ARA Unscripted

What does it take to grow from an outsider in the automotive recycling industry into the president of a major multi-location operation?

In this episode of ARA Unscripted, Vince sits down with Ryan Falco, President of Aesop Auto Parts, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, consolidation, operational improvement, relationships, and the future of automotive recycling.

Ryan shares how the 2008 downturn unexpectedly changed his career path, eventually leading him from the family boat business into automotive recycling. He talks candidly about the mistakes he made as a young leader, the mentors who shaped him, and why vulnerability and listening have become central to the way he leads today.

The conversation also dives into Aesop's experience with private equity and consolidation, the margin pressures facing recyclers, and how lean principles, Kaizen, daily stand-ups, employee engagement, and value-stream mapping have transformed operations. Ryan shares one example where a facility increased dismantling from roughly 140 vehicles per month to more than 220 without adding employees or overtime.

Vince and Ryan also discuss succession planning, employee ownership, AI, recycled parts and collision repair, and why—even as technology changes the business—relationships remain one of the automotive recycling industry's greatest strengths.

And yes, there's also an explanation for why Vince appears to be missing the top of his head for part of the episode.

Sponsored by AXE Payments

AXE Payments is changing credit-card processing for automotive recyclers with a transparent, no-fee, no-contract approach, free equipment, and technology designed for the industry.

Ron Matthews – VP of Automotive
Call or text: (401) 640-3015  Ryan Transcript Full with Ads

Automotive Recyclers Association

Running an automotive recycling business isn't getting any easier. ARA membership provides training, safety and environmental compliance resources, member discounts, advocacy, and access to a nationwide network of professional automotive recyclers. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction — and Vince's camera problem
01:29 Sponsor: AX Payments
02:32 Meet Ryan Falco
04:49 From the family boat business to automotive recycling
08:46 Falling in love with the recycling industry
11:08 Ryan's drive to lead and grow
14:57 From fear-based leadership to vulnerability
20:19 Selling Midway and joining Aesop
21:18 Consolidation, private equity and today's margin squeeze
24:12 Discovering lean operations
25:33 Kaizen and continuous improvement
27:25 Why daily stand-ups changed the business
31:01 Employee engagement and listening
33:10 What's next for industry consolidation?
34:06 Surviving the margin crunch
35:04 Selling more parts from every vehicle
37:14 Why the people make this industry different
40:31 Mentors, leadership and getting on stage
43:09 Walking into a newly acquired facility
45:19 Reducing returns through value-stream mapping
49:27 Prioritizing problems and creating accountability
51:43 Divine intervention, family and career
54:59 ARA Membership
55:42 Ryan's involvement with URG
57:47 Auto Parts Search and new technology
58:38 What Ryan says to critics of consolidation
1:02:16 Selling a family business and succession planning
1:03:29 Could employee ownership be an alternative?
1:04:48 Aesop's geographic footprint and parts trading
1:07:42 How Aesop manages purchasing and operations
1:11:49 Visiting facilities—and the helicopter stories
1:15:29 Family and the next generation
1:17:45 Ryan's outlook on AI
1:20:32 Industry mentors and Bill Stevens
1:22:38 Industry consolidation and major-market speculation
1:26:00 Why automotive recycling feels like family
1:28:10 Leadership mistakes, apologies and relationships
1:31:41 Ego, continuous improvement and giving back
1:36:11 Repairing the relationship with collision repair
1:40:04 The opportunity for independent collision shops
1:41:47 Vehicle affordability and recycled parts
1:43:01 Closing thoughts

From a Volkswagen repair shop to building one of the largest automotive recycling operations in the country, Ron Sturgeon has spent decades building, buying, selling and reinventing businesses.

In this episode of ARA Unscripted, Vince Edivan sits down with Ron at the DFW Car & Toy Museum for a wide-ranging conversation about automotive recycling, entrepreneurship, real estate, technology and the future of the industry.

Ron shares how he went from bagging groceries and repairing Volkswagens to building a six-location recycling operation, selling to Ford Motor Company, working with Fenix, investing in real estate and building businesses well beyond automotive recycling.

The conversation also tackles some of the biggest issues facing recyclers today: succession planning, consolidation, marketing, AI and automation, rising salvage acquisition costs, EVs, and what owners should be doing now if they eventually want to sell their businesses.

In this episode:
• Ron’s unlikely path into automotive recycling
• Building and selling a multi-location recycling operation
• Ford, Fenix and the early consolidation era
• Why recyclers should build wealth outside their businesses
• Family business and succession planning
• Marketing and social media for modern recyclers
• The value of industry networking, benchmarking and ARA
• AI and automation in automotive recycling
• Rising vehicle acquisition costs and shrinking margins
• EVs and future opportunities
• Consolidation and the future of the industry
• Preparing your business and property for an eventual sale

Episode Sponsor — AXE Payments
AXE Payments is changing credit card processing for the automotive recycling industry with a transparent, no-fee, no-contract approach, free equipment and technology designed for recyclers. Contact Ron Matthews at (401) 640-3015 to learn more.

Automotive Recyclers Association
ARA provides automotive recyclers with training, safety and environmental resources, member benefits, industry advocacy and a nationwide network of professional recyclers.

👍 If you enjoy the conversation, like the episode, leave a comment, share it with someone in the industry and subscribe to ARA Unscripted.

00:00 Introduction
01:17 Sponsor: AX Payments
02:20 Welcome to the DFW Car & Toy Museum
06:02 Ron Sturgeon’s Early Years
08:39 From Volkswagen Repair to Automotive Recycling
11:18 Building a Multi-Location Recycling Business
12:50 The “Money Truck” and Knowing When to Sell
15:13 Ford, Fenix and Buying the Business Back
18:02 Learning Business Without Going to College
20:06 Marketing, Technology and Thinking Differently
23:38 Building a Better Recycling Management System
27:36 How the Automotive Recycling Industry Has Changed
32:20 Building Wealth Outside the Recycling Business
37:28 Is There Still Opportunity in Automotive Recycling?
40:18 Succession Planning and Family Businesses
44:45 Leadership, Women and Lessons From Traveling the World
49:20 Writing Books and Building Authority
51:03 How Should Recyclers Market Today?
54:40 A Word From ARA
55:23 Social Media and Modern Marketing
01:00:37 Running Social Media Across Multiple Businesses
01:03:05 Finding Opportunity in Unexpected Businesses
01:04:47 When the Real Estate Is Worth More Than the Yard
01:07:29 The Power of Leverage
01:08:45 Ron’s New Book and Building Wealth
01:12:25 The Value of ARA, Benchmarking and Industry Education
01:17:41 Yard Tours, Data and Learning From Other Recyclers
01:20:43 AI and the Future of Business
01:25:13 Travel, Work and Why Ron Isn’t Retiring
01:28:57 The Future of Automotive Recycling
01:31:41 Vehicle Supply and Rising Acquisition Costs
01:33:01 EVs: Threat or Opportunity?
01:35:50 Consolidation and the Changing Industry
01:40:22 Why Bigger Doesn’t Always Mean an Advantage
01:43:27 Preparing Your Recycling Business for a Sale
01:45:51 Ron’s Books and Where to Find Him
01:47:20 Closing

Jim McKinney went from dismantling cars at Milliron Auto Parts to owning the company. But his journey to becoming an automotive recycling industry leader was anything but a straight line.

In this episode of ARA Unscripted, host Vince Edivan sits down with Jim McKinney, owner of Milliron Auto Parts, CEO of EZ Suite, and PRP board member, for a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, failure, mentorship, friendship, and the evolution of automotive recycling.

Jim shares how an early business venture ended in a lawsuit that cost him nearly everything, how he and his wife Tammy rebuilt their lives, and how the relationships he developed throughout the automotive recycling industry helped shape his future.

We also explore Jim's longtime partnership with Karl, the early days of Midwest Auto Recyclers and PRP, the development of EZ's logistics software, and the unexpected path that eventually led Jim to become the owner of the very business where he once dismantled cars.

Along the way, Jim shares some hilarious stories, including a practical joke on his boss that nearly backfired, and explains why embracing technology, learning from others, and surrounding yourself with good people are essential to building a successful business.

Whether you're an automotive recycler, an entrepreneur, or someone who believes that failure can be the foundation for future success, this conversation offers plenty of lessons—and a few good laughs.

Join the conversation: What's the most valuable lesson you've learned from a business failure or a mentor? Share your story in the comments!

👍 Like this episode, subscribe to ARA Unscripted, and share it with someone who would enjoy Jim's story.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction – Meet Jim McKinney
00:47 Sponsor – AX Payments
01:51 From Mechanic to Entrepreneur
07:50 Starting a Towing Business
13:41 The Business Deal That Cost Jim Everything
18:20 Losing Everything and Rebuilding His Family
24:49 Jim's First Opportunity at Milliron Auto Parts
32:42 From Dismantling Cars to Learning Technology
40:14 Becoming "Junkyard Jimmy"
45:18 Jim's First Industry Trade Show
47:45 The Early Days of Midwest Auto Recyclers
57:40 The People Who Changed Jim's Career
01:01:19 ARA Membership Message
01:01:59 The Importance of Mentorship
01:05:20 A Practical Joke That Nearly Backfired
01:14:20 When Competitors Become Your Biggest Supporters
01:19:21 How Failure Became Jim's Biggest Success
01:20:44 Building EZY and Solving Industry Problems
01:25:00 The Evolution of Midwest and PRP
01:32:00 From Employee to Owner of Milliron Auto Parts
01:39:25 Bringing the Next Generation Into the Business
01:45:31 Life Outside the Automotive Recycling Industry
01:50:17 Building a Team and Finding the Right People
01:53:25 The Future of Automotive Recycling
02:01:05 Friendship, Family, and the Story of Reba
02:05:27 Final Thoughts and Closing

Thank You to Our Sponsor

AXE Payments

This episode of ARA Unscripted is brought to you by AXE Payments, offering credit card processing solutions designed for the automotive recycling industry.

AXE Payments offers a transparent, no-fee, no-contract approach, free equipment, and technology designed to help recyclers manage processing costs, fraud, and chargebacks.

Ron Matthews, Vice President of Automotive at AXE Payments, has spent his entire adult life in automotive recycling and understands the challenges recyclers face.

Contact Ron to learn more about AXE Payments and its solutions for your business.

Call or text Ron: (401) 640-3015

About the Automotive Recyclers Association

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) is the leading international trade association representing professional automotive recyclers. ARA provides advocacy, training, certification, resources, and industry connections to help automotive recycling businesses succeed.

Learn more about ARA and become a member: https://www.a-r-a.org/ 

Subscribe to ARA Unscripted for more conversations with the people, entrepreneurs, and innovators shaping the automotive recycling industry.

#ARAUnscripted #AutomotiveRecycling #JimMcKinney #Entrepreneurship #AutoRecyclers

What happens when one of the biggest career decisions of your life comes down to the flip of a coin?

In this episode of ARA Unscripted, Vince Edivan sits down with Jeff Helget, Vice President of Hollander, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, automotive recycling, entrepreneurship, innovation — and the unexpected path that brought Jeff into the industry.

Jeff shares stories from growing up in rural Oregon, riding motorcycles through the wilderness, starting his first business as a teenager, and climbing the ranks at Sears before B&R Auto Wrecking came calling.

He originally thought he might give automotive recycling six months.

More than two decades later, Jeff had helped grow B&R into a 25-location operation across five states and served as president of the company.

The conversation explores what Jeff learned about earning the respect of employees, why great leadership starts with curiosity, the importance of getting your hands dirty alongside your team, and why automotive recycling is ultimately less about parts than it is about people.

Jeff also discusses his transition to Hollander, the Global Circularity Consortium, current pressures facing recyclers, the opportunity to sell deeper into the vehicle, and why the next generation of automotive recyclers has an enormous opportunity in front of them.

Along the way, there are plenty of stories about motorcycles, family, mentors, getting lost in the wilderness, JC Cahill, and those pivotal “stop sign moments” that can change the direction of your life.

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 – Jeff Helget: A Career Decided by a Coin Flip
01:07 – Sponsor: AX Payments
02:10 – An Impromptu Conversation in Cocoa Beach
03:48 – Growing Up in the Oregon Wilderness
08:04 – Jeff Gets His First Dirt Bike
09:08 – Family, Motorcycles and Raising Kids
11:58 – College and the Plan to Become a Firefighter
12:57 – Discovering the Automotive Industry
15:04 – Learning How to Lead
19:57 – Mentorship and Jeff’s First Business
25:03 – What Makes Automotive Recycling Different
26:03 – How Jeff Found B&R Auto Wrecking
29:13 – Taking Over an Underperforming Location
30:31 – The Coin Flip That Changed Everything
32:02 – Turning the Worst Store Into the Best
35:03 – Customer Service and Leading With Curiosity
38:28 – “Broken Hearts and Auto Parts”
40:10 – Women Leaders in Automotive Recycling
42:34 – Growing With B&R
45:10 – Building Culture by Getting Your Hands Dirty
47:30 – “We’re Not in the Parts Business. We’re in the People Business.”
49:29 – Changing the Perception of Automotive Recycling
51:24 – Sponsor: Automotive Recyclers Association
52:12 – The Moment Jeff Almost Left B&R
56:07 – Why One Conversation Changed His Mind
57:30 – Competing With JC Cahill
1:00:20 – Jeff’s Move to Hollander
1:01:02 – The Global Circularity Consortium
1:04:23 – Jeff’s New Role as VP of Hollander
1:07:10 – The Biggest Challenges Facing Recyclers
1:10:31 – Selling Deeper Into the Vehicle
1:13:14 – Innovation, Education and the Next Generation
1:18:12 – Why Successful Businesses Have to Keep Changing
1:20:15 – Career, Identity and Finding Balance
1:25:06 – Motorcycles, Camping and Getting Off the Grid
1:28:17 – Getting Lost in the Wilderness as a Kid
1:33:24 – Jeff’s Message to the Next Generation
1:35:51 – Closing Thoughts

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

AXE Payments

AXE Payments is changing the way credit card processing works for the automotive recycling industry with a transparent, no-fee, no-contract approach, free equipment, and technology designed specifically for recyclers.

Vice President of Automotive Ron Matthews has spent his entire adult life in automotive recycling and understands the challenges recyclers face — including processing costs, fraud and chargebacks.

Call or text Ron Matthews at (401) 640-3015 to learn more.

Automotive Recyclers Association

If you're serious about operating a professional automotive recycling business, become part of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA).

ARA works to protect, promote and advance automotive recyclers through industry training, safety and environmental resources, cost-saving programs, networking opportunities, and a unified voice advocating for professional automotive recyclers.

Learn more and become an ARA member at www.a-r-a.org.

If you enjoyed the episode:

👍 Like the video
💬 Tell us what stood out to you in the comments
📤 Share it with someone in the automotive recycling industry
🔔 Subscribe to ARA Unscripted for more conversations with the people shaping the future of automotive recycling.

ARA Unscripted is presented by the Automotive Recyclers Association.

In this episode of **ARA Unscripted**, Vince sits down with **Mike Lambert of Buddy Innovations** for a wide-ranging conversation about more than three decades in the auto recycling industry.

Mike shares the unlikely path that took him from working on million-dollar equipment in a semiconductor clean room to running a salvage yard, installing Hollander systems across the country, and eventually helping build the technology behind Buddy Innovations.

They dig into the origins of **Inventory Buddy and Bid Buddy**, the history and importance of Hollander Interchange, how technology has transformed the industry, and where artificial intelligence may take it next.

Mike also shares his perspective on recycled parts usage, insurance companies, rising salvage acquisition costs, vehicle exports, EV batteries, access to vehicle data, industry advocacy, and why he believes recyclers need strong state and national associations.

And because this is ARA Unscripted, there are plenty of stories along the way—from the early days of Hollander and expense-account culture to Corvettes, fishing, travel, EVs, and what retirement might eventually look like for Mike.

00:00 – Mike Lambert: Industry History, Technology & What’s Next
00:52 – Sponsor: AX Payments
01:55 – Meet Mike Lambert
03:30 – Wrestling, football and growing up in Colorado
06:32 – A Chevy Chase airplane story
08:41 – Mike’s one culinary specialty
09:39 – From Honeywell clean rooms to auto recycling
13:23 – Running his first salvage yard
15:22 – Discovering Hollander
16:23 – Becoming a Hollander installer
17:35 – From Hollander to consulting
18:01 – Meeting John “Triple J” and the origins of Inventory Buddy
20:20 – The problem that inspired Bid Buddy
22:08 – Buddy Innovations is born
22:50 – Consulting for some of the industry’s largest recyclers
25:59 – Fishing, Corvettes and life outside work
28:56 – How AI is changing auto recycling technology
31:16 – Will programmers become AI managers?
31:44 – Protecting recycler data
33:54 – Why Hollander Interchange still matters
34:19 – OE part numbers and the future of interchange
36:46 – Hollander, Mitchell and the interchange lawsuit
39:13 – The beginnings of electronic parts sourcing
41:18 – Why one interchange language changed the industry
42:20 – The FTC, competition and Hollander
44:35 – Why Mike left Hollander
47:08 – Mentorship and becoming an entrepreneur
49:17 – Making the leap into consulting
50:50 – Sponsor: Automotive Recyclers Association
51:40 – Challenges facing recyclers today
52:10 – Insurance companies and recycled parts
54:13 – Why recycled parts don’t always reach the final estimate
56:18 – Are insurers totaling vehicles too quickly?
57:43 – Salvage titles and repaired vehicles
59:18 – The case for a national vehicle-title standard
59:51 – Vehicle exports and lost recycling resources
01:01:23 – Why every recycler needs an association
01:03:43 – How industry involvement can transform a business
01:06:13 – Why advocacy matters
01:07:43 – Solera, circularity and recycled parts
01:09:23 – Expanding Buddy into Australia and the UK
01:11:20 – Rising salvage acquisition costs
01:12:32 – EVs enter the recycling conversation
01:15:30 – What EV growth means for auto recyclers
01:18:27 – The EV battery problem
01:20:46 – Why recyclers need battery state-of-health data
01:21:11 – Repairing and reusing EV batteries
01:24:54 – Fisker, Tesla and keeping orphaned EVs alive
01:27:40 – What’s next for Buddy Innovations
01:29:30 – What retirement might look like for Mike
01:31:44 – Travel, Australia and life beyond work
01:37:26 – Mike’s decades of support for the industry
01:38:23 – Closing thoughts
01:40:10 – Subscribe to ARA Unscripted


**THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY AXE PAYMENTS**

AXE Payments is changing the way credit-card processing works for the auto recycling industry with a transparent, no-fee, no-contract approach, free equipment, and technology built specifically to help recyclers grow.

Vice President of Automotive **Ron Matthews** has spent his entire adult life in auto recycling and understands the challenges recyclers face—from processing costs to fraud and chargebacks.

Ron is available seven days a week.
**Call or text: (401) 640-3015**

**AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS ASSOCIATION**

If you’re serious about running a professional auto recycling business, ARA gives you access to industry-leading training, safety and environmental resources, cost-saving programs, networking, certification resources, and a unified voice in Washington.

ARA has been protecting, promoting and advancing professional auto recyclers since 1943.

Learn more and become a member at **a-r-a.org**.

If you enjoy ARA Unscripted, **like the episode, leave a comment, share it with someone in the industry, and subscribe.**

Vince sits down with Mike Lambert of Buddy Innovations for a wide-ranging conversation about more than three decades in the auto recycling industry.

Mike shares the unlikely path that took him from working on million-dollar equipment in a semiconductor clean room to running a salvage yard, installing Hollander systems across the country, and eventually helping build the technology behind Buddy Innovations.

In this episode:
00:00 – Mike Lambert: Industry History, Technology & What’s Next
00:52 – Sponsor: AXE Payments
01:55 – Meet Mike Lambert
03:30 – Wrestling, football and growing up in Colorado
06:32 – A Chevy Chase airplane story
08:41 – Mike’s one culinary specialty
09:39 – From Honeywell clean rooms to auto recycling
13:23 – Running his first salvage yard
15:22 – Discovering Hollander
16:23 – Becoming a Hollander installer
17:35 – From Hollander to consulting
18:01 – Meeting John “Triple J” and the origins of Inventory Buddy
20:20 – The problem that inspired Bid Buddy
22:08 – Buddy Innovations is born
22:50 – Consulting for some of the industry’s largest recyclers
25:59 – Fishing, Corvettes and life outside work
28:56 – How AI is changing auto recycling technology
31:16 – Will programmers become AI managers?
31:44 – Protecting recycler data
33:54 – Why Hollander Interchange still matters
34:19 – OE part numbers and the future of interchange
36:46 – Hollander, Mitchell and the interchange lawsuit
39:13 – The beginnings of electronic parts sourcing
41:18 – Why one interchange language changed the industry
42:20 – The FTC, competition and Hollander
44:35 – Why Mike left Hollander
47:08 – Mentorship and becoming an entrepreneur
49:17 – Making the leap into consulting
50:50 – Sponsor: Automotive Recyclers Association
51:40 – Challenges facing recyclers today
52:10 – Insurance companies and recycled parts
54:13 – Why recycled parts don’t always reach the final estimate
56:18 – Are insurers totaling vehicles too quickly?
57:43 – Salvage titles and repaired vehicles
59:18 – The case for a national vehicle-title standard
59:51 – Vehicle exports and lost recycling resources
01:01:23 – Why every recycler needs an association
01:03:43 – How industry involvement can transform a business
01:06:13 – Why advocacy matters
01:07:43 – Solera, circularity and recycled parts
01:09:23 – Expanding Buddy into Australia and the UK
01:11:20 – Rising salvage acquisition costs
01:12:32 – EVs enter the recycling conversation
01:15:30 – What EV growth means for auto recyclers
01:18:27 – The EV battery problem
01:20:46 – Why recyclers need battery state-of-health data
01:21:11 – Repairing and reusing EV batteries
01:24:54 – Fisker, Tesla and keeping orphaned EVs alive
01:27:40 – What’s next for Buddy Innovations
01:29:30 – What retirement might look like for Mike
01:31:44 – Travel, Australia and life beyond work
01:37:26 – Mike’s decades of support for the industry
01:38:23 – Closing thoughts
01:40:10 – Subscribe to ARA Unscripted

THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY AXE PAYMENTS

AXE Payments is changing the way credit-card processing works for the auto recycling industry with a transparent, no-fee, no-contract approach, free equipment, and technology built specifically to help recyclers grow.

Vice President of Automotive Ron Matthews has spent his entire adult life in auto recycling and understands the challenges recyclers face—from processing costs to fraud and chargebacks.

Ron is available seven days a week.
Call or text: (401) 640-3015

In this episode Vince Edivan sits down with longtime industry mentor, trainer and professional speaker DJ Harrington for a conversation that goes far beyond sales and leadership.

DJ shares the lessons he learned from his father, growing up one of 12 children, overcoming a speech impediment to become a world-renowned professional speaker, his early career in sales, working with companies including General Motors, Ford, American Express and the PGA, and the unlikely path that eventually brought him into automotive recycling.

Along the way, DJ shares stories about relationships, customer service, persistence, honesty and CANI — Constant and Never-Ending Improvement. He also talks candidly about the health challenges he faces today and what he hopes people remember about him.

At its heart, this is a conversation about helping people, continuing to improve, and recognizing that sometimes the smallest gesture can change the direction of a career — or a life.

00:00 A Life That Became the Message

01:44 Nordstrom’s Automotive — Episode Sponsor

02:18 Sitting Down with DJ Harrington

04:04 DJ’s Health and the Support of the Industry

09:16 Growing Up One of 12 Children

16:07 The Lesson of 1,800 Families

18:18 From a Speech Impediment to Professional Speaker

20:02 The Monastery, Sales and Uniroyal

25:13 Lessons from DJ’s Father

27:05 The Tugboat Lesson: How to Motivate People

30:21 Humor, Sales and the Famous “ID10T”

32:02 Green Eggs and Ham as a Sales Lesson

35:21 How DJ Found Automotive Recycling

38:35 Scholarships and Investing in People

41:42 Getting One Foot in the Door

44:46 Persistence, a Broken Brick and a Career

51:19 “My Dad Makes People Feel Good”

51:58 AX Payments — Episode Sponsor

53:00 Why ARA Membership Matters

53:40 How DJ Found the Auto Recycling Industry

54:40 The Story That Led DJ to the PGA

59:26 Turning Lessons Into Memorable Experiences

1:00:21 “Don’t Be Bitter — Be Better”

1:01:38 From Seminary to the U.S. Army

1:04:11 Writing a Love Letter for a Wounded Soldier

1:05:02 Why DJ Loves Auto Recyclers

1:07:47 Selling the Bluebird Bus

1:09:20 Relationships and “What’s In It For Me?”

1:11:35 CANI — Constant and Never-Ending Improvement

1:18:34 Sales Mistakes Recyclers Still Make

1:20:21 Listening Is a Superpower

1:25:10 Ask for the Sale

1:26:05 People Buy From People

1:27:42 How Kindness Can Become Good Business

1:31:21 DJ’s Simple Rules for Success

1:31:47 What DJ Wants People to Remember

1:33:49 Character, Habits and Destiny

1:35:13 Faith, Purpose and Using Your Gifts

1:38:26 “Drink, Swear, Steal and Lie”

1:41:03 Looking Back at ARA Unscripted

1:43:09 ARA, URG and Working Together

1:44:45 Why DJ Believes in ARA

1:45:50 A Final Message About Hill Days

1:46:18 Closing

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Nordstrom’s Automotive — Garretson, South Dakota

The Nordstrom’s team has considered DJ a mentor, teacher and friend for years, and they are proud to help bring this episode to the industry. Nordstrom’s Automotive includes full-service auto recycling, U-Pull-It self-service used auto parts and the Under the Hood Show.

AXE Payments

AXE Payments is changing credit card processing for automotive recyclers with a transparent, no-fee, no-contract approach, free equipment and technology designed specifically for the industry.

Vice President of Automotive Ron Matthews has spent his entire adult life in automotive recycling and understands the challenges recyclers face with processing costs, fraud and chargebacks.

Call or text Ron Matthews at (401) 640-3015 to learn more.

Success isn't built through shortcuts—it's built through relationships.

In this episode of ARA Unscripted, Vince Edivan sits down with Ron Matthews to discuss the career, relationships, and lessons that have made him one of the automotive recycling industry's most respected mentors.

From starting on the parts counter to becoming a consultant, educator, and trusted advisor, Ron shares practical insights on leadership, mentorship, networking, sales, and why helping others succeed has been the key to his own success.

Whether you're an automotive recycler, business owner, or aspiring leader, you'll walk away with lessons that apply far beyond our industry.

Sponsors

ARI — Auto Recycler Intelligence

With live inventory pricing, Hollander interchange, automated freight calculations, and secure payment links, customers can receive a quote and complete a purchase at any time.

Learn more at ariintel.com or contact Kirk Monger at [email protected].

Mention this episode and receive $195 off your first month. Offer valid for one year from the episode air date.

VIN Match Pro

VIN Match Pro simplifies complex VIN data so teams can clearly understand vehicle details and match information correctly the first time. That means:

• Fewer errors
• Fewer credits and returns
• More consistent decisions
• Less time spent double-checking work

VIN Match Pro brings accurate, easy-to-read information and practical tools together in one place.

To schedule a demonstration, email Justin at VIN Match Pro or call (978) 413-7170.

Join the Automotive Recyclers Association

The automotive recycling industry is stronger when we work together. ARA provides advocacy, education, certification, and resources to help recyclers succeed.

Learn more or become a member at www.a-r-a.org.

Or, if you want it even shorter:

Join ARA

Stay connected, informed, and ahead of industry changes through the Automotive Recyclers Association.

Learn more at www.a-r-a.org.

I prefer the second version for YouTube. It gets the point across in two sentences and keeps the focus on the episode rather than the promotion.

Chapter Section

00:00 Intro
00:55 Sponsor — ARI Sales Professional
01:54 Growing Up in Rhode Island and Discovering Auto Recycling
11:21 From Parts Puller to the Sales Counter
17:21 Accidentally Becoming an Industry Consultant
18:59 How Trade Shows Changed Everything
22:47 The Mentor Who Changed Ron’s Life
31:18 Building a Consulting Business From the Ground Up
33:23 Leadership Lessons and Managing People
44:00 Why Automotive Recyclers Need ARA
44:38 Sponsor — VIN Match Pro
45:37 Why Great Salespeople Don’t Sell
54:54 The Story Everyone Still Talks About
56:23 Joining AX Payments and Protecting Your Reputation
01:03:02 Should Industry Associations Vet Vendors?
01:19:44 Are Trade Shows Losing Their Value?
01:25:28 Why Some Recyclers Thrive While Others Struggle
01:32:32 The Power of Mentorship
01:42:50 Advice for Every Auto Recycler
01:46:30 Final Thoughts

Some people build successful businesses.

Others build better industries.

Bill Tolpa has done both.

In this episode of ARA Unscripted, ARA Executive Director Vince Edivan sits down with Bill Tolpa to discuss a lifetime in automotive recycling, the evolution of ARA, industry leadership, environmental responsibility, and the personal battle that changed his perspective on life.

Along the way, Bill shares stories about:

• Building one of the industry's most respected businesses
• Becoming involved with ARA leadership
• Lessons learned from decades of service
• Why advocacy matters
• His battle with cancer and the importance of self-advocacy
• Mentorship and giving back
• Why professional recyclers have a responsibility to lead

Whether you've been in the industry for forty years or forty days, Bill's perspective offers lessons that extend far beyond automotive recycling.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:39 Sponsor: Yard Smart
01:31 Sponsor: ari Sales Assistant
02:24 Meet Bill Tolpa
05:12 Growing Up in the Dairy Business
08:17 Life as a Carnival Worker
14:06 Lessons the Carnival Taught About Business
18:25 Buying a Repair Shop at 18
22:38 A Frustrating Parts Buying Experience
24:02 The Trip That Started a Career
29:45 Building an Auto Recycling Business
34:10 Getting Involved with ARA New York
40:50 Learning to Lead Through Service
49:30 Growing the Business and the Industry
58:10 Environmental Responsibility Comes to Auto Recycling
1:08:30 Mentoring the Next Generation
1:18:45 Industry Challenges Then and Now
1:30:10 Leadership, Integrity, and Reputation
1:38:15 Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders
1:44:30 Leaving the Industry Better Than You Found It
1:46:10 Final Thoughts

Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of automotive recycling.

#AutoRecycling #Leadership #BusinessPodcast #ARAUnscripted #Automotive #SmallBusiness

For nearly 40 years, Wally Dingman built and operated one of Canada's respected recycling businesses. Today, as Executive Director of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada, he's working to help shape the future of the industry.

In this episode of ARA Unscripted, Wally shares lessons from growing a family business, transitioning into association leadership, navigating government policy, preparing for EV challenges, and why recyclers must be involved whenever legislation affects the automotive lifecycle.

Whether you're a yard owner, manager, supplier, or simply interested in where the industry is headed, this conversation offers practical insight from someone who's seen both sides of the business.

Special thanks to our sponsors

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If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe to ARA Unscripted for more discussions with leaders shaping the future of automotive recycling.

#AutoRecycling #Leadership #CircularEconomy #Automotive #EV #BusinessPodcast #ARAUnscripted

00:00 Introduction & Sponsors
02:18 Wally Dingman's Journey into Auto Recycling
06:30 Transitioning from Recycler to Association Executive
14:00 Why Canada Has Two National Recycling Associations
15:58 Cash for Clunkers: Successes, Lessons & Unintended Consequences
17:18 Building Stronger Regional Associations Across Canada
19:25 Why Auto Recyclers Must Have a Seat at the Legislative Table
24:30 Vehicle Donation Programs & Consumer Vehicle Acquisition
30:45 Cross-Border Parts Sales, Tariffs & Canada–U.S. Trade
40:15 EV Batteries, Regulation & Producer Responsibility
54:20 The Public Image Problem Facing Auto Recyclers
01:03:30 Succession Planning & the Next Generation of Recyclers
01:12:45 AI, Technology & the Future of the Industry
01:24:45 Working with Government Without Losing Your Voice
01:33:20 Leadership, Industry Advocacy & Building Consensus
01:40:30 Why Ego Has No Place in Leadership