Minnesota Auto Repair Shop Owner Commended for Extensive Community Support
An auto shop owner in Lonsdale, Minnesota, has been recognized for his extensive contributions to the local community, reports Lonsdale Area News-Review.
Scott Pelava first opened Lonsdale Auto Works in 2005, after graduating from Minneapolis Technical College as a master technician and then moving to the area with his family in 2003.
Shortly after opening the shop, Pelava began receiving encouragement from others to run for a vacant seat in the Lonsdale City Council. Though he wasn’t initially selected, he eventually gained a set in 2009.
Since then, the support he’s given to Lonsdale has been numerous, including helping with the development of a water-treatment facility, a business park, a new police facility, and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pelava has extended much of his support to his own industry, as well. He was named one of the top 100 leaders in the transportation and automotive industry at the International Transportation and Automotive Summit in Las Vegas for his work in training future and current autoworkers, and for setting a positive example.
One example of this is the Auto Shop Owners Group: a Facebook group started by Pelava that shares scholarships and training for shop owners nationwide. The group currently has several thousand members.
Most recently, he’s been designated as the grand marshal of the upcoming 2024 Lonsdale Community Days, which Lonsdale Chamber of Commerce President Shanna Gutzke-Kupp said was deserved due to his willingness to communicate with the community and his sponsorship of local businesses and events.
“There is a lot of stuff that is never mentioned or noticed, and I’m OK with that,” told Pelava. “I do stuff, because it needs to be done, not for the recognition.”
