Meet Dave Kientzy, Vice President of Product and Purchasing at EchoPark Automotive

When Dave Kientzy, Vice President of Product and Purchasing at EchoPark, talks about his career, one theme comes to mind: commitment. He fully commits to a mission, a team, or a vision. Each day, Dave brings his full self to his career and remembers the lessons his military service training gave him. From leading Marines overseas to helping build and stabilize our EchoPark divisions, Dave’s journey is a story of strong character and belief that “teamwork makes the dream work.”

A Call to Serve

Dave grew up west of Fort Worth, Texas, and attended Texas A&M University, where he majored in marketing, but his career path was solidified long before graduation. He felt a strong call to serve in the United States Marine Corps due to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. That calling led him to commission as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served more than five years on active duty.

As a Captain, Dave held leadership roles in infantry and intelligence, commanded platoons, and deployed to Afghanistan, experiences that would permanently shape his leadership. “I learned a lot about leadership in my time in the Marine Corps as a captain,” Dave reflects. “Especially how important trust, clarity, and accountability are when things are uncertain.”

From the Marines to Sonic Automotive

After transitioning out of active duty, Dave joined Sonic Automotive in 2014, beginning his automotive career at Momentum BMW in Houston. While the industry was new to him, leadership was not. Dave rotated through multiple departments in our Leadership Development Program (LDP), gaining a comprehensive view of dealership operations, ranging from sales to service and administration.

During this time, Dave relied heavily on mentors who challenged him and gave him the opportunity to perform hands-on with our guests. He was excelling in the program and showed great promise. Among all the roles he rotated through, appraising and buying used cars was Dave’s passion, and he soon became the Sales Manager at Momentum BMW. Dave shares that, as a sales manager, his role touched all areas of the business, giving him a strong foundation for what was to come.

Believing in the EchoPark Vision

Dave joined Sonic during a time when EchoPark was still just a vision, “As a marketing major, I thought, ‘This thing is going to blow up.’ I could see there was a huge need for it.” In 2017, Dave officially joined EchoPark and became part of the team that opened the second EchoPark location in New Braunfels, Texas. Working closely with leaders like Mike Bell and Jeff Matthews, Dave continued to hone his leadership skills while helping grow the brand. “They invested in me, pushed me, and challenged me,” he says. “I’m forever grateful for that.”

In December 2020, Dave moved to Arizona to help open EchoPark Phoenix, leading the hiring and launch of the store amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon after, Dave stepped into a corporate leadership role overseeing purchasing for EchoPark. As our company began to grow the business amid a global pandemic, Dave and his team faced challenges few had ever seen before. What stood out to him most, however, was leadership’s commitment to the long-term vision. “A lot of companies would’ve shut the doors,” Dave says. “But they stayed true to the vision and allowed us to adapt and recover.” Dave’s leadership and Marine background motivated the team to push through uncertain times and to focus on the long-term opportunity for innovation within the industry.

A Leadership Style Rooted in Trust and Transparency

Today, Dave leads a team responsible for purchasing thousands of vehicles. His advice on motivating teams often draws on his combat experience. “Always explain the why,” Dave says. “Giving people the reason behind decisions creates buy-in and ownership.” He prioritizes collaboration, transparency, and trust, encouraging his team to bring ideas forward and learn from mistakes.

Dave believes leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating a culture centered around empowerment. “We win a lot,” Dave says. “And when we don’t, we have a short memory. You get to compete again tomorrow.” He is constantly optimistic about the road ahead and excited about what’s coming for EchoPark.

For anyone considering a career in automotive, Dave says the opportunity is real, but so is the work. “If you’re willing to work hard and have a good head on your shoulders, you can move up quickly, have a lot of fun, and truly change your life.”