Chris Messer, owner of Auto Supply Company (ASC) in Bowdon, was named the Small Business Person of the Year by the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce during the annual Membership BBQ.
“It has been exciting watching Chris and his team’s success with the auto parts business and then with the immediate success of the Bobcat mower and accessary dealership,” said Daniel Jackson, President/CEO of the Carroll County Chamber and Carroll Tomorrow.
“Chris has the challenge of maintaining success with an established business and growing a new business from scratch. Neither are easy. As a former retailer, I know what it is like to own, manage and successfully operate a business. Congratulations to Chris and his team on this award,” Jackson said.
In business since 1924, ASC supports the community in numerous ways including Bowdon Main Street program initiatives and sports programs. Messer is an advocate for education providing volunteer services to Bowdon schools and is a parent/business representative of the Bowdon Middle School Council.
During the 2011 economic recession, Messer recognized an opportunity to diversify the product offering at ASC and began offering small engine and lawn equipment parts. This diversification was well received in the community and was expanded in 2013 when he introduced a line of power equipment.
Since becoming a Bobcat dealer in 2013, ASC has been the number one Bobcat dealer in Georgia over the past four years. The company is also within the top five dealers in the southeast United States. In 2016, Messer was named as one of the Top Middle Market Entrepreneurs in Metro Atlanta by TiE Atlanta.
“Chris has led Auto Supply Company through a growth and development stage during a time of economic instability,” said the nominator of Messer for the award.
“He demonstrated great vision and determination to navigate his company to a higher level of success by taking a chance to diversify a locally owned auto parts company to a leader in the small engine and lawn industry in a very short period of time,” the nomination included.
The Small Business Person of the Year is an activity of the Chamber’s Business Development Committee chaired by Kelly Meigs of Tanner Health System.
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