March - Williamsburg , VA Magazine , Next Door Neighbors

frigid, single-digit New England mornings.“I would lie in my warm bed and listen to the starter grind, waiting forthe knock on my bedroom door. Once it came, I’d throw on my clothesand grab my trusty screwdriver,” Charlie remembers. “Before long, I wasfrozen but the car was running.”At 17, Charlie left home to join the Army and see a little of the world.He was just 20 when he and his 18 year old bride, Diane, left military lifebehind. The newlyweds moved to Williamsburg in 1988, with plans forCharlie to join his dad, Chuck, in the real estate business.“For some reason, people were not interested in buying homes from apimply-faced 20 year old,” Charlie says with a wry grin, “so I went withmy first love, cars.” It was a natural fit.“I remember when I was just a little kid hanging out with my dad,poking around with a screwdriver while he worked on an old VW dunebuggy motor,” Charlie says. “Suddenly it coughed and came to life. ‘Youfixed it, Charlie!’ Dad said. I can still recall that powerful feeling of pride“I feel the responsibility tocare for each other shouldmore often fall on theshoulders of family, friends,neighbors, churches,businesses and communities.”~ Charlie Marcotteand accomplishment; I was convinced I was a magician.”Charlie and his father opened their first automotive repair shop in1990. Today, American Pride Automotive (now owned solely by Charlie)has locations both in Williamsburg and on Route 17 in Yorktown.Charlie is hoping his son, Andrew, a former Lafayette High football starand present business major at Virginia Military Institute, will join himone day as a manager who will keep the company ahead of the technologytidal wave. He and Diane have two other children still at home,Charlie, 16, and Allison, 10, whose activities keep the family very busy.Charlie will tell you that his ultimate purpose is to model his faiththrough action, integrating it into every aspect of his personal and businesslife. He considers his role at American Pride Automotive to be notjust an employer, but a counselor and mentor. Growing from his initialidea of doing something to help his community, Family Service Day hashad a transformational effect on Charlie’s business. For him, success isnow measured in a different currency than mere dollars.“Serving others has changed how we see ourselves,” he says. “It hasrenewed pride in our company and changed our mission. Auto repair iswhat we do, but Family Service Day has become who we are.”Charlie’s motivation is simple: “When I die, I’d like to hear, ‘Welldone, good and faithful servant’,” he says. But until that day comes,Charlie will continue to do his best to serve his community, hoping tochange the world one sparkplug at a time. NDNFor more information on Family Service Day visit:www.americanprideautomotive.com/services/family-service-dayWe are pleasedto welcome ourNew AssociateC. Jordan Ball, III, Esq.Manager – Probate, Estate& Trust AdministrationPractice GroupJordan earned his law degree at GeorgetownUniversity Law Center and his Masterof Tax Laws (LL.M) from New York UniversitySchool of Law. He is a member of the NewYork and Virginia State Bars, and is admittedto practice before the U.S. Tax Court and U.S.Supreme Court. Jordan’s areas of practice willinclude probate & trust administration, preparationof Estate Tax Returns (Form 706), afterdeath estate & income tax saving options, inheritedIRA and Spousal Rollover, inheritanceprotection for beneficiaries, guardianships/conservatorships proceedings and fiduciarylitigation. Over his years of practice, Jordanhas authored many articles on estate planningand after death administration topics,including publication in the Virginia State BarTrusts & Estates. He is a frequent speakerbefore civic, social and professional groupsand is available for consultations in his areasof practice.The Firm’s Estate & Business PlanningPractice Group will continue to bemanaged by Richard L. Ferris, Esq.with Estate Planning Attorneys Carrie RaeWiser, Esq. and K. Suzanne Thoman, Esq.The death of a loved one demands seasonedlegal and tax expertise and advice, as few familiesare prepared for the financial decisions andimportant deadlines that occur at such a time. Formore information, please visit our website:www.FERRISANDASSOCIATES.comor call 757-220-8114460 McLaws Circle, Suite 200,Williamsburg, VA 23185NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORSMARCH2011 9