Dana TePoel

Five Decades of Doing It Right

Dana TePoel has spent 53 years in the automotive industry and the last 34 of them leading Lake Arbor Automotive as Owner and President. Those decades on the shop floor and in the front office shaped a clear conviction: auto service should be honest, ethical, fair, and reasonable, with the customer’s best interest at the center of every recommendation.

He often points to a guiding principle that has stayed with him through the years: “It is better to be taken advantage of occasionally than to live your life as to prevent it.” That outlook gives customers the benefit of the doubt and keeps trust ahead of transactions.

Education Over Salesmanship

Dana believes customers deserve to understand everything happening with their vehicle before any work begins. Rather than handing over a list and a total, he and his team take time to teach, explain, and prioritize repairs around what each driver actually needs — safety first, longevity next, and convenience where it fits. ASE certified since 1974 and an ASE Master Technician since 1992, he brings the technical depth to back up every explanation with facts.

Leadership Built on Guiding Principles

As owner, Dana leads by defining the values and standards the shop operates under, then empowering his team to do their jobs within those boundaries. That philosophy — clear principles, trusted people — has built a shop where customers consistently meet technicians and advisors who share the same commitment to doing right by them.

Family, Nature, and Quiet Moments

Outside the shop, Dana’s time belongs to his kids and grandkids, backyard barbecues and gatherings at home, fishing, skiing, and l

puts into customer relationships shows up in how he spends his weekends — close to family, grateful for nature, and never in a rush.