Rick and Karen Hughlett

Rick and his wife, Karen, opened Rick’s Automotive in 1980 with one goal in mind: to bridge the gap between dealerships and chain stores through an honest and competent auto repair facility. “To be successful in any business you have to have a passion for it, and I like cars. My business grew from my passion,”

Today, Rick’s Automotive has become one of the most recognized and trusted automotive service providers in southwest Missouri. “It’s the people who make Rick’s Automotive great,” Rick said. “My automotive technicians are some of the most hardworking intelligent people I’ve ever met in my life.” Rick, a graduate of OTC’s precursor, Graff Vocational Technical School, has supported OTC since its inception in 1990. He helped form an advisory committee of area automotive service providers to work with the college’s transportation department in an effort to provide OTC automotive instructors with the latest tools and training needed to become successful automotive technicians. Rick also started a mentoring program at OTC to provide real-world experience to students in the college’s Automotive Technology program.

Additionally, Rick and Karen established a scholarship fund for these students through the OTC Foundation.