Walker Spotlight: Jeff Patrick

Born and raised in Rockingham, N.C.; born and raised in auto parts. Store Manager Jeff Patrick has been a part of Team Walker since 2018 but has led a life full of Walker qualities before then - family, friends, fun and future. Get to know a little more about this Rockingham local and what Team Walker means to him.  

What does Walker mean to you?   

Walker not only says they are family, but they show it by the way they talk and treat everyone the same. Instead of it being based off of position, Walker is even across the board to all employees. 

What is your favorite memory while working with Walker?   

My best memory...hitting Lee Walker in the face with a pie! It was so funny. Lee really took it like a champ even though I might have been a little heavier handed than what I meant to be.   

Jeff hitting Lee with a pie for being a tool sale winner!

How long have you worked in the auto parts business?  

Twenty-four years.   

And what got you into auto parts?   

My dad, my uncles and my buddies. Growing up we would always mess with cars and it became a natural progression for me. I learned a lot through hands on experiences. Sometimes you run into things that a book won't tell you how to do. You have to learn how to handle different situations through experiences. My first car was my first big project. If I wanted it to ride, I had to work on it during the weekend. I had to be the one to keep it going.   

What was your first car?   

A ‘78 Chevrolet Palette.  

And your dream car?   

I really like ‘65 / ‘66 Chevrolet Trucks. I would love to get one and fix it up. Something in that range is where I would probably start on a dream project.  

Are you currently working on any big projects right now?   

For the past few years, me and my brother have really been into messing around with motorcycles. It's been our hobby as of late. We've done upgrades like full paint, stereo, and transformed whole looks. We do a lot of audio competitions with them.   

What other hobbies do you have outside of work?   

I spend a lot of time with my grand-baby. He just started his first year of tee ball. I just like to hang out with family, my grandson, my wife, and my brothers. We are always doing something. Hanging out with family is what life revolves around for me.   

What is your favorite aspect of your job?   

The people. The people I work with and the people you get to meet. I have customers that I have been dealing with for my entire parts career that still come back. You get to develop a lot of long-lasting relationships with people. My guys that I work with feel comfortable calling me whether it’s the weekend or nighttime. You spend more hours at work than you do at home, so having good relationships is an important thing. For me there is not a lot of separation between work and home.   

What is one of the biggest successes you’ve had with Walker?  

Being promoted to Store Manager. Back when the store was still Barnes, I was already in line for the position. Bo, the previous store manager, was grooming me for the part. So, when the Walker’s came in and Bo was ready to semi-retire, it was amazing that the Walker’s gave me the opportunity to step up and run the store. 

What does customer service mean to you?   

It’s the life of your business. I have always told my guys that you can have the best prices, you can have the fastest delivery, and you can have a lot of really nice things, but at the end of the day people do business with people. If you service your customers in all aspects, then they will be back.    

What drives you to get up and go to work every day?   

It's what I was raised to do. You get up and try to earn your living, but you also get up and want to help other people too.   

What has it been like growing your store into what it is now?  

It’s a pride thing. It makes you feel good knowing that you are a part of something. But you can't do it by yourself. I have a team that has really worked hard towards the same goals and for that it has been a work in progress.   

Where do you see yourself in 5 years as a part of Team Walker?   

Hopefully keep growing year after year here and breaking sale records that we have had in the past! 

What sector of the parts business are you really into?   

Tools have always interested me. I have always been a gadget freak. New tools that come out have always been a big thing for me. When I first started, I had a coworker who took me under his wing and taught me all about paint and such. I learned a lot from him. This has also helped me with working on my outside projects. I have always liked a challenge and I like to learn new stuff.   

Why NAPA?   

My first parts house that I worked for was Advanced. To me that’s where I was always just a number and it was where a lower-level mechanic would work. I always thought of NAPA as where the professionals went. To me NAPA has a mindset that is above the other parts businesses. 

Why Walker?   

I became a part of Team Walker by them purchasing the store I was already with, but they made it a smooth transition and they have made it so easy to stay. It is not about why I got here, but more so why I want to stay. I am thankful for the Walker group as a whole and for all the opportunities they have provided me with. Walker has given me the opportunity to provide a better life for my family. With their values, Walker takes a level of stress off my life. It puts me at a better mindset and place for life. I have been with NAPA for 20 years and I have been a part of Team Walker since 2018.