Pub. 1 2018-2019 |Issue 4

22 JohnWatson Chevrolet C ory Watson’s father, John Watson, has been in the car business for over 40 years. His focus has typically been as a new-car dealer, and over the course of his life he has owned 18 different franchises in Utah and Wyoming. Decades ago, it was much simpler to buy a dealership than it is now; John looked for dealerships that were not flourishing and then he would work to turn them around. Ogden, however, was home. In the early 90s, he decided to make Ogden his home base. The Browning family owned a dealership in Ogden in the 1960s that was purchased by Merrill Bean, who then built a new facility in 1967. It was known as Merrill Bean Chevrolet. John bought the facility in approximately 1991, renamed it John Watson Chevrolet, and Cory started working as a lot boy. Today, Cory and his brother Cam run the dealership. As you have worked at the dealership, what are some of the things you have learned from other members of your family? My father was a smart, conservative businessman. Some people are ultra- aggressive when it comes to selling cars. We are more interested in a home-town, feel-good approach. Honesty is important to us, and so is being good to the consumer. We think we do our best by being friendly and honest, and we operate as a team. I manage the new car inventory, and my brother Cam manages the used car inventory. Jeff Morgan is our general manager. He’s been with us since the early 80s. He started as the company controller, and he’s as good as it gets. What has surprised you the most about working with family that you didn’t expect? Everything has worked out. We get along really well. We have the same interests and values. There isn’t a lot of contention, and it’s a good working environment.