Heinrich Auto Group knows family ownership is best asset

Every employee, no matter his or her position, has a chance to be a hero at Heinrich Auto Group.

The company, which includes Fairway Chevrolet, Henderson Chevrolet, Fairway Buick GMC and Pahrump Valley Auto Group, ranked No. 4 among midsize companies as a top place to work.

The group has a HERO program in which employees are honored monthly and quarterly for their contributions to the company. The quarterly winners even receive a two-night vacation at Disneyland.

“H” stands for being helpful to customers and fellow employees. “E” stands for exceeding expectations. “R” stands for representing the company in the right way and “O” stands for taking ownership.

“We are part of a family, and everyone pitches in and helps,” said Peter Reele, a sales manager. “Everybody is equal, and we acknowledge everybody and nobody is better.”

Reele said having a family-owned business makes it a great place to work that goes to the heart of how the owner Greg Heinrich treats employees.

“Everybody is proud to work here,” Reele said. “We do all the right stuff. The HERO program starts with the owner and how he treats us. The atmosphere and culture is like no other place I have worked.”

Terry Hoisington, a general manager, said having a family-owned business rather than a corporate-owned company eliminates the multiple layers of management and allows it to be responsive. Employees want and need direction, and it helps to address any concerns quickly, he said.

“We value our employees,” Hoisington said. “We realize customers form relationships with our employees and in many cases do business because of that. That makes our employees a valuable asset. We don’t think of ourselves as a car dealership. We are a customer service business. When everyone thinks like that, it makes for a great work environment.”

That is echoed by employees who said in surveys they have a good time while working, that they feel appreciated and that it feels like home to them.

“I don’t dread coming to work,” one employee said. “The atmosphere is pleasant. The people are great. It is more like an extended family. The managers and owner truly care about you on a personal level and not just as an employee.”

Getting treated with respect by a company is rare these days, another employee said. Many said they have no plans to work anyplace else.

“Fairway Chevrolet is home to me,” one said. “I feel confident the owner and general manager appreciate my efforts.”

“I enjoy the work I do,” another said. “It’s still challenging, and I still learn things all the time. I work with a great bunch of people. It’s like family.”