Eric Gentry Started His Career At This Camdenton Auto Dealership. Now He Owns It.

A longtime Missouri dealer is the new owner of a well-known Camdenton auto dealership, and he's bringing a customer-first culture back to the place where his career began.

In June, Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC in Camdenton became Gentry Chevrolet Buick GMC. For new owner Eric Gentry, it marks a full-circle moment. It's the same dealership where he first started selling cars after graduating from college in 1994—and where he discovered a career he would spend the next three decades building.

Announcing Gentry Purchase of Hulett — Facebook

After leaving the Lake in 2001, Gentry helped grow a successful dealership group in the Kansas City area. Now, he's bringing that experience back to Lake of the Ozarks with a philosophy built around five core values: honesty, teamwork, work ethic, humility and the Golden Rule.

"We're going to be honest with our customers, we're going to be honest with each other, and we're going to be honest with our vendors," Gentry said. "If customers don't trust you, it doesn't matter what the price is, it doesn't matter what the vehicle is... they're not going to buy it from you."

Gentry is also one of just 15 dealers nationwide serving on the Chevrolet National Dealer Council, representing nearly 3,000 Chevrolet dealers across the country. The council gives dealers a direct voice with General Motors, allowing them to share feedback from customers and dealerships to help improve the ownership experience.

Corvette Club Meetup at formerly Hulett Chevrolet/GMC/Buick — Facebook

Looking for your next vehicle? Stop by Gentry Chevrolet Buick GMC to meet the team, browse available inventory and experience the dealership's customer-first approach.

Delivering that experience starts behind the scenes.

Every employee from the former Hulett dealership stayed on during the ownership transition, and Gentry has already invested in improvements to support the team, including adding air conditioning to the service shop and upgrading equipment.

He said creating a positive workplace starts with treating employees well and encouraging them to support one another.

"You may need some help with something, and my expectation is that one of your teammates is going to help you with it and not ask for anything in return," Gentry said.

Gentry Salesperson of the Month - Jeremy Latham
Facebook

That kind of teamwork, he believes, creates a better workplace—and ultimately a better experience for customers.

The same philosophy applies to work ethic and humility.

"I'm not the smartest guy in the car business, but having the work ethic I got from growing up on a farm, I expect people to work hard and follow through and do what they say they're going to do," Gentry said.

No matter how much the dealership grows, he also tells employees he expects them to stay humble and treat others with respect. It all comes back to the final core value: the Golden Rule.

Happy Customer at Gentry — A happy customer at Gentry

"At the end of the day, people want to buy from somebody that they trust," Gentry said.

That relationship doesn't end when customers drive off the lot.

Gentry Chevrolet Buick GMC offers factory-trained service and collision departments, allowing customers to return for maintenance and repairs close to home.

Over the next 60 to 90 days, the dealership also expects a significant increase in new GM inventory. Combined with Gentry's competitive pricing strategy, customers won't have to travel to Kansas City to find a great selection or a great deal.

For Gentry, coming back to Camdenton isn't just about putting his name on the building. It's about returning to the place where his career started and building a dealership where customers feel comfortable coming back year after year. Whether someone is buying their first vehicle, bringing it in for service or simply asking questions, his goal is the same: earn their trust.

Visit Gentry Chevrolet Buick GMC at 513 N. Business Route 5 in Camdenton, open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 1:30 p.m. Saturdays. Browse new and pre-owned inventory online or call the sales team at 573-502-0974 to learn more or schedule a visit.