National Recognition National Recognition by General Motors has come to Woolwich Chevrolet in the form of the Mark Of Excellence Award, held by dealership owner Randy Miller of Woolwich, right, and salesman Forrest Bryant of Alna. Miller also owns Newcastle Chrysler. (Photo Paula Gibbs)

The dealership has received General Motors' "Mark of Excellence" award for the year 2001. It is the only dealership in the state to receive the award.

Randy Miller, who bought Newcastle Chrysler Dodge Jeep in 1996 after many years in the automobile business in Ohio, bought the Woolwich dealership in the fall of 2000 from Robert Kurzius. He changed the name from Brothers to Woolwich Chevrolet and with a complete renovation of the building opened what appears to be an entirely new showroom.

Miller gives the people who work for him the credit for the award.

"All of my employees earned it," he says. "They give so much of their time to make this a better business," he said. As an example, his facilities manager Sherry Guerette and her husband worked for seven months, on their own time, to build a parade float for the dealership which won awards in Fourth of July parades in Bath, Damariscotta and Newcastle.

Miller was one of 225 dealers nationwide who were flown to Scottsdale, Ariz. to receive their awards.

"They showed us how special the Mark of Excellence Award is," he said. "The surprise speaker was former New York City Mayor Rudolph Guliani."

Asked how General Motors decides which dealerships are worthy of the award, Miller said it's based on customer service in three areas: sales, service, and parts.

In the sales category, the Woolwich dealership exceeded its sales projections, selling over 400 new and used cars last year.

On the service end of the business, Miller says, "I like to tell people that I will exceed their expectations -- and I know we will."

"We have free loaner vehicles and every time someone brings a car in for service, we wash their car."

"Every customer who brings a vehicle here for repairs gets a card to fill out. I read every single one. We try to make sure our customers know how important their opinions are, so we can make changes if we need to."

"GM also sends out cards to everyone who buys a car from us, and whenever they come in for scheduled service."

The best possible training for his service people at both dealerships is paramount.

"At our Chrysler store in Newcastle we have the best trained technicians in the entire Boston district."

"We fix it right the first time, so the customer doesn't have to come back.

As for used cars, Miller says his "may be a little more expensive" but they are all "scrutinized so carefully."

"We feel if a car isn't good enough for someone in our own family to drive, it's not good enough to sell," he says.

Several events are planned for the fall, including a grand re-opening of the Woolwich facility in October. "We'll have 140 new vehicles arriving in the next 45 to 60 days," he says.

This week a new reconditioning division opens at the dealership.

Between now and the end of September, people who come into the dealership will be eligible to sign up to win a $100,000 scholarship, a joint venture with the national radio chain "Clear Channel Radio," which is at 104.3 FM locally and 102.5 FM in Rockland.

Young people in the midcoast area who have studied ballet will have an opportunity to audition September 12, right in the Woolwich showroom, to perform with the Russian Ballet at a later date. A total of 60 young dancers will be chosen to perform with the internationally known company.

And on Saturday, September 14, there will be a free "Women Only Service Clinic" conducted by service managers Todd Brann and Jack Harworth (call 563-8138 for more information).