Executive Auto starts expansion

Bob Quick | The New Mexican

5/12/2008 - 5/13/08

Santa Fe's Executive Auto has expanded into a new location at 3215 Rufina St. following the purchase of the property by the auto shop's owner, Markus Schandelwein.

Executive Auto specializes in the maintenance, repair and sales of Italian and other European automobiles and motorcycles.

The company previously spent six years in a rented facility in the same area of Santa Fe.

The most recent expansion is the first step in a plan that calls for another 1,200 square feet of shop space for a vehicle detail area and a full-service motorcycle bay.

Schandelwein and his brother, Robert Galella, "scour the country for Euorpean cars to sell," a statement from Schandelwein said. All of their vehcles are inspected and serviced to ensure their condition, and many are still under warranty.

At any one time, Schandelwein said, a visitor might see on site for service a Ferrari 400i, a Maserati Quattroporte, a Bentley Arnage or a Bentley GT.

"Many shops won't touch exotic vehicles, but we will," Schandelwein said.

Employees on the staff at Executive Auto include Anthony Vigil and Sean Di Palma, who run the front office, track down parts and keep the company up to date on the latest technology.

The technical staff include BMW master tech Chris Hawkes, British vehicle tech Gerhard Kiefer and Porsche specialist Waylon Rivers. The latest hire is Marc Beyer, a Mercedes Benz and BMW master tech.


The new owners of the Sun Monthly, Alena Hart and Richard Rogers, wanted more than retirement when they moved to Santa Fe.

They wanted to make a difference in Santa Fe by acquiring a business that would allow them to expresses themselves and contribute to the community, according to a news release from the couple's publicist, Michael Hice.

"They often read and took home a copy of Sun Monthly, whose editorial approach they had come to appreciate and value," the release said.

Before moving to Santa Fe, Hart worked as a real-estate agent in Dayton, Ohio, and in advertising in Chicago. Rogers previously managed a construction project in Libya and established his own law firm, which he ran for almost 20 years.

The previous owners of Sun Monthly were Gershon Siegel and Linda Braun.

The Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Opportunities Fund will grant a total of $7,500 to two local organizations — $5,000 will go to Capital High School's AVID program and $2,500 to St. Vincent Hospital Foundation for its summer internship program.

Capital High's AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program is used in 2,700 schools in 39 states. It trains teachers and counselors to help students fulfill their potential and get to college.

The hospital's internship program provides six-week paid summer internships for high-school students to explore health-care careers.

Bob Quick covers the business beat for The New Mexican. Call 986-3011 or e-mail bobquick@sfnewmexican.com.