Tyler Burton, General Sales Manager at Serra Champaign, has been named one of CBT News’ 40 Under 40 honorees, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the automotive industry.
Tyler Burton’s path to becoming a General Sales Manager in the automotive world began in an unlikely way—detailing cars during college. What started as a summer job quickly evolved into a passion for the industry. However, after an unfortunate injury, Burton returned to the dealership and found himself drawn to the sales floor. From there, his journey saw him progress through various roles, including Sales Manager, Desk Manager, Used Car Manager, and Finance, where he discovered a deep passion for learning about the business. Over time, his career flourished, leading him to Serra Champaign, where he now oversees the variable operations of five franchises in Champaign, Illinois.
Burton attributes much of his success to the mentors who helped shape his career, particularly Ben Quattrone, his partner at Serra Champaign. Under Ben’s leadership, Burton has thrived and been able to rise through the ranks, learning and growing along the way. His proudest achievement, however, isn’t just his own success—it’s watching others, particularly young professionals, grow and become better versions of themselves. He takes pride in fostering an environment that encourages personal and professional development, significantly impacting the industry’s future.
Looking ahead, Burton’s focus remains on continuing to learn and grow, particularly alongside his mentor, Ben. His goal is to become half the person and leader that Ben has been for him. In addition, Burton is excited about the industry’s future, particularly in adapting to the changing dynamics of the used car market.
With a focus on trades and a more hands-on approach to buying cars, he sees great potential for growth in 2025. Additionally, he’s excited about the increasing role of EVs in the automotive world and sees leasing as a growing trend, especially in light of rising new car prices. In the next five years, Burton hopes to continue to build on his success, making significant strides in both his dealership and the automotive retail industry as a whole.
