Vann York Honda Celebrates Half a Century as Honda Dealer
Vann York Honda, part of the Vann York Auto Group based in High Point, N.C., celebrated its 50th anniversary as a Honda dealer in October 2025. Vann York, the company’s founder, secured the Honda franchise in 1975, making it the company’s second franchise, purchased two years after the original dealership, Vann York Pontiac.
Vann York Honda has been the training ground for the company’s most veteran employees. Managers and leaders across the company’s eight franchises got their start selling or servicing Hondas.
At the 50th anniversary celebration, Vann York Honda honored the 10 employees who have been with the dealership 20 years or more, including:
- Larry Mcinnis, who has been with the dealership 45 years and washed over 250,000 Honda vehicles by York’s count;
- Doug Gillespie and Moses Idahor, the two longest-tenured salesmen at Vann York Honda with 38 and 32 years respectively;
- Michelle Williams, who has worked as the store’s receptionist for 38 years;
- Chris Thompson, who started with Vann York Honda in 1997 as a salesperson and now leads the dealership as General Manager;
- David Macy, who started as a technician in 2000, earned all his Honda technician certifications, and now serves as the store’s service manager;
- Thomas Matrakas and William Marion, two of the highest-performing technicians who have been with the store for 20 years;
- Marquis Mitchell, general sales manager at Vann York Honda who started as a salesperson in 2006; and
- Kasi Phillips, the longest-tenured service advisor in the company.
