Meet Our Staff

In 1976, at 30 years of age, Nelson E. Bowers II became a franchised Volvo dealer in Chattanooga and his success with that dealership led to being awarded the BMW franchise for the market in 1977. Bowers' customer oriented philosophy established his dealerships as market leaders. He received the highest recognition from Volvo and BMW relative to performance in sales, market penetration, customer service, and profitability.

From the mid 1980's to 1997, Bowers built an industry leading organization of 14 franchises in eight locations in Chattanooga and Nashville with annual revenue of more than $250 million.

In 1997, Bowers' primary dealership group was acquired by Charlotte-based Sonic Automotive, Inc. as a part of Bruton Smith's consolidation to launch an initial public offering. Bowers became a charter member of Sonic Automotive's senior management team serving on the Board of Directors and as executive vice-president leading Sonics' aggressive acquisition strategy. In January 1999, Bowers left Sonic to focus on investment banking opportunities resulting from the auto industry's consolidation trend.

Mr. Bowers is currently a principal in Presidio Strategies, LLC a San Francisco-based investment banking firm specializing in advisory services to auto dealers. In addition, Bowers continues to own and operate successful automobile dealerships and collision centers in the greater Chattanooga, TN, Cleveland, TN, and Valdosta, GA areas. He is also an active venture capitalist and investor in a variety of business opportunities.

Bowers was also involved with the NASCAR scene for many years. He was one of three owners that formed MB2 Motorsports in 1996 and sold his interest in 2006.

As a native of Chattanooga, Bowers attended the University of Georgia on a football scholarship. He graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business and currently serves on the University of Georgia's Board of Trustees.

He is married to Pamela Greene Bowers and has two children Rick and Courtney. He also has five grandchildren. Bowers hobbies include bird hunting, aviation, and traveling.

Bradley B. Cobb graduated Cum Laude in 1990 from the University of Richmond with a double major in Business Economics and French and a minor in Speech Communication.

He joined the automobile business in late 1992 where he started as a sales consultant and worked his way up through all the departments until he achieved dealer status in 1998. He is currently the Dealer Principal/co-owner of Honda of Cleveland, Langdale Honda, Langdale Hyundai of South Georgia, Langdale Kia, and Volkswagen of Chattanooga, and is a partner in Toyota of Cleveland, Audi Chattanooga, Kia of Cleveland, Dyer Kia of Augusta, and Kia of Chattanooga.

He also serves as President of Bowers Automotive Group which oversees the eight dealerships as well as four stand-alone body shops in the Chattanooga and Cleveland area (ABRA Cleveland, ABRA Chapman, ABRA Chattanooga, and ABRA Hixson).
Brad is also a graduate of the National Automobile Dealer Academy, and has attended numerous factory and industry training programs. Brad fully immerses himself in the daily activities of all the stores. He is in constant contact with general managers, and he continues to strive to know all his employees on a personal basis. His stores have won numerous awards and accolades for customer satisfaction, market penetration, and sales achievements. His executive management team has an average tenure of fourteen years, and his ability to attract, train, and retain exceptional managers is one of his biggest strengths. Brad also has incredible factory relationships with all the manufacturers he is associated with.

He currently serves on the Read 20 Education Initiative Board of Directors, the Girls Preparatory School Board of Directors, T. C. Thompson Children's Hospital Board, the Better Business Bureau Board of Directors and the Lula Lake Land Trust Board.

He has three wonderful children and a wonderful wife of 19 years. His hobbies include endurance mountain bike racing, cross country mountain bike racing, road bike racing, snow skiing and golf.

Corey started as a salesman in the business in 1997. He has prided himself on living by the words "effort and attitude". Everywhere he goes, he will give you the most effort he has and give you the best attitude he can. His customers can all agree that he worked hard for them and made them happy to the point of wanting to come back to him for years to come.  

Over the last 20 years, he has held nearly every job in the dealership. He has worked as a salesman, new car sales manager, used car sales manager, finance manager and then came to the Bowers Group as a General Manager and store partnership with Honda of Cleveland in 2014. Since coming to Honda of Cleveland, sales have increased from 40 new sales a month to averaging over 100 new sales per month and used is right there with it. Fixed operations have increased to the point of needing eleven more service bays and from about 5 technicians to over 15.  

Corey is taking over as VP of operations and will be helping the stores maximize their potential like he helped Honda of Cleveland do over the last 4 years. Welcome aboard Corey Choate.

Jennifer began her retail automotive career with Bowers Automotive Group in 1992 as a parts and service cashier for Toyota of Cleveland in Cleveland, TN. During her five years of employment with Toyota of Cleveland, Jennifer worked her way up to warranty administrator, title clerk/accounts payable clerk, and assistant office manager. In 1997, Jennifer began working for Sonic Automotive as the controller of Economy Honda Superstore in Chattanooga, TN. Economy Honda Superstore is one of Sonic Automotives larger dealerships in the country, with retail unit sales of 450+ per month. After several years of working for Sonic Automotive as the controller of Economy Honda Superstore, Jennifer became a multiple store controller as Sonic Automotive gave her the responsibility of an additional dealership, BMW of Chattanooga. Jennifer left her employment with Sonic Automotive in 2011 to accept a position with Bowers Automotive Group as the controller of Kia of Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN and Kia of Cleveland in Cleveland, TN. Jennifer moved to the Bowers Automotive Group Corporate Office in 2013 to serve as the company’s Corporate Controller and transitioned into her current position as CFO in 2023. Jennifer has been married for 31 years and has three children. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, working out, and attending any type of sports activity.

What year was the dealership built/founded?
Founded in 2012, Began Construction of a 21,000 square foot new Kia Gallery Image facility in February 2013. Completed and opened October 17th, 2013.

What year did the Bowers Automotive Group purchase the dealership?
Construction completed and opened October 17, 2014.

How long have you been in the Automotive Industry?
I've been in the Automotive Industry for over 23 years.

How long have you been with the Bowers Automotive Group?
I have been with the Bowers Group since June 2015.

What path did you take from your first position to becoming GM?
I started in the Automotive Industry as a detailer. I learned quickly and soon moved to a salesperson. I was the top grossing salesman for the company. I worked my way up thru Sales Manager, General Sales Manager and General Manager.

Educational Background
Studied Law

Awards
Top CSI, Management/Skills, Sales

Family
Married with 2 children.

How do you spend your free time away from the dealership?
With family!

What makes your dealership unique?
Located in the fastest growing area of eastern Georgia with over 400,000 population within a 60 miles radius. Operating in a NEW Kia Gallery Image Building. We feature the "Evans Sales Advantage" with several services included with your new Kia purchase, Such has Batteries for life, free Car Washes, Tire Rotations, Pre trip inspections just to name a few.

What year was the dealership built/founded?
The dealership was founded in 1991 and the new facility was built in 2008.

What year did the Bowers Automotive Group purchase the dealership?
The Bowers Automotive Group has owned the dealership since it was built in 1991.

How long have you been in the Automotive Industry?
I have been in the industry for over 26 years.

How long have you been with the Bowers Automotive Group?
I have been with the Bowers Automotive Group since January 2016.

What path did you take from your first position to becoming GM?
Sales Consultant, F&I; Manager, F&I; Director, Sales Manager, General Sales Manager, and General Manager.

Educational Background
Dealer Academy

Awards
21 time Presidents Award Winner and 3 time Dealer Rater Dealer of the Year

Family
Married for over 4 years with 1 daughter.

How do you spend your free time away from the dealership?
Motor Cycle riding and working out.

What makes your dealership unique?
We care about your experience from the sale all the way to servicing your vehicle. We want to make every visit memorable.

What year was the dealership built/founded?
The current location was built in 1963.

What year did the Bowers Automotive Group purchase the dealership?
Bowers Automotive group purchased the dealership on December 4, 2017

How long have you been in the Automotive Industry?
I am currently in my 30th year.

How long have you been with the Bowers Automotive Group?
I've been with the Bowers Automotive Group for 3 years.

What path did you take from your first position to becoming GM?
I started washing cars, moved into sales, sales manager, then GM. Pretty much every department through the years

Educational Background
Valdosta High Scholl Graduate 1992, Valdosta State University Graduate 1996

Family
Wife Beth for 23 years. We have two daughters Adrian 21 Sarah Ann 18

How do you spend your free time away from the dealership?
Anything with the family spending outdoors, hunting, fishing, skiing, naturally Cross fitting

What makes your dealership unique?
I am the 4th generation of my family to work at Langdale Ford. My great grandfather sold Model A’s off the train, grandfather was GM and partner, my dad still employed at this time for 68 years, now my brother for 32 years and myself 30 years. You cut our veins we would bleed Ford Blue. We have a ton of 10-20-30-40 up to 68-year employees. We are blessed to have a very loyal customer base where 65-70% of our business is repeat and referral business.

What year was the dealership built/founded? - The dealership was built in 1984

What year did the Bowers Automotive Group purchase the dealership? - The Bowers Automotive Group has owned the dealership since it was built in 1984.

How long have you been in the Automotive Industry? - 21 years

How long have you been with the Bowers Automotive Group? - First month

What path did you take from your first position to becoming GM? - Sales, Sales Manager, GSM, GM

Educational Background -  Graduated from UT-Chattanooga

Awards - 7 time Presidents Award Winner 

Family - Wife Lisa married 26 yrs. Daughters Mackenzie 23 and Macy 19

How do you spend your free time away from the dealership? - Enjoy Hunting, Fishing, golf, running and biking

What makes your dealership unique?  That as a GM, I work the front desk and put myself into a position to interact with customers on a daily basis.

How long have you been in the Automotive Industry? - I have been in the automotive industry for over 30 years.

How long have you been with the Bowers Automotive Group? - I proudly started working for Bower’s Auto Group 9 years ago.

What path did you take from your first position to becoming GM? –Over the years I have held the following positions: Sales Associate, Used Car Manager, Finance Director, Sales manager and now General Manager.

Educational Background - I graduated from Reinhardt College.

Awards – Kia of Cleveland has accomplished numerous awards, including being Tennessee’s #1 Kia dealer for sales 2 years in a row and achieving high marks for customer satisfaction.

Family - My wife, Pam and I have been married since 1998. We are proud parents to two beautiful daughters, Jayden & Ashlyn.

How do you spend your free time away from the dealership? - When I am not at the dealership I enjoy spending time with my family. We attend First Baptist Church in Cleveland. We love traveling, whether it be a weekend trip to the Smokies or visiting the beach.

What makes your dealership unique? - What is unique about Kia of Cleveland is that we are an extension of the Bower’s Auto Group and we include family feel and culture to our daily dealership operation. We love our staff and the hard work they put in our great organization and dealership. We strive to invest in the training and support to increase personal growth and development, while proudly and happily serving our guests. Our #1 goal is to meet or exceed our staff and guests expectations.