Hidden Gems: Meet Chris Knuth of APAC ATI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Knuth.

Hi Chris, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
At around 19 years old, I got my first job at an auto repair shop as a mechanic. Through that role, I learned from a great mentor named Ron who taught me a lot about the skill of being an automotive technician, the business and the automotive industry.

My career began in 1997 as a mechanic at a Honda/Acura specialty shop which led to subsequent independent repair shops until 2008 when the opportunity came to purchase Star Motors. Along the way, I continued to hone my skills in repairing luxury autos like BMW, Mercedes Benz, and Porsche. When my wife Emma and I purchased Star Motors, we got the opportunity to get to know the clients of luxury vehicles that the owner introduced us to. I was very fortunate. Since taking over, we have expanded to include many other luxury brands.

In the early days, Emma worked a lot in the shop. She led HR, marketing and community involvement initiatives. Her passion project was the Star Art Gallery. We were quite the team!

We became an AAA Approved Auto Repair partner in 2011 and a Bosch Car Service shop in 2013. We’ve been voted “Best Auto Repair” by the OC Register for 11 years in a row!

Today, we operate at a 12,000 sq ft facility with an amazing team.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been smooth. Transitioning from being a technician to an owner was difficult in many ways. I knew how I wanted things done in the shop and how I wanted the customers to be treated. Imparting this vision to our employees wasn’t easy at first. I had to learn a lot of new skills in order to be an effective manager and leader. I stuck with it and became the person I needed to be in order to lead a winning team. Unbeknownst to me, I was also preparing for the work I’m doing now in the nonprofit world.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
APAC ATI is a nonprofit organization that provides automotive technical training combined with personal growth and transformation skills to meet the demands of life. We empower our students with the knowledge, tools, and resources to become the people they need to be in order to realize their dreams and advance their careers within the automotive industry.

Our goal is to serve people within the following segments:
Veterans
Former inmates
The recovery community

We’re looking for the right people who are ready to make a positive change in their lives and are willing to do the work to get it. In today’s auto repair industry, it is almost impossible to get hired as a technician without previous experience and a considerable investment in tools to do the work. The other alternative is to spend between $30,000-$100,000 to earn a certificate from a trade school only to be picked up by a dealership that offers low pay and years spent moving up the chain. Together, these factors eliminate the chances for many who are interested in and have the raw talent to pursue a career within the automotive industry. APAC ATI exists to provide the education, empowerment, and the jobs that will help more people in the world who want to provide a good quality of life for themselves and their families achieve it. Learn more about APAC ATI: https://apacati.org/

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe that my tenacity and drive in addition to my hunger for learning and personal development has led to my success. I help people that work with me build their self-confidence by letting them know that they are valuable and the work that we do goes beyond repairing brake pads, it’s about helping people and their families stay safe on the road.

I started the Star Motors Apprenticeship Program in 2014 and have been able to connect to teach and mentor a lot of people. What I notice is that the passion that you have for changing parts must also come with a passion for learning because if you want to have a longstanding career in anything, you must be in it for something deeper.

My passion is in helping people and the fact that I am living my life in a way that allows me to do this daily through my business and my nonprofit is very fulfilling. Doing what you love and living a lifestyle that you want is what I define as success.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: apacati.org
• Instagram: apac_ati
• Facebook: @apacati