When Josh Cochran moved back to Northern Virginia in 2018, he wasn’t just looking for a job — he was looking for the right fit.

After nearly a decade in the region, Cochran and his wife had relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, where he worked for a dealer group that was later sold to a large corporate company. But the pull of home — and of community — proved stronger.

“We wanted to be back in this area,” Cochran said. “When we were introduced to John Altman, we really hit it off. We shared the same vision for what we wanted to do with Subaru and in the store.”

That shared philosophy led him to Subaru of Alexandria, a dealership with deep roots and a longstanding reputation in the community. For Cochran, the move felt seamless.

“This area is phenomenal. It’s growing. There are a lot of good things happening,” he said. “The store has been part of the community forever. That was important to me and my family.”

For Stephanie Beyer, the dealership is more than a workplace — it’s family history.

The Beyer family purchased the Subaru franchise in the late 1990s, but their automotive roots stretch back much further. Her grandfather, Donald Beyer Sr., entered the car business in 1973 after serving as a career military officer and lieutenant colonel in the military police.

“He was always an automotive junkie,” Beyer said with a smile. “He really wanted to own his own dealership.”

He opened the original Beyer Volvo in Falls Church. The business later expanded under Beyer’s father, Don Beyer, and her uncle, Mike Beyer, growing into what is now the Beyer Automotive Group.

As Subaru became an increasingly central part of the company’s identity, the family made a pivotal decision: They sold two other franchises housed in the Alexandria building to focus exclusively on Subaru.

“We wanted to become a single-point Subaru store so we could really focus on the brand,” Beyer said.

At the heart of the dealership’s success, both say, is a clear philosophy.

“A lifetime of contribution is more important than a lifetime of accumulation,” Beyer said. “It’s better to give than to get.”

She describes a responsibility — as business owners and community leaders — to give back and to lead with integrity. That mindset, she said, attracts both loyal customers and dedicated employees.

Cochran agrees.

“One thing ingrained in me is morals, values and ethics before profit,” he said. “Doing the right thing has to come first.”

He believes that commitment shows up in daily operations — in how employees treat customers, one another and the broader community.

Community involvement is not an afterthought — it’s a priority.

The dealership partners with local organizations, including pediatric hospitals, senior services groups and animal welfare nonprofits. In the past year, the team donated more than 250 blankets to seniors during the holidays and contributed more than $22,000 in charitable donations and matching funds.

They also work with animal rescue groups on pet adoption events and support local schools and community organizations.

Beyer said what sets Subaru apart is that the corporate brand values those efforts.

“When they visit the dealership, they don’t just look at financial statements,” she said. “They want to know what we’re doing in the community. They care about the moments where we’re affecting change.”

In keeping with Subaru’s environmental ethos, the dealership is marking Earth Day with action. Partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation, the team is donating 100 trees to be planted throughout the community.