Meet the Team – Rods Hotrods

Rod Deschner – Owner/President Rod has been buying and selling cool cars for over 30 years. Rod’s knowledge when it comes to classic cars knows no bounds; he’s like a walking car encyclopedia. Like all “car guys” Rod likes any and every cool car, but some of his favourites include the ’49 Mercury Lead Slead, a ’72 Chevelle, or anything “Pro- Street” or with a blower poking out of the hood. After owning and running several other businesses in the province, he’s been able to turn a lifelong passion and hobby into his dream business with Rod’s Hotrods. Dallas Deschner – Co-owner Dallas has been married to Rod since 2009 and since then, has absorbed more about classic cars than she cares to know. She’s also fallen in love with Camaros (any generation) and has owned quite a few of them herself! Dallas support’s Rod’s Hotrods by taking care of all the loose ends around the shop and showroom and keeps Rod and the rest of us in line! Dallas also plays a big role by managing Rod’s swag and merchandise. Always in heels, you can hear her coming from a mile away! Bob Deschner – Rod’s Dad Bob (also know as younger brother) has been a huge supporter of our dealership since it’s opening. He’s partnered with Rod in several other business including Family Pizza and RDD Auto Brokers. He’s tried to retire, but Rod keeps him on his toes. You’ll find Bob helping out in almost every aspect of the business – he’s a good guy to have around! Bob is also a true-blue car guy, with a ’63 Ford Galaxy 500 XL convertible (that he’s owned since 1975), a 2001 Corvette convertible (bought new) and a 2023 Corvette Stingray convertible all in his own garage. Jay Thomas – Marketing Coordinator/Content Creator Jay is typically the first person you meet walking through the doors, sitting at is cool Mustang desk. He has been obsessed with cars since the age of 3 – hot wheels and models were his favourite toys. In school it always came back to cars. Art class meant drawing cars. Book reports meant essays about car books and just about the happiest day in his life was getting his license on the first day of grade 11 when he turned 16. You’ll find Jay hosting Hot Rod Hangout videos with Rod, as well as looking after marketing and social media for the business. He’s also a walking encyclopedia of car knowledge, but from newer decades! When Jay’s not at work, he’ll be at a car show with his ’69 Buick Electra 225 or ’83 Olds Delta 88. Kendra Panko – Accounting/Manager Kendra wears so many hats at Rod’s Hotrods. She looks after all the books and numbers for the business, manages the parts inventory, customer bookings and assists in many other areas of Rod’s Hotrods. She also looks after golf carts and customers with Rod’s Custom Carts. Her positive attitude and outgoing personality are big assets to our business. When Kendra’s got some time to herself, she trains and competes in power lifting, and is a part of the car community, often at car shows with her ’73 Mercury Cougar convertible! Murray Jacek – /Customer Service/Detailer Murray is the kind of guy with a lot of hidden talents and he’s able to do just about anything around the shop that we throw at him – well. He’s often the friendly face that greets you when you come through the door to help you find your next ride, but also helps keep the place looking spotless and the cars immaculate! His woodworking skills can be seen all over both shops including the custom gas station office! Murray has also been bitten by the car bug and is now the proud owner of a 2001 Candy Red Corvette – one he fell in love with when it rolled into our showroom summer of 2024! Kevin Hurlburt – Customer Service/Detailer You remember all those “sayings” your grandpa had? Well Kevin wrote the book on them. Dirty or clean, he’s always got a good joke or tall tale for you. Kevin’s big smile and bold personality are infectious, and he seems to brighten every room he enters. Kevin’s also a force to be reckoned with when he’s got a polisher in his hand and his detailing skills are next level. Kevin always has something nice in the garage, but we’ve yet to get him into a classic car. Ken Longpre – Restoration Specialist With over 40 years of experience, Ken is an absolute master when it comes to restoring classic cars. He probably knows more than most of us will forget. Ken has been working together with Rod for many years, well before Rod’s Hotrods was a thing. Out in the Alley Shop, Ken does a lot of the cosmetic work with interiors, vinyl tops, convertibles, headliners, glass and trim, but as a car guy, he’s got mad skills under the hood too! Ken is also an expert at diagnostics and can identify a problem by listening to a simple noise! With a ’69 Chevy Impala convertible, a ’67 Mercury Parklane 2-door Fastback and a all original ’39 Plymouth Business coupe in his own garage, Ken is the guy you want working on your classic car! Josh White – Journeyman Technician Josh comes with a lot of titles – Red Seal Journeyman and GM certified Technician – meaning he’s lightning fast and accurate with his tools and has the skills to back it up! With more than 15 years in the industry Josh can tackle any job that comes into the shop with ease and his fabrication skills are on point. Josh is a pro at customization work, whether it’s lifting or lowering, or tuning and engine mods. Josh has turned into a Mopar slant-6 junkie, with that powerplant found in both his ’65 Plymouth Valiant and his ’74 Dodge Dart Swinger. He’s also a fan of two wheels with a sick Kawasaki. Darby Derksen – Jack of all Trades Darby is great fun to have around. He’s always positive and easy going and seems to be able to do just about anything around here. Previously he’s been involved in sales, but now supports the Alley Shop with a lot of special projects. You can find him overhauling an engine, installing a new interior kit, swapping wheels and tires or delivering and picking up vehicles with our deck truck. There’s no point in listing what classic cars Darby has, because they change weekly – he’s always selling and buying. In fact, buy the time you finish reading this bio, he’s probably traded one cool car for another. Lloyd Derksen – Transportation/Driver Lloyd is our long-haul driver, running all over Western Canada with our Dually truck and 50-foot enclosed car hauler. With years of experience as a farmer and long-haul truck driver, we know every ride is safe with Lloyd. Outside of Rod’s Lloyd and his wife have become quite the snowbirds, spending the cold months State-side in their 5^th wheel camper, and during the summer months, Lloyd can be found cruising in his ’04 Corvette convertible. Wayne – Transportation/Driver Wayne has been with us since day 1. It was the Wayne and Rod show when we first opened. Wayne has done it all here including sales, customer service, detailing, hauling cars and whatever else was needed. Wayne decided to slow it down this year and retire. We still call on him for some shorter hauls. Wayne is also a real car guy, owning many classics including a ’72 Chavelle, 2018 Camaro and lots more. His cars are always in mint condition, and he takes pride in his rides! Courtney Mcdonald – Customer Service Courtney has been apart of our business a long time now! Her car knowledge at her young age is very impressive. Courtney’s quick wit and sharp intelligence mean she’s quite the firecracker! She has many of her own cool rides that she drives regularly. You’ll find her here on Saturdays holding down the fort. In the summer, her baking and treats are featured each Saturday Rides at Rod’s car show. She quite the master baker!