There aren't many people who can remember a time when Keith Corneby and Connie Foley weren't working at State Line Auto Auction. They've both been there so long that they know their way around the business better than just about anyone, and are the "go-to" people on the staff when employees-and customers---have questions. But the auction and its customers will have to get along without them this summer as both prepare to take a well-deserved month's vacation to celebrate their 25-year anniversaries as State Line Auto Auction employees. 

"I thought long and hard about the best way to recognize Connie and Keith for their contributions to the auction for the past 25 years," said auction owner Jeff Barber. "I suppose it would have been more traditional to give them a plaque, or a gold watch, or a personalized parking space. One of our customers, Steve Leach, a commercial consignor who has been sending us cars since 1984, suggested that some well-deserved time off might be the best 'gift' I could give these two people who have worked so hard for as long as they have. It seemed like a great idea…..but instead of a day or two, I decided to give them an extra four weeks of vacation -- a whole month off."

Keith Corneby, State Line's operations manager, will be the first to take his vacation. He is taking off the month of July, spending the first couple of weeks "really relaxing…just hanging out at home". Then, he and his wife will spend a week in Greenville, South Carolina visiting family before going to Myrtle Beach where Keith says he'll spend as much time on the golf course as he can. 

"If I were to take a dream vacation, I'd go back in time," says Keith. "I'd be 12 years old, and I'd go to Disneyland. I'd be just tall enough to be able to ride any attraction in the park, and I'd see what kind of record I could set for the number of consecutive rides on Space Mountain." 

Corneby started working for Harry Barber in 1983, when the auction was just two years old. (Harry Barber founded State Line Auto Auction in 1981; his son, Jeff Barber, owns and operates the auction today.) While working as a shuttle driver and helper who picked up and delivered vehicles to State line's off-site subcontractor, Keith was introduced to automobile reconditioning. When the decision was made to start State Line's own "in house" reconditioning shop, Keith was the first employee to train with the subcontractor and learn the business. As State Line's operations manager for many years, Keith supervises the entire lot and internal vehicle movement. 

"I'm very nervous about being gone for a month, but I'm a lot better now than I was a couple of weeks ago," said Keith, who noted that the longest vacation he has taken up to this point has been just 10 days. "It's hard to delegate when you're trying to anticipate everything you'd do over a month's time, but I'll leave my phone on, especially during the first couple weeks when I'm still at home." 

The longest vacation Connie has taken over the past quarter-century was 15 years ago when she took two weeks to go to Florida with her children. Her normal routine is to take long weekends, or a week here and there to boat on the St. Lawrence River or to head South looking for the sun. One day she'd love to go to Hawaii, but she's going to spend her State Line vacation with friends and family in several different locations. She'll go to Myrtle Beach for a week, and then go to Saratoga Springs for the horse races. The rest of her time will be spent with her two grown children and four sisters who live nearby, 

"I'm really looking forward to the time off, but I'm nervous getting everything in order before I go," said Connie, who will take her vacation in August. "I want to make sure our customers are taken care of while I'm gone. And to tell the truth, I'll miss everyone while I'm away---but I'm planning on making the most of my vacation!" 

Connie also started working for the auction in 1983, initially as a part-time employee while also working at a local restaurant. Her work ethic and personality soon led to a full time position in the office. Today her responsibilities include all vehicle and dealer registration, and all dealer paperwork & title processing. Her knowledge and understanding of State Line's customers are unmatched. As is often heard at State Line…"Ask Connie". 

Both Connie and Keith agree that the key to their longevity is an outstanding owner. "From day-one Jeff has been a wonderful boss," said Connie, who recalled the time Jeff hired an airplane to fly an ad over the auction congratulating her on her 30th birthday. "He's always there to help, and he's always in touch with his employees." 

"What makes State Line such a great place to work is our owner," said Keith. "He has given me the freedom to 'do it my way', which has made my job really gratifying." 

Connie and Keith may be the first to celebrate 25 years at the auction, but more are soon to follow during the next few years. As a matter of fact, Keith's brother, David, is one of several employees who recently hit the 20-year mark at the auction. Jeff Barber, sums it all up by saying, "It all comes down to people, and we've got the best in the bidness."

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