Over the years, Chuck opened three other dealerships (two Mercedes, one Cadillac) in metro Detroit with his two sons (CJ and Lee).  He moved the Birmingham store to Bloomfield Hills and used that as his headquarters until early this year.  

Lessons Learned

I joined the Mercedes dealership in the summer of 1981 as a service porter and parts department assistant.  I washed cars, painted the shop, sorted parts when new shipments arrived and occasionally drove cars to other dealerships to perform “dealer trades.”  Essentially, I filled in for team members when they went on vacation.  

It’s interesting what you learn from watching the operations in the back of the shop.  Some of these were by Chuck’s design, many from just being curious.  All of the lessons I carried into my professional life when I was making dealer contacts at Chevrolet:

• No job is too menial. If you can understand how the most basic operation works, you can better manage it.
• The backbone of any dealership is the service department.  A customer may only visit the showroom once, but they will be a service customer for years.  If you screw up that relationship, you are done.  
• Related to the above, I noticed each day that Chuck parked his car in the front of the building, but entered through the rear service doors.  When I asked why he did this, he said you learn a lot about a dealership by the mood in the shop.  When I became a district manager at Chevrolet, I remembered those words and entered my dealerships through the service department on every visit.
• Integrity and honesty is key.  Chuck reminded me many times over my career at GM to never BS a dealer.  If you truly cannot help them, it is better to tell them “no” rather than “maybe.”  Actually, the same thing goes with customers.  Nobody wants to be strung along.
• You must earn and keep the loyalty of your team members.  This translates into a superior customer experience as happy team members want to take care of your customers.  As an example, I saw Chuck’s current service director at the funeral.  This was the same man I worked for in 1981.  He is still at the dealership today!
• When a dealer flies you to Kansas City to pick up a new car for a customer, it’s best to make the eight hour drive back in a timely manner.  Lengthy stops and short detours are not appreciated by anyone (especially that new customer!).  Time is money.

Supporting the Community

Like many businesspeople, Chuck had strong ties to the community where his dealerships resided.  It was his nature to nurture.  Remember that comment above about earning and keeping loyalty?  A big part of that was earned by giving people a second chance when they fell down.  There might not be a third chance, but few needed them.  

His love of family and children were fulfilled by supporting Cranbrook Schools for over 50 years and funding the Ghesquiere Family Center for Children’s Surgery at Beaumont Hospital (Royal Oak, MI).  This is a dedicated facility where children receive highly specialized surgical care in a family-centered, child-friendly place.  You can learn more about this program HERE.

His many outside interests gave him the same satisfaction he gained from work.  That balance is likely what led to his long, fruitful life.  

If you are pursuing an automotive career, you would be lucky to work and learn from a dealer like Chuck Ghesquiere. The lifelong lessons gained are immeasurable.

I will miss my Uncle Chuck.  He was more than just family.  He was an inspirational leader and valued mentor.