Andre's Auto

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2021 7 ANDRE’S AUTO 40TH ANNIVERSARY Evan Dixon/Features Writer O N JANUARY 22, 1997, Valerie McNaughton began her journey at Andre’s Auto, and almost a quarter of a century later she has not run out of gas. McNaughton has had a front-row seat to the company’s growth over the years, and her answer for why she has stayed with them all this time is simple yet profound. “It feels like home, co-workers feel like family. I prefer being here more than my actual home,” she said. The feeling of home she has expe- rienced for almost 25 years at Andre’s Auto is what keeps ‘Miss Valerie’ en- ergised after all these years. The aux- iliary worker enjoys the atmosphere of her workspace, noting that she gets tomeet all kinds of newpeople, which for her is a highlight of the job. But what does she think of the boss himself? “He is a genuinely nice person and he doesn’t think of himself as being better than others. He is a people person and treats everyone equally. He gives a lot of jokes when he’s ready and is a great person to be out with because of his great personality. The most important thing, though, is that he takes care of people,” she said. McNaughton has hadmany won- derful experiences during her ten- ure at Andre’s Auto; likely too many to list. However, her fondest and most treasured memory with her work family happened outside the walls of her home away from home. “We used to have outing where we went to beaches, resorts and retreats. He always made workers feel like family and I love how he made us feel comfortable at work and even outside of work. The time spent with my co-workers outside of work was very good and brought us closer together. When you have that kind of bonding taking place outside of work, it really motivates you andmakes you appreciate your co-workers even more,” she said. Loyalty such as McNaughton’s has not gone unnoticed by the man in charge. Hylton believes that people tend to stay with the company for 10, 20 or, in the case of McNaughton, close to 25 years, because they be- lieve they are cared for beyond the services that they offer. “At the end of the day, my em- ployees know that I care about them far beyond what happens inside this building. I can’t run this business by myself and I don’t think I would want to because of the quality of people like Miss Valerie. I am grate- ful that my employees have put their trust in me and I appreciate everything that they do here. I try to show that appreciation by not just being their boss, but being somebody they know they can rely on no matter what,” he said. ‘Miss Valerie’ says she is thank- ful for the time she has spent at Andre’s Auto, and would encour- age those that want to learn about the automotive industry to consider making Andre’s Auto an option. “You’ll learn a lot, and you’ll meet a lot new people. Andre’s is a great place and can be used as a stepping stone topave theway for a better life.” Employee of 25 years, Miss Valerie, serves a customer a cup of tea while she waits for vehicle. Riding till the wheels fall off ANDRE’S LONGEST-SERVING EMPLOYEE