THE LITTLE SPEED SHOP TEAM

KEVIN VANVALKENBURGH, PRESIDENT

Kevin is the owner and the heart and soul of The Little Speed Shop. A BMW Master Technician, Kevin worked in BMW dealerships for over 10 years after training at Universal Technical Institute in Arizona and BMW STEP in New Jersey. Kevin not only works on the cars, he is also a driver. Throughout his life, Kevin has owned almost every generation of BMW, from a 1976 2002 to an F80 M3s and in the past few years has gotten into the Porsche market, with a 964 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S.  He has been participating in High Performance Driver’s Education for 20 years and has raced go-karts, NASCAR Modifieds, and BMW Club Racing. Although he loves driving, these last few years being so busy working at the track with clients, has opened his eyes to the joy in helping others realize their motorsport goals. Whether it is leading a caravan up to the track for parade laps or crewing for a club race, Kevin is delighted to share his passion and excitement for motorsports. Kevin’s been expanding & leading our Transport & Track Support Division. More often than not during the summer, you can find Kevin at our location at Watkin’s Glen International Racetrack, supporting clients, working in the shop there, and hauling cars. Although racecars are fun, Kevin's biggest passion is spending time with his children, Chase & Charlotte. In his spare time Kevin loves working out, vintage racing posters, vinyl records and boating. Kevin has never turned down a chocolate chip cookie and will probably fix your car for free if you bring him a batch. Kevin has the perfect mix of training & passion, which he shares with every customer who walks through the door.  Schedule an appointment with Kevin.

JILLIAN VANVALKENBURGH, VP OPERATIONS

DON’T MAKE JILL MAD was the slogan of the 2023 Cars and Coffee scene. Jillian is the runner of things at The Little Speed Shop. She earned a degree in Psychology from Syracuse University and worked as a Social Worker at Hillside Children’s Center for 8 years, before switching gears to help her husband, Kevin, start The Little Speed Shop. Although the transition from social work to auto repair may not seem like an easy one, Jill is a natural and has become a master service writer and parts experts and car dealer. Jill runs the show at the shop and is the mastermind behind the madness!  You can catch Jill on a Insta live during Cars and Coffee or running from shop to shop during the day. She is the mother making sure everyone leaves the parking lot during cars and coffee safely and is not afraid to yell at everyone to slow down. An, unsuspecting owner of a race shop she is all about safety first! Though never really a car girl until she met Kevin and started running the shop, Jill has come to appreciate the beauty and intricacies of a fine automobile. She has two kids but you will never find Jill in a minivan as she is usually sporting a modified BMW or Porsche "Mommy Mobile".  Jill loves a nice day at the racetrack and with her competitive spirit she enjoys managing race teams and being part of the pit crew.  Jill isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and it wouldn't be unusual to find her lugging around car parts and wheels or running back and forth between shops.  Jill started driving on track and looks forward to getting our there more in the shop racecar. When not at the shop, Jill has her hands full with their two beautiful children, Chase and Charlotte.  Jill loves spending time with her kids and family, loves yoga, rollerblading and enjoys the rare occasion of getting out on her boat, Mr. Potato Head. Jill is a master of performance parts and the person you want to talk to when upgrading your street or racecar or if you are looking to pick up a used car.  Schedule an appointment with Jill.  

KELSEY DONEGAN, ASSISTANT MANAGER

Kelsey was a friend of the shop for years before she officially became a part of our team. She is the face you will see when coming in to the service shop and likely the first person you’ll talk to when you call, taking care of everyone’s scheduling and keeping the shop on track. Kelsey has grown so much at TLSS and is the girl behind the scenes in charge of most everything. Changing gears from a career in hospitality and events, her background is a great asset to our busy team. Kelsey (and her cousin, Stephen) are the comedians at the shop always making everyone laugh. She loves to cook for friends and spend time with her husky pup, Mia. Someday we will change her into a car girl and she will have a swaggy car but for now she just needs something to rip through the snow and take her family on outdoor adventures, which her SUV will suffice! Kelsey got married last fall, and her husband Matt is stoked to have officially married into the TLSS family.. Schedule a service appointment with Kelsey.

STEVE KOCH, SERVICE MANAGER

Steve is an old friend of the shop that we have been waiting to join the TLSS team for a while. He’s joined the team as a service manager to help provide the highest level of customer service to our clients. His love for cars started at a young age when his father would take him to NASCAR races as a baby. Fun fact: he attended every Daytona 500 Race from 2001-2006. At 8 years old, Steve got the game Need for Speed on Playstation and has been hooked ever since. Steve graduated from Finger Lakes Community College with a degree in Music and Music Recording Technology. Shortly after graduating he joined a nationally touring metal band and spent a couple years touring full time playing in 47 states as well as all across Canada. After coming off the road Steve joined the Automotive Industry in Rochester, working at PAD then Bob Johnson as a service writer. He can be seen driving around in his e92 M3 and enjoying spending time with his wife, Caedran and twin boys, Owen and Henry. Schedule an appointment with Steve.

STEPHEN SMEENK, RACE TECHNICIAN

Skyler’s best friend. Stephen comes to us with a vast amount of education and experience working on BMWs. He started his career years ago at a European Performance shop in PA. Following that he went to UTI with a focus in Fords (no pun intended). After graduating from UTI Stephen moved on to the BMW STEP Program and then started working at the local BMW dealer. Stephen excels at all things track and setup and is our lead race technician. When he’s not working he enjoys snowboarding and driving his Nissan 240SX and E90 M3. Stephen has grown so much professionally and personally in his time here at TLSS. He has even adopted a rescue Corgi, Mami aka “the ham” who never leaves his side and is now the official track dog of TLSS. We are so happy to have Stephen as part of the TLSS team.  Schedule an appointment with Stephen.

FRANKIE MAZZA, SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Frankie is a valued technician on The Little Speed Shop team. He is a transplant from New Jersey where he worked as level 3 technician at BMW. From a young age Frankie had a passion for everything automotive and turned into a BMW fanatic with his first E30. With an auto tech degree from Monroe Community College Frankie is well versed in all makes and models from classic euro cars to modern domestics. When he’s not in the shop Frankie enjoys being a new dad, modifying his E30 and E36 collection, playing hockey with his other half, and sculpting his manly beard.  You can find Frankie on Instagram @mtechuno posting s54 swapped e30 pics, and he never misses a car show. Frankie prides himself on completing the job correctly the first time… Its safe to say he’s a great fit for our team.  Schedule an appointment with Frankie.

BRAYDEN MOOSE, RACE TECHNICIAN

Brayden joined our team in June of 2019 and really hit the ground running. He grew up in the Rochester area and has an automotive degree from MCC. His background and training is from Toyota but he has taken to BMW’s like a natural. He takes great pride in his work and his service is always above par. Brayden has a family of enthusiasts and has been around performance cars and the race track since he was young. Brayden recently transitioned from the service shop to the race shop and is working along side Stephen on race and track cars. He currently owns and meticulously maintains an LS swapped Nissan 240, a Honda Civic and an E46. In his spare time he enjoys perfecting his cars and spending time with his girlfriend. Schedule an appointment with Brayden.

SKYLER MITCHELL, TRACK SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Stephen’s best friend. Skyler was born and raised in New Hampshire and found his way to NY for college on a Basketball scholarship. He is a certified Automotive & High Performance technician and does an array of general mechanical work in both the Service Shop and Race Shop. He drives the haulers, as well as provides technical & mechanical support at the track, and back home at the Shop. Skyler is our track support extraordinaire and the go to guy for our track clients. Skyler is also the guy behind the wheel driving our trucks for the first class transportation we provide. Skyler always has a smile on his face and is the hardest worker around. Skyler loves working on older cars and can usually be found driving his '72 Cutlass that he restored, working on his current project (a '48 Oldsmobile) or playing basketball. Skyler is an avid Syracuse fan and enjoys attending SU Basketball games. Skyler recently got married to his beautiful bride, Laura this summer and they enjoy spending time with his chocolate lab, Brady. Schedule an appointment with Skyler.

ANTHONY CARRA, AUTOMOTIVE PROTECTION AND RECONDITIONING SPECIALIST / TRACK SUPPORT

Anthony joined The Little Speed Shop team in April of 2021 with an extensive background in detailing and automotive. After graduating from MCC with a degree in Automotive Mechanic he went on to detailing mostly Exotics and higher end vehicles for 8 years and has his certificate from Esoteric’s Elite Detailer Academy as well as being a Certified Ceramic Pro installer. His love for motorsports started at a young age with a cousin on Dale Earnhardt’s pit crew and his dad taking him to dirt track races every weekend. Anthony’s the resident Ford guy and his 1998 Mustang is his baby. His Husky/Sheltie pup, Mindy is his sidekick and in his free time he enjoys spending time with his friends and family, traveling, racing, riding his dirt bike and cruising his 1998 Buell S1WL. He wears a lot of hats (literally and figuratively) and we’re happy to have him on the team. Schedule an appointment with Anthony.

ANDREW KACHAYLO, SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Andrew is our BMW guru. He is a BMW Master Technician with extensive knowledge and experience. Andrew went to UTI in Pennsylvania and after graduating attended BMW STEP Program. He then worked at BMW Dealerships in Rochester and Pennsylvania. He loves his European cars, owning a 2008 R32, e53 X5 4.8is, and a built motor big turbo E36 M3. Andrew specializes in BMW engine and turbo work. In his spare time he enjoys playing video games, building gaming PCs and loves to spend time at the lake. Andrew and his girlfriend Paige are expecting their first child this fall. We couldn’t be more excited to add another baby to the TLSS fam.  Schedule an appointment here with Andrew.

MIKE BAILEY, SERVICE TECHNICIAN AND FABRICATOR

We are so happy to have Mike as one of the newer members of our team of amazing TLSS Technicians. Mike comes to us with a wealth of education, knowledge and experience in the car industry. Always with a smile and a positive attitude, Mike is a genuine car guy who puts his heart and soul into his works and his cars. He worked down south for a number of years, working with high performance shops and race teams before moving back home to the Roc to start a family with his wife. When not working on clients cars Mike enjoys working on his built not bought 800hp 95 Lexus SC3000 with a 2JZ, single turbo 6776, precision flex fuel and his MK3 Supra. When not doing car stuff Mike likes to take his two pups for long walks, is a licensed skydiver with 50+ jumps under his belt, and don’t get too excited but this guy is a licensed fossil hunter! Schedule an appointment with Mike.

MATT LITTLE, SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Matt or ‘MINI Matt’ as he’s known around the shop, joined The Little Speed Shop Team in March of 2021. After graduating from MCC with degrees in Fine Arts and Automotive he started his automotive career in 2012. Matt is certified in Mazda and MINI (hence the nickname) and is your guy for all things MINI service. He’s a long time JDM and Classic Muscle car fan and has a passion for rotary powered cars, a great addition to our team of diverse skill and interests. Matt currently drives a 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 but some of his favorite cars to have owned include a 1985 Mazda RX7 and a 1993 and 1995 Honda Del Sol. When he’s not working on cars, Matt enjoys metal concerts with his wife, tropical vacations and anything to do with Halloween. Schedule an appointment with Matt.

PATRICK TRICHANH, SERVICE TECHNICIAN

Patrick is the best. An Audi/Volkswagen technician by trade, Patrick is such an asset to our growing team. Patrick’s has a calm and confident demeanor and always gets the job done. Patrick came onto the TLSS team this summer and hit the ground running. Patrick studies automotive at MCC with Frankie back in the day and then went on to UTI. In his spare time Patrick and his girlfriend, Allie, enjoy spending time with their two black labs, Roma and Belo. Patrick is a self proclaimed nerd and enjoys playing board games and collecting stickers (so bring him in a decal when he works on your car). Allie is a natural coffee master at Cars and Coffees and Patrick is always has a huge smile on his face and is happy to service your Audi! Schedule an appointment with Patrick.

JOSH JOHNSTON, AUTOMOTIVE PROTECTION AND RECONDITIONING SPECIALIST

With TLSS’ expansion into Ceramic Coating and Paint Protection, like always we were seeking out the best in the industry. This guy is it! With 6 years of experience in the industry, Josh is a master in automotive protection and reconditioning, he hit the ground running and instantly became a integral member of TLSS team. He grew up in Mumford, NY playing travel and junior hockey. Josh’s dream car is a UGR Twin Turbo Huracan, but in the meantime he daily drives a 2018 Charger Daytona 392. Josh is excited to be working with old and new friends and continue providing the Rochester Car Community with the highest quality service. Schedule an appointment with Josh.

 CHASE VANVALKENBURGH, SHOP KID

Chase is Kevin and Jill’s 11 year old son. Chase is a 6th grader who you are sure to find at all of our Cars and Coffee events with a bunch of his friends. Chase loves driving in fast cars and loves being a passenger in his dad's 964 Porsche 911 and f80 M3 especially around the track at Watkins Glen. Chase is really into fitness and you can find him at the gym every morning before school. Chase loves loves sports, especially football, lacrosse, and basketball. Chase a fantasy football master and reigning champion of the league. Chase is the life of the party and loves hanging with his friends, cousins and especially his sister.  Chase plays Texas Hold Em and can bluff with the best of them and is a master at Chess. Chase is the biggest promotor of the shop and his middle school is full of kids in TLSS merch. Chase is The Little Speed Shop’s biggest fan and loves getting rides on the tug and cheer on our drivers. Shop our fun kids products!

CHARLOTTE VANVALKENBURGH, SHOP GIRL

Charlotte is Kevin and Jill's spunky 9 year old daughter. One of the youngest and one of the few girls in a group of 20 cousins, this girl is not afraid of anything and can keep right up with all the boys.  She is going to be a force to be reckoned with on the racetrack someday. Charlotte drives a red battery powered Porsche GT3 and loves riding her bike, four wheeler and go karts.  Charlotte is always dancing and doing handstands and flipping around like her mama! When she is not at dance or lacrosse you can find Charlotte making up dances with her friends, swimming, boating, crafting, cooking, doing skincare, organizing and making tik tok videos. A carbon copy of her mom, Charlotte loves to rollerblade and do handstands. You can find Charlotte at Cars and Coffee usually slinging donuts or bracelets for charity with her cousins and friends. She gets a little weary when her dad and mom drive fast and do "fast turns", especially on the racetrack.  Charlotte loves hanging with her cousins and looks up to her big brother, Chase. Shop our fun kids products!