Phomtavong Brings Life-Long Experience to New GM Role

Staff Spotlight: Dru Phomtavong

Starting a new job is almost always filled with a certain amount of excitement and at least some trepidation. Davis Chevrolet General Manager Dru Phomatavong got a healthy dose of that when he took over for the previous holder of that role, Glen Smaha, who retired in July 2024. Sitting in the big chair in the big office means that Phomtavong needs to be aware of everything happening in all corners of the dealership at all times. An operation as large as Davis Chevrolet doesn’t run smoothly without everyone pulling in the same direction. That kind of coordination requires an extensive knowledge of the industry, which Phomtavong has demonstrated since his first role at his first automotive industry job.

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“When I was 15 or 16, I used to clean dealerships,” Phomtavong said. “I used to watch the business people, and I thought it would be great to be involved.”

While Phomtavong didn’t start his working life dreaming of running a dealership, he did recognize that it could provide some skills and resources to pursue other passions.

“I was a writer. I wrote creatively as well as writing music,” Phomtavong said. “I just realized that it wasn’t a great way to make money.”

Music still plays an important role in his life, mostly as a way to relax after a long day at the dealership. But, when he started selling cars and learning about the business side of life, his horizons quickly expanded. 

“I wanted to pull myself out of my comfort zone; there was so much to learn,” Phomtavong said. “A lot of mentors helped me level up. The automotive industry helped me develop people skills and allowed me to grow as a person.”

Dream Car

If we’ve learned anything about Phomtavong, it’s that he has big dreams and is constantly striving to be the best. His choice of a dream car reflects that hard work and would be a fitting reward for a well-earned career marked with hard work.

“I’m a fan of Rolls Royce. They have a lot of beautiful vehicles,” Phomtavong said. “One specifically is a convertible, the Bentley GT convertible. That’s just one I’ve seen that I’ve really liked, and I thought it would be nice.”

Dru can be found in and around the Davis Chevrolet Airdrie dealerships quite frequently. Stop in and say, hello if you have questions about our lineup or anything else happening at the dealership.