July 2013
| Business World Magazine | 213
both recognized by Automotive News “Top
100 Best Dealerships to Work For” in the
US and Canada.
Such recognition certainly attests to a
degree of operational excellence and pro-
fessional proficiency despite this era of eco-
nomic peculiarity, yet it also reflects the
entrepreneurial ingenuity and integrity of a
man, who quite ironically, had not intend-
ed to enter the industry, but was essentially
compelled following a family tragedy.
In 1970, Bill McCurley was studying in
the pre-law program at North Dakota State
University when he received grim news that
his father, at age 47, had died. His father,
Wade McCurley, was owner of a car dealer-
ship (Valley City North Dakota’s McCurley
Chevrolet-Buick), but with his sudden pass-
ing, the business now seemed destined for
closure. Determined to provide for the fiscal
security of his family, McCurley departed
from school and directed his attention to
the dealership. He was only 19 years old, and
despite his lack of experience, he pled his
case to the management of Chevrolet Mo-
tors Division as to why he should take over
leadership of the franchise – and Chevrolet
agreed.
