Meet the Staff of Hanksters, Homer City , PA, 724-471-2975

Gary Hankinson - Owner / Operator - PA. & FL.

My name is Gary Hankinson, aka "Hankster." I am the owner / operator of a Hot Rod and Classic Car dealership based in western Pennsylvania "Hanksters Hot Rods LLC".

I've been building, restoring and selling Hot Rods, Muscle Cars, and Classic Cars for over 30 years. In January of 2015 we opened up a second location in Daytona Beach Florida, We usually keep an average of 65 cars at each location. I spend time at both locations and help run the day to day operations for both dealerships. I also travel all over the United States purchasing Classic Cars and shipping them back to our facilities. We then service, recondition, market, sell and ship them all over the world.

Lauren Hankinson - Partner / Multimedia Production - PA.

724-471-2975 - lauren.hanksters@gmail.com

Hi I'm Lauren Hankinson the second generation Hankinson here at Hanksters. I've been around cars, racing and all things automotive practically since birth. Being around the business all my life, I started working summers here at my dad's business when I was a teenager detailing cars in the shop. Now that I'm out of college I work here full time as the Multimedia Production & Marketing Manager, this also includes growing the Social Media of the company. My job is to upload every car to our website along with a detailed video I create so customers can see each and every detail of the car without actually being here at the showroom. I also create our newsletters and send them out to our mailing list to notify subscribers that a new car is now on our site. Being a second generation in the business and having the opportunity to work alongside my dad is truly an awesome experience.

John Oaks - Partner / General Manager - PA.

724-471-2975 - Johno.hanksters@gmail.com

My name is John Oaks. I have been the general manager with the company since 2000. I do all of the sales and purchasing documentation, including titling, registration, etc. whenever selling or purchasing a classic car. I am a Notary Public as well. I work closely with our customers to make sure the purchasing process goes smoothly. Once a vehicle has been purchased, I assist in locating a shipping company to transport the customer’s vehicle to them. After the vehicle has been purchased, I continue to work with the customer, as well as the shipping company, to make sure the vehicle they just purchased arrives to them in a safe and timely manner.

Chris Piccola - Sales Manager / Buyer - PA.

724-464-3302 - chris.hanksters@gmail.com

My name is Chris Piccola. I'm the vehicle buyer for Hanksters Hot Rods Homer City, PA. I am a second generation car enthusiast with a love and respect for classic muscle cars. I was raised in Indiana, PA, and I have been in the automotive industry for the majority of my life. My experience ranges from sales to purchasing and auctions. My knowledge of make/model along with negotiation skills, as well as owning several muscle/sports cars myself has led me to represent Hanksters Hot Rods. If you are interested in selling your vehicle I'm your guy!

Steve Uher - Classic Car Sales - PA.

724-471-2975 - steve.hanksters@gmail.com

My name is Steve Uher and I'm a salesman here at Hankster's in Homer City, PA. I've lived in the Homer City area my entire life and jumped at the opportunity to join the team here when this position opened. I couldn't pass up the chance to spend all day talking about and looking at a garage full of beautiful muscle cars. I started my automotive career as a body work guy just out of high school and never looked back. After 20 years of turning wrenches I was excited to transition to a customer service role that still allows me to put my many years of experience to use. Chances are, if you give us a call here at the Homer City location, you'll hear my voice on the end of the line. You might realize early on that I'm not a professional salesman. I'm just your typical car guy with a passion for muscle cars.

Bob Geer - Shop Foreman / Master Mechanic - PA.

724-471-2975 -

My name is Bob Geer, I'm the Shop Foreman / Master Mechanic here at Hanksters Hot Rods in Pa. I've been wrenching on everything from race cars to diesel trucks for close to 20 years. I really enjoy working on the muscle cars from the 60’s and 70’s. The best part of my job is that I get to test drive every one of the cars several times.

Mike Greer - Mechanic - PA.

724-471-2975 -

Hi I'm Mike a Mechanic here at Hanksters, I joined the team April of 2023.

John Wise - Automotive Restoration Specialist - PA.

724-471-2975 -

Hi I'm John Wise and I am an Automotive Restoration Specialist. I have over 30 years of experience ranging from fabrication to bodywork/paint. I started out sweeping floors in a body shop when I was about 11 years old. I painted my first car at the age of 13. I've worked at auto body, restoration and custom shops over the years. I worked for Harley Davidson Motor Co. for 15 years. 11 of the 15 years I worked in the Harley Davidson paint shop. I like to treat every vehicle I work on here at Hanksters with the care I would if it were my own car.

Victor Preston - Autobody Technician - PA.

724-471-2975 -

Hi I'm Vick an Autobody Technician here at Hanksters, I joined the team February of 2021.

Alex Harrison - Detailer - PA.

724-471-2975 -

Hi I'm Alex a Detailer here at Hanksters, I joined the team July of 2022.

John Pierce - Vehicle Reconditioning Specialist - PA.

724-471-2975 -

Hi I'm John the Vehicle Reconditioning Specialist here at Hanksters, I joined the team February of 2023.

Jim Pugh - Property Maintenance - PA.

724-471-2975 -

Hello my name is Jim & this is my dream job here at Hanksters Hot Rods & Muscle Cars doing property maintenance. I wish this job would have came around sooner as I'm 60 years old. I very much enjoy the atmosphere here. From the cars to the people, the chance to be apart of this is awesome.

Rich Tirak - Partner / General Manager - FL.

386-944-9219 - Richt.Hanksters@gmail.com

My name is Rich Tirak. I joined the team at Hanksters Hot Rods in 2017. I have been around cars or in the automotive business in some capacity for the last 20 plus years of my life. I started at the age of 16 at my first dealership stocking shelves in the parts department. At the age of 18 I accepted a position with that dealership as the shipping and receiving / inventory control manager and eventually moving up to assistant parts manager. At that time in 1997 we had a 4 million dollar parts inventory, we were the fourth largest GM parts distributor in the country and distributed parts locally with 22 delivery trucks as well as shipping parts across the entire country. In 2001 I purchased my first of two Snap-On Tool Franchises which I owned and operated for 12 years selling professional automotive tools and equipment to and servicing automotive dealerships, independent automotive repair shops, body shops and restoration shops among others. At that same time I also owned a 3 bay independent automotive repair facility for 7 years. Most recently I worked at a larger independent used car dealership where I was hands on in all aspects of dealership operation including sales, service, finance and marketing. I believe we have something very unique at Hanksters Hot Rods of Daytona. I am very excited for this opportunity and to be part of an awesome team. Please stop in to either one of our locations to view our extensive collection of classic cars and to meet our team in person!

Chris Harris-Goins - Sales / Assistant Store Manager - FL.

386-944-9219 - chrishg.hanksters@gmail.com

Hello, my name is Chris Harris-Goins and I am an office assistant with Hankster's Hotrods. I was originally born in Queens, New York, but moved down to Daytona Beach, Florida in my sophomore year of high school and graduated from Atlantic High School. I joined the Hankster's team in early 2022 and enjoy helping where I can.

Nick Marco - Sales Manager - FL.

386-944-9219 - nick.hanksters@gmail.com

I have always been passionate about classic cars and being behind the wheel of something older than me. I grew up around classic Jaguars and slowly transitioned into 70s GM cars and trucks. Every day I learn something new, and this is a passion I've enjoyed and plan on continuing for the rest of my life.

Ken Sogan - Buyer - FL.

386-944-9219 - ksogan@hotmail.com

I joined the team at Hanksters Daytona Beach during the summer of 2020 as the classic car buyer for the Southeastern US. I have been in the automobile business for nearly 30 years as a wholesale buyer for new as well as used car dealerships. This experience helps me in purchasing cars that meet the highest standards for Hanksters. A nearly lifelong resident , I grew up surfing the waves of Daytona Beach and my childhood home was a mile from our showroom. I am Excited to be a part of a first class , family oriented operation.

Brandon Mizell - Vehicle Reconditioning Specialist - FL.

386-944-9219 -

My name is Brandon Mizell. I have been in the automotive field for over 30 years. I grew up working at my fathers salvage yard in Muscatine Iowa, fixing and building muscle cars and race cars. I am a Master Mechanic in Automotive and Diesel, with a degree in Engineering. I have been a detailer, sales person, manager, business owner and race car driver. I have built muscle cars, low riders, car audio sound systems, motorcycles and race cars. I have entered all my builds in car shows and competitions with trophy results for being detail oriented. I am very versatile and happy to bring my experience to Hanksters Hot Rods. I am glad to help in satisfying customers with the best muscle cars in the USA!

Matt Webb - Detailer - FL.

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Hi. My name is Matt Webb. I am originally from upstate New York but I have lived here in Florida for over 40 years. I have 3 wonderful sons and I have been making a living detailing cars for over 20 years. I joined the Hanksters Team in June of 2023. I really enjoy the environment here, the comradery with my fellow co-workers and most of all the old school classic cars that I get to work on daily!

Scott Smith - Master Technician - FL.

386-944-9219 -

My name is Scott Smith. I am a 45 year old Muscle and Classic Car Enthusiast with a passion for each car I work on. I have a strong school and work background with over 20 years of experience. I ran the City of South Plainfields Road Department in New Jersey for the past 15 years. I found my dream job here at Hanksters Daytona in the spring of 2021.

Tyson Hillard - Master Technician - FL.

386-944-9219 -

Hello, my name is Tyson Hillard. My passion for automobiles started at a very young age. If it has an engine I'm happy to work on it. I am very proud to now be a part of the Hanksters team where I get to work on these amazing vehicles every day!

Mike Phillips - Master Technician / Custom Installer - FL.

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Hello, My name is Mike Phillips. I am originally from New Jersey. I have had a passion for cars and motorcycles from a young age. My father and brother introduced me motorized vehicles and the rest is history. I am proud to be a part of the Hanksters team.

Nate Smith - Custom Installer - FL.

386-944-9219 - nates.hanksters@gmail.com

Hi, I’m Nate Smith. I moved to Daytona Beach Florida in 2021 from the Bay area of California. I have been building cars and trucks since I was 13 and have had a passion for them my whole life. My toy cars and trucks as a kid have just gotten bigger. From Tonka and hot wheels to real cars and trucks now. I went to school for automotive, hot rod building, fabrication and business. I really enjoy talking to people about how they can make their vehicle custom and match their style. I am very happy to be a part of the Hanksters team and help them keep these awesome vehicles on the road. I love coming to work and being in a hot rod atmosphere every day.

Charles Hustead - Gift Shop Sales & Customer Service - FL.

386-944-9219 - charlie.hanksters@gmail.com

Hello, my name is Charles Hustead, and I joined the team at Hanksters Hot Rods of Daytona in 2022. After graduating from the University of Florida (go Gators), I owned and operated my own camera store for 25 years and then managed a Pinch A Penny Pool Store for 10 years. I have always been a classic car enthusiast and have a passion for exotic and muscle cars. In the past, I have owned a Jaguar, Mercedes, Corvette, several Mustangs, and even a Ferrari. My passion for cars led me to selling Volvos at The Volvo Store in Winter Park, FL where I quickly became the Fleet Manager. My wife and I recently moved to the Daytona area so after 5 ½ years at Volvo, I retired in April 2022. I had visited the Hanksters showroom several times over the last few years so when I noticed a new Hanksters was under construction just a few blocks from my new home, I knew this would be the perfect fit for me. I am very excited to be a part of a unique organization that is family oriented, and a team that has the same passion for cars that I have. Please stop in to any of our locations, our team would love to meet you in person.

Joe Raab - Property Maintenance - FL.

386-944-9219 - joer.hanksters@gmail.com

My name is Joe Raab. I am the building and grounds maintenance technician for all of the Hanksters Florida locations. I have 30 plus years experience in industrial maintenance. My maintenance career began in the USAF as an aircraft maintenance technician. I recently joined Hanksters for a variety of responsibilities, and for the atmosphere/cars. I have not been disappointed; it’s a great place to be for classic car lovers.