If you walk into or call the Mike White Ford dealership in Coeur d’Alene, chances are you will see the smiling face or hear the cheerful voice of Terra Fitzgerald. She has been sitting at the front desk as the receptionist at Mike White Ford for the last six years.
But Terra’s career as a receptionist is only her latest role. She has been with this dealership for 25 years – long before Mike White took over. In fact, this Ford dealership has pretty much spanned Terra’s entire working life. Before her current gig, Terra worked in accounting as a title clerk, in accounts payable, and as a warranty administrator. Terra’s wealth of experience at this dealership makes it no wonder she’s considered such a critical asset.
As a receptionist, Terra has a vital role in the dealership, answering up to 250 calls daily and greeting the many customers who walk through its doors. This makes Terra the face of the dealership and often the first point of contact for its customers. Terra’s goal is to make everyone feel good. She knows how critical it is to create a lasting positive impression on every customer so that they want to return to Mike White Ford. Terra’s natural friendliness and outgoing personality mean that she nearly always succeeds in achieving this goal.
And why not? Terra is a “people person” and not just with customers. Ask her, and she’ll tell you that the people who work with her at Mike White Ford are what makes working here so enjoyable. She loves to work with fun and great people, including her current bosses, whom she considers the best she’s ever had.
You might think many people will say things like that to stay in the good graces of an employer, but for Terra, the positivity she gets from her colleagues at Mike White Ford is tangible. One of Terra’s fondest work memories was when she was diagnosed with breast cancer toward the end of 2018. As she underwent treatment, the rest of the crew at Mike White Ford decided to do something special for her. They all wore pink to work and got together to perform a song and dance routine, ultimately producing a video for Terra. She was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from her colleagues and bosses, notably Mike White himself. So when Terra tells you that she loves her job and finds fulfillment in serving the dealership and its customers, it’s not just window dressing.
Terra also likes it here because she is a Ford fan and loves being part of the Ford family. She is proud that its vehicles are the number one vehicle in the market – particularly here in northern Idaho. She loves the area and the North Idaho vibe. The best customers for her are the thousands of happy, polite, and unhurried local residents who come into the dealership to shop around and don’t hesitate to stop by her desk and share a story.
Outside work, Terra enjoys spending time with her two golden retrievers, boating and camping with her husband during the summertime, and riding their Polaris Rzrs. Terra knows that getting out and about with activities during her off-time is a great way to balance her time on the job, being professional and focused.
Terra’s warm feelings toward the dealership and its personnel are reciprocated. Mike White Ford is family-owned and -operated, and the family has been proud to be a valued contributor to this northern Idaho community for three decades, and it shows in every transaction. Like all the Mike White Ford staff, Terra is a valued team member, and it is people like her who have made the dealership such a great success.
To meet Terra and find the right vehicle for you, come into Mike White Ford, or call us. We’d love to see you at our Coeur d’Alene or Sandpoint dealerships.