Dillon Brewer

Sales, Cloninger Toyota

Native of Rockwell, NC

Industry: Automotive

Dillon Brewer represents the best of being a Rowan Original, the county slogan that drives us to achieve and give back to others. Dillon, a 29-year-old “original” Rockwell resident, never plans to leave his eastern Rowan County hometown.

Instead, he already has a history of filling his life with community projects that bring people together and move them forward. He is readying for his second term on the Rockwell Board of Aldermen and wears the title of youngest ever elected Rockwell board member proudly.

In his first term, he led efforts to establish the popular community event, “Rock the Park,” with music, food trucks, and vendors. It is now an annual event, bringing attention to the town park, which he says is located “off to the side” and had been under used. “I felt like the town did not do much in the way of events, and I saw it as an opportunity for neighbors to meet,” he says. “I love being able to help plan and organize community events and initiatives.”

He also led efforts to install welcoming murals at Rockwell’s main entrances, established a Facebook page to promote the town and a Yard of the Month initiative for town residents, and worked with the town board for an updated town logo and new town banners. He led efforts to bring a mixed beverage ordinance to town at the request of a local restaurant, and the referendum passed by almost 70 percent. He also led efforts to change the board’s make-up by implementing staggered terms to improve efficiency and continuity.

“Being an Original for me means to just be yourself,” he says. “Salisbury/Rowan is a diverse demographic and there’s something for everyone here. You just have to reach out to someone to get plugged in.”

Dillon, who says he has been on his own since the age of 16, bypassed college and the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, awarded to students who have exhibited determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as who have critical financial need. Instead, at the age of 18, he went to work at Gerry Wood Automotive. He was sales manager when he left seven years later, leaving a 70-hour per week job for better work/life balance in sales at Cloninger Toyota. The “life” part of that equation freed him and his wife, Kelsey, to restore the home of Rockwell’s favorite son, the late Dr. Joseph Oliver. Dr. Oliver practiced medicine in eastern Rowan for many years, and his grandson, Dr. Joe Oliver, continues to practice medicine in Rockwell.

The Brewers have completed their do-it-yourself project and live there with their three dogs and two cats.

The new job also made time for Dillon’s dip into local government. Serving others is something that he has enjoyed since planning events in student government at Erwin Middle School and serving as vice-president of the North Carolina Association of Student Councils while a student at East Rowan High School.

“Rockwell is expected to double in size by 2028,” he says. “I didn’t want us to play catch-up to that growth. I wanted us to bring the town forward and get ready before it explodes.” He says the board collaborates well, staying true to its mission: “Remember the Past While Looking to the Future.”

Dillon sees Rowan County as a place where residents can be as involved or as relaxed as they choose. “There is a club … a niche … for everyone. It’s easy to get plugged in here. It’s a beautiful community with low cost of living. It’s inclusive and has so much to offer anyone considering moving here.”

He established and is currently president of the popular Cheer City Riot, a local Carolina Panthers organization affiliated with the Roaring Riot. He named it for the “Rowan Original” cola, Cheerwine, and the annual Cheerwine Festival held in downtown Salisbury. The group, now 75 strong, meets for Panthers games at New Sarum Brewing Co. in Salisbury. He knows of 45 other Riot chapters but took his chapter one step further: He added cornhole tournaments with proceeds going to local charities. The tournaments have raised $15,000 to date.

He’s also serves on the Executive Board of the Chamber of Commerce’s Rowan Young Professionals Club, is president of the Rockwell Civitan Club, and is a member of the Salisbury Civitan Club and Salisbury Rotary Club. He serves as a Rowan representative on the Metro Planning Organization (MPO) Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) and Transportation Coordinating Committee (TCC).

His favorite Rowan County restaurant is Mykonos Grill in Salisbury. He meets with a group of friends there for what he calls “Mykonos Monday” each week to network and socialize.

His favorite outdoor space is High Rock Lake, where he spent time growing up. “It’s one of the highlights of Rowan County. I am excited to continue to watch the growth of the lake area,” he says. His favorite event is the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Dragon Boat Festival on the lake.

“It’s easy to sell someone on Rowan County,” he says. “It’s quaint … a special place … you feel welcome immediately. I like the historic aspect, the culture, the vibe, and it’s growing.

“Being centrally located, we’re 45 minutes to Charlotte, an hour to Greensboro/High Point, two hours to Raleigh, which is convenient if you’re a sports fan. Not to mention proximity to the beach and mountains. This is a true community. Everyone wants to help each other and see the community thrive. You don’t get lost in the crowd here, and it’s easy to get involved and make an impact or make friends.”