European Sales & Service

Ryan Cordes: Earning His Birthright

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

SANTA ROSA — When Ryan Cordes started working at his father’s auto repair shop, he wasn’t given any special privileges—he had to work his way up from the bottom like everyone else. “I began working for my dad in 2000, right after graduating from high school,” he recounts. “I started out mopping floors, moved up to washing cars, spent some time in the parts department and was eventually promoted to shop manager in 2011. All along the way, I entertained different ideas for what career I wanted to go into, but ultimately I decided to stay put. I enjoy working on cars and interacting with customers, and I get along well with my dad, so it’s a really good fit for me.”

Today, as manager of European Sales & Service, Ryan say his favorite part of his job is building customer relationships. “I enjoy interacting with our customers and making sure they leave with a smile. We have a lot of long-term customers, so it’s nice to build a rapport with them and help them get the most out of their vehicles.”

A resident of Santa Rosa (where he lives with his wife, Gabby), Ryan spends his time outside of work on a variety of pastimes. “Road cycling is my main hobby,” he details. “The Bay Area is so perfect for it—I love riding through rural areas or out to the coast.” Ryan also enjoys hanging out with friends, enjoying good food and drink, and traveling. “Gabby and I do quite a bit of traveling—over the last couple of years, we’ve been to Bali, New York and Africa. Of course, we also like spending the occasional day in San Francisco.”

When asked what he would do if he were to retire tomorrow, Ryan says he’d devote more time to charitable work. “I would probably do full-time volunteer work. That’s something Gabby and I are very passionate about. Whether it’s doing missionary work in Africa or ministering to people in the city, I would love the opportunity to do that on a more frequent basis.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Thailand.

Q: Who’s your favorite superhero?
A: Batman.

Q: What’s your favorite local brewery?
A: HenHouse Brewing Company in Santa Rosa.

Q: If you could time-travel, would you go to the past or the future?
A: I’d go to the past to check out some of the iconic 1960s music scenes. I’d love to see the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in their prime, as well as check out the San Francisco hippie scene.

Q: What’s your favorite snack?
A: Anything with dark chocolate.