Texas Guest Speakers
 

Bob Miller

Bob will walk through how strong financial leadership helps business owners make better decisions, manage risk, and plan for sustainable growth. This session focuses on real-world financial thinking, including how to approach major purchases, evaluate long-term strategy, and recognize when outside financial expertise can prevent costly mistakes. It is not about selling a product, but about helping owners understand when the right financial guidance can make a meaningful difference.

About the Speaker:
Bob Miller is an Area President with FocusCFO, serving businesses in Coshocton, Zanesville, Mount Vernon, Cambridge, and surrounding areas. He brings more than 30 years of senior executive experience, primarily in the healthcare industry, where he focused on the financial leadership needs of hospitals and complex organizations. In addition to extensive CFO experience, Bob has served as a CEO, giving him a well-rounded perspective on financial strategy, operations, and executive decision-making. Bob and his wife Sue live in Coshocton, Ohio.

 

Paul Rutledge

Paul will speak candidly about the realities of running a shop through growth, pressure, and long hours. This session focuses on surviving the fatigue, stress, and burnout that often come with ownership, especially as the business gets bigger and the stakes get higher. Paul will share personal experience and practical perspective on recognizing warning signs, managing the weight of responsibility, and building habits that help owners stay grounded, focused, and effective for the long haul.

About the Speaker:
Paul Rutledge is a co-owner of Complete Performance, founded in 2009 in Jasper, Texas. What began as a small mechanic shop evolved into a specialized restoration parts company focused on 1960–1997 Ford trucks and Broncos. With more than 20 years of automotive experience, Paul helped lead the company’s growth from a local shop into a nationally recognized parts business. Built by enthusiasts and driven by a commitment to quality and customer experience, Complete Performance is dedicated to keeping classic Ford trucks on the road and enjoyed for generations.

 

 

Chris Huggins

As the lead-off speaker, Chris will challenge shop owners to rethink how they invest in themselves and their businesses. Drawing from his own journey, this session focuses on why attending events like this matters, how learning from peers accelerates growth, and the long-term value of building a strong network. Chris will also talk about one of the hardest skills for owners to develop: learning when to say yes and when saying no is the smarter move for your business, your team, and yourself.

About the Speaker:
Chris Huggins is the owner of Pressurized Performance and Off-Road in Texarkana, Arkansas. Specializing in light-duty diesel performance and diagnostics, Chris and his team are known for doing things the right way the first time, from fuel and electrical systems to drivetrain and engine work. With a strong focus on quality, customer trust, and continual improvement, Chris brings real-world shop experience and a practical perspective shaped by years of hands-on ownership and industry involvement.

 

Bill Haas

As the Day 1 keynote speaker, Bill will lead a hands-on workshop focused on the fundamentals of running a profitable shop. This session goes beyond theory and motivation and gets into the math behind the business. Attendees will work through real equations and financial concepts that help answer the questions every owner faces: what to charge, what to pay, and how to maximize profit without guessing. This is a practical, working session designed to give owners clarity and confidence in their numbers.

About the Speaker:
Bill Haas is the Founder and President of Auto Ignite Management and a nationally recognized business coach in the automotive industry. His career began at a full-service gasoline station in Appleton, Wisconsin, and has spanned roles as a technician, shop owner, technical trainer, and industry association leader. Bill has delivered keynote presentations and taught classes at conventions across the country and has shared his expertise with lawmakers through testimony before the U.S. Congress and multiple state legislatures on issues impacting the automotive industry. Bill earned the Accredited Automotive Manager credential from the Automotive Management Institute in 1996. When not working with clients, he enjoys woodworking, reading non-fiction, and spending time with his wife Robbie and their two dogs in East Texas.

 

Darrin Barney

Darrin will lead a practical, hands-on session focused on the people side of leadership and how it directly impacts shop performance. This session helps owners and managers understand how their leadership style, communication, and emotional awareness influence team engagement, retention, and day-to-day stress inside the shop. Many of the problems that feel like constant fires are rooted in leadership habits, and Darrin will help attendees identify where small changes can create big improvements. The goal is to walk away with clarity, self-awareness, and a simple plan that can be applied immediately back at the shop.

About the Speaker:
Darrin Barney began his automotive journey working alongside his father while also working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. In 2003, he founded his own auto repair and 4x4 business with a core philosophy centered on treating customers like personal friends and delivering an exceptional customer experience. Through a strong commitment to employee development and customer safety, his shop grew into one of the largest independently owned auto repair facilities in North America, serving customers from around the world. Darrin’s success has led to features in nationally published articles, industry podcasts, magazine covers, and speaking engagements at some of the automotive industry’s largest events. He is deeply committed to continued education, having read hundreds of books and earning his Accredited Master Automotive Management credential in 2017. He is also a Certified High Performance Coach and has coached shop owners and management teams to significant growth and operational improvement. Darrin lives in Grand Junction, Colorado with his wife Ginger and their three children. Outside of work, he is active in his church, enjoys music, and spends time exploring the outdoors through camping, four-wheeling, and travel.