From Tech to $29M: Kenny Davis On Culture, Mentorship, And Doing It Right

In Episode 8 of BodyShop Leaders, Daniel Burkholder sits down with Kenny Davis, co-owner of Bob Maloney Collision Group in Northwest Arkansas, an operation built on people-first leadership, certified repairs, and deep community roots.

Kenny’s story is the definition of earned leadership. He started in the automotive world chasing a love for cars, worked his way into collision repair, and eventually helped carry the business through a major turning point. When the Ford dealership side closed in 2009 and the team made a bold decision to keep the body shop alive. What started as a shop doing under $1M a year grew into a multi-location group on track to close around $29M.

But this episode isn’t just about growth—it’s about how you grow without losing your soul.

Kenny opens up about his early leadership mistakes, how he once believed he had to be tough to earn respect, and the life-changing moment that forced him to rethink how he shows up for people. From mentorship to culture-building, Kenny shares what actually works when you’re trying to keep great technicians, develop young talent, and build a team that stays.

You’ll hear practical insights on:

• How Kenny and his partners protect culture while scaling to multiple locations
• Why they invest heavily in leadership development (including a powerful 4-day program for teammates)
• The real-world systems they use to retain talent—work-life balance, benefits, and intentional hiring
• Why OEM procedures and certified repairs aren’t optional—and how to start the transition if you’re behind
• The mindset shift that changed Kenny’s leadership forever: you don’t have to be a jerk to lead

If you’re a shop owner, manager, or future leader in collision repair, this episode is a masterclass in building a business where people thrive and quality wins.

The BodyShop Leaders Podcast is powered by BodyShop Marketing, the agency helping collision industry leaders grow smarter and lead stronger.