She also created a Cares Committee that engages team members across departments to strengthen culture and community ties. The committee has organized adoption events with the local animal shelter, baby supply drives for the United Way, food truck appreciation days and employee recognition programs. “One of the best things we implemented in our dealership in the last 18 months is the establishment of our Cares Committee,” Beck said. “When we invite our team to take leadership roles in building and establishing our culture, we have better buy-in and morale.” COMMITTED TO EDUCATION Committed to workforce development and opportunity, Beck provides Degrees@Work — a no-cost, no-debt college degree program through Strayer University to help employees and their families advance their careers while working full-time. The dealership has covered over $400,000 in tuition for employees and their families through the program. The store also partners with local high school vocational centers on apprenticeships and mentored technician pathways, as well as an annual automotive scholarship. Customer care at Marlow Motor Company is personal and practical. “One of our core values is to be innovative problem solvers,” Beck said, pointing to a recent example: “A woman and her two dogs arrived at our dealership when her car broke down. There was a delay in getting the part she needed. The employees used their personal funds to purchase her meals and care for her dogs, and our service manager used his own funds to get a hotel room for the woman so she would have a safe place to sleep.” ADVOCACY BEYOND THE DEALERSHIP WALLS Beck’s leadership extends statewide through the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, where she has served as chairman (2021-2022), vice chair, treasurer, secretary and long-time board member (2011-2024). That role brought her attorney’s perspective to complex issues, including direct sales, warranty reimbursement, EV transition and pandemic response. Reflecting on a pivotal leadership moment, she added, “Team members will overlook inexperience, but they will not overlook lack of character or commitment.” To mark the company’s 75th anniversary in 2022, she challenged the dealership to perform 75 acts of kindness for the community in 25 workdays, ranging from book drives and food pantry stocking to e-recycling events, shelter support and neighborhood cleanup. The campaign spurred copycat kindness campaigns by local organizations and drew broad media recognition. “When we began the campaign, I was concerned that we would not be able to successfully execute it,” she recalled. “At one point, I realized that the campaign was exactly what my team needed during that time.” The lasting lesson: “The best part of the 75 acts of kindness was how effective it was in modeling culture for our team. We continue to work with many of these non-profits to this day.” Beck was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by Don Hall, president and CEO of the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association. Emily and her husband, Andrew Beck, have three children: Olin, Marshall and Margaret. THE TIME DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARD IS ONE OF THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS AND HIGHLY COVETED HONORS. vada.com 7
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