This month, we’re pleased to feature our Business Manager, Shawn Germano! Originally from Miami, Shawn moved to New York at the age of 7. He’s lived in Hyde Park ever since, and the graduate of FDR High School clearly appreciates Hudson Valley life as much as the rest of us do. In his free time, Shawn loves hiking, visiting museums, researching local history, checking out the roller rinks, and hitting the Walkway Over the Hudson. And, of course, he’s happiest with his 13-year-old daughter Bella, girlfriend Jenna, and their crazy springer spaniel, Chip, by his side. Fun fact: Shawn is also a YouTuber who loves to vlog, and he’s a retro video game aficionado!

Shawn, what made you pursue a career in the auto industry? I’ve always loved cars, and started my career in the detail department before advancing to sales. Eventually, my role turned into a finance position, which has been great.

What is your day-to-day like at Ruge's? I’m responsible for running the finance department, with the goal of supporting the financial needs of every customer. I want to do all I can to get each person a loan or a lease at a reasonable rate and monthly payment. I also inform customers about products and options such as service plans.

What do you most enjoy about working at Ruge's? That’s a hard question to answer in just 3 sentences! From the first day I started, I was made to feel like I was right at home. Sales welcomed me with open arms and we grew together as a team. I believe that strong relationships with open communication are the cornerstone of our success at Ruge’s, allowing us to best serve the needs of our customers. I truly enjoy coming to work every day.

If you could take a road trip anywhere, where would you go? What vehicle would you choose? I love adventure! If I were to take a road trip, I would take a Jeep Gladiator to try out some off-roading fun. A Corvette from our Chevrolet store to test out the top speeds on the Salt Flats, and finally the Mustang Mach E from the Ford store to test out America's EV infrastructure.

What do you most love about working with Ruge's customers? Just the fact that we work in a customer-friendly, relaxed environment says enough. I enjoy getting to know new people every day and working with them to meet their needs. Customers are constantly thanking us for the low pressure and enjoyable environment.

Any fun facts you’d like to share? I enjoy collecting retro video games. I would say I have more than 1,000 games! I enjoy the hunt of collecting more than anything. Just to find that next game that's tucked away in someone's basement or attic waiting to be found is really rewarding! I also have a large game room including several full-sized arcade games, pinball machines, a jukebox, and even a fully restored Coke machine!

With over two decades of industry experience and a genuine desire to serve our customers, Shawn gets rave reviews. You can reach him by email at: sgermano@rugesauto.com.