Staff

Where are you from and how long have you lived in BC?

I was born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. I spent 18 years in Edmonton and moved to BC in 2010.

Who is your favorite person to spend time with and why?

My wife Trina. She is my high school sweetheart and still my best friend. We just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary.

What is your favorite activity?

I have many hobbies, and love all sports especially hockey and golf. But lately my favorite activity is spending time with my little guy, Logan, and my wife, Trina.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers? Love pizza.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?

I am a terrible speller and spellchecker and I embarrass myself daily.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?

To see my adult children grow up and watch them become successful in their own life experiences.

Tell us your favorite childhood memory.

I loved being on my family farm in Weyburn, SK. especially during harvest time with my Dad, Uncle, and Grandfather.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?

1. Meet Wayne Gretzky and have a beer with him.
2. Spend a winter in Europe.
3. Attend the SuperBowl with my sons.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.

I have a fear of heights!

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?

To find a healthy life/work balance. I’ve been a habitual workaholic for my entire life and I’m attempting to scale back.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?

Life is a journey, every regret has made me better.

What do you always find yourself saying?

I tend to call people “buds” too much LOL!

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?

Warren Buffet, experience is expensive.

How long have you lived in BC?
8 years.

Who is your favorite person to spend time with and why?
My mother because she is an angel.

What is your favorite activity or interest?
I love playing sports or heading down to the beach and coast.

What is one thing on your bucket list?
Climb a famous mountain!

How long have you lived in BC?
I moved to Kelowna in 2011 from Sherwood Park, Alberta. I consider myself very lucky to live in such a beautiful place, the Okanagan is tough to beat.

Who is your favorite person to spend time with and why?
My favorite person to spend time with is my wife Hali. We got married in 2015, she is my best friend and we do everything together.

What is your favorite activity or interest? I love everything to do with sports. I’m a huge NHL and NFL fan. I try to go at least 1 NFL game a year, love the experience of a live game!

What made you choose Kot Auto Group?
It’s my Dad’s company and ever since I was a kid running around the dealership I figured this is what I would do. My Dad has taught me a lot, I respect and admire him immensely. What he’s been able to accomplish from being a small town farm boy from Weyburn Sask is impressive.

What is one thing on your bucket list?
I would love to go on a safari somewhere in Africa.

What is something that not everyone knows about you?
I played some high end hockey in my youth. Was actually able to represent Canada on a U-15 and U16 team internationally. Something I will never forget!

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Penticton?
I am from Edmonton, born and raised. I moved to Penticton in August of 2010 to work with John Kot when he was with another Auto Group.

Who is your favorite person to spend time with and why?
My favorite person to spend time with is my son Leighten, he is very active with hockey and lacrosse. A close 2nd is my beautiful wife Kate. We always have lots of laughs together no matter where we are or what we are doing.

What is your favorite local store in Penticton and why?
Starbucks on Main. Can’t start my day without a Venti Long Americano.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Taco’s hands down. I make a mean Taco!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Ripped backside of pants years ago in a dealership snowball fight. I was throwing laser beams and dominating my opponents, so I hung in there ripped pants and all, and finished the Battle Royale.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
The birth of my son Leighten A. Barber in December of 2011.

Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
My very own backyard. I love my backyard…

What do you think makes Penticton great?
There are many things about Penticton that make it great. The mild climate, the city being surrounded by beautiful scenery, lakes, mountains, the great people of the South Okanagan, and being in the heart of wine country.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
That I once fed Craig Simpson, Ex-Oiler, Penguin and Sabre, multiple Stanley Cup winner, current NHL/CBC play by play, with one of the nicest passes he has ever seen. He tapped in the pass, and celebrated as if he had scored the winning goal in game seven, double overtime to win the Stanley Cup!!

Why did you get into/start this business?
I was always interested in sales as a career professional. I had an opportunity to get involved with auto sales, and I liked it very much, did well, stuck with it and 25 years later the rest is history.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
My biggest struggle is trying to balance work, family and life. Sometimes work gets in the way of what’s truly important, family, friends, and being a good father and husband. My wife, Kate, is great support, and of course my son, Leighten, is a breathe of fresh air when I get home.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would not change a single thing. My journey brought me to Penticton where I met my wife Kate, and where we had our son Leighten. We have a good life, a beautiful home, we are surrounded by family, our friends visit each summer… I wouldn’t change a thing!

What do you always find yourself saying?
Let’s order Pizza!! I have a 7 year old son, this comes up often…

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
This is easy, #1, my son Leighten. #1A, my beautiful wife Kate, and #1B, being involved with the Kot Auto Group and Penticton Nissan.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Penticton?
I was born and raised in Penticton. I did spend some time in Kelowna and on the coast but I’m happy to be back at home.

Who is your favorite person to spend time with and why?
My girlfriend Alycia, and when she’s not around I usually just hang out with my dog.

What is your favorite local store in Penticton and why?
Favourite local store.. There are so many good stores in Penticton! I have to say that it will be my old stomping grounds – Freeride Boardshop since I’m a board sports fan at heart.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
I love burgers

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
In 2007 I was riding my skateboard quite fast down a street in Penticton. I had just bought some Subway and I was on my way back to work when I hit a rock in the road. Myself and my whole sweet onion chicken teriyaki sandwich went flying through the air. After falling, I looked up only to see that Alycia, my current girlfriend watched the whole thing. At the time we were not dating but I was interested in her so it was definitely embarrassing.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Leaving my first job… I was so glad that I did because after telling myself I would stay there forever, I realized how much opportunity there is out there!

Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
In the summertime I love to go hiking. A great time spent alone is hiking around Apex Mountain with my dog Juno.

What do you think makes Penticton great?
Penticton is great because it still has that small town feel, but, there are still lots of great things to do like golfing, hiking, skiing, and the beach!

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Before working in car sales, I used to be a long haul semi truck driver.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I’ve always been a car enthusiast and I was tired of working the regular “how many hours have you worked” job. With car sales, the sky is the limit!

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Balancing time spent relaxing at home vs. time at work. I love what I do and sometimes find it hard to stay away.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Well I wouldn’t do it the same, that would just be boring! I would go back and learn more about the outdoors and possibly be some sort of guide for hiking or skiing.

What do you always find yourself saying?
What’s for lunch?

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Achieving the British Columbia salesperson of the year award from the New Car Dealers Association in 2015.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Penticton?
I was born in the UK but have lived in Canada since 1991. Raised and live in Summerland ever since with a short time living in Penticton. I have worked in Penticton since 2004.

Who is your favorite person to spend time with and why?
My favorite person in my life these days is my new bride, Cory. We got married October 7th, 2017.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Taco burger Pizza. That way you get all 3!

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I am terrible with names, but I’ll know what model car you drive.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
To see my younger brother complete his journeyman ticket for carpentry and watch him build his first house in 2016/2017.

Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
In the warmer months, Skaha Lake or Skaha beach. In the winter months I’d be up Apex or Baldy skiing or snowmobiling(but not alone).

What do you think makes Penticton great?
It has two big lakes and it is surrounded by some of the best terrain to have fun in in the world. It’s not crazy busy and living in Summerland I possibly have the nicest commute in the world to go to work to.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am half deaf in my right ear. So if you speak to me and I am not facing you with my left ear, I might not hear you.

Why did you get into/start this business?
Originally I went to OUC for my 1st year entry level training for a technician in 2003. Prior to completing my training I got hired by the local Ford dealership in 2004. I started in detail, then lube tech, then after 8 months jumped into a Service Advisor role. Moved to Toyota in 2006 and eventually Nissan for 2017.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Still working on the whole work/life balance thing as I have a tendency to be a workaholic. I can’t really complain though. Living in the Okanagan and being able to live and work locally is a blessing.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Slightly Different. We all have regrets. I would most likely complete my apprenticeship and be a fully licensed technician. Then hit play, and see how that goes!

What do you always find yourself saying?
You only live once!

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Being able to work and play in the community I have grown up in. I’ve travelled to numerous countries on 3 continents and truly believe we do live in the best place on earth.

Whylie grew up in the Edmonton area before moving to Warman, Saskatchewan at the age of 13. After graduating, he moved back to Edmonton, spending over 20 years in Alberta before moving to Kelowna in July of 2015. 25 years ago Whylie began his career in the automotive industry at a parts counter, moving on to different roles in both parts and service. He has spent the last 15 years in various dealership management positions. In 2014, Whylie was awarded with the Hyundai Canada President’s Inner Circle Award under the Parts Manager of the Year program.
Outside of work, Whylie enjoys challenging puzzles and is a voracious reader.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Penticton?
I was born in Richmond and moved to Penticton in 1978

Who is your favorite person to spend time with and why?
My favourite person to spend time with is my wife because we are also best friends and have lots in common

What is your favorite local store in Penticton and why?
Serious Science and Nature as they have something of interest for everyone

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Burgers

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Lost my shorts going down the channel!

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
My father’s last words to me

Where would you sneak away to in Penticton to spend some time alone?
Skaha Beach by the Marina.

What do you think makes Penticton great?
The beaches, all the events, the festivals, and the good people

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I have a fear of treading water in the ocean

Why did you get into/start this business?
My grandfather was a mechanic in both world war 1 & 2 and my father was a heavy duty/automotive technician so I was always around them and their projects which were of great interest to me

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
My biggest struggle was the time when I lived in Alberta

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would do a few things different but in the end be whereIi am now

What do you always find yourself saying?
You’re amazing

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Being on the AI team for Canadian Tire corporation