FRANKLIN
Robby Cutchins, president and CEO of Bobby’s Tire and Auto Care, has been named one of Hampton Roads’ top “40 under 40” entrepreneurs of 2017. The 37-year-old Franklin native was inducted on Oct. 17 into Inside Business’s annual list of outstanding young local businesspeople during a banquet on Oct. 17 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

The publication, produced by The Virginian-Pilot, serves as a regional business journal for all of Hampton Roads. Teresa Beale, executive director of the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce said that her organization was responsible for nominating Cutchins for the journal’s consideration.

A panel of independent judges made the final determinations as to who would be on this year’s list. According to the Pilot, to make the final cut, heavy emphasis is placed on how each nominee gives back to his or her community or uses his or her talents to enhance the region.

“We were delighted that he was chosen as one of the 40 by the judges,” Beale said, adding that past 40 under 40 honorees from the Franklin-Southampton area have included Dan Hoctor, Rhonda Stewart, Amanda Jarratt, Meghan Councill and Brad Turner.

“It was quite an honor to say the least, I was very humbled by the whole process and the award itself,” Cutchins said.

Bobby’s Tire and Auto Care was founded in 1982 by Cutchins’ father, Bobby Cutchins. The younger Cutchins took over as general manager in 2006, then became president in 2013 and CEO in 2016. During his tenure, the business expanded into Emporia at the site of the former Powell and Lee Tire Inc. in 2010, and opened a second location in Franklin at the site of the former Drake Tire Company on Fourth Avenue earlier this year. Today, the business employs 33 people.

“The Drake transaction was definitely something that Bobby and I both had a hand in,” Cutchins said. “The Drake family approached us and we thought it would be a great opportunity for everybody involved including a way to accommodate our customers conveniently.”

In keeping with Inside Business’ tradition of recognizing honorees not only for their success in business but also their community service, Cutchins was also recognized for his 15 years as a basketball coach at Franklin High School, as well as his volunteer efforts to help local youth via involvement with the James L. Camp YMCA, Smart Beginnings of Western Tidewater, the Cypress Cove Country Club, the Cover 3 Foundation and the Franklin-Southampton United Way.

“Hampton Roads’ biggest asset is the youth simply because they are our future,” he is quoted as having told Inside Business’ editorial staff. “If we don’t teach them right from the start then it is hard to hold them accountable as adults because they won’t know any better.”

His full interview with Inside Business is available online at pilotonline.com/inside-business/special-reports/top-40-under-40/top-under-honoree-robert-cutchins-iii/article_c89b68fb-9ea9-51a4-9025-58cdfe4a0472.html.

He is married to Amy Cutchins and they have two daughters, Skiler and Katelynn.