“Family” was a common word that came up when the sales and motorclothes staff at Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso spoke about their time at the dealership. They understand it’s not more about buying the fanciest bike or the best-looking clothes, but more so about the relationships with both their coworkers and the customers. To them, those relationships are the most important part of the entire process.
Read on to learn about each member of the staff, and what they enjoy most about being a part of the Harley-Davidson team.
Motorclothes
Lynn DeLaurentis
Lynn DeLaurentis previously worked at the Harley-Davidson location in Calumet, but when that location closed, she knew she still wanted to continue her career within the company.
“I'm familiar with it. I worked at a previous one for 11 years. Then they closed and this position opened up with good people, so I just came back,” she said.
DeLaurentis said that the people are the main reason she loves working for Harley-Davidson
She also owns a small business, 112th Avenue Creations, with her daughters. Right now, the business is out of their house, but they hope to find a place for it soon in the area.
“We do candles, home decor, and a variety of things,” she said.
In addition to her business, DeLaurentis has recently become a certified Reiki practitioner, which is an energy healing technique and therapy
Mark Virkler
For Mark Virkler, a bad day at a previous job led to an even better career opportunity in a matter of days.
“I worked at Dunkin Donuts before this. I was having a really bad day, and Ginger came through the drive-thru and basically said ‘Hey, do you want to come work for me?’ and maybe like two days later I got the job,” he said.
Virkler said one of his favorite aspects of working at Harley-Davidson is the opportunity to talk with and build relationships with the many friendly customers that visit the store.
When he’s not working with customers, he also likes that he’s kept busy doing other tasks he enjoys, such as cleaning.
Virkler is also colorblind. While some may find it unusual for someone who can't see in color to work with clothes, Virkler said he enjoys it and makes it work.
“I'm actually colorblind. It doesn't really make much sense, having to like to help people in clothes, but I make do,” he said.
Ginger Misch
Ginger Mischhas been with Harley-Davidson for two decades, but got her start at the dealership because of a friendly face.
“Actually, I knew the owner prior to my start here, and then it just sounded intriguing so he hired me. I fell in love with the Harley family the first day I was here and I've been here 20 years,” she said.
Misch said she enjoys how something as simple as a motorcycle can bring about wonderful, long-lasting connections and relationships.
“Every day there’s different people. You meet so many amazing people, and then you have so many repeat customers that become family. You get to help people with their needs and their Harley’s. It starts with the bike, and then you get into the clothing and you get repeat customers,” she said.
Many of these relationships also lead to opportunities that allow Misch and the company to give back to others.
“There's so many Harley people that are so into charities. We do a ton of poker runs and different food drives and anything for the kids,” she said.
Misch said the Harley community is like a second family.
“We always go back to saying family because I could pick up the phone and ask one of my customers something, and they would always come help you because they are just very family oriented.”
In her spare time, Misch said she calls herself a handy girl and likes fixing things up around the house.
“I like to change things. I like to better things, and I like to refurnish stuff I refurbish. I'm really intrigued by that stuff and I enjoy doing that a lot,” she said.
Misch is also a grandma and said her favorite thing to do above all else is spend time with her grandkids.
Sales
David Brumley
David Brumley has always been passionate about sales, and had a goal to one day get his foot in the door at a Harley-Davidson. He eventually did, and now has been working for the dealership for 16 years.
“I actually was in sales for my entire adult life and, at the time, I was working for the Yamaha Suzuki dealership. So I was in sales, selling motorcycles, but I always knew that there's more money here. I just set it as a goal to try to get in here at some point and I did,” he said.
Brumley mirrors Misch’s words when he says he enjoys the family-like atmosphere at the dealership.
“The sphere of the employees I work with is something I really enjoy, as well as the customers. It's almost one big family for everybody that works here, and it for sure overlaps with the customers too because they're in here all the time. Some people come in here every day,” he said.
When not at work, Brumley can usually be found outdoors and is an avid hunter and fisherman.
Michael Jackson (MJ)
Michael Jackson (MJ) made the decision to join the Harley-Davidson team since he was already familiar with the brand and knew just how friendly the community was.
“I had a passion for Harley-Davidson riding and the community,” he said.
Like DeLaurentis, MJ also came to the Valparaiso location after the Calumet one closed. He’s currently been at this location for a year.
MJ said he enjoys making people’s motorcycle dreams a reality.
“I like making people smile, the way they do when they purchase a Harley; you're making people’s dreams come true,” he said.
Like the singer he shares a name with, MJ is also a fan of dancing and said it’s something small he enjoys doing for fun.
George Dodrill
George Dodrill thought he’d never work again once he retired. However, that all changed when the owner convinced him to join the Harley-Davidson team.
“I retired, and then, the owner kept saying ‘come sell bikes for me’ because I've been a rider my entire life. So, to me, it was just a great opportunity for a part-time job,” he said.
Since his hobbies aligned with the work, Dodrill saw this as a great way to spend his retirement.
“I needed something to do that was low stress and something that would be fun. Coming here to help people pick out motorcycles is a fun time,” he said.
Dodrill also said the people he works with and the variety in each day add to the excitement of working at the dealership.
Dodrill is an avid car collector and has a 55 MG TF that he spends a lot of time working on. He also plays guitar, something not very many people know.
Jeff Haggerty
Jeff Haggerty said the word ‘fun’ would be best to sum up his experience working at Harley-Davidson.
“It's a fun place to work. Everything we do is fun; it's fun from the selling of the bike to the servicing of the bike and the clothing, all of it. It's just a fun job,” he said.
Haggerty said the people make the Harley experience worthwhile.
“I like the people. I guess my fellow employees to some extent,” he joked, “but the customers, too. They're a lot of fun; they start off as customers and they eventually become our friends.”
In his time off work, Haggerty enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, and also likes spending time outdoors as well.
For more information on Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso, visit https://www.hdvalpo.com/
