BUSINESS NEWS
Cornerstone Automotive is proud to announce the addition of Shaun Spike to the team as a Tire Specialist and Automotive Technician. Shaun joined the shop in April 2025, bringing with him over fifteen years of automotive industry experience.
“We’re starting to shift our vision for the business to become more of a one-stop shop,” said Darin Hertel, Shop Manager at Cornerstone Automotive. “We want to be the place customers turn to not only for repair work but also for everyday services like oil changes, tires, and routine care. Shaun plays an important role in that. His experience in the field, especially his expertise in tire work, is a major asset to our team and our customers.”
Residing in Great Bend, Kansas, Shaun says his start in automotive work began as just a paycheck but quickly grew into a routine and a specialty where he found his niche. He earned his Certificate in Automotive from Barton Community College in 2012. Since then, he has gained over fifteen years of tire experience working in Great Bend and other tire shops.
In his position at Cornerstone Automotive, Shaun will handle a variety of tasks, from oil changes and routine maintenance to more complex mechanical work. However, his expertise in tires adds a valuable dimension to the shop. His skills include tire alignments, diagnosing wear patterns, working with suspension components like shocks and struts, as well as handling steering racks, wheel bearings, rotations, and issues related to under- or over-inflation. His ability to manage both routine and specialized tire work strengthens the shop’s growing capabilities.
“You can tell a lot about a vehicle just by looking at the tires,” said Shaun. “Wear patterns can reveal underlying issues. The bonus is, tires are easy to access and inspect since they’re right there on the outside. Tires are easy.” Shaun is especially excited to expand the shop’s tire services. “I've worked on everything from tractor tires to mower tires to powersport vehicles, including Razors and four-wheelers, really, anything with tires. We're now looking to work on anything with tires ranging from mower tires up to low pro 24 inch tires here in the shop. We are even able to do medium truck tires up to 19.5 inch wheels. Most vehicles can be in and out the same day, and we can usually get specialty tires ordered within a day or two.”
Shaun emphasizes that customer safety is his highest priority. “Tires are one of the most important parts of a vehicle,” he said. “My goal is to prioritize both safety and customer service. I’m here to help clients as much as possible and ensure they stay safe on the road.”
When he's not working in the shop, Shaun enjoys photography, traveling, NASCAR, and driving RC cars. He also loves spending quality time with his family, including his wife Morgan and their children, Coral and Travis.
Cornerstone Automotive continues to grow its tire services, with a new tire balancer recently added and more equipment on the way. "We're planning to offer tire services on more than just your everyday vehicles and are also looking forward to introducing warranties and an incentive program on tires purchased and installed through us,” Hertel said. “That could include free rotations for life or free valve stem replacements during installation. With Shaun on board, we’re excited to keep more inventory in stock, allowing for an even quicker turnaround time for our customers.”
About Cornerstone Automotive
Cornerstone Automotive is a heavily equipped 8-bay auto repair shop business based out of Central Kansas and will continue to serve the Barton County area community. For more information about Cornerstone Automotive, you can visit their website www.cornerstonegreatbend.com or call 620-282-0035. To learn more and stay updated on this event, follow us on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/cornerstonegbks. The business is located at 4713 8th Street in Great Bend, KS and hours of operations are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, closed during the lunch hour.