July 2016 The Reporter
With the Grand Opening of the Bristol Toyota dealership in Swansea, the Bristol Toyota team is not only celebrating their new facility, but is celebrating the continuation of a long family tradition in the auto business. They would like to officially welcome David “DJ” Anderson, Jr, as a fourth generation member of the auto business. Ed Veader, Jr. is the current owner and president of Bristol Toyota, but he didn’t start out that way. In 1951, Ed’s father, Ed Veader Sr., established Seekonk Auto Body and Sales in Seekong MA. Ed Veader, Jr. started work there before he could even drive, and by his early twenties was running the majority of the family business. In 1986, he purchased Bristol Toyota Scion in Bristol RI. This January marked the beginning of his thirtieth year as the owner of Bristol Toyota. Ed’s son Craig Veader also works at Bristol Toyota, as the third generation of the Veader family, and they are looking now to welcome the fourth. David Anderson Jr., or DJ, was born and raised in Seekonk MA, where he graduated from high school in 2010. He went on to attend to Endicott College, in Beverly, MA. He graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. “We are looking forward to another family member in our business,” Ed, DJ’s grandfather, said, “We couldn’t be happier that DJ has chosen to join our team. Many businesses’ today don’t have family members involved and we are very proud to have him as the 4th generation working with us” DJ has been working for Bristol Toyota since he graduated, and he is happy to be there. “It’s nice to work with family,” he says, “I kind of knew, even in high school. It was kind of always my plan to come and work here as long as the opportunity was still here. I never really thought about doing anything else.” Since starting work, DJ has moved around the business, learning and working in each of the different departments to better understand how the whole dealership comes together, and has risen to be a Sales Manager.
Ed Veader, Jr (left) and his brother when they were kids.
“On behalf of DJ, I would like to invite his family, friends, and longtime Seekonk community members to come to Bristol Toyota to say ‘Hello’ and put him to work. He will be glad to help you with any of your automotive needs whether it be purchasing a new or pre-owned vehicle, servicing your vehicle, or parts and accessory
needs,” Ed said. When asked about the family aspect of the business, Ed commented that, “Whatever needs to be done to make it better, more successful, people friendly, that’s what we do… Basically, the whole family oversees everything that needs to be, whether it’s June [Ed’s wife], myself, Craig, and hopefully as time goes, DJ also.”
Ed Veader (right) with his grandson DJ.
Then and Now.
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