his main goal. With $103 million for members to access, the WCF is as healthy as it has ever been. Even better is that so many GADA members are prioritizing safety, which leads to fewer accidents and, ultimately, fewer claims. The year-end dividends are proof that being safety-minded works. “On average, I get about 50% of what I’ve paid in dividends back to our store,” said William. “It’s a huge money saver.” “I’m very thankful for the leadership of our association. The WCF wouldn’t be doing as well as it is without the excellent job they do,” said William. MORE ABOUT WILLIAM As a first-generation dealer, William has had to learn about the auto business from the ground up. During the economic downturn of 1991, he had the opportunity to purchase a struggling Chevrolet dealership in McDonough, Georgia. The dealership had many problems and was losing around $46,000 a month. He applied his sales background, hard work ethic and small-town values to begin the process of fixing the problems. The first year was filled with many long days and some sleepless nights, but by 1992, William had right sided the company. “We didn’t make a whole lot of money that year, but we didn’t lose any money, and that was big news,” said William. “Had I known the stakes were as high as they were, I probably wouldn’t have made the journey,” said William. Today, Bellamy Strickland Chevrolet GMC is a staple of the community and stronger than ever. In addition to running a successful dealership and serving on the GADA board, it is important to William to give back to his community. The dealership is proud to be a sponsor of local youth sports, the Henry County and Forsyth-Monroe Chambers of Commerce, and A Friends House in Henry County, which provides a safe and loving environment for children in crisis in McDonough. Because of his many achievements, William was the 2020 Georgia TIME Dealer of the Year Nominee. 11 THE GENERATOR
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