Jonathan Hinshaw (Marines)
General Manager
Northern Colorado Powersports
How has your military experience influenced your career in the automotive industry?
The confidence, focus and discipline I gained from the USMC have played a critical role in my success within the industry. In a general sense, just having the ability to self-start, take ownership of a task/job, and follow through to completion any job I am given makes me very valuable as an employee as well as a manager. Setting goals, building a team, being a leader – all are skills that great managers possess. This was the greatest gift the military gave me and is why I am at the level I am at today.
What are some of the ways you have seen the industry support veterans?
Of course, there’s always the special pricing and deals that others have done. I make it a point to hire honorably discharged military personnel who want to start a new career as a salesperson.
Give one piece of advice for veterans entering the industry.
You get out what you put in. Never hang around the water cooler; stay focused. Realize that you provide a service, and you are paid on performance. Be honest and candid at all times, and if you’re going to make a mistake, don’t make the same one over and over again! Find a mentor, someone in the business spot you want to be in — whether it’s sales, service or parts — and learn all you can.