Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
A: I was born and raised in Pennsylvania with a passion for both entrepreneurship and serving my community. My background blends business, leadership, and customer service, and I’ve always believed that success comes from doing things the right way, even when it’s not the easiest way. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and I am the Controller and a Partner at Red White and Blue Autos, Inc. Outside of business, I am the proud mother of two smart, driven and wonderful daughters, Brittany and Madelyn. I have been married to my husband, Glenn, for 25 years and I am completely obsessed with our two grandchildren, Reece and Remi. I have two short term rental properties in the Disney area and I am the Treasurer of the MidAtlantic Independent Dealers Association.

Q: What is National Independent Automobile Dealers Association’s Quality Dealer of the Year Award, and what does this nomination mean to you?
A: The Quality Dealer of the Year Award is one of the highest honors in our industry. It recognizes dealers across the country who demonstrate outstanding performance, integrity, and commitment to their customers and communities. Being nominated is incredibly humbling. It’s a reflection not just of my work, but of the values we stand for as a business. To be recognized on a national level among so many accomplished dealers is something I’m truly grateful for.

Q: Tell us about Red White and Blue Autos. What makes your dealership unique?
A: Red White and Blue Autos is a Buy Here Pay Here dealership based in Ashland, Pennsylvania, focused on helping people who may not have traditional financing options. What makes us different is our commitment to long-term relationships, not just transactions. We offer a 30-month/30,000-mile warranty, report to all three credit bureaus, and work closely with our customers to help them rebuild and strengthen their credit. We sell over 1000 vehicles a year at a single sales location, with four sales associates and a sales manager. Our reconditioning facility, located in Schuylkill Haven, holds all our technicians plus our service staff. Our third location, just a few minutes away from our reconditioning facility, holds our accounting department, collections/customer relations department, detail area and body shop.

Q: What inspired you to get into the automotive industry?
A: To be honest, I’m the least “car person” in this industry. I’m a finance person, so that is what made this business so interesting. In my previous career, I held my Series 7 and Series 66 license, where I was a general securities broker at my brother’s investment firm. In 2014, when he was going to open Red White and Blue Autos, he reached out to me and said he needs someone willing to work a lot of hours and someone who he can really trust. Since that day, back in 2014, we have had the opportunity to build a business that not only succeeds financially but also serves as a stepping stone for others to improve their lives.

Q: How do you build trust with your customers?
A: Trust is everything in this business. We build it through transparency, consistency, and follow-through. We make sure our customers fully understand their financing, we stand behind our vehicles with strong warranty coverage, and we stay connected throughout the life of the loan. Trust is gained from when the customers purchase the vehicle with our genuine and honest salespeople to when the customer speaks with the customer relations group, every step of the way. We also report to all three credit bureaus, which gives customers a real opportunity to improve their financial future. When people know you’re genuinely invested in their success, that trust comes naturally.

Q: What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
A: Like any business, we’ve faced challenges, especially navigating regulations, market changes, and ensuring we’re always operating at the highest standard. But I’ve always approached challenges as opportunities to improve. Staying adaptable, educating myself, and surrounding myself with the right people has been key. I believe we have the best team in the industry, and I’ve been told that many times by other dealers. This is a fast paced, ever changing industry and if you don’t consistently keep up, go to the conferences and training and continue to push forward, you’ll quickly be left behind.

Q: How does your business give back to the community?
A: I think my favorite event is the Annual Turkey Dinner Giveaway. Each Thanksgiving, we choose about 40 families who are in need in our community and supply them with a large turkey and all the fixings, right down to the pumpkin pie! RWB also sponsors the Pace Truck and Victory Lane at Big Diamond Speedway, a local dirt track. This past December, we granted a wish at the Make A Wish annual gala, and if you go to a local little league game, you’ll see kids with RWB on the backs of their shirts. Personally, my daughter Madelyn started a non-profit called the Loosen the Leash Project, where she advocated for ending animal abuse through education, advocacy, and legislative efforts. Our family is supportive in her nonprofit and we are fortunate to go to many local community events, fundraisers, and organizations whenever we can.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you as a business owner?
A: No two days are ever the same, which is part of what I love. RWB runs lean, so I’ve absorbed many positions and tasks over the years. My main priority will always be the financials of Red White and Blue Autos, plus the 7 other companies associated with it. I also serve as the Operations Manager, helping other employees with any issues/ problems/questions they have. And finally, I process payroll, am the HR representative and negotiate benefits renewals. My day can range from business negotiations, managing operations, reviewing financials, collaborating with my team, or planning future growth strategies. There’s always something new, and I enjoy being involved in every aspect of the business.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the automotive or Buy Here Pay Here industry?
A: Well, you’re going to need a lot of capital, and whatever you think you need, you should probably double it. But business wise, really focus on integrity first. This industry is built on relationships, and your reputation will follow you. Be willing to learn constantly, understand the financial side of the business, and always prioritize your customers’ longterm success, not just the sale. If you lead with that mindset, the rest will follow. Not only will you have a successful business, but you will be able to sleep better at night knowing you’re doing a good thing.

Q: Looking ahead, what are your goals for the future of your business?
A: My goal is to continue growing in a way that allows us to help even more people. We talked about opening a second sales location at one of our current buildings, so that means expanding responsibly, strengthening our processes, and continuing to innovate within the Buy Here Pay Here space. At the end of the day, success for me isn’t just measured in numbers, it’s measured in how many lives we’ve positively impacted, and I see that every day.

Q: What does leadership mean to you?
A: Leadership means setting the tone through my actions, decisions, and standards. It’s about creating an environment where people feel motivated, supported, and accountable. It’s also about making tough decisions when necessary and always staying aligned with your values. I am the first to admit that RWB would never be what it is without our employees. Most of our staff have been with us for many years, 5 or 10 years, some from the start. We are a family-owned business in a small town, so a good bit of our employees has known us for decades, some we even went to high school with. That type of bond makes employees really feel like they are making a difference, personally do not want to let us down and really take ownership of their job. I’m thankful every day for our amazing staff, from detailers to managers, again, the best team in the industry!

Q: Finally, how does it feel to be recognized at this level?
A: It’s incredibly rewarding. This nomination represents years of hard work, dedication, and commitment to doing things the right way. I’m proud of what we’ve built and even more excited about what’s ahead. It’s also a bit emotional, in a way. When you build something from the ground up, especially with your family by your side, you don’t always stop to reflect. And I’ll be the first to admit that working with family isn’t always easy, but at the end of the day, it really is a blessing. I’ve been working with my brother, Bill Metzinger, every day since 2007, and if he didn’t see the trust, potential and partnership in me, I don’t think I’d be in the car business. I’ve dedicated myself fully to Red White and Blue Autos and I hope to make my family, our employes and my business partners proud.