Web Business Woman

By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna’s Promo Talk

Last Wednesday, June 3rd, I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening at The Rochester Women’s Network (RWN) 4th Annual SPLASH! event which was held at the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa. It was a marvelous night with some 165 guests which consisted of enjoying some good food and drinks, visiting with friends, meeting some new friends and celebrating women.

Part of the event was to not only acknowledge the RWN members who have worked so hard in pulling the event together, but also to honor the six “W” Award finalists and name the 2009 “W” Award Recipient. This esteemed award is given annually to a local woman who works tirelessly on behalf of women; supports and empowers women to learn, grow, and succeed by her example, inspires women through her courage, initiative and creative energy, and exemplifies a high standard of integrity and respect for others. Members of RWN first get to nominate women and then cast their ballot from the six finalists selected by the “W” award committee.

This year’s six finalists were: Regine Calvar, Jackie Campbell, Catherine Cerulli, Ph.D., Sheila Gaddis, Esq., Angella Luyk, and Mary Catherine (Kitty) Van Bortel and the 2009 “W” Award Recipient went to Mary Catherine, ‘Kitty’ Van Bortel, President and General Manager of Van Bortel Subaru and Van Bortel Ford. She joins the illustrious group of past winners which include: Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Carol Love, Cynthia Herriott and Germaine Knapp, among others.

In her acceptance speech, Kitty Van Bortel said “I honestly thank you. I have many wonderful roles as a woman: mother, wife, daughter, sister and aunt. I am in a position to set an example for women starting a business – I could not think of a moment when I have been more proud to be a woman.

I have to second Kitty’s comment. I am so proud to have been part of the event, part of the organization and just really proud of the Rochester women in general. Kitty Van Bortel owns the top selling Subaru dealership in the nation, as well as one of the most successful Ford dealerships in a multi-state area. Her automotive group is now one of the fastest growing, privately held companies in the greater Rochester, NY area.

With an investment of only $500, Kitty took on a man’s world back in 1985 when she founded her first used car dealership in her front yard in 1985, lining up the cars in front of her small house in Victor, NY. She applied the experience she had gained as sales manager for John Holtz’s Mercedes Benz/BMW dealership to her own enterprise, moving to a three-acre lot in 1990 and quickly gaining momentum until it was time to choose a brand and move to new car sales. It was only natural that she became attracted to Subaru because of the cars’ sturdy construction, excellent design and focus on safety, reliability and comfort.

Kitty built a 6,000-square-foot facility in Victor to house Van Bortel Subaru, and opened the doors in 1991. For many years running she was the largest Subaru dealership in the nation. In 2001, she was handpicked by Ford Motor Company to become a Ford dealer in Victor, New York and from 2002-2008 she was the highest volume Ford dealer in the Rochester market. 

Kitty approached new car sales with a unique philosophy: She instinctively became the kind-hearted dealer. “I trust people, and I always have,” she said in a recent keynote speech to the Greater Rochester Chapter of the National Association of Woman Business Owners. “And when you trust people, people will trust you. That’s why we give our customers a fair price, and all the information they need to make a sound decision, and then we allow them to take the time to make that decision. No tricks, no games.”

Congratulations to Kitty. She definitely is a great role model for many young women and as she shared with us “I have many wonderful roles: mother, wife, daughter, sister, and aunt. I’m in a position to set and example for women starting a business – I could not think of a moment that I am more proud to be a woman.”

The evening would not have been successful without the hard work of many RWM members, especially Sandy Richardson and Wanda Gore who Co-Chaired the event and Dr. Twyla Cummings who chaired the “W” Award Committee. It truly was a fun evening and it showcased the many women who work hard to make this community an exciting place to live, work and grow!

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