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Brenden Smiley, a former Marine, is learning to be a service technician at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln while he pursues a degree at Mid Michigan College. Service trainee overcomes hardships, envisions bright future Brenden Smiley doesn’t just work on cars — they have given him a new outlook on life. Brenden, 32, joined the U.S. Marines after high school, leaving his hometown of Detroit to travel to Okinawa, Japan, where he completed basic training and remained stationed for two years. He then spent five years stationed in California before being discharged from the military. While with the Marines, Brenden specialized in logistics. After leaving the service, however, he struggled to find his way in life. An interest in cars — particularly fast cars — gave him a path he didn’t know even existed. He began working for a shop in California selling and servicing vehicles, without any formal training. He said for many years he tried to find a career path that was right for him. “I worked more than 25 different types of jobs, but never found a place where I wanted to be,” he said. After meeting his girlfriend and moving to Beaverton, Michigan, he enrolled in Mid Michigan College’s Automotive and Diesel Service program. After gaining critical hands-on experience at Mid, he was connected with Krapohl Ford & Lincoln and assigned a service technician as a mentor. He joined the service team in August 2021, has since completed his internship and continues his training. Brenden is three classes away from earning his associate degree. “As a kid, my dad was always working on cars, but he would never let me touch them,” Brenden recalls with a laugh. “Now, I like working on cars, and I learn something new every day at Krapohl. Teamwork is a big thing here.” Brenden, also a trained mixed martial arts fighter, is excited about his future as a mechanic. “I have goals, and I’m saving money to build a house,” he said. “I’m happy, and the future is bright.” Note: If you want to talk shop with Brenden, ask him about turbos. They’re his favorite.

A portable hoist system allows service technicians to raise large vehicles high enough to work under them. Hoist system handles service trucks and other large vehicles with no problem The new lift system is wireless, so technicians don't have to worry about connecting cables or working around them. A new hoist system makes working on large vehicles easier and safer for Krapohl Ford & Lincoln service technicians. Four blue lifts, each standing more than 7 feet high, make up the CL Challenger Lifts system. The units are wireless, so there are no cables to connect or work around. The units are on wheels, making the system portable and adjustable to any type of vehicle, from passenger cars to large vehicles, such as Transit vans. Each lift handles up to 14,000 pounds. Together, they are more than enough to lift a large service truck. “They like it,” said Krapohl service manager Jeff Slocum of technicians’ reaction to the new equipment that arrived Dec. 3. “It’s a lot more convenient than having to manually jack up all four corners and slide under the vehicle.” The mobile column truck lift also gives service techs more room below the vehicle to work comfortably, and it allows more light into hard-to-reach areas.

Not long ago, we found a 20-year-old newspaper in a file cabinet with a full-page advertisement that named every Krapohl Ford & Lincoln employee, thanking them for earning numerous People’s Choice Awards. The 2021 full-page newspaper advertisement we used to thank customers for voting for us in the People's Choice Awards for Isabella County. Honors from customers are the highest compliments we receive. The same goes for constructive criticism, which helps us see ourselves in a different light and often leads to important adjustments in how we do business. The 2021 People’s Choice Awards for Isabella County were announced recently, and for the 23 rd consecutive year, Krapohl Ford & Lincoln was named the top automotive dealership. Our service department was No. 1 for the 19 th consecutive year. In all, we earned 13 awards: Auto Body Shop Auto Oil/Lube Auto Sales Professional, New: 1. James Yun; 2. Jeremy Skeleton Auto Sales Professional, Used: 1. Jeremy Skeleton; 2. James Yun Auto Service Department Auto Dealer, New Auto Dealer, Used Truck Dealer, New Truck Dealer, Used Auto Body Shop Auto & Truck/Detailer As we said in the advertisement in this year’s full-page ad, we thank all of our customers, and we pledge to continue to earn your trust as your full-service dealership. And the great thing about that full-page ad from 20 years ago? Many of the same employees still are part of the Krapohl team.

Retired master technician Ray Garver, right, explains a repair underway in the service area at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln to Carter Filhart, left, and Kyle Stephenson. Automotive students enjoy close-up look at career opportunities Ray Garver was back on the service floor Tuesday in an old Krapohl Ford & Lincoln work uniform. The master technician retired in April after working more than 40 years for Krapohl. He returned for an opportunity to pass on his passion for the automotive world to two teenagers. Ray Garver explains how every area of a vehicle is complex, even the seats, which include motors and heating elements. Accompanying him on a tour of the facilities was Carter Filhart, 17, and Kyle Stephenson, 15, from Mount Pleasant High School. Both are students in the “Introduction to Auto Repair” course through the Gratiot-Isabella Technical Education Center. The three started in the service area where Casey Gott worked on a large diesel engine that needed extensive work. Filhart and Stephenson saw various projects underway with cars and other trucks, including an F-550 that needed its entire diesel exhaust system installed after a thief was caught trying to steal it to sell the metal. The three-hour tour included introductions to the Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center, the reconditioning department, body shop, parts department and sales area. “I liked it all, especially the body shop,” Filhart said. “I didn’t realize how big this place is. I thought it was just working on engines, but it’s all sorts of things.” Service Manager Jeff Slocum has a long relationship with the GI Tech Center, and he set up the tours. Garver soon will lead more small groups of students through the Krapohl shops. He told Filhart and Stephenson how Krapohl works with new hires to train them and set them up for classes to earn certifications. “It’s not really work if you love what you do,” Garver said. “I learned that if you want to get into this, there are a lot of options in this type of work,” Stephenson said. “I got a good idea of what you can do.”

Bob Yost recently retired from Krapohl Ford & Lincoln after more than 20 years as an assistant sales manager. Recently, he stopped in to pick up a 2000 Cadillac DeVille he purchased from Krapohl. As longtime assistant sales manager, Bob took on all challenges For more than 20 years, Bob Yost was an assistant sales manager for Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. He supervised the sales team, appraised trade-ins, approved deals on vehicles, collaborated with the service department for the inspection of used cars and, of course, provided quality service to customers. Bob also was a private investigator for 16 years before taking a job at a different Ford dealership before coming to Krapohl in 2000. When he choose Krapohl as his place of work, many factors came into play, including its reputation and being a brand he respected. Bob recently retired from Krapohl. He didn’t want a party or any special recognition on his last day in May. That said, he’ll have to endure a blog post. “We counted on Bob a lot over the years,” said Krapohl co-owner and general manager Mark Smith. “Wherever and whenever we had a need in the sales department, he took on the challenge.” With any and all careers, challenges and rewards are a given. Economic downturns are one challenge Bob endured with the sales team. Although downturns created an exacting environment for him and co-workers, there’s always light on the other side. For some, it may be making a difference in the community or finding the right vehicle for a customer. For Bob, it was the people he worked with on a daily basis. “This is the best set of owners and co-workers of any place I’ve ever seen,” he said. Bob valued how everyone treats each other at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, and he appreciated co-workers’ company inside and outside of the workplace. “We get together once in a while,” he said. “We’ve played cornhole outside of here ( Sales & Service building) and some of us have bowled together.” As a Canadian Lakes resident, he spends free time boating, playing golf, remodeling homes and riding motorcycles. Dave Haywood, Krapohl general sales manager, is a close friend and they regularly ride together. Along with Bob’s hobbies, he organized the team of retirees that helps Krapohl transport vehicles across the region. Now that he is retired, he plans to put himself on the list to be one of the drivers. “Gosh, I don’t know how you put it into words,” said Courtney Dennis, Krapohl rental cashier. “Bob is a lifesaver. Bob thinks of other people before himself.” Considering his experiences with customers, vehicles and economic challenges, the thing he will miss most about his time at the dealership are “the people.” “I want to thank all of them for the way I’ve been treated for all these years,” Bob said.

Retirees play key role for Krapohl Ford & Lincoln by moving vehicles across state Larry Theisen was a salesman at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln for 32 years. Now retired, he regularly shows up at the dealership to travel the state and deliver cars with a group of fellow retirees. Most of the drivers used to work together, so it’s an opportunity to rekindle friendships. “When I retired, I said if they need a driver to let me know,” Theisen said. From left to right, Ed Allen, Ron Haskell and Tom Schaefer pause just before leaving to bring vehicles back to Krapohl Ford & Lincoln in February 2021. The group of retirees move approximately 125 to 150 cars per year, half new and the other half used. Once a month they travel in a group to deliver used cars and the other times they travel solo to trade new ones. Sometimes the drivers will pick up a part along the way, but it’s mostly to transport and trade vehicles. “They’re very important to the store for a couple reasons,” General Sales Manager and organizer of retiree drivers Dave Haywood said. “They save us money on hiring a transport company and they’re usually quicker than a transport company.” “And to the drivers it’s nice because when they’re retired it allows them to have a part time job and to make some extra money.” With Theisen’s auction experience and being in good health, helping the dealership by delivering cars is a simple way to spend his retirement. “When you’re retired, it’s something to do. And we all know each other, which makes it fun,” Theisen said. The drivers say the camaraderie built through years of work at Krapohl leads to constant banter, inside jokes and conversations that are sure to solve the world's problems. Mark Smith, co-owner and general manager at Krapohl, said the dealership has relied on retirees for decades to transport vehicles. “Many of them worked for us for years, and it helps to have drivers who understand the business and can problem solve if something goes wrong on a trip, such as a car not working when they go to pick it up,” Smith said. “And we have others — one is a retired Michigan state trooper — who know the roads. “Bottom line, it’s a group we count on.” Ron Haskell spent 20 years as a service technician. Prior to his last day at Krapohl, he was approached by management and told he could be on the list to drive. He’s been a driver for 10 years. When traveling across the region, drivers spend a lot of time talking about the good old days and, of course, common interests such as hunting, fishing and sports. “It is a gang of guys who goof off and tease each other and talk about things that happen to them,” Haskell said. For some, driving for Krapohl post-retirement wasn’t on their radar. Tom Shafer was a mechanic at Krapohl for 35 years who enjoyed conversations with the retirees. “They always seemed to have a good time," Shafer said.  Still, he wasn't sure he wanted to become one of the retirees who show up, get into a van to head to an auction site and drive a vehicle back to Mount Pleasant. "They said, 'Just try it once.' I did, and it's kind of interesting. It's almost like a day off, even though you are retired,” Shafer said. The drivers say they appreciate Krapohl’s values and how it operates, which turns out to be another motivator when choosing to drive after retiring. Krapohl’s involvement with the community means a lot to the group. Andy Spence was a controller for 40 years and said Krapohl’s management differs from other dealerships. It’s “a lot lower turnover, even on the sales floor,” Spence said. “We’d get to know people better, and I thought that helped with customers, too.” Cliff Anderson was a service manager at Krapohl for more than three decades. “I like to come back to the place where I worked for 33 years and see people who I used to work with,” Anderson said. “I also like helping out the dealership.”

Ray Garver joined the Krapohl Ford & Lincoln service team more than 40 years ago. He's a lifelong learner and leader among service technicians. Award-winning Service Tech also gives back to community Ray Garver always was interested in cars, engines and anything mechanical. He soaked up anything about the automotive industry as a high school student, and then he went to Ferris State University for a two-year automotive program. Garver’s father did business with Krapohl Ford & Lincoln with his trucking company about 50 years ago, which served as another inspiration that pushed Garver toward the automotive industry. He began looking for dealerships that were hiring and came across Krapohl. He was aware of the dealership’s reputation and decided that’s where he wanted to work as a Service Technician. Ray Garver's area of the service bay is legendary among Krapohl Ford & Lincoln employees. One toolbox also serves as a family album. Now, more than 40 years later, Garver will retire April 30 from Krapohl as top-tier automotive technician who excels in teaching and helping others learn the trade. As an Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association World Class Technician, Garver continued to learn by regularly taking any technician training available. “Everything changes every year,” Garver said. “You have to keep up with that or you can easily get behind.” He is Ford Senior Master Certified and Automotive Service Excellence Certified in 25 areas, which got his name into the Automotive Hall of Fame. He’s also a 2007 Top Gun Automotive Competition Champion and finished in fourth place in the 2008 Ford Ultimate Master Technician Challenge. “He’s earned so many awards and is master certified in just about anything,” Krapohl General Manager/Co-owner Mark Smith said. “And he’s gone well beyond that. He’s been very important to us.” Outside of Garver’s Krapohl career, he’s involved in the community. He’s done work for Mid-Michigan Community College, worked at the tech center at Mt. Pleasant High School and he was on a national Ford technician panel. He currently serves on four college advisory programs, including the MMCC automotive advisory committee. He also has a love for motorcycles — working on them and taking them for rides. He has several motorcycles and a few dirt bikes, and he created a set up for drag racing. And he appreciates time with his wife, children and grandchildren. Regarding Garver’s professional career, he loves to work with his hands and finds it rewarding to be able to take a vehicle apart, put it back together, and make customers happy. He’s going to miss his work, but what he’s going to miss most is “the people.” “(Krapohl Co-owner Tom Krapohl for one, he’s the best boss ever,” Garver said. “I couldn’t say enough about that man.” About six years ago, Garver had a minor finger accident in the shop and was taken to the hospital. He was only there for a short time, and not many people were aware of the accident. But Tom Krapohl was. He showed up at the hospital. “He can’t believe how much that meant to me and my wife,” Garver said. “He really cares about his employees.” Garver has had many exciting experiences and success while a part of the Krapohl family. From certifications to winning competitions to community work, Garver is proud of his accomplishments. “I have to say it’s been a very rewarding career, and they supported me through it all,” he said.

A friend to customers and co-workers retires after 20 years with Krapohl Thirty-six years working in the automotive industry are coming to an end this week for Kim Laurenz. The start of his career began with Ford Motor Co., and for the last 20 years he’s been a Service Advisor at Krapohl — a Ford Master Certified Service Advisor, to be exact. Kim writes repair orders, figuring out estimates for customers and finalizing report orders. Kim Laurenz, right, worked with customers at the service desk at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln for 20 years. He will retire Thursday, April 15. In 2001, Kim saw a Krapohl Ford & Lincoln note in a newspaper that the dealership was hiring, so he sent in his resume. He’s been a service advisor ever since. “He’s very knowledgeable and through,” Service Advisor Katelyn Wontorcik said. “He has a lot of experience because he’s done it for so long.” During Kim's automotive journey, he’s encountered personal challenges with life and his health. He said the past two decades at Krapohl have been rewarding and enjoyable. His favorite part about the job is the family-like atmosphere. “You’re treated like family,” Kim said. “You can talk to anyone, and everyone gets along with each other.” Respect and kindness from co-workers doesn’t only exist during hours of operation. Many Krapohl employees have great relationships with co-workers and enjoy each other’s company outside of the office. Once retired, he’s going to miss the people. “As far as what I’ll miss about him is sharing a lot of stories back and forth,” Service Manager Jeff Slocum said. “It has always been a pleasure.” In his free time, Kim enjoys watching NASCAR and Michigan State University sports, and being with his family. He’s also an elder at his church, Emmanuel Lutheran. Although he’s going to miss working at Krapohl, retirement is going to give him more time to do the things he loves. “Thank you all for the help and for being family members,” he said. “I wish you all well and health in years to come.”

Dealership up to 904 solar panels after system expansion The first 576 solar panels installed at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln went on the roof of the main sales and service building in 2017. Mark Smith, co-owner and general manager of the dealership, noticed an immediate difference in the electric bills. “We saved about $25,000 a year,” Smith said. Solar panels on top of the main sales and service building at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. In early March, 328 solar panels were added to the body shop and 74 to the reconditioning building. Smith expects the panels to supply more than 65 percent of all electrical needs at Krapohl Ford & Lincoln. Solar is just one aspect of sustainability efforts at the dealership. Recycling, energy efficient lighting, and reuse of materials is part of everyday life in every building. “I’ve always been interested in alternative energy sources,” Smith said. “At one time, I looked at windmills. Then I heard more about solar panels and tax credits. Some other companies we work with used solar, and I talked to them.” He figures the solar panels, which have an estimated 30-year life, will pay for themselves in seven to nine years. “Even if it took 15 years, you still have another 15 years after that,” he said. Instead, he’s found that panels need zero maintenance and snow melts quickly. When the first batch went in, Smith said he had concerns about longevity, maintenance and performance. Further, he can go online to see exactly how much electricity the panels generate. Smith said Krapohl went with Michigan companies for both installations. “I believe in protecting the environment, and I figured using solar would have a bigger impact with the business than at my house,” Smith said. Among the other sustainability moves, Smith said a switch to LED lights made a difference. “The savings are amazing,” he said. “It’s about 90 percent less than what we used to use.” Other sustainability efforts include: Oil-burning furnaces: The Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center generates a lot of used oil. Smith put in the first oil-burning furnace nearly 20 years ago, and he’s added to the system over the years. He’s up to “seven or eight” furnaces. “The new ones are more efficient and burn less oil. Oil that does not go into the furnaces is recycled. Oil filters are crushed to get all of the oil out of them.” That oil often bought and used to make asphalt or similar products. Cardboard, paper: “We have a LOT of cardboard. We recycle paper and cardboard. It’s just expected here. People learn it’s part of the job.” Boxes are often reused to ship parts and other materials. Tires: Tires with little wear are sold to a business. A tire recycling company collects ones not resold. Water safety: “When we clean dirt and oil off a part, we use recycled water so we are not discharging a chemical into the system,” Smith said. Batteries: Old batteries are sent to Ford or the battery manufacturer. Metal: Some is sold to a scrap metal facility. Re-use: “Wooden pallets are reused for shipping or storage. Anything we can re-use, we do.” Proper disposal: Chemicals such as air conditioning fluid and brake fluid are disposed of properly.

We work hard every day. The goal isn’t to win awards, yet it’s time to cheer a bit when you are honored for 22 consecutive years with the People’s Choice Award for the best dealership in the area. The same goes when you’re recognized for having the best service department for 18 consecutive years. The awards we won in this year’s People’s Choice balloting come from our community, our neighbors and our customers. Thank you all for thinking of us when it comes to choosing your vehicle, servicing your vehicle or stopping in for a quick visit at Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center for an oil change or a new set of tires. We’ve been in Mt. Pleasant for 70 years, and we plan to be here for the next 70 years as your full-service, lifetime dealership. We focused on customer service and our community needs when we first opened. Today, we teach each new employee our values and aim to reinforce them every day we’re open. We’ve evolved to meet new customer needs. For example, our body shop can handle any vehicle, including RVs. And our service team’s master mechanics have the latest in training for today’s rapidly changing vehicles. Our values are why we have longtime employees who have worked at Krapohl for 10, 20, 30 years or more. They take pride in their expertise and customer service. People’s Choice Awards for:  New car dealership  Used car dealership  New truck dealership  Used truck dealership  Jeremy Skelton and James Yun, top salespeople  Auto service center  Auto detailer  Auto oil/lube shop with Quick Lane  Body shop