Our Story
A veteran-owned, family-run shop built on doing things the right way.
How It Started
Mike Hayes spent years in the U.S. Army before he ever picked up a wrench professionally. But even during his service, he was the guy everyone came to when something wasn't running right.
After the military, Mike spent over 20 years working in automotive repair — learning every system, earning every certification, and building a reputation for doing honest work. But something always bothered him: too many shops were more interested in selling services than solving problems.
In 2020, right in the middle of a pandemic, Mike and his wife Jen decided to do something about it. They opened Veteran Vehicle Repair on Madaus Street in Lake Geneva — a shop where you get a straight answer, a fair price, and work done right the first time.
"I didn't open this shop to get rich. I opened it because I knew we could do better for the people in this community."
What Drives Us
Integrity
We tell you what's wrong, what it costs, and what can wait. No scare tactics. No made-up problems.
Quality
Every repair meets the standard we'd set for our own vehicles. ASE-certified work, every time.
Community
From American Legion partnerships to breast cancer fundraisers — this shop belongs to Lake Geneva.
The People Behind the Lifts
Mike Hayes
Founder & Lead Mechanic
Army veteran. 20+ years automotive experience. The reason this shop exists.
Jen Hayes
Administration
Keeps everything running behind the scenes — from scheduling to warranty claims, Jen's got it handled.
Lauryn Princivalli
Service Writer
Your first point of contact. Lauryn makes sure you understand exactly what's happening with your vehicle.
Jesse
Master ASE Technician
The technical backbone of the shop. Master ASE certified — there's not much Jesse hasn't seen.
Ryan
Diesel Technician
Specialized in diesel repair and maintenance. If it runs on diesel, Ryan's your guy.
JoJo
Shop Mascot
The real boss.
Giving Back
We believe a good shop should be a good neighbor. That's why we partner with organizations like the American Legion Post 327, run fundraisers like our Brakes on Cancer campaign, and send care packages to deployed troops through our Wear & Care program.
Being part of Lake Geneva means showing up — not just when there's business to be done, but when there's good to be done.