Carter Motors is like no other place I have worked. I love the flexibility I have to balance my work life and home life which is a huge plus for me. In addition, people care about me as a person and about my professional growth, and I feel like management trusts my decisions and supports me in my daily work. Overall, I’d have to say my favorite thing about working here is everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the same mission. This truly creates a family environment where everybody is there for each other.

I started in the automotive industry working as a lot porter after school for a Chevrolet dealership in Shoreline in 1979. I became a detailer and eventually managed the shop for them. In 1983 I moved down to a Toyota dealership and started my career in the parts department. I have enjoyed several great opportunities in both service and parts departments over the years. After being away for 30 years, I went back to the Shoreline area as the parts manager at a Subaru dealership. After 6 years of managing the Shoreline parts department, I was given the opportunity to transfer to the company’s Ballard dealership and now manage the Subaru and Volkswagen parts departments!

I started at Shoreline Community College in the (PACT) American Honda Professional Automotive Career Training program in the fall of 1993. I was sponsored by a Honda dealership in the winter of 1993 as an entry level technician. I graduated the Honda PACT program in the spring of 1995 and joined a Honda dealership as a Technician in May 1995. While in that position, I earned American Honda Gold Master Technician status. I became Assistant Service Manager in the summer of 1998. In the summer of 1999 the Service Manager retired, I became the Interim Service Manager while the owner began looking for a new Service Manager... turned out I stayed on as the Service Manager. I joined the Board of the Shoreline Community College Professional Automotive Training Center in the fall of 2000 and have been a part of it ever since. I graduated from the National Auto Dealers Association Dealer Academy in December 2011 and became the General Manager in the spring of 2012 until February 2014. I decided I wanted to spend more time with my wife and young children and came to work at a Subaru dealership March of 2014 as the Subaru Service Manager. I then became the Service Director in June of 2015.

Besides having some of the best products in the business, great co-workers, managers and owners, I love working at Carter Motors, because of the family owned vibe that I have experienced over the last 10 years.  I came from a food service background, having never been in the auto industry ( or, any other industry), prior to my time here.  They took the time to teach and coach me so I could be successful (and continue to do so), in what has been traditionally, a male dominated field.  They truly care about their employees and customers alike, and it is obvious.  There is opportunity for advancement, generous benefits, and Carter has worked diligently to create an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of department, age, gender identity, ethnicity, etc.

It is a wonderful place to work and I hope to continue doing so for another 10+ years!