Meet the Team - Tony deGrassi

Kindred Motorworks would not be the same without the amazing people working behind the scenes. From our design, mechanics, marketing, and every team in between, we want to spend the next few months highlighting a handful of our team members.

First up, meet Tony deGRassi, our Vice President of Supply Chain Management:

KINDRED: What is your position at Kindred Motorworks and what does a typical work day look like for you?

TONY: VP of Supply Chain - There isn’t really a typical day at this point. We're actively building a company so there are always new problems to solve. I try to spend a lot of my time understanding the needs of the business, talking to vendors, and talking to the team here so that we can ensure that we have the best systems and processes in place to support the business as we grow.

KINDRED: What brought you to Kindred Motorworks?

TONY: First of all, the super cool cars and trucks we're building. I love the idea of rebuilding classic cars and replacing the engines with electric motors. I was also excited to work with the Kindred team again. I worked for Rob, our founder and CEO, and with several of the founding team members at one of Rob's previous companies. We became good friends and when I had the opportunity to work with them again, I jumped at it.

KINDRED: What do you love most about what you do?

TONY: I love being part of the company building process. Figuring out how to set up and manage a new business. There is no playbook, so we get to figure things out and solve lots of problems, which is fun.

KINDRED: What was your first vehicle?

TONY: 1984 GMC Sierra Classic. It was a big smelly diesel truck/SUV. I loved it. We used to take the top off in the summer and roll around town.

KINDRED: What is your dream vehicle?

TONY: I'm definitely partial to SUV's so I'd have to say one of the electric vehicles we'll build here in the coming years. An electric Bronco or Land Cruiser would be at the top of the list.

KINDRED: What is your favorite way to spend a day off?

TONY: These days I'm almost always out and about with my 3 kids when I'm not at work. If I have some time to myself, I love to ski, mountain bike and/or have a beer with friends.

KINDRED: Do you have a favorite road trip or route that you have taken? Tell us a little about it!

TONY: About 20 years ago one of my best friends and I flew to Shannon, Ireland and did a lap around the island over the course of a couple weeks. We went up the west coast through Northern Ireland and then all the way down the east coast to the Southern end, stopping to stay in small towns along the way. The landscape was beautiful. Driving a little Fiat (on the opposite side of the road) down small country roads and getting the chance to pop into local pubs and hang out with the locals along the way was super fun.

KINDRED: What is your favorite or has been your favorite Kindred lunch so far?

TONY: Indian food from Lotus in San Rafael. We're lucky to have them deliver lunch once every couple of weeks. It's amazing and I typically eat until I can barely move.

KINDRED: What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?

TONY: For me it's learning more about how electric vehicles (EVs) work. In building out our supply chain, I've had the chance to meet the vendors, source the parts, and learn how it all fits together from the team here. Batteries, motors, and everything else that goes into building an electric vehicle. It's all fascinating and new.

KINDRED: Do you have a dream vehicle you would like to see in the Kindred lineup? What is it and why?

TONY: Probably an electrified version of the old Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser. They are so cool.

KINDRED: What does “enjoying the ride” mean/look like to you?

TONY: For me it's getting off the beaten path, visiting new places, and getting the chance see new things along the way - Small towns, different landscapes, funky diners, abandoned buildings etc.