Growing Up in the Industry
Born and raised in Butte, Montana, Charlie Skinner has been in the auto repair business since he was a kid. He started out working evenings and weekends in junk yards all through his high school years, rebuilding salvaged auto parts for resale. After graduation, Charlie worked in the local mines for three years, and then pulled up stakes and headed to Kearney, Arizona, where he worked in an open pit mine as a truck driver and mechanic.
From Montana to New Mexico
Taking a Chance
A few years later, Charlie moved to Helena Montana, where he took an auto technician position at a Chevy dealership and was eventually promoted to service manager. When the owner of the dealership announced that he was closing and was heading to Albuquerque, New Mexico, he asked Charlie and a few other employees to make the move with him. Charlie and seven other employees did just that, helping the owner transform a broken Albuquerque dealership into a thriving operation, which was renamed Casa Sunshine Buick. Charlie worked at Casa Sunshine Buick as Service Parts Director for 14 years, which included oversight of Casa Chevrolet and Casa Westside Jeep Eagle as well.
Finding Love
While working at Sunshine Buick, Charlie met Kim, a glass company representative who stopped by to introduce her business to Sunshine Buick. When Charlie saw Kim, he immediately knew she was the person he wanted to marry, which is exactly how things turned out!
The Birth of C&K in Elephant Butte
An Unintentional Start
While living in Albuquerque, Charlie and Kim purchased residential property in Elephant Butte, New Mexico, becoming “weekenders” for the next seven years. When Charlie decided to “retire” from Sunshine Buick, he and Kim bought a house in Elephant Butte. As luck would have it, the house flooded, which led to a conversation between Charlie and a contractor, who told Charlie that he should buy Doug’s Place, the auto repair shop in Elephant Butte. A few weeks later, on June 1st of 2001, Charlie and Kim were the proud new owners, renaming the business C&K Automotive Service & Repair. And that was the end of Charlie’s retirement!
The Perfect Partnership for Success
Kim and Charlie’s talents fit perfectly for the business. For the first few years, Charlie put his repair expertise to work in the shop until he was able to hire staff and move to the service desk, which Kim had managed until then. And Kim put her CPA background to work by handling the company books, payroll and taxes, which she still does today. Together, they have grown the business into a successful, profitable, and highly-respected and trusted enterprise.
C&K Today
Great Team, Great Results
One of the things Charlie is most proud of is his team. He has hired some great mechanics who love what they do… and what they do is great work! And with these ASE Certified mechanics and an ASE Master Technician on staff, customers are in the best of hands. The C&K team is skilled in repairs of all types, from engines, transmissions and clutches to tire rotation, brakes, steering, tune ups, fuel injection service and engine diagnostics, both foreign and domestic. And when it comes to air conditioners, Charlie’s team is IMACA A/C Certified.
Evolution from Mechanic to Technician
C&K Auto handles everything from everyday maintenance to major repairs and custom car and truck work, but that work has changed over the years. The role of an auto technician has evolved because of innovations in the auto industry. Computerization has changed everything. What was once a mechanical job is now largely technical, requiring staff to be skilled in math, reading and computers, which is why Charlie is keenly focused on hiring smart, talented, dedicated and experienced employees who are on the cutting edge of their field.
Custom Work and Fleet Maintenance
In addition to service and repairs, C&K is Sierra County’s go-to team for custom exhaust and truck accessories. Trucks attract a lot of attention once Charlie and his team do their magic! And when it comes to fleet maintenance and repair, C&K is the company to count on. C&K does the maintenance and repairs on a number of fleets, including Sierra Electric, New Mexico Gas, New Mexico Water, and Ted Turner’s Armendaris Ranch.
A Family Affair
Charlie also focuses on creating a great work environment for his team, all of whom he respects and treats as family. And that’s exactly how customers are treated as well.
Doing the Right Thing the Right Way
When you visit C&K Auto, you’ll quickly notice how clean the shop and bays are, something that does not go unnoticed by customers. The staff literally scrubs the floor by hand, keeping it virtually spotless, and the entire shop is well organized and exceptionally neat. It’s no wonder that Charlie and Kim have seen their company grow so successfully over the years. They’re not afraid to work hard, hire great employees, do exceptional work, and treat everyone as family. It’s a formula that has served them and their community well.
Beyond Business: Serving the Community
Charlie and Kim’s journey hasn’t been only about vehicles. They believe in giving back. Their involvement in community services and philanthropic activities is a testament to their dedication to Elephant Butte and Sierra County at large.
Retirement in Focus
Charlie has finally set his sights on “retirement round #2” and has the business listed with a commercial Realtor. Kim, however, wonders if he’ll actually ever give it up. After all, he’s been working on cars for over 50 years, so why stop now! But they both know that one day, someone like Charlie will walk through the door – someone who has the skill sets, an entrepreneurial spirit, the needed resources, and a love of the great outdoors – and Charlie will finally settle into a well-deserved retirement. But one thing is certain—the legacy they’ve built is here to stay.
Exceptional Service: Only a Phone Call Away
When you need the best in vehicle repairs, you can visit C&K Auto at 301 Rock Canyon Road in Elephant Butte. They’re open and ready to serve from Monday to Thursday, 7 am-4 pm, and on Friday, from 7 am-2 pm. Dive deeper into their services by visiting CKautoservices.com.
Conclusion
From Butte, Montana to Elephant Butte, New Mexico, the journey of C&K Automotive Service & Repair is a testament to dedication, passion, and hard work. Plus, Charlie and Kim have shown Sierra County what it means to serve the community as they are shining examples of what it means to give back.
FAQs
1. Where did Charlie Skinner grow up? Charlie grew up in Butte, Montana, nurturing his passion for automobiles from a young age.
2. How did Charlie and Kim come to own C&K Automotive Service & Repair? As weekenders in Elephant Butte, they learned about an auto repair shop for sale. They purchased the shop and named it C&K Automotive Service & Repair.
3. What specialties does C&K offer? They specialize in virtually every type of repair as well as custom work and fleet maintenance.
4. How involved are Charlie and Kim in the community? Charlie and Kim are deeply invested in community service and philanthropic activities in Sierra County.
5. Where can I find C&K Automotive Service & Repair? C&K is located at 301 Rock Canyon Road in Elephant Butte. Check out their website at CKautoservices.com for more information.
