The PartsEdge Podcast

For Rusty Stewart, teamwork can overcome any challenge that the parts department usually encounters. As the Fixed Ops Director at Akins Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Rusty believes that effective communication and the recognition of team members’ efforts will enable a healthy working environment. While meeting the needs of the clients is a top priority, the team needs to assess their resources and abi...

Shawn Butler knows how to turn obstacles into milestones for success. As the Fixed Ops Director for Bristol Honda in Johnson City, Tennessee, Shawn’s expertise in the automotive industry spans for thirty years. When challenges come in the way, he believes the best strategy to overcome them is to focus on the company’s vision, value their people, and provide the right needs for their customers. Des...

Fixed Ops Solutions President Chris Schaubert joins this week’s episode where he underscores the value of connections, leadership, and balance. When he started in the automotive industry in 2003 with the help of his friend, he had grown a strong passion in car sales. Since then, he has devoted much of his career in the business. Over the years, Chris discovered that strong leadership is the founda...

Holden Scott has driven many wheels for Regal Nissan. Since he started working for the company in 2011, he’s been a dispatcher, a parts man, parts manager, executive assistant manager, and a lot more. When he got promoted to his current position as a fixed operations director, he became an expert in steering the company towards success. Holden attributes this success to the employees who continue...

What better way to learn about success in the automotive industry than to learn from the founder of PartsEdge himself? Chuck Hartle has decades of experience with the automotive business. Through the 1990s, he has worked with some of the largest parts dealers in the country with his primary focus and expertise on inventory control. He draws inspiration from previous experts whom he had the opportu...

Growing your Fixed Operations takes a lot of guts. You’ll have to face and overcome challenges along the way, but you will also learn. For Michael Barich, a.k.a the Fixed Ops Doc, challenges are stepping stones for success. Being in the fixed ops automotive industry for 30 years, Michael achieves success by getting out of his comfort zone. This year, he launched his own consulting business and has...

A successful automotive company always prioritizes their people just as they do with their customers. After all, they’re an essential part of the business and they help run it. That’s Mike Weldon’s advice. As the Fixed Operations Director of the Hansel Auto Group, Mike has had extensive experience with the automotive industry. He takes inspiration from his father who was his first mentor when they...

Want to stay alive in the hyper competitive auto industry? Steve Apicella, CEO of Strategic DX, shares his best tips for standing out in this industry in flux. Steve brings decades of experience and multiple awards, including 2022 AWA, 2021 Platinum Dealers’ Choice, 2018 Industry Summit Tech Challenge… Let’s just say, Steve knows the business. Steve shares a glimpse of his story from starting his...

Meet James Holloway, After Sales Business Development with Swickard Auto Group. James brings over 35 years of parts automotive experience. He has coached and mentored hundreds of Dealerships with business development, eCommerce sales platforms, best practices , wholesale growth strategies and value proposition. In this episode we discuss what Dealerships be should focusing on, in their PARTS DEPAR...

I had the opportunity to meet with Kate Beirowski, Sales Director of Wrenchway. Her story and how she got into auto is absolutely amazing!! She shines bright in her mission to solve the technician shortage. Kate is an all around great person and inspires many of us to make a difference in the auto business. We get into topics like women in automotive, who inspires her and what Dealerships can chan...

I’m so excited to announce my first episode of The Parts Girl podcast is with Russ Mann of Salt Automotive!! I can’t express how kind and humble of a person he is. We discuss his journey throughout the car business. The lows and the inspiration that has led him to the limitless opportunities to impact dealerships across the country today. He is a one of a kind type of person and would urge you to...

Do you challenge the status quo? If yes, this podcast is for you! My name is Kaylee Felio and my goal is to bring you conversations that level up the way we do business in the auto industry. In each episode, you will gain insight into the wins and struggles from automotive professionals across the industry. You’ll leave feeling motivated, challenged, and ready to implement lessons that will make y...