Ron Haugen, Baby Boomer

Who do you trust the most? My sister, Deb.

What is the best decision you have ever made? Joining an RLO Training Bottom Line Impact Group.

Best book you’ve ever read? That would be a tie between “Selling the Invisible” and “A Brand Called You.”

How did you get into the automotive service business? As a teenager I had no money to get my car fixed or keep it running, so I had to figure it out. Soon I was helping my friends with their cars. I enjoyed it so much I decided a career in auto mechanics was for me.

Is there a professional goal you’re striving for that you’d like to share with us? Annual sales of $3 million-plus.

What do you drive? 2011 Ford F150

If you had a free weekend by yourself, what would you do? Go to Puerto Morelos, Mexico.

What piece of advice would you give a young person who is graduating from high school today? Focus on your choices. Almost everything we experience on a daily basis is a result of choices we made. Health, prosperity, happiness – it is all about choices. And if you make a bad choice (we all do), choose to change it.

If you could change one thing about the field in which you work, what would it be? Better education and information for our customer, the consumer. We need to teach them that not all auto service is the same and there is so much more to consider than price.

What is one electronic gadget that you cannot live without? My smartphone. It is the link for communication..

Speaking on behalf of your generation, how do you see the future of the industry? I see opportunity. As vehicles become more integrated with electronics it will require additional training and equipment to service them. The well-run professional shops will embrace this and experience growth in both sales and size. Shops who fail to plan may suffer.

Joe Jerkins, Generation Y

Who do you trust the most? My dad and my wife.

What is the best decision you have ever made? Getting married and having children.

Best book you’ve ever read? Does Sports Illustrated count?

How did you get into the automotive service business? I have a passion for cars and people. I felt I could make a difference.

Is there a professional goal you’re striving for that you’d like to share with us? Have people continue to return to our repair facility because of our customer service.

What do you drive? 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Z71

If you had a free weekend by yourself, what would you do? Go fishing for Walleye.

What piece of advice would you give a young person who is graduating from high school today? Do what makes you happy … even if it is outside your comfort zone.

If you could change one thing about the field in which you work, what would it be? The perception of how “expensive” auto repair is.

What is one electronic gadget that you cannot live without? My cell phone.

Speaking on behalf of your generation, how do you see the future of the industry? I think it will continue to grow because people will be more cautious about buying vehicles, thus there will be more repair work on vehicles as the average age of a car on the road grows.