Every so often, our editorial staff selects one aftermarket industry professional to get to know a little better. Participants are asked to respond to a series of questions that can be answered in about the same amount of time you might spend chatting at the office coffee pot or waiting for an elevator. In this installment of “Five Minutes With,” we get to know Brian Reese, newly appointed CEO of The Retrofit Source.
What was your first job in the industry?
I worked at NAPA auto parts as an engine machining apprentice.
What do you like best about your current position?
I love the culture of the company. Everybody here really wants to be the absolute best. They’re all perfectionists and they want to be the best in the lighting category. And, it’s a very young culture. Most companies I’ve been in have had a mix of older people and younger people, and the culture was more like a bunch of different subcultures. [At The Retrofit Source], I think the average age is probably 30 and everybody’s car guy. They all are really into being the best. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s really just a strong culture of wanting to be the best.
Did you initially intend to pursue a career in the aftermarket? If not, what drew you to the industry and what keeps you here?
I have been a hardcore car guy literally since I was child. I grew up wanting to design cars. I started as an engineer and went right into the performance and racing aftermarket because I love performance cars and my dream was to design performance cars. I had a dream job right off the bat, heading up an engineering group, designing racing and performance parts. And I just loved the industry. It’s been my passion and my job all in one, from day one. I mean it’s destiny. I came out of the womb a car guy.
What do you do when not at work?
Family stuff, No. 1. No. 2 would be I’m an avid runner and triathlete. So, family, running, cars, and college football is another one. Those four things pretty much define my life.
What one word best sums up your personality?
Competitor.
What kind of car do you drive?
Porsche 911 Carrera S. I love Porsches.
Who is on your dream dinner party guest list?
My dinner guests of choice would be [retired college football coach] Urban Meyer.
Favorite quote/mantra/motto?
“What gets measured, gets managed.”
