Austin Hatchell

Thirteen Years, Every Side of the Shop

Austin Hatchell serves as General Manager at Lake Arbor Automotive, bringing 13 years of automotive industry experience to the role he has held for the past year and a half. He has worked as a technician, a service advisor, a manager, a car salesman, and even in car washes — a path that has given him a 360-degree view of how a shop should run and how customers should be treated at every step.

His guiding philosophy is simple: “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” It’s the mindset he brings to every repair order, every conversation, and every team huddle — taking the time to do things right the first time so customers can get back on the road with confidence.

Built on Curiosity and Accountability

Austin’s approach starts with the person, not the car. He believes in building real relationships and taking the time to educate drivers about what’s happening under the hood, so they leave the shop knowing exactly what was done and why it mattered. If a question comes up he can’t answer on the spot, he sees finding the answer as his responsibility — not the customer’s problem.

That accountability is backed by a self-taught education that never stops: a bookshelf full of manuals, countless industry classes, and mentorship from talented people throughout his career. He’s the first to say that in this industry, you’re only as good as your willingness to adapt — and he’s built his career on doing exactly that.

Family First, Then the Checkered Flag

Outside the shop, family is Austin’s number one priority. When he isn’t with them, you’ll find him racing, camping, or hunting — and during race weekends, he’s thoroughly obsessed with

Formula 1. The same attention to detail and patience he preaches at work shows up on the track and around the campfire.