It is hard to believe we won’t see Darrel Shinn Jr. around Motor City after 28 wonderful years with us, but we wish him the best in his move to Tennessee! He has more than earned a forever home with us. His kindness, incredible work ethic, willingness to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, and BBQ master skills will be missed, but we know Tennessee is gaining one amazing community member!
Darrel could best explain his amazing career in his own words. “My journey [with Motor City] began in the summer of 1997, working as a tech helper in the shop on Union Ave. When the Fall Semester began at Bakersfield College, I took a position as a Lot Porter due to the flexibility with my school schedule. I worked as a Porter until May of 2000, when I relocated to Sacramento to be near the CHP academy, which was my career plan at the time. I found work at a Sacramento Ford dealer as a Service Advisor and absolutely fell in love with the job. Fast forward to 2005. I had been a Service Advisor for 5 years, and family reasons were calling me back to Bakersfield. Upon my return home, I was lucky enough to land a position at Motor City as a Service Advisor. I had returned home in more ways than one. I was a Service Advisor from 2005 to 2015, at which point I was offered a promotion to Service Manager. I accepted the challenge and gave it everything I had. In 2022, I was promoted to Fixed Ops Director. I spent 2023 as the Internal Parts Manager, helping our parts team navigate supply chain issues. 2024 brought yet another opportunity- this time with our Lexus team. That year, we broke several records and had fun doing it. I have truly been blessed by these opportunities and by the amazing teammates I’ve worked with.”
We have truly been blessed, too, Darrel.
Darrel’s favorite part of working for Motor City all these years is “our Executive Management Team & our Owner, Mr. Stricklen, have always given us the support and encouragement to do and be our best. The focus has never been the profit; it has always been the ethics. Also, my teammates- we are like family, and it makes it fun. They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Well, I say if you love WHO you work with, the same applies.”
When it comes to the special parts of Darrel’s position as Lexus Fixed Ops Director, he says, “I like to try to walk in my staff’s shoes. To this day, I still wash cars, clean up trash on the ground, etc. Sometimes I get strange looks, but I believe it is the best way to lead and the only way to check your processes. I think the respect you can earn by spending time in the trenches with staff is invaluable. Oh, and one of my favorite things is Friday donuts and Saturday Smashburgers!!” We are definitely going to miss Darrel’s burger skills!
Darrel is a truly family man who would do anything to make his wife and kids happy. Their house is THE hangout spot for friends and family who come running when they smell the barbecue firing up. “I love trying new things on the Blackstone, and there’s never a shortage of mouths to feed,” Darrel excitedly explains. We can’t wait to see how Tennessee influences Darrel’s barbeque skills! “We have a pretty large family, and although some are coming with us to Tennessee, I will dearly miss those who aren’t yet leaving.”
So, if Darrel Shinn II could leave behind a legacy, what would he want it to be?
“Besides the Smashburgers? I hope that my career journey has been inspiring to others around me. In my position, sometimes difficult conversations with employees are necessary. I would like to think that I have been respectful and kind to all. I also think one of the most critical traits of someone in my position is stoicism. In my experience, I have learned this: What happens matters much less than how you react to it. People will observe your reaction, and it will influence their own reaction. But mostly, I think it will be the Burgers.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Darrel. You and the Shinn family will be missed, and we wish you the best of luck on your journey ahead.