July 2012-Employee Spotlight-Claudia Halle

Claudia Halle is one of the irreplaceable service receptionists at Jim Butler Chevy. She’s been with the Jim Butler Chevrolet Service Team for over two years now. Claudia grew up in Sullivan, Missouri and currently calls Fenton her home. She enjoys spending most of her time outside that is why her positioning in the service drive is perfect.

When Claudia isn’t working, she spends most of her time outdoors, with some of her favorite hobbies being fishing and going on float trips. Claudia is big sports fan, just as long as it isn’t a basketball game. Her favorite sports teams are the St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Claudia has been an integral part of the Jim Butler team and we want to thank her for her hard work and dedication. Great job Claudia!

Favorite Vehicles

Past: ’69 Chevelle SS 396

Present: 2012 Silverado HD 2500 with black tint and huge tires!

Saying to live by: “If you want something done and done right? Do it yourself.”

Employee Spotlight - Mike Thompson

Seasoned service veteran, Mike Thompson has been a Service technician at Jim Butler Chevrolet for 5 years. Mike actually started working on cars when he was 6 years old with his dad. He is originally from the St. Louis Area and enjoys heading to the ballpark for a Cardinals game in his free time.

Mike enjoys playing his guitars, and admires many guitarists such as BB King, Eric Clapton, Led Zepplin, Santana and many others. Typically he plays Country, Gospel and a little Rock & Roll. When he isn't jamming on his six string, he likes to spend time at the park with his 3 grandchildren. Mike's favorite sport is baseball, and obviously he enjoys watching the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals!

Favorite Vehicles
Past - 1957 Chevy Belair
Present - 2012 Dodge Challenger SRT8

Saying to live by "Attention to details now, saves from future mistakes"

Employee Spotlight-Tim Rhame

We'd like to welcome our May 2012 Employee Spotlight and newest addition to our Internet Sales Team, Tim Rhame. Tim is going to be one of our Lead Internet Sales Managers. He has almost 10 years experience in the automotive industry and is from the St. Louis Area. 

Cardinals games, playing golf, shooting washers with friends or cheering on the MU Tigers football team, Tim definitely has some hobbies to fill in his off-time. If Tim had his choice to go on vacation tomorrow, his favorite place to go is San Diego, CA. Tim won't be going anywhere until next month, when he and his fiance get married. 

Favorite vehicle

Past - '69 Pontiac GTO

Present - 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago 

Saying to live by "If you're not first, you're last"

Employee Spotlight - Don Bay

Don Bay is the General Sales Manager at Jim Butler Chevrolet. He is originally from St. Louis and has 22 years of experience in the St. Louis automotive business. Don has consistently lead our Sales Team in annual sales growth each year as well as earning the "GM Mark of Excellence" consecutively through the past few years.

Some might think that Don's focus is just selling cars, but his family #1 in his life. Don has 4 kids and is happily married. When he is not at the dealership he enjoys spending time with his kids, and especially likes cheering for them at their baseball games and soccer games. Don's hobbies include biking, hiking, golf and poker. St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Blues hockey, are Don's two favorite teams to follow.

Favorite Cars
Past  - 1980 Chevrolet Corvette
Present - 2012 Chevy Tahoe

Saying to live by "Try to do the right thing everyday"

Employee Spotlight - Kim Hausmann

Celebrating 4 years at Jim Butler Chevrolet, we'd like to congratulate Kim Hausmann, Service Advisor, for her excellent customer service. Kim started out in the automotive business back in 1996 and has loved working at the vibrant Butler Chevrolet location in Fenton. She grew up in Ellisville but now lives in South County with her husband and three kids. Her pride and joy aside from her kids, is her 4 great grand-children whom she loves playing with whenever she gets time. 

Kim loves rock'n roll, and her husband even has his own band "Vynal Tap." When they aren't occupied with their grand-children or going to a gig on the weekends, they take a short road trip down to the Lake of the Ozarks. They have a cabin on the lake and enjoy getting out on the water for a little boating with the family. In St. Louis, Kim likes to go for walks in Forest Park and when things warm up, go to the Muny. 

Favorite sports teams - Cardinals baseball, St. Louis Blues

Favorite vehicle of the past - 1966 Chevelle SS, convertible or hardtop

Favorite vehicle of the present - 2012 Chevy Equinox or Traverse

Saying to live bye "Only a life lived for others is worth living" -Albert Einstein 

Employee Spotlight - Shelly McGrael

Introducing our newest team member at Jim Butler Chevrolet, Shelly McGrael is our new Business Development Manager at the Chevy and KIA location. Shelly is a St. Louis native with a background in the insurance industry for over 10 years. Last year, she decided to make a career change and took the leap over to the automotive industry. Shelly has always had a knack for customer service and sales techniques.

Shelly's dad was actually the Service Manager at Jim Butler Chevrolet for 27 years, and she even worked at the Watson Rd. store when she was 16 year-old. We look forward to her becoming a key factor in serving our customers with the best customer service in St. Louis.

Shelly isn't always at the dealership, and when she gets a chance, she enjoys one of her hobbies. Shelly is an avid antique hunter and restorer, enjoys camping with her family and also bbq'ing with friends during the warmer months in St. Louis.

Favorite vehicles
Past - 1985 Chevy Camaro IROC Z28
Present - 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427

Saying to live by "When you know better, you do better" --Maya Angelou

Employee Spotlight - Tracy Hankins

Tracy Hankins is our Controller at Jim Butler Imports and Jim Butler Chevrolet. She originally started with Jim Butler Auto Group's Saturn locations about 14 years ago. Tracy was born and raised in the St. Louis Area. There is actually a funny story about her first car buying experience.

When Tracy was still in college looking to buy her first new car, she shopped all over with her dad. They drove all over St. Louis but ended up buying her New 1991 Chevy Cavalier from the dealer that treated him right, Jim Butler Chevrolet on Watson Road. Who would have known that she would end up working at Jim Butler Chevrolet a few years later?

Since Tracy oversees a lot of the behind the scenes work at two Jim Butler stores, she is often spending a lot of time at the dealerships. When she isn't at work, she really likes to enjoy her kids. She is married with two boys and a girl. Their favorite thing to do is explore the parks all over the St. Louis Area, especially hiking trails less traveled. Tracy can always be found rooting for the home team no matter how good or bad they are doing. Finally, reading has become something that she rarely has time for but she does love reading, particularly the "Harry Potter" series.

Favorite cars of past and present - Tracy doesn't necessarily have a favorite vehicle of the past, but she did have a blast last summer when she got to take home a New 2011 Chevy Camaro Convertible SS.

Saying to live by "Where ever you are, be there"