Cindy Karmitzski will be retiring at the end of this year and we will miss her dearly. It has been a pleasure for us all to work with someone as pleasant and successful as Cindy. Her professionalism is eclipsed only by her desire to help others. Below are her words:
I started at STODDARD IMPORTED CARS INC on May 16, 1977 as a cashier & service receptionist. I was a single mother of two and chose a career which proved to be challenging and rewarding.
Due to a wager between my Service Manager, Hans Wichter, and the Central Region Service Manager, Al Herte; I began my training as both a service advisor and warranty administrator. The bet was that a woman couldn’t do the job. Multiple #1 “customer satisfaction ratings” wins including trips to San Antonio, TX and the Caribbean as well as the use of an Audi for two consecutive years running won the bet for Hans.
In addition it opened the field to more women. I remember at one of the awards banquets some young women came and thanked me for paving the way. It gave me a great deal of pride.
I further expanded my training to include Porsche; since Audi and Porsche were under one umbrella. That opened up the experience of Road and Drives; the most memorable being one on the race track at ELKART LAKE, WISCONSIN. On the track, in the early morning hours with my breathe visible in the cold, I experienced the thrill of driving different sports cars through various drivability scenarios with the Porsche AG team from Germany.
It’s been a great road opening many fantastic and memorable experiences as well as associations with many people, both fellow employees and clients. In some cases we are now dealing with 2nd generation Audi customers. I remember their parents before they were born.
My plans now, during retirement, will be multiple. I hope to give back by doing some volunteer work with children and my church. My hobbies include flowers, reading and travel. Combining all of these should fill my days. I also plan on spending more time with my young adult grandchildren and great nieces and nephews.
My gratitude goes out to Penske for ending my career on such a positive note. It’s like having the best of the best as I leave to follow where ever the road now takes me. Our customers are some of the most memorable people and it’s been a pleasure assisting them.
