 Kitty Van Bortel
When you meet Kitty Van Bortel—as so many customers of her three dealerships do every day—you know that she’s the powerhouse behind the enormous, consistent success of Van Bortel Subaru, Van Bortel Ford and Van Bortel Used Car Center. Kitty owns one of the top selling Subaru dealerships in the nation, as well as one of the most successful Ford dealerships in a multi-state area. Her automotive group is now one of the fastest growing, privately held companies in the greater Rochester, NY area.
With an investment of only $500, Kitty founded her first used car dealership in her front yard in 1985, lining up the cars in front of her small house in Victor, NY. She applied the experience she had gained as sales manager for John Holtz’s Mercedes Benz/BMW dealership to her own enterprise, moving to a three-acre lot in 1990 and quickly gaining momentum until it was time to choose a brand and move to new car sales. It was only natural that she became attracted to Subaru because of the cars’ sturdy construction, excellent design and focus on safety, reliability and comfort. She built a 6,000-square-foot facility in Victor to house Van Bortel Subaru, and opened the doors in 1991.
Kitty approached new car sales with a unique philosophy: She instinctively became the kind-hearted dealer. “I trust people, and I always have,” she said in a recent keynote speech to the Greater Rochester Chapter of the National Association of Woman Business Owners. “And when you trust people, people will trust you. That’s why we give our customers a fair price, and all the information they need to make a sound decision, and then we allow them to take the time to make that decision. No tricks, no games.”
Customers of Van Bortel Subaru, Van Bortel Ford and Van Bortel Used Car Center are offered a no-dicker price for each car, with full disclosure of the vehicle’s base price, the cost of the options chosen by the customer, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, and the price offered by Van Bortel—including a clear statement of the dealership’s profit on the sale. By removing the negotiation process from the purchase, Kitty Van Bortel takes the fear out of buying the car: The customer knows without a doubt that he or she has paid a fair price for the vehicle.
In just one year after opening Van Bortel Subaru, Kitty was inducted into the Subaru Chairman’s Roundtable—a select organization of the top 20 dealers in the nation who display excellence in sales and customer satisfaction. She has remained a member every year since 1992, and today Van Bortel Subaru maintains a 77% or more market share in Subaru sales in the Rochester area, an achievement that dates back to 1997. In 1999, Van Bortel Subaru became the largest Subaru dealership in the nation, receiving Subaru Stellar Performer certification every year since 2001.
With this exemplary record of success, it was only natural for Ford Motor Company to select Kitty to become a Ford dealer in 2001. She opened Van Bortel Ford just a short drive down the road from the Subaru dealership in Victor, NY, and by 2002 the new dealership became Blue Oval Certified, an indication of Van Bortel Ford’s immediate and consistent success. Van Bortel Ford quickly rose to become the highest volume selling Ford dealer in the market—beating 10 other Rochester area Ford dealers. In 2003 and 2004, Van Bortel Ford received Ford’s annual Top 20 Sales Achievement Award and 2005-2009 Van Bortel Ford received Ford’s Annual Top 40 Sales Achievement Award in the Pittsburgh region, which includes dealerships from several states.
Kitty is more than a smart, successful business owner—she is also a well-recognized role model for businesswomen in the greater Rochester area and throughout the nation. Working Woman magazine selected Van Bortel Subaru as a Top 500 Woman-Owned Business for four years running. Kitty has been honored as a Wells College Alumni of the Year, and she received the Alfred University College of Business Galanis Award for Excellence in Family Business in 2003. In 2005 Kitty was recognized as one of the 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry by Automotive News and recognized by the Rochester Business Journal as “One of Rochester’s Most Influential Women”. In 2006 Kitty was nominated as the Rochester Small Business Council’s “Business Person of the Year”. 2009 was a busy year for Kitty as she was the recipient of the Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award from RIT’s Business School, she was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame and the recipient of the Rochester Women’s Network “W” Woman of the Year Award. Kitty was honored in 2010 as the Woman Business Owner of the Year by the Victor Local Development Corporation.
Kitty’s commitment to the community she calls home is evident in the many non-profit organizations she and her automotive group support. She conducts a Car Buying Seminar for pediatric interns at the University of Rochester. The Van Bortel dealerships sponsor Camp Good Days and Special Times, the Susan B. Anthony House, Rochester Women’s Foundation, the local chapter of the National Liver Foundation, AIDS of Rochester, Quad A for Kids, American Heart Association, Pluta Cancer Center, local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, Pet Pride of New York, and Mercy Flight.
What’s next for Kitty and the Van Bortel dealerships? In February of 2010, Kitty bought Fairport Ford and moved her entire Ford operation to 71 Marsh Road in Fairport, which is a larger, more modern facility allowing her to better serve Van Bortel customers. The Victor dealership on Route 96 is now Van Bortel Used Car Center, specializing in quality used cars. By growing three businesses to region-wide leadership while never compromising her principles—and always giving the customer a fair deal and a satisfying car buying and maintenance experience—Kitty Van Bortel turned a $500 investment into one of the most successful and respected enterprises in the area, emerging as a leader in business, in commitment to the community, and in treating every customer the way she herself would want to be treated, every day. |
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 Ruth Perrin
Assistant to the President
"I work for Kitty because she is the one of the most kind, honest and fair people I have ever met."
As Kitty’s assistant, Ruth is the go—to person when you need to get in touch with Kitty or check her schedule. Ruth spent six years as a Sales Consultant and Manager in the communications industry before turning to the automobile industry. Her automobile industry experience includes time as a salesperson, finance manager and sales manager before taking on the role of Assistant to the President. Customer service is Kitty’s number one priority, so that’s Ruth’s first priority as well—and she means it when she says, "Don’t hesitate to call me when you need me!"
When she’s not serving Van Bortel customers (since 1996), Ruth enjoys snowmobiling with the family, cross—country skiing, biking, walking the family Golden Retriever and reading. |
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| Technical Service |
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 Guy Kalpin
Service Manager
"I work for Kitty and Howard because I believe in their philosophies, especially in Customer Service. Besides, we have great customers!"
When he opened the Van Bortel Ford service department in 2001 Guy brought with him 32 years of automotive experience , ranging from technician to Service Manager, with 17 of those years in Ford service. "My Dad had me under the hood of a car since I could walk. Who knew I could support a family doing something I love so much." |
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 Dick Clark
Service Manager
"Kitty and Howard's view on customer and employee satisfaction is great!"
Since 1982, Dick has been in the Automotive Service industry starting as a Technician and as he learned the business the promotions came. He joined the Van Bortel team in 2010. Dick lives in Rush with his wife and 2 daughters and enjoys hunting and golfing in his free time. |
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 Jim Stahl
Parts and Service Director
"I had a much better feeling about the people at Van Bortel than I’d had at other dealerships. Looking back, it was an easy decision to make the move."
With more than 14 years’ experience in Ford parts management before joining Van Bortel when the dealership opened in 2001, Jim has an unusually firm grasp of the pieces that make Fords work. A Naples native, he lives in Canandaigua with his wife and son, and flies small airplanes when he is not at Van Bortel. He also enjoys restoring antique automobiles, and owns a 1930 Studebaker and a 1963 Cadillac convertible, among other classics. |
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 Glen Wilmot
Parts Manager
Glen joins Van Bortel Ford in 2010 with 30 years of parts and management experience. He lives in Greece with his wife and 2 young children with whom he spends his free time. |
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| Sales Department |
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 Allen Hawkins
New Car Manager
"After doing business in Victor for 20 plus years, I was sad to make the move to East Rochester. But our larger and more modern facility makes the sales and service experience much more enjoyable for our customers."
With more than 16 years' experience selling Fords-and all of it from the Victor location-it was only natural for Allen to join Van Bortel Ford when the dealership opened in 2001. Allen is a Victor native, and when he's not working, he enjoys many outdoor sports including kayaking, mountain biking and backpacking. Allen has successfully achieved his quest of hiking the 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks. |
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 Christin Lanzalaco
Assistant Sales Manager
"My dream is to own and operate my own car dealership and working for Kitty gives me a great perspective through another woman's experiences."
Christin started at Van Bortel Subaru as a college intern from Fredonia State University in 2006. After graduation in 2008, she was hired as a full time Sales Consultant at Van Bortel Ford. In 2010 she was promoted to Assistant Sales Manager and manages the Used Car Internet marketing for Van Bortel Ford and Van Bortel Used Car Center. She recently purchased a home in Victor. |
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 Paul Bowers
Sales Consultant
"Having been in the business for a long time, I heard all the good things about Kitty. Her reputation, the way she does business… I tried to get into this dealership for a long time."
A Van Bortel Ford sales consultant since the dealership opened in 2001, Paul brings nearly two decades of auto sales experience to Van Bortel customers. He’s a Gananda resident with his wife and two children, and when he’s not working, he’s at home and around town with his family. |
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 Steve Miller
Sales Consultant
"Kitty is the best Ford dealer in the U.S. and I love working here!"
Steve grew up in Fairport and now lives in Farmington with his wife and 3 young children. When Steve started at Van Bortel Ford in the summer of 2005, he brought with him 5 years restaurant managerial experience while attending SUNY Geneseo College and 1 year of automotive sales experience. Steve enjoys hiking, painting and spending time with his family. |
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 Joe Allbright
Sales Consultant
Along with his varied work experiences in other fields, Joe joins Van Bortel Ford in 2010 with 5 years of Automotive Sales experience. He is engaged to be married and lives in Hilton where he spends most of his free time with his young daughter. |
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 George Lunney
Sales Consultant
Prior to joining Van Bortel Ford in 2010 with 6 plus years of Auto Sales experience, George was in the retail business and a veteran of the Air Force. He is married with children and enjoys riding motorcycles, hunting and fishing. |
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 Claxton Wells
Sales Consultant
"Give me an opportunity to earn your business by coming down to Van Bortel Ford today!"
Claxton has been proudly serving the Rochester community since 2005 as a Certified Ford Sales Consultant and joined Van Bortel Ford in 2010. His philosophy is simple; give the customer the attention they deserve, treat them like family, and be open and honest. When he's not serving his customers, Claxton enjoys spending time with his family and church affiliations. |
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| Business / Finance |
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 Bryan Zemaitis
Business Manager
Bryan brings his 6 years of Automotive Sales and Management experience to Van Bortel Ford in 2010. He lives in Spencerport, enjoys basketball and track sports and is engaged to be married in 2011. While he attended college (MCC & Roberts Weselyn) he competed in the US National Track meet for the triple jump and was ranked 13th in the nation. |
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 Brandon Wood
Business Manager
"Being new to the automobile industry I only wanted to work for a dealer that represents high integrity and superior customer service. The way Kitty operates her dealers was a perfect fit for me. She operates her dealerships with both integrity and superior customer service. Her reputation speaks for itself."
Brandon was born and raised in Penn Yan and graduated from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelors degree in Marketing. Since college Brandon has lived in New Jersey and most recently lived in North Carolina. He and his wife moved back to the area in early 2007 to be closer to family and they now reside in Mendon. Brandon has 4 years of outside business to business sales experience and while in North Carolina started a successful small occupational therapy practice with his wife that still exists today. In his spare time Brandon enjoys reading, working on his home, outdoor activities, and is a fan of auto racing. |
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 Philip Schultz
Finance Director
"Working in this industry for many years I’ve noticed that it’s not where you work, but whom you work for that really matters. Kitty’s philosophy of trust and doing the right thing with her customers and associates is what’s made her most successful. I couldn’t help but come work for Kitty and be a part of it."
Philip joined the Van Bortel family in 2010, bringing with him 12 years of varied automotive experience as a Salesperson, Training Manager , Sales Manager, Business Manager, Internet Manager and General Sales Manager. He moved here recently from Appleton, Wisconsin and purchased a home in Webster where he lives with his dog. |
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| Technical Service |
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 Tom Anne
Service Advisor
"I decided to work here because of the technical knowledge and integrity of our technicians and staff."
Tom joined Van Bortel Ford in 2003, bringing with him 17 years of experience at Goodyear as a salesperson and store manager. He enjoys golfing, sports and spending time with his family. |
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 Michael Hryhorenko
Service Advisor
"I agree with Kitty’s sales philosophy 100 percent. It’s the way everyone should do business."
Michael joined Van Bortel in 2003 with more than 10 years of automobile industry experience as a sales consultant, service advisor and inventory manager. Originally from Rochester, he now lives in Victor, where he spends his non—working hours taking care of his house and yard. |
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 Bob Rothfuss
Service Advisor
"Even though the commute is longer, it's definitely worth the drive to work here!"
Bob brought 14 years of experience as a Ford Service Advisor to Van Bortel in April, 2004. Prior to that, he participated in the family business in Penfield. Bob enjoys riding his motorcycle in his free time along with keeping up with his two sons. |
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 Nikki Hutton
Service Advisor
After graduating from Purdue with a Criminal Law degree and working as a Service Advisor for 9 years, Nikki chose to work Van Bortel Ford's service department in 2010. She currently lives in Webster with her fiance and keeps busy with her three step-children. |
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 Craig Purdie
Service Appointment Coordinator
"I like everyone who works at Van Bortel Ford and the customers are great!"
Craig has worked at Van Bortel Ford since 2004 as a Service Appointment Coordinator and Service Advisor. He's got 2 years of Liberal Arts studies from MCC and 1 year of Sales experience prior to that. |
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 Richard Clarisse
Service Dispatcher
Richard was recommended in 2007 to work at the Van Bortel Ford Service deparment by Jim Stahl, the Parts and Service Director. He likes working here because of the customer service aspect. Richard has over 30 years of service experience, most of it with Ford service. Prior to that he ran a rental car business. |
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 Bob Valerio
Service Advisor
Bob joins Van Bortel Ford in 2010 with 19 years of varied Automotive Service experience. He has a family with 5 children and he still finds time to volunteer at the Scottsville Fire Department. |
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 Jay Fullerton
Service Lane Manager
Jay brings 14 years of Automotive Parts and Service experience to Van Bortel Ford in 2010. He lives in Bloomfield and enjoys working around the house. In his free time, his hobby is assembling and collecting model cars. |
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 Trent Snyder
Service Lane Manager
In the fall of 2006, Trent started working for Van Bortel Ford washing and parking cars. He continually was given more responsibilities and promoted to Service Department Porter and now he is serving customers as a Service Lane Manager. Prior to joining the Van Bortel Ford team, Trent received an Associates Degree from Finger Lakes Community College in Natural Resources Conservation. He is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting and fishing when he's not at work. |
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| Accounting / Admin |
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 Mike Tiss
Office Manager / CPA
"Kitty's reputation attracted me to this job. She is a very honest person."
Mike joined Van Bortel Ford when the dealership opened in 2001, with decades of experience working for other Ford dealerships. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Mike handles the accounts payable and works with Van Bortel vendors. He lives in Penfield, although he grew up in Florida-he takes advantage of the many cultural offerings in our area as a patron of the theater, art museums and other attractions. |
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 Fran Butera
General Manager
"Howard Van Bortel called me once a month for three years to get me to work for Van Bortel Ford. The Van Bortels' reputation as a great business finally convinced me to come here."
Fran came to Van Bortel Ford in 2004, after 18 years with another Ford dealership. Her job responsibilities range from payroll and accounts receivable to human resources and financial statements. The mother of three sons, Fran lives in Greece and enjoys time with her large extended family-including her boy's soccer games, coached by her husband. |
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 Maureen Nunn
Receptionist / Cashier
"I wanted to work for Kitty because of her reputation for customer satisfaction."
Maureen came to Van Bortel Ford in 2004 with 40 years of customer service experience. She enjoys meeting and greeting new people and working as Receptionist and Cashier is a perfect fit for her. |
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 Christina Meszler
Receptionist / Cashier
Christina brings her 4 years of Customer Service experience to Van Bortel Ford in 2010 and looks forward to meeting all our service customers. She is engaged to be married in 2011, lives in Spencerport and enjoys listening to music and taking her Chihuahua for long walks. |
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Fran Butera - 2008 Employee of the Year |
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