. “He had no clue his daughter-in-law, Ashley NeSmith, had planned this event.”

Hartley began handling the advertising and marketing for NeSmith in 1992, just one year after graduating from Purdue University.  “It’s been such a pleasure to work with this family for so many years,” she said.

At the event, Hartley congratulated NeSmith by addressing the crowd with the following words:

Martin,
I started handling your advertising and marketing in 1992 when I was just one year out of college. You had a big mustache, were a little high strung, had a passion for serving your customers, a duty to your community and a true love of the automotive business. Demere was at Georgia Southern (and I referred to him as a ‘blonde haired Tom Cruise’). Chad was still in high school and helped out on weekends. Suzette worked diligently in the office. And I didn’t need reading glasses.

You had a BIG mission in no hassle buying and you wanted to tell the world about it. No pressure. No tough negotiations. Always treat the customer like an honored guest in our home. It’s been 22 years since then and look how much you’ve accomplished.

It’s been my privilege to have the job of communicating your principals, thoughts and ideas to the public for all these years. You’ve always had your special way to get a message across. I remember your passion about buying American and the campaigns we created to educate the public. You taught me a lot.

We’ve probably produced about 200 commercials since we began. I wish I could share a blooper tape from our television spots in the 90s with everyone tonight – now that’s entertainment. But I also handle your public relations and have always made sure those files were destroyed.

Through the good times in the business, the not-so-good-times recession, and now the new marketplace, you’ve accomplished a lot.

You were the 3rd dealer in the nation to change the way car buying is done. When others jumped on the no hassle buying bandwagon and soon jumped off, you stayed the course because you thought it was the right way to treat people and you never looked back.

When you won the national Time Magazine Dealer of the Year Award, you called to thank me for all of I’d done for you. I remember thinking you didn’t have to do that. But you are always so gracious and credit everyone around you for your accomplishments. That’s just who you are.

You’ve helped shape automotive legislation; represented the dealer body on a national level; won accolades and awards in the automotive industry; served your community relentlessly with your time and money; retained customers, employees, and vendors for over 10, 20, 30 years; helped countless families in need and kept your taxidermist extremely busy with your hunting trophies along the way.

You expect a great deal out of everyone around you, but always give so much in return in loyalty, encouragement and leadership.

When the recession hit in 2008, you were pro-active investing in training, team dynamics coaching, guerrilla marketing and more to help your team weather the storm. You’ve always been a forward thinking and innovative leader.

I’ve witnessed your tireless commitment to your family and the communities you serve. Your attempt to embrace retirement (well, semi-retirement) has been a valiant one. We’ll all continue to see how that goes.

Out of all of the businesses I’ve worked with over the years, yours is the only one that starts business meetings and team events in prayer. That’s an incredible reflection of your faith in God and willingness to share that with everyone around you. It’s a beautiful thing.

Your 40th Anniversary is well earned. Your sons and their wives are moving the business forward and I honor all of you. Congratulations to you, Suzette, Demere, Chad, Mallory, Ashley and every employee at NeSmith.

Thank you for putting your faith in me all these years. I’m grateful to know you, to have you as my client and most of all, proud to call you a friend.

As Chad would say, “Come get you some 40”. Cheers to 40 more years.