From a young age, Donnie Schultz III was mesmerized by the inner workings of machines. Unlike many of his friends who were content with simply riding around on their dirt bikes or go-karts, Schultz was also fascinated by the mechanics of what made them run. His early exposure to engines and mechanical systems sparked lifelong passion, eventually driving him to his current role as a service manager at Thomas Kia of Highland.
“Growing up, I really loved being around the mechanics of things. I grew up riding dirt bikes, go-karts, and other small-engine machines. When things broke down and we had to fix something, I remember watching the process and doing anything I could to help,” Schultz said. “As I got older, I fell in love with the industry, what engines do, and the mechanical side of things. That really drove me to pursue the business and see if there's something there that I could go into. I thought at one point I was going to be a technician because I wanted to be the person fixing the vehicles. Over the years, as I’ve been able to get hands-on experience and understand the field, I realized I really wanted to find a facility or get myself into a career in the industry.”
Schultz stayed true to his childhood goals, channeling his love for mechanics into a fulfilling career in the automotive industry. Today, he plays an integral role on the service team at Thomas Kia, working closely with technicians and service writers to ensure everything runs – and rides – smoothly and efficiently.
“A typical day on the job mainly involves getting together with my team of service writers and technicians to make sure we have a good game plan week-to-week,” Schultz said. “Our job is mainly taking care of our customers and making sure we provide the best satisfaction we can. We’re here for all our customers and want to help with anything that we can to the best of our abilities. This includes making sure that cars are in and out in a timely manner, that we're fixing them properly to the fullest extent, and making sure every Kia is okay that's on the road today.”
Before joining the Thomas Kia team, Schultz worked as a writer at Southlake Auto Group in Merrillville, a sister company to Thomas Auto Group. Both organizations operated Kia dealerships in the same region, giving Schultz the opportunity to build valuable experience with the brand. He reflects fondly on his time at Southlake Auto and was eager to continue growing professionally when the opportunity arose to transition to Thomas Kia.
From his very first day, Schultz immediately recognized a familiar sense of community at Thomas Kia. The dealership had a welcoming, family-like atmosphere that reminded him of his previous workplace.
“I love the people – they treat you like family, make you feel welcome, and really show that they want to take care of you,” Schultz said. “You're not just a number in the facility; the people are loyal, friendly, and make you feel like a part of their family at the end of the day.”
Schultz joined the Thomas Kia team at the end of January, and while he’s only been with the Highland dealership for a short time, he’s already found a strong sense of belonging in his new role. The positive environment and supportive team have made it a great start, making him excited to come to work each day.
“I'm excited to go to work everyday and work with the people, customers, and the brand. Everyone has just been really nice and welcoming,” Schultz said. “You don't have to wake up and think, ‘Oh, man, what am I going to do today?’ or ‘What people are going to have a hard time with me today?’ Here, I know that I can wake up every day for work and expect great outcomes and great people to be around.”
Schultz is eager for others to experience the same welcoming and uplifting atmosphere that drew him in. He encourages everyone in the community to stop by and see why so many people consider Thomas Kia more than just a dealership.
“In addition to the service on their vehicle, we want everyone to have a great experience when they visit,” Schultz said. “We offer plenty of amenities here. We have a great waiting room with a TV, charging ports, and things of that nature. We also have another section with some sofas and some recliners. We offer popcorn and free coffee of all kinds to all our customers, and it's just a great overall experience – they're all welcome and always a part of the family.”
For more information on Thomas Kia of Highland, ride on over to thomaskia.com.
