Meet The Team - Northside Automotive

Sean Smith | Northside Automotive

Sean Smith

Owner / ASE Certified Master Technician

I attended Madison Area technical College and graduated 1st in my class in the Automotive Technician Program. I worked my way through college at an independent repair shop. My Wife and I built Northside Automotive and opened in 2005. We have 4 children and 1 dog Koko. My hobbies include Spending time with Family, Fast cars, Motorcycles and smoking meat on the Traeger. I also spend a fair amount of my free time at the shop. The thing I like best about being at Northside is that we have a good team atmosphere and that the shop is clean and well organized. What I like best about working in this industry is helping people and learning new things. I am most inspired when something new comes in and I have to first figure out how it works and then repair it correctly. Some day I would like to travel to Italy with Lisa.

Lisa Smith | Northside Automotive

Lisa Smith

Owner / Wears Many Hats

I attended Madison Area Technical College with an Associated Degree in Supervisory Management. Before coming to Northside Automotive I managed a local bank. I did the accounting, filing, paperwork and cleaning during the nights, weekends and occasional lunchbreaks at the shop. I started working at the shop full time about a year and half after we opened with hopes that I would have more time to spend with our 4 kids. My hobbies have changed since the kids are now grown and out of the house. I spend my free time gardening, kayaking, reading, watching movies and spending time at home. I love to travel and someday hope to go to Italy. Another thing on my bucket list is to go sky diving. The thing I like best about being at Northside is feeling a sense of accomplishment and that it has given us the ability to give back to the community more than before. The most inspiring thing about my job is to watch our employees learn and grow.

Ashley Alexander | Northside Automotive

Ashley Alexander

Service Writer / Advisor

I attended Madison Area Technical college to obtain an Administrative Professional Associate’s degree. I have worked at Northside for 3 years now. Prior to that I worked in Sales/Event management. I have 3 kids, 3 dogs and 3 cats. I keep pretty busy being a single mom and working 2 jobs, but when I have free time, I like to spend time with family, playing cards and creating on my Cricut machine. Some day I would like to go to Australia and Ireland. The best things about working at Northside are the people I work with and how close to home it is. Working in this industry has allowed me to communicate with more people from the community and develop connections with customers. The most inspiring part of this job is how we work great as a team.

Kayla Smith | Northside Automotive

Kayla Smith

Service Writer / Advisor

I have worked at Northside Automotive for almost 4 years. I started helping out in the office when I was in high school, then was the receptionist and have been writing service for about a year now. Before working at the shop full time, I was the Assistant Manager and Cashier at Kwik Trip. I am currently spending most of my free time planning my wedding. I also like to spend time with my Fiancé Mike, our two labs and with family. I waitress and bartend on the weekends. Something most people don’t know about me is that I am a twin with my brother CJ. The most inspiring thing about my job is when people thank us for taking care of them so well.

Taylor Sina | Northside Automotive

Taylor Sina

Technician

I attended Fox Valley Technical College for Heavy Duty Diesel Technician and have worked at Northside for 4 years. I like that it is very clean and organized and a friendly place to work. I live with my 2 dogs and 10 ducks. I spend my free time riding and customizing my motorcycle, snowmobiling, hunting and wood working. I am an adrenaline junky who doesn’t like sitting around when there are things to be done. There isn’t much that people don’t know about me as I am an open book, just ask me; I’ll tell you. I plan to check - Going on a Moose hunt -off of my bucket list in 2023. I like that this industry always has something different, so it doesn’t get monotonous. I am inspired by technology and challenge myself to keep up with it.

Austin Krentz | Northside Automotive

Austin Krentz

Technician

I have worked at Northside Automotive for 1 year. I have on the job training and many years of fixing things that were broken on our family farm. At home it is Me and my dog Bubba. When I am not at work, I spend time working on my family farm, working on tractors and hanging with my friends. Something most people don’t know about me is that I would travel the world if the chance presented itself. Someday I would like to go to Alaska and hunt Grizzly bear. The things I like the best about working at Northside are the people, having all of the resources I need to do my job correctly and that I learn something new every day.

Kelly Jo Kaenel | Northside Automotive

Kelly Jo Kaenel

Receptionist/Personal secretary/Parts/Gopher

I have worked at Northside for about 8 months. In the recent past I worked in retail and customer service, although I hold a technical degree in cosmetology. I have been married for 16 years, have twin daughters and 1 son, along with 2 dogs, 3 cats and a tank full of gold fish. When I actually have free time, I like to spend it reading, gardening, sewing and crafting. Someday I would love to go on an Alaskan cruise and vacation in Hawaii. Here at Northside, we are a small group of coworkers who really treat each other more like family. I like that I am constantly learning new things while helping people. The most inspiring part of my job is when I am doing follow up calls and people tell me how happy they are with our service.

Joe Papa | Northside Automotive

Joe Papa

Shop Cleaner

I have worked at Northside for about 3 months now. I recently retired, but I don’t like to sit around, so I work in the afternoons keeping the shop in tip top-shape.

Chandler

Shop Cleaner

I have worked at Northside for about 3 months. I am in high school and come to the shop to clean a couple of times a week for a few hours. I also work at a local bar, bussing tables, doing dishes and helping out in the kitchen. Someday I would like to travel.