Summerfield Farms resident Stephen Priola knows a thing or two about hard work. What began with a paper route at age 12 eventually led to a leadership role as Collision Manager for Towne Automotive Group. Along the way, he discovered that success often comes from showing initiative, embracing opportunities, and continuously learning.

We sat down with Stephen to discuss his career journey, the opportunities available in today's trades, and the lessons he's learned throughout his career.

My wife Christina and I have been together since 2003 and married since October of 2009. We have twin boys, Lucciano and Larenzo, who turn 13 in July, along with our dog, Connie.

What I enjoy most about Summerfield Farms is the people. No one gets to pick their neighbors, but we've truly lucked out. We have a great community of families that we spend time with regularly. Our house often becomes "the house" where all the neighborhood kids end up. The driveway and yard are usually full of activity. The location is also fantastic because we're close to everything and centrally located within Western New York.

If you had told me 20 years ago where I'd be today, I would have said the odds were one trillion to one.

I really had no idea what I wanted to do after high school. I started delivering newspapers when I was 12 so I could save enough money to buy my first car at 16. After that, I worked at Delta Sonic while attending ECC for general studies.

Eventually, I enrolled in ECC's body shop program simply because I liked cars and thought it might be a good fit. After graduating, I took a job as a detailer at Jim Ball making $6 an hour because it provided benefits and an opportunity to get my foot in the door.

From there, I focused on learning everything I could before expecting additional pay or promotions. I moved from detailing to lane porter, then to used car internal manager, then to the business development center, eventually becoming assistant manager of the body shop at age 23.

At 24, I was given the opportunity to manage the body shop. It was intimidating managing employees old enough to be my parents or grandparents, but it was an incredible learning experience. Looking back, I'm grateful Jim Ball gave me that opportunity and allowed me to learn through both successes and mistakes.

Not at all. I sort of fell into it and discovered I had a knack for the business.

When Jim Ball was sold in 2013, I had some important decisions to make. At the time, my twin boys had been born 12 weeks premature and were still in the hospital.

Towne Automotive Group had an opening for an assistant manager position, which was unusual because many employees stay with the company for decades. Although the position paid a little less initially, I saw the long-term opportunity for growth and advancement. I believed in the organization and the direction it was headed.

Thirteen years later, I can confidently say it was the right decision.

Years ago, my days consisted mostly of putting out fires with customers, employees, and whatever unexpected issues arose.

Today, thanks to strong systems, processes, and an outstanding team, my role looks very different. Customer satisfaction and customer experience remain top priorities. We want customers to know we're here for them during what is often a stressful situation.

I also work closely with our technicians, making sure they have the tools, training, and workflow needed to properly repair customer vehicles.

I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of the business. Every day presents new challenges that require common sense and good decision-making.

I also appreciate the trust that Towne Automotive Group's owner, Frank Downing, has placed in me. He allows me to run the collision center in a way that best supports our customers, employees, and dealership. That level of trust is something I never take for granted.

The biggest misconception is that there's no money in it or that it's a dying industry.

The reality is quite the opposite. Today's vehicles contain advanced technology that requires highly skilled technicians to repair properly. Those skills are in demand and can provide outstanding earning potential.

A talented body technician or paint technician can easily earn six figures at a well-run shop. There are also opportunities in estimating, customer service, management, parts, and operations.

The opportunities are almost endless.

Within a dealership alone, there are careers in sales, service, parts, finance, collision repair, customer service, and management. In the collision center specifically, body technicians and paint technicians are in especially high demand.

If someone has an interest in working with their hands and solving problems, I strongly encourage them to explore the industry. The earning potential and career growth opportunities are significant.

Trade schools offer tremendous opportunities and security for the future.

Every industry will be impacted by artificial intelligence in some way, but skilled professionals who can physically solve problems and work with their hands will continue to be needed. Whether it's automotive repair, HVAC, electrical work, plumbing, or carpentry, those careers provide long-term stability and opportunity.

Absolutely.

The earning potential in the trades is tremendous. Success depends on your willingness to work hard, learn from mistakes, and continually improve.

I interview many people who believe a diploma automatically guarantees a high-paying job. In reality, there is no substitute for work ethic, initiative, and a willingness to learn. Given the choice, I'll take the person with the stronger work ethic and drive every time.

You get out what you put in.

Having drive, taking initiative, and developing a sense of urgency are all important, but one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that you can only control yourself. You control your actions, your attitude, your effort, and your response to challenges.

We live in a country filled with opportunity. Building a strong reputation takes years, but it can be damaged quickly. It's important to treat people with respect, show empathy, and not allow difficult situations or difficult people to change who you are.

The ability to control your emotions and remain focused on what you can control is incredibly powerful.

I've never felt like a number here.

Towne isn't a large corporate environment. There's a genuine work-life balance, and the company cares about its employees and the communities it serves. We take care of our people because we are part of the community.

I simply want to thank the residents of Summerfield Farms for their support over the years.

The opportunities this neighborhood has provided my team and me have never gone unnoticed, and I truly appreciate the trust people place in us when they choose Towne Collision Center.