Zimbrick Inc.

Zimbrick Career Path Story - 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 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.” 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.”

Zimbrick Career Stories 🚗 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’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. 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. 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. ◼ 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.