The exterior of our building is unconventional and our cars are 100 percent unique, but that's not really what makes Velocity Mazda the best car dealership in East Texas. The staff makes all the difference. We're a relatively new East Texas car dealership. We opened almost five years ago and
broke ground on our new facility in January of 2016. Many of our staff has been with us from the very beginning, but we've added strong team members along the way. We'd like to introduce you to the people who make our Mazda vehicle service department great.
Jerry Land, Mazda Vehicle Service Manager
Every time you walk in the side door at Velocity Mazda you'll see Jerry. He's been with us from before the doors opened. He worked with Velocity Mazda owner Camden Jones at another car dealership years ago. Jerry was ready to retire, and when Camden said he was opening Velocity Mazda, Jerry said he'd help out "for a couple of months." He liked it and stuck around.
Jerry says he enjoys working at Velocity Mazda because of the people. "Everyone's friendly, everyone gets along," he says. "And I've worked with the two guys in the back for years." He says he'll eventually retire again, but since he loves what he does, he's not sure when that will be.
Craig Huddleston, Fixed Operations Director
I asked Craig what a Fixed Operations Director does and he replied, "Anything they ask me. Parts, service, sweeping the lot, I'm a jack of all trades." He's willing to do it all, but Craig is over the Service Department. He and Jerry are both Master Certified with Mazda Training, and have been for close to five years.
He and Jerry have been friends for a long time. He came to Velocity Mazda because he was looking for a new challenge. "One of the things I like most about Velocity Mazda is how the service department has gone back to the way it was when I grew up. We're going back to the grassroots. We have updated technology, but our service department has a family feel."
"We're a single-point family-owned dealership," Craig continued. "When you call with a question, you get the same person every time and we get you an answer. Our customers never feel like they get handed off." He and Jerry man the service desk every day of the week, so customers always see a familiar face.
David Hale -- Elite Master Technician
As Velocity Mazda's blog writer, I try not to interrupt the staff when they're working. When I caught up with David he was inside a Mazda installing Apple Play. I slid in the passenger seat and he kept working while we talked.
David has been with Mazda for 23 years and working on cars for 39 years. When I asked what he likes about his job he says he just enjoys working on the product. in June District Service Manager Jason Dockery presented David with one of Mazda's top service awards. David says when he gets free time, which isn't very often, he likes to hunt and fish.
Colton Curry -- Mazda Certified Technician
This Tyler native was working on a battery test, on a mission to discover why this Mazda wasn't holding a charge. Colton also received a Mazda service award in June.
He likes that every day is a different scenario, a learning experience. "Like with this car," he said, "When I find out what's a draw on the battery, it won't be the same as the last car I worked on with battery problems." He says it's satisfying to spend his days solving problems.
When I asked him what he did in his free time he admitted he doesn't have much, he works a lot. "But I'm a foodie," he said, and his eyes lit up. In Tyler he recommends Villa Montez and Chuys.
Joseph Hawkins -- Detailer
Joseph was hard at work washing a Mazda, but he didn't look like he minded a bit. He had music in his ears and a twinkle in his eye while he worked. He says he's been with Mazda for four years, but he's been detailing for 32 years overall. He says he likes working at the dealership because he gets along with everybody. Whenever he gets a chance he goes fishing at Lake Tyler. He cooks the catfish he catches himself, breading and frying them.
Not Just Mazda Service
Our Mazda Certified employees work on any type of vehicle. Here are just a few of the services we perform for all makes and models:
- oil change
- brake repair
- tire rotation
- transmission service
- engine tune-up
We also provide Mazda vehicle service and
warranty coverage with genuine Mazda auto parts. No matter what you need for your vehicle, we can help.
Schedule your Mazda vehicle service online today.
