SYLACAUGA, Ala. — Toyota of Sylacauga recently hired two longtime automotive professionals to lead its service and parts operations, bringing decades of experience and a renewed focus on customer care to the dealership.

Kevin Benton, 51, joined the dealership as service manager a little over a month ago, while Brian Kvamme, 62, has served as parts manager for more than a year. Though the pair’s working relationship is still developing, both say their shared background with Toyota and long tenures in the industry position them to strengthen the dealership’s operations.

Benton was born in Selma and moved to the Auburn area at age 16. He attended school there and became an avid Auburn football fan, developing a relationship with former coach Pat Dye that even included opportunities to hunt on Dye’s land.

His interest in cars began early. Benton said he started helping at his grandfather’s body shop and salvage yard when he was 12, spending summers learning the trade. That early exposure led to a career in the automotive industry, starting with a job managing a NAPA Auto Parts store in Opelika. Benton has spent 26 years working with Toyota in Auburn.

Now living on Lake Martin, Benton said his priority is improving the customer experience.

“I’m committed to giving quality service to our customers,” Benton said. “That’s something we’re going to focus on every day.”

Kvamme brings a similarly long résumé to the parts department. Originally from Grand Forks, North Dakota, he grew up on a farm while helping run a service station, which he described as being “always in the business.”

A winter trip to California changed the trajectory of his career. After experiencing 80-degree weather in California compared to negative 20-degree temperatures back home, Kvamme decided to stay. He initially worked in construction but soon transitioned into parts, drawing on his mechanical background.

Kvamme spent about 12 years at Thousand Oaks Toyota, followed by several years at Manhattan Beach Toyota and later Michael’s Toyota of Bellevue in Washington. He said Toyota has been a constant throughout his career.

“Toyota’s the one who taught me, and that’s who I stay with,” Kvamme said.

Family also played a role in his move to Alabama. His daughter, Kylee, earned a gymnastics scholarship to the University of Alabama, prompting Kvamme to relocate. He now lives in Tuscaloosa to be closer to her. Weather influenced the decision as well, he said, after growing tired of Washington state’s frequent rain.

“Six months of gray and mist,” he said.

Kvamme has been at Toyota of Sylacauga for a year and four months and said work ethic remains central to his leadership approach.

Both Benton and Kvamme said they are still getting to know one another professionally, but believe their experience will complement each other as they work to strengthen operations. They also praised dealer and executive manager Chris Cain, saying his leadership has created a positive environment.

Toyota of Sylacauga leadership acknowledged the service and parts departments have faced challenges in recent months, but said the additions of Benton and Kvamme represent a deliberate step forward.

“Kevin and Brian bring the kind of experience and accountability we’ve been looking for,” Cain said. “They understand what customers expect when they pull into our service drive or order parts. We know we haven’t always delivered the level of consistency people deserve, but these two are already putting processes in place, building stronger communication, and holding the team to a higher standard.”

With decades of combined Toyota experience, Benton and Kvamme said their goal is to restore confidence and create a smoother experience for customers.

“We know what it takes,” Kvamme said. “Now it’s about putting that into place and earning people’s trust.”