By Jasmine Stark
Volume Chevrolet, a family-owned dealership, celebrated its tenth anniversary on February 2nd, marking a decade of success rooted in community engagement, employee loyalty, and a commitment to customer satisfaction.
I had the opportunity to sit down with Jason Connell, the dealership’s owner, to discuss the journey that led to Volume Chevrolet’s growth and its deep ties to the local community.
In 2014, Connell was living in his hometown of Tifton, GA, and serving as the general manager at Tenneson Nissan. When the opportunity arose to partner with Travis Ostrom, owner of two dealerships in the area, Connell saw potential for a new venture. However, he had one stipulation: the dealership had to be located in Georgia so he and his wife, Holly could stay close to their families.
The search led Connell and Ostrom to Barnesville, GA, where Volume Chevrolet was for sale. In early 2015, they purchased the business, leasing the property that it was on. The small location soon proved too cramped, and the pair began looking for a larger site.
“At first, we were looking at five different counties,” Connell recalled. “But when Holly researched the schools and decided Forsyth was where we wanted to live, we zeroed in on Monroe County.”
By 2017, they had secured a plot of land in Forsyth and broke ground on a new dealership. Originally expected to take seven months to complete, construction stretched into a full year, with Volume Chevrolet finally opening its doors at the new location in September 2019.
The dealership’s expansion and success allowed the Connells to buy out Ostrom’s share of the business in 2023, making them the sole owners.
Building Success Through Strong Relationships
Connell attributes much of the dealership’s success to the loyal employees who have been with the business since its inception. Among them are Lee Merritt and Buddy Beck, who were part of the previous ownership but chose to stay on. Chris Toner and Todd Stone also joined soon after the Connells took over and have remained with the company.
“I met Todd Stone when I first got into the car business in 1996, and we’ve been friends ever since,” said Connell. “When I bought the dealership, Todd was one of the first people I brought on.”
Stone now serves as the dealership’s general manager. Connell believes his long-standing relationships with his team have fostered a culture of loyalty.
Connell’s leadership style, built on treating employees with respect and creating a work-life balance, is a reflection of his early career experiences.
“I’ve been in car sales since I was 19, and I learned what not to do from working for some not-so-great dealers early on,” Connell said, continuing to explain that one of the dealers he worked for had him working twelve hour shifts, six days a week. “I promised myself if I ever owned a dealership, I would run it differently.” Connel believed, early on, that it was possible to run a profitable business, make it a fun place to work, and make sure his employees were able to spend quality time at home with their families.
Today, none of Connell’s employees are required to work long hours unless they choose to, and everyone enjoys time off on holidays. “Happy employees make happy customers,” he said. “That’s the philosophy we live by.”
A Family Affair
Jason and his wife Holly manage the dealership together, with Jason overseeing sales and service and Holly handling human resources and payroll. Both are heavily involved in the daily operations, with Jason spending most days on the sales floor.
Their two children, Jac and Kristen, have also pursued higher education, with Jac studying business and finance at Georgia Southern University, and Kristen working in marketing at AMG after completing her master’s degree at the University of Florida.
Outside of work, the Connells enjoy family trips to Florida or back to their hometown in Tifton, often accompanied by their two dogs, Louie and Coco.
Giving Back to the Community
Community support has been key to Volume Chevrolet’s success. “The community has given so much to us, and we’re happy to give back,” said Connell. “There’s no way we would be where we are today without the support of Monroe County.”
One of the dealership’s standout programs is its annual Teacher of the Year Car Giveaway, which honors a deserving Monroe County teacher with a new car. Connell feels strongly about recognizing educators for their hard work and dedication.
Volume Chevrolet also supports local students through its Star Student Award scholarships and contributes to the county’s athletic programs.
During the recent United Way Car Giveaway, Volume Chevrolet gave a new car to Bert Bivins III, a longtime donor to the United Way. Bivins said, in an interview, that he was shocked to get the call that he had won the United Way Raffle as he had been entering for decades and never expected to win. “You never lose when you’re donating to a good cause,” Bivins said and the feeling of having donated to a good cause was all he had expected. He and his wife, Barbara, had not even watched the announcement on TV.
Bert and Barbara, who have been married for 54 years, were thrilled with their new vehicle — a Chevrolet Colorado, chosen for its practicality and features. They also appreciated the dealership’s complimentary oil change service, which is provided to every customer every 5,000 miles for life. In 2024, Volume Chevrolet performed 535 free oil changes, a number Connell hopes to grow in the future.
Looking to the Future
As Volume Chevrolet enters its second decade, Connell is excited about the future. With his loyal team, strong community ties, and a commitment to treating both employees and customers with respect, Volume Chevrolet is poised for continued success.
“We’re grateful for the community’s support, and we’re proud to be here,” Connell said. “We’re just getting started.”
For more information about Volume Chevrolet and its latest promotions, stop by their dealership or visit their website.
