80 Years of Lithia & Driveway

"When I first interviewed at the local Kia store, I heard the GM speak at a store meeting. I was impressed with how much he seemed to care about his employees. Later that year, I got hired as their parts advisor, and when the parts manager got promoted, I was offered his position. I took the job and received training from great mentors that really helped me through a fair share of rough spots.

I can honestly say Lithia has been the best employer I've had and I plan on staying. While the automotive industry isn't for everyone—and it can indeed be a stressful, chaotic storm of ups and downs—I feel a sense of pride in where I work and the customers I get to help.

I’m currently at our BMW/MINI store, where the team is very goal-oriented and driven, yet collaborative and very supportive. We get together for holiday potlucks and exchange gifts. This close-knit feeling has made all the difference in my decision to invest in, stay with, and help grow my teams with Lithia & Driveway."

“My LAD Journey started in 2022 when I became Regional Operational Manager of Facilities for the U.S. Northeast Region, and the next year, also for the Southeast Region. In 2026, I support more than 100 Lithia & Driveway locations in on the East Coast with their facility and service equipment–related needs.

Some of my best memories come from new store acquisitions when I get to meet new team members on Day 1 of going live. Plus, I get to reunite with the traveling support teams.

In addition to new store acquisitions, being involved with community relations activities—like raising money for The Special Olympics through Polar Plunge events and being invited to attend a ceremony to gift a vehicle to a US Veteran and his family—have added to the Have Fun portion of working at LAD.”

Editor’s Note: For more insights on Shawnee’s LAD journey, read the Women in Automotive Blog that featured her vital leadership role in facilities:  https://womeninautomotive.com/post/facilities-leadership-in-automotive

“I graduated from Rutgers University–New Brunswick with an accounting degree and, a month later, began my career in Accounts Payable at the Montclair APC in Verona, NJ. Over the next few years, I embraced opportunities to learn and grow, taking on roles such as receivables administrator, bookkeeper (biller), general accountant, and ultimately, accounting supervisor. Each position allowed me to deepen my financial expertise and develop leadership skills.

In 2023, I was able to take my career to the next level by becoming the Business Manager at Bloomfield BMW. This role has expanded my responsibilities beyond accounting into operational and strategic management, giving me the opportunity to drive business performance and support organizational goals. My journey reflects a commitment to continuous learning and adaptability, and I’m excited to keep building on this foundation.

One of my favorite LAD memories was helping to boost team morale for a Halloween Costume Contest. As a result, we  had incredible team participation where everyone showcased creative, office-appropriate costumes. We also all came together for a fun photo session—creating a lasting memory we can look back on with pride.”

"I have been with Lithia Medford Dodge for almost 2 years. I was promoted to Lead finance Manager after my first year, but I'm still growing and learning everyday after 18 years in the car business.

I'm hankful to be a part of Lithia & Driveway and this team. I'll continue to improve constantly and earn customers for life!"

"Over my time at Lithia, I've  had the incredible opportunity to contribute to building the future leaders  of our organization. Although I had a rocky start when I first joined, coming  in as a buy sell baby, my passion for mentoring and supporting emerging  talent has driven my growth. With the unwavering support of my direct upper  management, I've been able to navigate those early challenges and, I believe,  thrive, ultimately helping others grow and succeed as well in my goal.  #EarnCustomersForLife #ImproveConstantly #TakePersonalOwnership

One of the most cherished memories at Lithia was attending the General  Managers Meetings in Florida. Not only was the experience of connecting with  the team incredibly rewarding, but also the time spend at TopGolf was a  delight surprise. It was there that I discovered my passion for the sport,  making the experience even more memorable and meaningful" #HaveFun

"I am truly grateful to be  part of such an outstanding organization. When I first joined, I had little  understanding of the complexities involved in automotive sales. Over the past  several months, I have gained extensive knowledge of the industry and have  enjoyed every step of the learning process. I’ve grown from someone with  limited experience to a confident professional who understands the sales  process and is committed to delivering results.

My absolute favorite memory working here is helping a young adult buy his  first truck with us! They were so happy when the truck got delivered. The  mother, who also helped with the deal, sent me a picture of him and his new  truck. I felt so accomplished that I was able to make a dream come true and  provide as easy of a purchase possible!"

"Five years ago, we were a  small but mighty credit department of just five people, and I was the first  remote employee. Today, I’m proud to say we’ve grown into a dynamic team of  40 remote professionals, supporting every time zone and dealer store across the  country.

Being part of LAD/DFC has been more than just a job it’s been a journey of  transformation. What I love most is how we grow not just in numbers, but in  policy and processes. We listen. We adapt. We evolve. And we do it together."

"My absolute favorite part  about working for Lithia has been the mountainous level of support I've  received from the sales, finance, and management teams all the way to the  parts, service, and detail crews as I make the change from the Lot Tech into  the Sales Position. The comradery, the drive to succeed, the instruction, and  the guidance from the culminated years of experience I find myself surrounded  by has been an experience in grace, and a privilege. I can only hope to rise  to the occasion and live up to the opportunity I've been given and continue  to prove myself as a valuable member of the Lithia team and brand. Not just  for my team, but for myself, and my family, and everyone who supports me and  my endeavors"

"I started working at Wilde  Toyota on December 1st 1986. I have held many positions, Lot Attendant, Rust  Proofer, Detail, Technician, PDI Specialist, Accessory specialist, and  currently TXM Lead. It has been a great place to work and a place I  considered home for the last 39 years.

My favorite thing about working here is how busy it gets with all the  customers. If it wasn't for our customers, we wouldn't be in business."

"In August 2013, I made the  decision to leave the real estate industry after more than eight years and  take a chance in the automotive world. With a résumé full of sales and  finance experience—and having previously purchased a vehicle from Land Rover  of Mission Viejo—I found myself applying here. A week later, I started in an  entry-level sales position. My wife was eight months pregnant with our first  son, and I had a lot to prove to myself and my family.

Within weeks, I was off and running—driven, focused, and hungry for every  opportunity that came my way. By the end of my first year, I was eager to  learn everything I could about finance. By year two, I had convinced  management to give me a shot, and I was soon promoted to Finance Manager.

After a long and successful run in finance, my desire to keep growing  pushed me toward the next step. I had a history of filling in on the desk, so  it was only a matter of time before opportunity and preparation aligned.  After three years in finance, I was promoted to Sales Manager.

In 2019, Lithia acquired Land Rover of Mission Viejo, opening the door to  even more growth. This past March, I was promoted to General Sales Manager—an  accomplishment I’m incredibly proud of.

Today marks just over 12 years with Land Rover of Mission Viejo, and my  journey stands as a true testament to what hard work, dedication, and the  right team can make possible. I’m grateful for every challenge, every promotion,  and every opportunity to learn and lead."

"My growth at Lithia &  Driveway has been centered on learning that real success starts with people,  not just performance. Through community engagement initiatives, I've grown  from focusing solely on operations to understanding how service, trust, and relationships  fuel long-term growth. Being able to connect the dealership to the community  has helped me grow as a leader and reinforced the idea that when we invest in  people, everything else follows.

One of my favorite memories was participating in our toy drive and seeing  the entire team rally together for families in need. What I love most about  working at Lithia & Driveway is the genuine support for giving back. It's  motivating to be part of a company that values community involvement and  empowers team members to make a meaningful impact beyond the dealership  walls."

"I love that I can fully embrace the core values and mission statement of LAD, and my managers fully support me in that endeavor!...I feel like our dealership embodies the mission statement of Growth Powered by People because we have an incredible team working together from our GM, Jeremy Nelson, to Brian Jenkins, and on down the line both in sales and service. I feel supported and empowered to do my job to the best of my ability.  Because I feel that they are committed to my growth and success, I can be fully committed to Lithia Toyota Missoula's growth and success! And THAT'S why I love my job!"