What Makes Jim Butler a Different Kind of Chevy Dealer?

Brad Sowers Bio

Brad M. Sowers

Co-Owner, President

Jim Butler Chevrolet Auto Group

Brad Sowers joined the Jim Butler Chevrolet Auto Group back in 2003, after deciding the family business that his wife’s father had so carefully built was where he wanted to invest his time and expertise. As a former technology sales and marketing executive, Brad entered the dealership business with a unique perspective on automobile sales – one where technology could improve both the customer experience and internal company processes. He understood that when a dealership combines the ease and efficiency of state-of-the-art technology with world class customer service and happy employees, both the customer and the dealer are set up for success. That philosophy continues to pay off.

A Business Leader

Under Brad’s leadership, his team began a trend of exponential growth and expansion, during which annual revenue at Jim Butler Chevrolet Auto Group has grown from $70 million to over $550 million. Jim Butler Chevrolet Auto Group sells and services new and pre-owned vehicles nationwide through nine dealerships: Jim Butler Chevrolet, St. Louis’ largest Chevrolet dealer and one of the top 50 dealers nationwide; Jim Butler Chevrolet Kia; Jim Butler Chevrolet Maserati; Jim Butler Chevrolet FIAT; Jim Butler Chevrolet-Linn Chevrolet; Jim Butler Chevrolet Alfa Romeo; Jim Butler Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram; Jim Butler Chevrolet Centralia; and Jim Butler Chevrolet Outlet, dedicated to pre-owned sales. Each dealership has modern service centers and large pre-owned vehicle sales operations.

Jim Butler Chevrolet Auto Group currently employs over 430 people at its St. Louis and Mid-Missouri area dealerships, and continually earns numerous awards for sales, quality and customer service, including:

• General Motors "Dealer of the Year" ten years in a row (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024)
• General Motors "Mark of Excellence": 2007-2023
• J.D. Power "Dealer of Excellence" 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024
• MADA’s 2022 TIME “Dealer of the Year” for Missouri

An Innovator

With a strong background in technology, Brad and his team have broadened the company’s use of online sales tools, which has allowed the company to sell and deliver cars to customers in thirty-five states. In 2018, the company opened advanced online storefronts for all brands, and they continue to use every form of social media and technology to communicate and provide exceptional services to their customers.

An Industry Leader

Brad’s reputation for success in the automotive dealership business quickly spread among his peers nationally, earning him prestigious board and committee positions.

• He was one of only four dealers on the General Motors Dealer Executive Board from 2015-2016, where he represented dealers nationwide, giving input on the market, customer needs and expectations.
• In 2013, he was elected by his peers as co-chair of the National Chevrolet Dealer Council.
• In 2022, he was the President of the St. Louis Auto Dealer Association.
• He is a board member of the KIA regional Marketing Council.

Giving Back to His Community

Brad believes that Jim Butler Chevrolet Auto Group is a unique car dealership experience:

“We are transparent, we are easy to do business with, and we always do the right thing. There is a reason we are No. 1 in everything we do.”

“We are not your stereotypical car dealer, and we are proud to provide a personalized experience to every customer. Our customers experience full transparency, and that builds trust. We work hard to maintain their trust and we take pride in the relationships we have with our customers.” -- Brad Sowers.

Brad’s Values and Philosophy

Brad believes Jim Butler Chevrolet Auto Group’s presence in the St. Louis community goes beyond just automotive sales and service. Brad strives to make the St. Louis region a better place for his employees and his customers to live and work. He supports a wide variety of causes that contribute to the success of the region and the health and wellbeing of its residents. Jim Butler Chevrolet Auto Group supports many local organizations, including:

• The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (The Jim Butler Chevrolet Charity Golf Tournament)
• The Muny
• The St. Louis Zoo
• Pink Ribbon Girls STL
• Valeda’s Hope
• Delmar Divine

Brad’s Background

A native of Indianapolis, Brad earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Butler University in 1980. Working in the technology sector, Brad held a variety of executive positions. Brad is part of the Butler family, married to co-founder Jim Butler Chevrolet’s oldest daughter, Michele. They call St. Louis home, and have twins currently enrolled in Georgetown University and University of Southern California.

Feel free to reach out to Brad:

Email: brad@jimbutlerautogroup.com
Phone: 636-349-8303