Jared studied Automotive Technology at North Central Technical College in Beloit, KS and is a Red Cloud native, graduating in RCHS's year 2000 class. Jared and his wife Ashley (RCHS 2001), have four outstanding kids: Beau, Paiton, Cohen, and Tucker.
What is your favorite thing about Red Cloud?
I love the small town feel and all of the people waving and saying, "Hi!" wherever you go.
You're a graduate of Red Cloud High School, you've lived in the community most of your life, and you have children in the local schools. Do you have any advice for community leaders to help get students more involved in the Red Cloud community?
To get kids more involved, you have to do things that they can relate to, talk about things thar are current, and do things that are fun. I also feel getting kids involved in the community start at the parenting level.
I organize part of the Street Car Days Car Show with the rest of the credit going to my brother Aaron and his wife Brook. We feel it brings good people to the community and makes them aware of what RC has to offer. We get many comments on how nice the park is and the positive atmosphere around street car days.
What are some of your favorite businesses to shop at in Red Cloud? Why?
Shades West is one of my favorites--we are lucky to have a place to get work boots locally. Having a local grocery store like Hometown Market is also vital to the community
Is there anything you wish customers or our readers knew about your businesses, Jared’s Auto Experts and J&A Auto Supply?
Just how much we appreciate the support and business from them, and we also appreciate them sometimes being patient and waiting on us to help them.
The quality of life [in rural Nebraska/Kansas] is hard to beat. If you're interested in living here, it would be even better if you had a background in mechanics as we are always looking for good help!
If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?
To freeze time: we could all use more of it, couldn’t we? Either to get more work done or to spend with family.
Do you have any hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
It's no secret that old cars and racing capture my interest.
Do you have any pets?
Several. Two cats, two dogs, a bearded dragon, and plenty of wildlife where I live that would like to be pets.
You organize the annual Street Car Days Car Show. Can you tell our readers more about what makes this event special?
I do organize part of it, with the rest of the credit going to my brother Aaron and his wife Brook. We feel it brings good people to the community and makes them aware of what RC has to offer. We get many comments on how nice the park is and the atmosphere around Street Car Days.
What would your high school teachers or guidance counselor say about you if we asked?
Possibly surprised at my success, as my focus may have been in car magazines and the local race track and not so much on my school studies.
What are you most proud of?
My family and our good fortune to be able to come back to Red Cloud and raise my children with small town values.
Do you have a mantra or mission statement you live by?
Nothing fancy, just the old saying: “Work hard, play hard”
Do you have any advice for someone looking to relocate to rural Nebraska?
Do it! The quality of life is hard to beat. It would be even better if you had a background in mechanics as we are always looking for good help.
Growing up in a farming family influenced my work ethic and my self discipline to succeed on my own.
What is your favorite song and/or recording artist?
I am an 80s/90s kind of person: AC/DC & Aerosmith.
Who is your favorite writer or thinker?
I have many and they are all in my field of work (I am a tech article junkie)
What is your dream vacation?
I have found I really enjoy Beaches; I would also love to see the Smithsonian at some point.
What’s your favorite place to visit in Nebraska?
The old market in Omaha for the food and culture.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life? Explain why.
My parents: growing up in a farming family influenced my work ethic and my self discipline to succeed on my own. Also, my wife Ashley who has been with me from the bottom with all the risk to the rewards of success and supported me every step of the way.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Just that I am proud of our community and the effort being put into keeping it one of the strongest small towns that I know of.
Credits:
Photos via Ashley Lewis, Aliese Hoffman (Biz Kidz/UNK), The National Willa Cather Center, and Jared Lewis.