American Pride Automotive Officers/Staff Profiles

Charlie Marcotte
Loving what you do every day is a dream for most but it's a reality for Charlie Marcotte, who entered the car business with his father in 1990. "As Americans we share a passion for automobiles,” he says. When Charlie isn't at work you may find him with his wife Diane and three children, or perhaps road-racing bicycles with the James River Velo Sports cycling club — he serves as the organization’s president and helps manage their Adopt-A-Highway and Capital Trails Improvement programs.

Chuck Marcotte
With fond memories of riding in his father’s Packard convertible, Chuck Marcotte loves to drive his vintage Buick Wildcat convertible. His passion for the car business remains as constant as his belief in exceptional customer service. "Cars and customers are more complex then they used to be,” Chuck says, “but the fundamentals never change. Determine the need, discover the solution and execute with integrity.” These are the principles that form the foundation for American Pride Automotive and American Pride Auto Sales.

Kevin Sadler
Meet American Pride Automotive’s service manager, Kevin Sadler.  Kevin entered the automotive industry in 1997 and quickly achieved Master Technician levels with the Chrysler Corporation.  Kevin’s natural leadership abilities could not be suppressed as he was promoted to Service Advisor in 2000 and promoted again in 2006 to Service Manager overseeing 4 advisors and a shop full of technicians.  Kevin joined American Pride Automotive in 2010 to ensure the award winning service American Pride has been known for only becomes better; “My goal is to support the Marcotte’s mission of leading the area’s automotive service industry while giving back to the community which we are a part of.”

Kevin is a true local, having grown up in Tabb and graduating from Tabb High School. Kevin now lives in Denbigh and worships in York County where he is very active in the praise and worship band playing bass guitar.  In his spare time, he is also an avid golf player. Kevin is the father of 5 children and he and his wife Barbara are expecting their third grandchild.


David Lawson
An area local, David invariably offers service with a smile — and one of the biggest handshakes on the Peninsula. “I started out as a technician for American Pride,” David explains, “but years ago I made the transition to the front counter where I get to greet customers, update them and deliver the service they expect.” David is the General Manager of our Williamsburg location.

Dan Bryant
American Pride is fortunate in having a “caretaker.” Dan Bryant has adopted the company as his own, and carefully manages all the behind-the-scenes details. Having met Charlie Marcotte in 2002, Dan says, “I knew I’d found the guy I wanted to work alongside for many years to come. It’s great to be proud of the company you work with.” Like all American Pride personnel, Dan has a passion for cars; he likes racing them, and works on his own “fun car” collection in his home garage.
 

Gerald Bradshaw
Looking for the perfect car? Call Gerald Bradshaw. He has been involved in sales and marketing for over 27 years, many of those in the car sales industry. Gerald has a passion forhelping people find the car that fits their needs, personality and budget.


 

Tom Horning
Service advisor extraordinaire Tom Horning has been a friend of the Marcotte family for 20 years as the former manager of a local import auto parts store where he gained 27 years of experience.

As a European sports car enthusiast Tom understands what it takes to make a car run right while delivering quality and being on time. These days Tom’s personal time is directed to the “two wheel” sports vehicle with a fondness for oil leaks where he parks (old Harleys); “I am very proud to call American Pride my home” says Tom.

Tony Menker
Super service advisor Tony Menker has always had a love of cars. He entered the automotive industry in 1998 as a car parts sales person and worked hard to become store manager. After a brief stint in the banking industry he came back to his true passion as a service advisor with American Pride; “I knew I was back in my element when I could smell gasoline and exhaust” says Tony.

Tony resides in Williamsburg where you will see him with his beautiful wife Carolyn and two children Christian and Melody. Tony enjoys golf when possible and the occasional time away to jog enabling a well balanced life.

 

Rick Knehr
Rick’s passion for cars runs through his veins.  He began working on cars at a GM dealership professionally in 1973, though he had been working on cars since the late 60s.  Eventually he would move to a Ford dealership and would become the lead drivability and electrical diagnostician.  That is one of the most challenging and stressful positions a technician can hold- and he enjoyed it!  “I like to solve problems that seem impossible” adds Rick.  Even today, he is still the go-to guy for complex problems.

Rick is also of Cherokee descent from both his grandparents.  When not found with a wrench in his hand, he and his wife Robin are active in the Native American community, and travel the east coast pow-wow circuit as Native vendors.  Rick also enjoys taking the RV and the dogs to campgrounds across the country.

Rick is a qualified VA State inspector since 1973, ASE master technician, Ford Master technician, who holds many other certifications in his 40 years of working on cars.