The Rice & Sons Staff

 

Mr. Rice started his career working on cars at 8 years old, helping his father repair the family car.  He never lost interest in cars and in 1955 he went to work for Maddox Motor Company in Naruna, Virginia, eventually ending up at Wyatt Chevrolet here in South Boston.  On January 29, 1974 Mr. Rice opened the SUNOCO service station on Wilborn Avenue in South Boston and eventually moved the business to it's current location on Edmunds Street in 1976, changing from SUNOCO to Gulf products.  Throughout his time in the service station business the service business grew  as his reputation spread.  Eventually, gasoline sales were more of a distraction than a profit maker (remember the gas shortage?) and they were eventually stopped in 1980.

Over the years Mr. Rice expanded the service bays and offices while removing the old gas station building.  The building now houses four service bays, a storage room, a stock room, and offices for the service and sales businesses.

 

The cliché, Behind ever successful man is a great woman, holds true in this case.  Mrs. Rice has stood behind Mr. Rice since January, 1955 when they were married.  She often held jobs outside the business as a safety net in the lean early years, and has supported Rice & Sons in many more ways than can be explained.  Anyone familiar with the business knows that she is a capable Service Advisor, quickly getting to the problem and scheduling the work needed.  She answers most of the incoming phone calls every day and is always ready to help our customers.

 

Kenneth has worked in the business since he was a teenager, learning the wheel alignment trade from his father while still in high school.  He soon came to work full time and is one of the most experienced alignment technicians in the county.

 

Andy grew up helping out around the shop sweeping floors, answering phones, and watching the repair of hundreds of cars. In the process he learned a valuable skill -- customer service.

In 1988 he was attending college and working part-time when Mr. Rice injured his back and was unable to manage the shop.  Andy left college the next semester and came to work full time as Service Manager and has never looked back.

 

Ronnie came to work at Rice & Sons in 1988.  He had previously owned his own repair business and worked at other garages in the area.

Ronnie is an EPA Certified Air Conditioning technician and a Virginia Automobile Safety Inspector.

 

Ronnie began his career at Rice & Sons in 1982.  His specialties include transmission and marine engine repair.

 

Sam is our newest technician, coming back to the company in 2004.  He has many years of auto repair experience.