Keeler Motor Car - Meet our Employees.

Keeler Motor Car and Keeler BMW is happy to introduce you to our BMW Service Manager BMW, Tom Jess. 

What is that you do at Keeler Motor Car? I am the Service Manager for Keeler BMW and Keeler MINI. For the most part I am an interface between departments and between customers and technicians. 

Do you have a family? I have a huge extended family that are scattered all over the US. My immediate family consists of a wonderful wife, one dog and one cat.. 

Have you always been in the automotive industry? I have always been a “car nut”. I went to tech school right out of high school and have been in the dealership environment ever since. 

What do you love about working at Keeler Motor Car? Keeler is a great work environment. You are not a “number” here and you get to work with some of the most talented individuals in the automotive business. This is probably why Keeler Motor Car has the great reputation that it does.

What are some of your hobbies/favorite activities? Some of my hobbies are fishing, playing drums, and camping. 

What are some of your favorite local restaurants? My favorite local restaurant is The Century House hands down.

What kind of car do you drive? Today I drove a van to work, but I do own a BMW 3 Series.

What's your favorite car at Keeler Motor Car? The new 535xi. BMW really got this car right. The fit and finish of this vehicle is exceptional. I would imagine that this is what we can expect for future new models.

What was your first position when you started at Keeler? I started as a MINI technician.

How did you get started? I have a pretty extensive back ground in automotive repair and technology. I grew up on a farm and most repairs needed to be completed on site. I believe this is what gave me the desire to go to college for automotive repair. Since then I just learned as much as I could about the business. I had a lot of great mentors along the way, and I have a great support system now.

What kind of skills or characteristics does someone need to do this job successfully? I believe that analytical thinking and an automotive back ground are a must. Being able to listen and communicate are big factors. I do believe that being honest is probably the most important characteristic, not just in my position but every position.

What advice can you give to anyone who would be interested in doing what you do? Stay in school. Learn as much as you can from a technical position and take classes that have to do with business management and accounting. Be patient and listen to the technicians that have been doing it longer then yourself.

Keeler Motor Car - Meet our employees!

When we first started this blog back in 2008 (wow, I can't believe it was that long ago!) we highlighted an employee once a week.  For some reason we got away from doing it, not sure why.  I think people/customers like to know a little bit about the people they do business with.  I know at Keeler Motor Car we have many customers who have become close friends to their sales consultant and sales manager.  So, with that being said, i thought we should reignite the "get to know our employee" segment of this blog.

Of course it is the end of the month and end of the year so anyone in the car business knows that it is, as Crazy Eddie would say, INSANE around here!!  So I'll be a little self indulgent and start with myself.

ME:  What is that you do at Keeler Motor Car?
ME:  Well, first of all my name is Wendy and I have been working at Keeler Motor Car Company for 9 years this month.  I have been working in the Marketing Dept since I began.  I started in Customer Relations and now I am the Assistant Marketing Director.  I am the social media coordinator, event planner, sponsorship manager, blog writer, lunch coordinator and Keeler cheerleader!

ME:  Do you have a family?
ME:  Yes, I've been married for 9 years and we have 2 beautiful daughters; Chloe is 3 1/2 and Madeline is 2 1/2.

ME:  Have you always been in the automotive industry?
ME:  No.  I have been in the restaurant business my entire life.  My family owned a Tavern in Mechanicville that my husband, brother and I eventually bought and ran for a few years.  I also worked at the old Professor Moriarty's Restaurant in Saratoga for many years.

ME:  What do you love about working at Keeler Motor Car?
ME:  First and foremost I love working for an amazing owner.  Mr. Keeler is not only supportive and loyal to his employees but also to his customers.  He is also incredibly generous to local charities but never wants recognition for it.  I also love the people that I work with and the customers, many of whom have become like family to us.

ME:  What are some of your hobbies/favorite activities?
ME:  In the summer our family enjoys boating on Saratoga Lake and going to the Saratoga Racecourse.  My girls (and husband!) love the horses.  In the winter we tend to hibernate a bit but we are looking forward to taking our girls skiing and snowboarding for the first time.  And of course, sleigh riding!

ME:  What are some of your favorite restaurants?
ME:  Since Saratoga is our backyard we tend to go there to eat;  Chianti's, 8 Tables, Forno, Sperry's and Maestro's are some of our favorites.

ME:  What kind of car do you drive?  What's your favorite car at Keeler Motor Car?
ME:  I'm currently driving a 2006 BMW X5 which I absolutely love.  It was my very first NEW car.  As far as my favorite car at dealership...well that's a tough one.  I saw the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG for the first time this year and all I can say is WHOA!  When our tech drove that into the service drive-thru I was blown away at its sound.  I really love the all-new MINI Countryman.  It's getting some really great reviews too.  I also like the new Honda Crosstour.

ME:  Do you have any New Year's resolutions for 2011
ME:  Keep working for Keeler Motor Car, be more healthy and enjoy every minute of every day because you just never know where your life might lead you.