Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

February 10, 2010, Front Page

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Schultz retiring after nearly 30 years at Gross Motors

By Peter Spicer

Gross Motors in Neillsville salesman Jim Schultz recently retired from a job he never tired of.

Retiring from a job he still loved after 28 years was a difficult decision for Schultz, who said he loved everything about his job at Gross.

“There was nothing I didn’t like [about working for Gross],” said Schultz.

Schultz grew up in Neillsville and is a 1962 Neillsville High School graduate.  However, he spent 20 years out of the area and tried his hand at a variety of jobs throughout the state and country.

After high school, Schultz was employed by a company working on an Interstate highway in Janesville and was later employed at a Madison airport. He then moved to Watertown where he operated a tavern.

Schultz then worked a variety of jobs in several states, including California and Louisiana.

Despite the many jobs he has worked, Schultz stated he has only applied for one job his entire life, a factory job he didn’t enjoy and one he worked at for only a short time. For every other job, Schultz was approached by others and asked if he would like the position.

After 20 years away from Neillsville, Schultz returned to his hometown in 1982 and was asked about working at Gross Motors since it needed a part-time salesman at the time. The part-time job became Schultz’s career for nearly three decades.

Schultz’s first sale was a used Rambler; he went on to sell thousands of vehicles over the next 28 years.  His biggest sales year was in 2000 when he sold up to 280 vehicles, an average of approximately one vehicle per weekday during the year.

Gross Motors has expanded its vehicle selection dramatically since Schultz began; in 1982, Gross had just 25 vehicles on the lot but now has over 300, said Schultz.

Schultz prided himself in customer service, treating customers like family and treating them as he would want to be treated. Treating customers well includes using truth and honesty, said Schultz.

Schultz said he “appreciated working for a place I didn’t have to lie” and enjoyed working with his fellow employees.

In addition to being a successful salesman through selling many vehicles, Schultz received several awards over the years, including those from Oldsmobile and Pontiac, because of positive customer feedback about him. 

Although Schultz is retiring, his loyalty to his customers and their loyalty to him will continue.  Customers have already inquired whether Schultz would be able to work with them when purchasing another vehicle at Gross, to which Schultz will happily oblige.

Schultz retirement plans include numerous tasks at his Neillsville property, including restoring a farm tractor and constructing a garage.

Not surprisingly, Schultz also has travel plans in the coming years, including trips to the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Alaska.  With friends and family throughout the United States, Schultz nearly always has somewhere to stay when he travels within the country.

Schultz officially retired in December but was back at the office once again Jan. 28 to finalize the sale of a 2010 Chevy Impala to the Neillsville Police Department.

Schultz is willing to work by appointment with past customers who want to purchase a vehicle; he encourages them to call Gross Motors to set up an appointment.

Schultz retired in December from Gross Motors but made one final sale after 28 years at Gross Motors.

Above, Jim Schultz (right) of Neillsville’s Gross Motors shakes hands with Neillsville Police Chief Brad Lindner in front of the 2010 Chevy Impala the Police Department purchased from Gross Motors.

Memory Note:

 

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL , JIM SCHULTZ CAME TO JANESVILLE, WI. [INDIAN FORD] WITH HIS FRIEND, MY WIFE'S BROTHER, WHERE MY WIFE AND I AND SON, ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD, LIVED IN  AN 8X20 FT MOBILE HOME. I GUESS JIM HAD A BED ON THE COUCH. I HELPED HIM GET A JOB WITH OVERGARRD CONST. RUNNING A ROLLER [COMPACTOR] ON INTERSTATE 90-94. HE STAYED WITH US ONLY A SHORT TIME. DON'T KNOW WHERE HE WENT NEXT.

BY Don Schutte

 

Related Links:

Gross Motors (Chevrolet)