Zimbrick Careers

01/07/2026

All Zimbrick Dealerships will be CLOSED on Saturday, January 10th to honor the passing of our founder, Mr. John Zimbrick.

11/05/2025

From Chili, WI to the GM’s Office: A Career Built on Growth and People.

For Dakota, the path to becoming General Manager at Zimbrick Chevrolet has been shaped by hard work, adaptability, and a passion for helping others succeed.

Roots and Early Experience
Hailing from the small town of Chili, Wisconsin (yes, it really does exist), Dakota grew up with a strong work ethic. His early years included roles as a flooring installer in his father’s business, a financial services intern, various summer jobs in the trades, and time as a farmhand. He carried those lessons of responsibility, discipline, and resilience with him into every role that followed.

Joining Zimbrick
In 2011, he joined Zimbrick as a Sales Professional at Honda. Inspired both by his father, who had once sold cars, and by the opportunities he saw for advancement during his initial interview, Dakota set out to prove himself. What started as a way to “try his hand at sales” quickly became the foundation for a long-term career.

Career Growth at Zimbrick
Dakota’s career journey within Zimbrick reflects the company’s culture of promoting growth and leadership from within. Over the years, he has taken on various roles such as Sales Professional, Business Manager, Sales Manager, and Assistant General Manager. Each transition gave him the opportunity to “fix” departments, build new teams, and transform challenges into success stories.

A Day in the Life as GM
Dakota starts each morning with a walk through the dealership, greeting team members and wishing them a wonderful day. From there, his schedule balances reading and professional development, one-on-one conversations with staff, vendor meetings, and office responsibilities. More than tasks, though, his day revolves around people—coaching, encouraging, and striving to help his team improve every day.

Why Zimbrick?
What keeps Dakota rooted at Zimbrick is more than the work—it’s the culture. The company’s family feel and focus on both personal and professional growth resonate with him deeply. The “Zimbrick Triangle”—employees taking care of customers, customers taking care of Zimbrick, and Zimbrick taking care of employees—reflects his own leadership philosophy.
Lessons, Challenges, and Inspiration
The automotive industry is ever-changing, and navigating uncertainty is one of Dakota’s biggest professional challenges. From the COVID-19 landscape to the CDK cyberattack, he has led his teams through disruption with resilience.
He credits his parents for lifelong wisdom:
• From his dad: “Son, it’s hard to soar with the eagles if you surround yourself with turkeys.”
• From his mom: “Never burn a bridge, because if you are surrounded by bridges, you will never drown.”
His personal journey also carries the impact of losing his brother to su***de over six years ago, an experience that deepened his empathy and reinforced his belief in kindness. A phrase he shared at his brother’s eulogy continues to guide him: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

Beyond Work
When he’s not at the dealership, Dakota prioritizes time with his wife and three children. Together, they enjoy traveling, golfing, hunting, fishing, outdoor adventures, and staying active.

Advice for Future Team Members
For anyone considering a career with Zimbrick, Dakota’s advice is simple: “Do it! You’ll create a family of work friends that will stick for life.”
While he may not have joined the automotive industry out of a love for cars, Dakota’s story is proof that passion for people and leadership can drive an exceptional career. Today, as General Manager, he continues to live out his mission: learning every day, lifting others up, and making his corner of the world just a little bit better.

04/14/2025

Zimbrick Career Path Stories - Mike Nachtigal

Meet Mike, the kind of team member whose journey reminds us what’s possible when passion meets opportunity. Starting his career with Zimbrick straight out of high school, he’s grown from a parts delivery driver into a respected Parts Manager at Acura of Brookfield.

With deep roots in Deerfield, Wisconsin, and a lifelong love for cars, his story is one of dedication, growth, and staying true to what drives him—both on the job and on the racetrack. His real journey began when he joined Zimbrick Honda as a Parts Delivery Driver, working under the guidance of tenured Zimbrick employee, Dave Dunahee.

“I’ve always been into cars—working on them, racing them, even just buying them,” Mike said. “So when the chance to work at Zimbrick came up, it felt like the right place.”
He wasn’t new to the automotive scene—his father had been in the collision side of the business for over 20 years and always spoke highly of Zimbrick’s reputation. Add to that his own love for Honda as a brand, and the path felt natural.

Over the years, he’s held multiple positions within the company—from Parts Driver to Parts Person, then transitioning to the Zimbrick Honda Service Center, and now serving as Parts Manager at Acura of Brookfield. His steady climb through the ranks reflects not only his work ethic but Zimbrick’s culture of growth and opportunity.
“What’s kept me here?” he reflects. “Loyalty. Zimbrick gave me my first real shot out of high school. They’ve supported me as I’ve grown in my career—and supported my expensive hobbies too,” he laughs, referencing his deep love for car racing. “Racing isn’t cheap, especially when you go through cars the way I do.”

Beyond the cars and career, what stands out most to him about Zimbrick is something rarer in today’s dealership world: a family-owned and operated legacy.

“John and Tom’s commitment to keeping Zimbrick family-run really means something. There are only two other dealership groups in Wisconsin that are still family-owned. That kind of environment makes a difference.”

When asked what advice he’d give someone considering a role at Zimbrick, he doesn’t hesitate. “Do it. There’s room to grow—maybe not always at the location you start, but there’s opportunity if you’re willing to work for it.”

He admits there have been challenges along the way. “Being patient, trusting the process—that’s not always easy. But it pays off.”

Outside of work, he’s just as driven. Summers are for autocrossing his 2022 Camaro SS 1LE. Winters shift gears to sim racing and dog shows with his girlfriend and her Siberian Husky—possibly his next expensive hobby, he jokes. He's also a budding watch collector. “Anyone have cheaper hobbies?” he jokes.

From dreaming of becoming a race car driver (“How do you make a million dollars in racing? Start with two million,” he laughs), to managing a parts department at one Acura of Brookfield, his story is a testament to hard work, passion, and the power of loyalty.
And while his initial goal was to become a parts manager—mission accomplished—what comes next is still wide open. “Service Director? General Manager? I’m not sure yet,” he says thoughtfully. “But I’m excited to find out.”

01/21/2025

Do you know a high school sophomore or junior who is interested in access to automotive career training that might unavailable or intimidating at their high school? Autos For All is an 8 week course covering workshop safety, maintenance, inspections, tires, brakes, steering/suspension, basic electricity and internal engine components. This class is possible due to a partnership with Zimbrick Honda and DCSC--offered to participating schools in Dane County. For more information and to register visit: HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/DCSCCLASSES

09/16/2024

We are grateful to have Alicia on our team😄

Zimbrick Career Path Stories - Alicia Stevenson

Everyone, meet Alicia Stevenson! A proud transplant from Iowa, Alicia has been part of the Madison community for the past 20 years. Her career journey is filled with perseverance, personal growth, and passion for the automotive industry. Let's dive into her story and get to know her better.

Alicia attended the University of Northern Iowa, where she earned her college degree before moving to Madison. Before embarking on her automotive journey, Alicia worked as an administrative assistant for a real estate firm after relocating to Madison.
Alicia’s Journey at Zimbrick Inc.

Alicia joined Zimbrick in April 2008, starting in the Internet Department at the Fish Hatchery Road campus. She first heard about the opportunity through her wife, Lindsay Raftis, who also worked at Zimbrick at the time. Interestingly, Alicia wasn’t hired on her first try, but her persistence paid off, and she landed the role the second time around. This marked her first job in the automotive industry.

Alicia’s career at Zimbrick has been dynamic and varied. She vividly recalls the moment the idea for a MINI dealership was introduced, which sparked her determination to become a salesperson at the new store when it opened in 2010. She thrived at MINI, loving the people, the cars, and the positive environment. During the pandemic, Alicia transitioned from MINI to Zimbrick Chevrolet, where she took on a hybrid role in sales and finance. For the past year, she has been a dedicated member of the Finance Team.
Insights into Alicia’s Career and Experiences

Alicia’s favorite part of her job is hearing people’s stories. From learning about indigenous culture from a Navajo customer to discovering the childhood experiences of someone who grew up in Cambodia, Alicia treasures the fascinating life lessons and stories that her customers share.

The thing she likes most about her job are the incredible people she has met through Zimbrick who have deeply enriched her life. She feels fortunate to work alongside such an amazing group of colleagues.

One of Alicia’s biggest challenges has been finding her voice in a male-dominated industry. She’s had to learn to stand up for herself, draw boundaries, and seek support when necessary. Being a woman in a predominantly male industry has required her to develop resilience and confidence, especially in difficult situations.
Alicia’s proudest achievement is when she first made the Z Elite as a salesperson at MINI. It was a defining moment in her career.
I asked Alicia what career advice she wishes she would have received early on in her career and she said that looking back, she wishes she had been told that setbacks don’t define your future. There are always options, and having a long-term vision within the company is key.

Beyond Work: Alicia’s Life and Passions
Alicia and her wife Lindsay live in Sun Prairie with their two adorable dogs. They love to vacation together, and Alicia enjoys spending her free time reading.

A little-known fact about Alicia is that she and Lindsay bought a condo for Lindsay’s disabled sister. They’ve provided her with safe and stable housing for the past seven years, which has been a very rewarding experience.

Challenges of Being a Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry
For Alicia, the greatest challenge has been overcoming underestimation and dismissal from both customers and colleagues. Despite this, she has built her confidence and learned to handle inappropriate or difficult situations with grace and strength.

Over the past decade, Alicia has noticed positive changes in the industry, particularly the increased presence of women in service departments. Zimbrick’s initiatives for diversity and inclusion training have also helped foster a more supportive environment.
Alicia encourages young women to consider a career in the automotive world, as it can offer a beautiful life for them and their families. She advises prioritizing respect over likability, nurturing confidence, and finding a female mentor to help guide them through the challenges.

Alicia's advice for women aiming to move up in the industry? Advocate for yourself! Make sure your manager knows your career ambitions, seek training, and find a mentor. When you advance, trust your abilities, don’t hesitate to ask for help, and continuously work on improving your skills. And always remember to support other women along the way.

04/30/2024

The Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship program provides school-based and work-based learning to high school students. Zimbrick has partnered with DCSC as an Apprentice Employer and we are proud to mentor 9 Dane County High School Seniors that were recognized at Monona Grove High School last Wednesday for their dedication and success in the Apprentice Program. Congratulations to Jack Heller, Dayne Severson, Lily Heeran and Kei Abbot – Zimbrick Honda, Chase Treml, Austin Brunker and Dane Lundy – Zimbrick Eastside, Coltan Wolf – VW Madison and Joaquin Kelly – Zimbrick Chevrolet. Zimbrick Honda’s Parts and Service Director, Rich Baker, was also acknowledged by DCSC as an outstanding Instructor of the Automotive Technology 1 class for Oregon School District. For more information on the YA program please visit https://www.dcsc.org/ya

03/06/2024

Zimbrick Career Stories

Everyone, please meet Acura of Brookfield’s General Manager, Terry Truttschel.

Terry is our newest General Manager for the Zimbrick organization. Although he may be a new GM, he is not new to Zimbrick. He originally started with Zimbrick in 1990, took a brief year hiatus then started back again in March of 2001.

During his time at Zimbrick, Terry has served as a Finance Manager, Sales Manager, Sales Consultant, and even had a brief stint as a Service Manager at Honda of Sheboygan before it was later sold.
The way Terry ended up working for Zimbrick is pretty interesting and not very traditional. Terry said, “While at USA Financial, I was buying a car from Bergstrom in Appleton and the finance manager that handled my purchase put me in touch with a rep. from Pat Ryan and Associates who said Zimbrick was looking for a Finance Manager. I interviewed and got the job. I started at Zimbrick Acura in Madison in 1990 before transferring to Acura of Brookfield a few months later.”

Terry was asked to share a memory from his career that stood out to him and he said, “I remember within the first few months of my employment, John Zimbrick stopped in at Acura of Brookfield and walked into my office. I was so nervous, but he was so easy to talk to. He asked about my background, where I came from… etc. It was very impactful to me to have the owner of the company take his time to speak with me, a new employee.”

When he isn’t working, Terry likes to be outdoors, spending his time fishing and hunting with his family and friends. He does golf but says his love of being on the water has hurt his golf game.
In the next 5-10 years, Terry says he’ll still be at Acura of Brookfield!

The next time you’re in the area make sure you stop by Acura of Brookfield and say hi to Terry and the rest of the team!

Q & A with Terry

Q: What do you like most about the company?
A: It’s rare for any company to take care of its employees the way Zimbrick does. The longevity in the staff is a testament to that. I have also always appreciated the fact that employees have high levels of empowerment.

Q: What keeps you here?
A: After 30+ years I still enjoy coming to work. The culture is really important. Also, the industry is very dynamic.

Q: What are some of the challenges you faced in your career?
A: Early in my career, being a young manager was challenging at first. It was tough earning the respect and trust of the long-term employees and getting buy-in on your methods and processes.

Q: What would you say to someone considering working at Zimbrick?
A: Do it! It’s a great culture with room to grow and advance.

Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I enjoy the interactions with our clients and staff, and helping both in any way I can.

Q: What inspires you?
A: Success inspires me. I enjoy seeing the store do well because I know it takes a team. Being a small part of winning 19 of Acura’s Precision Team Award is a part of that.

Q: What Career advice would you give to others?
A: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. When you can, get involved/observe in areas of the dealership operation that you are unfamiliar with.

01/23/2024

Do you know someone interested in joining the Autos For All? Have them register today, it starts February 21st! Click the link below to register!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdliKcULD29VwzG0Vs1Ac4hYK1k4gmzLDjWZ2WzywYMKLyYA/viewform

12/27/2023

Are you a positive person with a passion for serving customers and a great smile to boot? If so, join our customer service team. You’ll be responsible for providing the Outstanding Customer Service that Zimbrick is known for. Duties may include greeting and assisting customers in-person and on the phone, processing payments, invoicing and other miscellaneous office duties. Help take our customer service to the next level. Apply today! https://recruiting2.ultipro.com/ZIM1001ZIMI/JobBoard/7816b1fa-c3c3-437b-ae2e-349dfca5f1b5/Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=6ed6b691-9397-4b65-b27d-0d6f07bbce8d

11/22/2023

Last week we celebrated National Apprentice Week! Congratulations to all of our 2023 Apprentice Graduates! We appreciate your dedication to the program and all that you do!

Interested in becoming a Zimbrick Apprentice? Check out our website here https://www.zimbrick.com/zimbrick-technician-apprenticeship-madison-wi.html