People-centric approach successful for father/daughter car team

Hanover Auto Team Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Loni Smith told those gathered Tuesday morning at The Chamber of Gettysburg and Adams County’s Annual Community Prayer Breakfast co-sponsored by the Christian Men’s Business Connection that even the most challenging customer deserves a warm welcome.

“You don’t know what is going on in there so just remember to respond with grace and love,” she said at the event held at Comfort Suites, Gettysburg.

John Burdis and Loni Smith

Smith joined her father, John Burdis, in the vehicle business several years ago when he was looking forward to retirement. Burdis knew the next CEO would need a several-year transition plan, but he was a bit surprised when his successor was one of his own.

“Seventy percent of businesses don’t transition to the second generation,” Burdis said. “Ninety percent don’t transition to the third.”

Smith was a teacher looking for a new path. Her father’s people-centric approach was appealing so she decided to carry on his legacy.

“You can be a car dealer and be kind,” she said.

Burdis said he turned to God several years ago during a challenging time in his career. He has read the Bible repeatedly since then looking for life’s lessons. Smith credited her father for taking simple moments and making them special for others. She encouraged attendees to do the same and stressed that “employment is ministry.”

“You can do God’s work right where you are,” she said.

Foursquare Church Pastor Mark Chester said the Annual Community Prayer Breakfast began in more than two decades ago after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.


“People seem so far apart today on the political spectrum and there seems to be a loss of goodwill through it all,” he said.


Christian Men’s Business Group meets at 7 a.m., Thursdays at Dunlap’s Restaurant, 90 Buford Ave, Gettysburg. New members are welcome.

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​Alex J. Hayes, Editor, has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is heavily involved in the community through his volunteer roles at the Rotary Club of Gettysburg, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, United Way of Adams County, and Healthy Adams County. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania.
Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.

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