KATIE SHANTZ EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

What better way to wrap up our centennial anniversary than by celebrating an employee who helped make so many of the 100-year anniversary content, campaigns, and events happen! Join us in congratulating Katie Shantz as our December Employee Spotlight.

With a degree in art and a passion for anything creative, Katie moved to Grand Rapids in 2022 and started applying to marketing positions in the area. Lucky for us, Berger Chevrolet was on her list.

Katie was hired as a Marketing Assistant in September 2022, and she quickly made a name for herself. Finding someone as naturally creative, deeply loyal, and universally well-liked as she is doesn’t happen often. She builds bridges across departments, brings people together, and elevates every project she is involved in.

Her initiative, curiosity, and drive led to her first promotion to Marketing Associate. As the team evolved, Katie stepped into more responsibility with confidence. She took on leadership opportunities, helped shape new campaigns, and naturally became someone the team leaned on. That same work ethic eventually earned her the role she has today, Assistant Marketing Manager.

Every day is different, exactly the pace Katie thrives in. She oversees our social media, website content, online reviews, and overall digital landscape. She plans, creates, and captures content, but most importantly, she supports every department across our dealership. Each department has its own goals and needs, and Katie plays a key role in helping them communicate effectively and creatively.

Community involvement has become one of Katie’s favorite and most unexpected parts of her job. Her role has opened the door to so many unique experiences. She’s met and built relationships with media personalities like Michelle from FOX17 and collaborated with local artists like Kevin Wolfrom on the mural. She’s been interviewed on TV, ridden in a COPO Camaro, and frequently attends community events on behalf of Berger.

She doesn’t take any of it for granted. She understands how special it is to build real connections through her work and to represent Berger in the community in such creative, meaningful ways.

When asked what she appreciates most about working at Berger, Katie said without hesitation, the people.

She knows it sounds cliché, especially because she’s normally the one writing these spotlights and hears that answer all the time, but it’s true. She values the relationships she’s built across every department, every team, every personality.

Speaking of the Berger team, when asked if there’s someone at the dealership that she’d like to give a shoutout to, she listed her go-to guys: Chanaynay, John Stull, Doig, and Kolstifer. It’s clear from the nicknames she’s given to her colleagues that their relationships are genuine. She knows she can always rely on these guys to go above and beyond to help her, even when the request isn’t directly their department’s responsibility. She wanted to give an extra special shout-out to Channon, who nominated her for this spotlight. Channon is reliable, kind, and the perfect combination of serious and goofy.

Katie also gave a heartfelt shoutout to our Marketing Director, Emily, thanking her for her support, leadership, trust, and the opportunities she provides. Emily’s leadership style gave Katie room to grow, learn, and take the reins when she was ready, all while knowing she had support behind her. That space played a huge role in Katie becoming the leader she is today.

Part of the marketing department’s responsibility was planning and executing Berger’s 100-year anniversary celebrations. Without question, Katie’s all-time favorite Berger event was the 100-year anniversary employee celebration this past summer. She poured months of planning, designing, and organizing into the event, and seeing it come to life was emotional, gratifying, and unforgettable.

She described the night as the perfect mix of working the event and enjoying it as a guest, truly the best of both worlds. The happiness on people’s faces and the pride throughout the event made every moment worth it.

After writing every decade of our 100-year Berger History Lessons, Katie has developed a deep appreciation for just how unique and impactful Berger’s story really is. She said, “Our history is very cool. I encourage everyone to read the Berger History. Not just because of the number of years we’ve been around, but because the story is incredible.” It’s not just a milestone. It’s a legacy worth celebrating.

In addition to the Berger History Lessons, Katie’s top three 100-year anniversary projects include the Berger mural, the Rapid bus wrap, and the final All GM Show. All three allowed her to stretch her creativity and leave her mark on a once-in-a-century celebration.

When asked what advice she’d give to someone interested in working at Berger, Katie said, “Every day is different. Be ready to stay on your toes!” She recommends being moldable and adaptable, embracing the balance between fun and hard work. Berger is a place that values creativity, initiative, and a good sense of humor. If you enjoy camaraderie or the occasional prank, you’ll fit right in.

For Katie, creativity is at the heart of marketing, and Berger gives her the freedom to bring ideas to life. Whether it’s turning a car pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month or crafting the perfect costume, she is all in. Some of her most iconic costumes at Berger include Channon, Martin, Roary the Lion, an elf, Glinda, and Barbie. She’s mastered the art of blending humor, creativity, and automotive into something fun and memorable.

Since Katie is typically the one writing these spotlights, we asked her how she felt being the interviewee instead of the interviewer. She laughed and said, “Weird! But I feel like I know all the secrets, and more is always better when answering these questions.”

But she also said it’s an honor. Writing these spotlights has allowed her to get to know so many employees on a deeper level, and now she’s grateful to share her own Berger story with the team and community.

When asked about any fun facts people may not know about her, Katie texted her mom for help with this one. And her mom delivered. In 4th grade, she answered the classroom phone with “Buddy the elf! What’s your favorite color?” (Early career foreshadowing? Probably.) She once got detention for being late to school too often… another possible hint toward her future in creative chaos and always being fashionably late? Probably.

Finally, we asked Katie to share her favorite reels she’s created throughout the last few years. You’ll have to scroll on our Instagram or TikTok to find these, but based on what you’ve learned so far about Katie’s creativity, it’d be worth your time. Some highlights are her first-ever reel pitched: the Chef Boyardee/Tire reel, “What Time Is It” from High School Musical 2, Magic School Bus, the Wes Anderson trend, Scooby Doo, and Jumping in the Snow. Her creativity and original content ideas continue to elevate Berger’s online presence and bring joy to our community.

Berger Chevrolet truly hit the jackpot with Katie Shantz. Her creativity, initiative, kindness, humor, and heart make Berger better every single day. Thank you, Katie, for everything you do for our team, our dealership, and our community.

Katie with her Employee Spotlight certificate