Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about your company and the duties of your position:
John Crabtree: Silver State International is a full service Truck and IC Bus dealer (truck and bus sales, parts, service, body shop, leasing and rental), and is the only dealer for International Trucks and IC Buses operating in northern Nevada. The dealership has been in the same location in Sparks for over 25 years. Our goal is to partner with our customers to provide value added transportation solutions through our expertise, dedicated personnel and exceptional customer service; while operating with honesty, integrity and respect towards our customers, the community and associates. My job is to oversee the operations in the parts department; including managing our inventory, parts deliveries, parts sales, as well as to help my team provide a high level of customer service.
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Crabtree: I grew up working on cars, trucks, and motorcycles, but I didn’t want to be a mechanic by trade. I had customer service jobs as a teenager, so selling auto parts was a good fit for me. I sold auto parts in Reno and Sparks for six years before applying for a job at Silver State International selling medium and heavy duty truck parts, and found what I wanted to do for a living. After holding positions in both counter sales and inventory management, I got promoted to parts manager in February of 2011.
NNBW: What do you enjoy most about working in your field?
Crabtree: I enjoy helping our customers find solutions to their problems, and I love the fact that my job helps our local economy and industry. Every customer or potential customer we have that has a fleet of construction vehicles, snowplows, school buses, or any other truck application depend on vendors like us to keep their fleets going. Keeping trucks on the road is extremely important, and we work hard to keep them running.
NNBW: What’s the most challenging part about your job?
Crabtree: I think it would be keeping up with new laws, regulations, and technology. Being an OE truck dealer, we have to keep up to speed on any new advancements in our industry. As these changes happen, the needs of our customers evolve with them.
NNBW: What advice would give anyone who wants to get in your profession?
Crabtree: Once you find a position that you feel you can make a career out of, put in some real effort. In order to really be successful you need to study and learn on your own time.
NNBW: What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Crabtree: People change, and their priorities change. Sometimes it’s a good thing and sometimes it’s not, but you need to be OK with that and accept it and adapt to it if you want to be happy and successful at anything in your life.
NNBW: What was your first job?
Crabtree: I worked at Target in shipping and receiving and as a cashier when I was 15.
NNBW: What are your hobbies? How do you spend your time away from work?
Crabtree: I like to go camping, fishing, I play golf, I ride a motorcycle, and I play music. My wife and I like to travel and go to baseball games and concerts, and we enjoy working on our house.
NNBW: Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
Crabtree: San Francisco is a main getaway for us. Go Giants!
NNBW: If you had one moment in time to cherish for the rest of your life either professionally or personally what would it be and why?
Crabtree: I’ve played music on stage many times, anyone of those shows would be great to re-live. It’s a feeling unlike any other I’ve experienced.
NNBW: Last concert or sporting event attended?
Crabtree: University of Nevada basketball game
NNBW: What did you dream of becoming as a kid?
Crabtree: A firefighter like my dad, and I’ve always wanted to be in a touring band.
NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like about living/working here?
Crabtree: I was born and raised here, and could never find a reason to leave. I love it here and there is so much to do. I like being outside and I’m into the music scene and the nightlife in Reno. I like the people I work with, and I’m proud to be a native Nevadan.
