Who gets to drive the Corvette?
That was the question on everyone’s mind this week when Crow-Burlingame announced its 2022 President’s Council winners. Launched in 2006, The President’s Council is a yearly award that recognizes the company’s top 12 store managers in areas such as sales, profit, inventory management and expense control.
Winners receive commemorative plaques, custom apparel and an all-expenses paid trip to the Aftermarket Jackpot in Las Vegas this November. Those who have won three times or more also receive the prestigious President’s Council ring.
But ask anyone: The biggest motivator is the Corvette. Each winner gets the Corvette delivered to their town, and then it’s theirs to drive for a month – with everything from car washes to oil changes and gas paid for by the company.
Winners get to choose from two this year. One is a 2019 Seabring Orange convertible with a V-8 engine. “It comes with everything Corvette offers except the turbo and standard shift,” VP & General Manager Tom Singleton told the group.
“The other Corvette, a white 2014 model, is exactly the same, except the interior is red and it’s five years older,” Singleton added.
Bryan Jones, a five-time winner from Fayetteville, Arkansas, was hoping to score the car during late October/early November. He grinned when it was his turn to name his car choice (the white one) and his month (officially November, but with the wiggle room usually given to winners who have a special occasion they are hoping to attend and show off the car).
“My daughter is getting married on Oct. 30,” Jones said. “I need the car that weekend!”
Thomas Martin, who officially retired in 2015 from Crow-Burlingame after 28 years of service, still serves as the official Corvette wrangler. It’s his job to keep the Corvette fleet in tip-top condition, and he facilitate the transfers between each winning manager. (Driving the ‘Vette between destinations is a dirty job, but someone has to do it.)
He is the final word on dates. “We can definitely make that happen,” Martin said.
The other 11 winners nod and smile in agreement. It’s a family-owned company – since 1919 – and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Think you have what it takes to win a month with the Corvette? Check out the job openings at btbautoparts.com.
