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Employee Recognition
 Mark Lindenmulder
Mark Lindemulder

Leon Sevcik, Jr.
FOUNDER - Leon A. Sevcik, Jr.

Employee Recognition
 Pat Sevcik
Pat Sevcik

Leon Anton Sevcik, Jr., was born in La Grange, Texas, on December 16, 1944, to Leon and Evelyn Sevcik. At age five, the family moved to Galveston, TX, where Leon attended St. Patrick's Catholic Church and school and later graduated from Kirwin High School, an all-boys Catholic high school. He took pride in the fact that he was an altar boy, honor student, and had perfect attendance all through school. He played football for Kirwin High School, which won the state championship his senior year.

While in high school, he met and fell in love with his wife, Mardell, who went to Ursuline Academy, an all-girls Catholic school. Mardell was on the drill team that cheered for Kirwin's football team. They both graduated in 1963, were soon married, and had three children: Leon (Bubba), III; Lisa; and Patrick.

Leon worked three jobs to support his family in Galveston, including an egg route, a job seining for fish, and as credit manager for the local Firestone store. Firestone recognized Leon as an overachiever promoting him quickly to office manager and then store manager. They relocated him to Bryan, Texas, as store manager in 1969.

After years of diligent corporate service—and a non-mutual parting of the ways for giving away a used tire to a customer in need!—he was determined to make a name for himself by serving the public unconditionally and honestly. He opened the Texaco station on E. 29th St. in Bryan on February 22, 1972. It was an exciting new venture and Leon quickly earned the respect of many in Bryan, College Station, and surrounding areas. He knew all his customers by name and memorized many of their license plate numbers! He built his business on quality service, hard work, long hours, lasting friendships, and unparalleled generosity. He was the true embodiment of Texaco's slogan, "Trust your car to the man who wears the star."

It has always been a true family business. His two sons, Bubba and Patrick, worked in the shop and on the full-service aisle, while his daughter, Lisa, did the bookkeeping. The business prospered and eventually outgrew the Bryan location. After the loss of his oldest son at that station, Leon seized a tremendous opportunity for a larger location on Longmire Dr. in College Station. Leon continued to build a solid reputation of honest service since 1992. Leon's son, Patrick, is now the operations manager and son-in-law, Mark, is his business manager. Patrick's wife, Kaye, was his bookkeeper for several years. His grandsons, Alan and Aaron, have worked into the business as well. Alan was managing the new Valvoline Express Care (quick oil change) portion of the business until his tragic death at age 20 in December 2003, leaving behind his wife, Rebecca, and sons, Garrett Alan and Jackson Cole, who may have some interest in the service center one day! Aaron runs the full-service aisle/fueling operations and works in the Express Care. The Service Center's primary strength is it's long-time crew; several of the 17 employees  worked for Leon for 10 to 20 years (Tim Kollman, Louigi Wolfe, Jerry Becerra, Donald "Red" Davis, Chris Cadena, and Guy Sage).

Leon Sevcik was one-of-a-kind. He had a wonderful love for this town and the people in it. He truly believed the old school way was the best way, and he practiced this every day in business. He was also a very patriotic man who loved America and was always more-than-eager to share his political views over the counter (once the car repairs were finished). He maintained his Czech roots, again happy to share the language and the culture. Above all, however, he also believed in one true God and was not afraid to share his faith; you could see His love shining through Leon's eyes as he spoke. Although often perceived as very intense, his kind and caring Christ-like ways were always evident.

Leon Sevcik's Service Center is, and will continue to be, much more than an auto repair shop. It is Leon's legacy: his blood, sweat, and tears. Rest in peace, dear husband, father, grandfather, and friend. We'll burn no daylight until we meet again (because we know you will be watching!).

Our Friendly Staff

Jerry Becerra

A "Core Four" member with 22 years of experience, Jerry Becerra credits Louigi Wolf for teaching him a lot about domestic cars. Jerry also handles computer diagnostics and drivability. He often attends classes to stay up-to-date on the products used in his area of expertise. Jerry says he loves working at Sevcik's because "All the guys are like family."

Frank Bettencourt

With five years of experience, Frank Bettnecourt is known as the "Everything Guy," a Jack-of-all-trades. Everyone agrees he is perfect as a Customer Service Specialist, because he is an extremely friendly, can-do person. "I have the most fun of all," Frank says about his customer relations job at the front desk. According to Mark Lindenmulder, "Frank is the happiest man on earth!"

Chris Cadena

Chris Cadena loves meeting new people and taking care of the loyal customers ad Sevcik's. He is their Valvoline Express Care manager and delivers full service at the pump house. But ot the first of the month, he is mostly involved in state inspections. He emphasizes that after 12 years, he enjoys everything he does because of the other guys he works with. "They're good people to work with and it's a good evenironment." He added that he likes working for the Sevcik's because "they take care of our families."

Buster Dorris

Buster Dorris has a lengthy list of accomplishments, including front end alignment and suspension, domestic and foreign auto service consultant, ASE Master Auto Technician, under car, and heavy truck. He has been in the business for 30 years—20 of those with GM. He says it took several years to get a job at Sevcik's because "people don't leave here. It's a family type business, and everybody works well together 99% of the time, like any family." Buster is also the resident barbecue champion, having gone to the National BBQ Cookoffs five times by first winning the Go Texan competition five times. His philosophy is, "patience and trial and you finally learn what works."

Eric Pairie

Eric Pairie has only been with Sevcik's for one year, but he has learned a lot working with the other employees, especially Chris Cadena, a 12-year veteran. He is a Valvoline Express Care technician and state inspector. He really enjoys the "friendly atmosphere that feels like a big family. After all," he explains, "we spend more time here than with our families. So, we make our work fun. If you don't enjoy what you do, you need to find something else." Eric speaks highly of his bosses. "They're great. They take care of us, like paying our insurance. You can't find that everywhere."

Ernesto Sanchez

Ernesto Sanchez has spent three years with Sevcik's. He is a Valvoline Express Care technician and delivers full service at the pump house. Ernesto says he learns by hands-on experience, working on his own car, and from the guys on the job. He likes everything about this job, "especially a regular paycheck." Ernesto says, "Sevcik's is a good place to work with great benefits and you meet lots of nice people."

Guy Sage

Guy Sage has worked on foreign cars for eight years. During his ten years at Sevcik's, he learned most of his craft on the job, as well as attending classes. He also works with computer diagnostics and drivability. Guy says, "There are good employees at Sevcik's. They get along well with each other and everyone helps everyone else." He adds, "It's a good team!"

Tim Kollman

Known as one of the "Core Four" at Sevcik's Service Center, Tim Kollman has worked for the Sevcik family for over 30 years. Tim enjoys working with the "friendly, cordial, honest people at Sevcik's and that's what their business is built on." Specializing in domestic vehicles, brakes, air conditioning, and in-dash repairs, Tim really likes "the satisfaction of correcting the problems for customers."

Louigi Wolfe

Having started working for Leon Sevcik 24 years ago, Louigi Wolfe is one of the "Core Four." He is Sevcik's domestic care technician because he says, "When I started working here, most of our business was domestic cars." Now, Louigi also does computer diagnostics and drivability. "Shop Leader" Louigi says is favorite part of the job is, "the camaraderie between the employees."
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