Brian - Service Consultant, Cheryl - Finance, Brendan - Technician, Will - Service Consultant, Lauren - Service Consultant, Jay - Technician, Shawn - Owner, Lil Shawn - Technician, David - Service Consultant, Pete - Technician, Ryan - Support, Alex - Technician, Heidi - Marketing, Adam - QC/Marketing
Shawn Gilfillan, Owner
Shawn Gilfillan is the proud owner of Automotive Magic, a reputable automotive repair shop in Kenvil, NJ. He is also one of the principal partners and co-founder of Shop Management Alliance, a private consulting company focusing on improving and supporting other automotive repair shops and their owners. Shawn began his career getting his hands dirty – learning the inner workings of cars and what it takes to fix the vehicles that carry his friends and family.
He opened Automotive Magic in April of 2003 because he wanted to make a difference, not only in providing efficient and cost-friendly automotive repair—but also to be behind an honest and customer-centric shop. Shawn was born, raised, and still resides in Roxbury, a community that he holds dear to his heart. Shawn’s passion goes beyond his businesses, he is committed to helping others, personal and professional development, continuing his education, and his family. He is a proud father of three beautiful girls and a loving husband to his wife, Victoria.
Jason “Jay” Shubert
Meet Jason "Jay" Shubert, a highly qualified automotive technician who graduated from Wyotech Automotive and Light Diesel Training and is licensed by the state of NJ and the Motor Vehicle Commission for vehicle inspection and emission repairs.. With 15 years of experience in the industry, Jay is factory-trained and certified in VW, Audi, and Mercedes, and is a certified electrical specialist by Mitsubishi.
Jay's commitment to his automotive education is evident through his impressive list of certifications, including Master certified technician, Light duty diesel, L1, gasoline-powered engines, and Advanced level specialist from ASE. He recently completed the Advanced Level Electric Vehicle training through AVI.
In addition to his professional achievements, Jay is a dedicated family man with a wife and two beautiful daughters. He also serves his community as a volunteer firefighter. When he's not working on cars or fighting fires, he enjoys spending time with loved ones and listening to music.
Adam Winget
Adam has always paid a lot of attention to detail and is a bit of a perfectionist. That's why he's transitioning into the marketing department here at Automotive Magic. With his creativity and eagerness to learn, we feel that this will be a great move for him. He hopes to own a business of his own in the future.
Adam loves taking photos and traveling and has just returned from a cross-country adventure with his brother and sister-in-law. He enjoys spending time with his friends and family and loves being outside and active. From hiking, snowboarding, and riding his motorcycle, you can bet he's got some sort of camera tucked away so that he can capture those amazing shots.
Jodi Wesley
Jodi Wesley has joined the Automotive Magic team as Service Support Administrator. Jodi comes with ten years of experience in automotive finance and is no stranger to the inner workings of the automotive industry. She’s also handled the logistical as well as customer service and sales roles at an international furniture dealership. Her ability to handle high volume and demanding workloads has proven to be an asset within the Automotive Magic service team. Her enthusiasm and high energy are contagious and our customers are delighted with her ability to address their needs and concerns in a way that is beneficial to all. She’s a native NewJerseyan, from Sussex County but resides in Port Jervis NY with her husband Dave of 34 years. She’s the mother of three grown children 31, 29 and 21. She enjoys beach time and RVing at the Jersey Shore, family time, and walks with her pup Carlo. We’re excited to have Jodi on our team and we are confident that you will have the experience to get to know her in her new position as Service Support Administrator.
Shawn Mutsavage
Shawn Mutsavage has been an intricate part of Automotive Magic since 2016.At just 15 years old he started working on cars. Ever since then he’s spent years dedicating his time to his education and technical skills. He's a graduate of Lincoln Tech, Mahwah, NJ and is an ASE certified technician. He continues his training, taking every step necessary to make sure his skills are current with the new vehicles and the electrical components they have. We are lucky to have such a knowledgeable and respected technician on our staff. When Shawn’s not working on cars, well, he’s working on cars! He loves playing soccer and basketball with his boys. He’s a Miami Dolphins fan and enjoys Hockey (of course a NJ Devils fan).
Brendan O'Connel
Introducing Brendan O'Connell as our newest Automotive Technician. He's a graduate of the Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Automotive Program. He brings to us over seven years of knowledge specializing in exhaust repairs and custom exhaust builds. He is dedicated to continuing his automotive education, always something new to learn and ways to better himself. Originally from Hillsboro, he and his girlfriend Priscilla reside in oak ridge. They enjoy hiking and being in nature. They can always be spotted on hiking trails with their rescue dog charlie, leading the way. He has a passion for high-quality audio and that is apparent in his eclectic collection of vinyl records.
Heidi Robertson
Heidi joined our team in 2020 as our Marketing Manager and Creative Director. “What doesn’t Heidi do with us?” is a way easier question to answer. She works with the team building rapport between us and our clients, managing the marketing and social media, is the editor of the Magic Hour monthly newsletter, coordinating our special events, video production and all our photography. At the birth of Magic Lube and Rubber, Heidi put to use her passion for design and decor to help the vision of MLR come to life, and we all love her for her creation!
She comes with a background in sales, automotive marketing, advertising, and photography.
With Heidi’s arrival the Magic Hour newsletter began!
A Jersey Girl through and through, Heidi is a native resident of Sussex County, She got her degree in photography from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. Previously, she owned and operated Images by Heidi and spent many years as a sales and marketing executive for a local print publication, which is where she really got to know the local business owners and has since focused her attention on growing their businesses. She loves to help people and to be creative. She resides in Hamburg with her husband Randy. When she’s not working, Heidi loves to travel and spend time with family, as well as to decorate and remodel spaces.
Ryan Herbst
Ryan Herbst comes to the Magic Family having decades in creating breakthroughs in business in other industries. He spent 9 years with Starbucks in the early days as a fixer- turning around unprofitable stores in a matter of months. He has also spent 8 years in the biologic industry where compliance to federal and international regulations was centerpiece, giving him unique insight into the balance between public safety and profitability. Most recently, Ryan was a Landmark Staff member for 7 years, leading the company in exceeding targets all while coaching hundred of individuals to cause their own breakthroughs in personal and professional performance goals. He has been with the Magic Team since June of 2021 in the role of "Implementer." He brings a suite of executive coaching, planning, forecasting and execution skills with him that has had us expand and open our second shop! His doggie, Fritz, is almost old enough to vote, and has a deep love of making beautiful things and "arting" in his spare time.
Pete Chang
Petro "Pete" Chang is a graduate of Wyotech and specialized in automotive and light-duty diesel. He has over 13 years of experience in the automotive field. He brings with him first-hand knowledge of the inner workings of the auto repair industry and has played a key part in the business aspects. There isn't too much Pete doesn't know about how to get things done around the shop and he is enthusiastic about each challenge that is put in front of him.
Not only is he experienced with vehicles, but he is also very in tune with customer relations and cares for both the client and their vehicles, always setting the bar at the highest level.
We are excited to have Pete and his many talents on our team and we know that our clients will benefit from his passion for everything automotive.
Pete is an avid outdoorsman. On his time off, he will be out in the woods bow hunting, out on the water with his rod and reel, or on a drive with his dog, Dallas, and cat, Moose.
Brian Kallok
Brian Kallok has been a dedicated member of the Automotive Magic team since 2013. He initially worked full-time until 2018, when he transitioned to a part-time role in customer relations, serving in that capacity until 2024. Now back in a full-time role, Brian is focused on improving daily operations at Automotive Magic and Magic Lube and Rubber, bringing over 15 years of automotive experience to the table. A committed member of the community, he actively participates in car care clinics and serves as a leader in Scout troop 191. Brian resides in Hopatcong with his wife, Vicki, and their son, Jack. He has a passion for outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing and also enjoys working on cars.
Lauren Praino - Service Consultant
Lauren's dedication to helping people truly sets her apart. A natural "People Person," she thrives on connecting with others and uncovering their unique needs. Her remarkable ability to actively listen and empathize allows her to collaboratively devise solutions that resonate. With a keen affinity for problem-solving, Lauren excels in her role as a Service Consultant, meticulously creating estimates for repairs, effectively liaising between customers and technicians, and ensuring seamless communication throughout the service process.
Prior to her current role, Lauren honed her skills as a service writer at an RV dealership. This experience equipped her with the knowledge required to navigate the complexities of sourcing, quoting, diagnosing, and facilitating transparent communication between technicians and customers. Her proficiency in managing these delicate situations is a testament to her adaptability and professionalism.
Beyond her role at Automotive Magic, Lauren is known to step into the shoes of a Service Consultant at our Magic Lube and Rubber location in Lake Hopatcong, showcasing her versatility and commitment to delivering exceptional service.
Will Barkiewicz
Please join us in welcoming Will Barkiewicz to the Automotive Magic team! As the Service Advisor at our Magic Lube & Rubber location, Will brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the automotive field that started in his teenage years when he first began working on vehicles for friends and family. With 20 years in the industry, including 15 years as a Service Center Manager at Valvoline, his expertise is a fantastic addition to our team.
A proud Lincoln Tech graduate with certifications in Cyber Security, Will is not only highly skilled in customer relations but also genuinely enjoys helping and educating our customers about their vehicles.
Outside of work, he's a loving husband and father of three, who enjoys fishing, working out, and cooking for his friends and family. We couldn't be more excited to have him on board!
Cheryl Bergen
Cheryl is the Chief Financial Officer at Automotive Magic, she brings over 40 years of expertise in accounting and office management.. Since joining the Magic team in 2018, she has leveraged her proficiency as a Certified QuickBooks® ProAdvisor. Cheryl has contributed as a technical advisor to a published QuickBooks book. With a strong background in computers, she co-owned a software and hardware company, trained individuals in both technology and accounting, and she also designed websites.
Outside of work, Cheryl enjoys crafting, biking, hiking, and spending time with her beloved cat.