River City Six: Scott Suter

Jones Automotive (jonesauto.com) is a locally owned and operated shop that has been serving clients in the Omaha Metro since 1950. Scott Suter is a Sales Representative at Jones Automotive.

Tell us a little about your business.

We are an emergency vehicle upfitter. In conversation with police, sheriff, or fire department officials we gather information on how they operate and do their jobs. We take that information and design a vehicle to provide them with the safest, most ergonomically correct, and tactically sound platform to work from. The men and women in law enforcement spend 8-12 hours a day in these vehicles. It is their office, safe haven, and sometimes lifeline. We do our best to ensure that these vehicles allow our first responders to go home to their families each day. We also have a vehicle repair department that does mechanical repairs on most makes and models, specializing in heating, air conditioning, and electrical troubleshooting. Our parts department handles air conditioner parts for most vehicles and emergency lighting for the safety industry.

How did you get started in the business?

I worked for the Omaha Police Department as a mechanic and loved the fabrication side of the job. I started branching out into many special projects for the different divisions inside the OPD and got a reputation for being able to turn someone’s napkin drawing of a tool used in law enforcement into reality. I then became a department liaison, working with many outside vendors to develop specific items used in law enforcement. I retired after 27 years, and made the decision to go back to work for Jones Automotive 5 years ago.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?

Keeping up with the ever-changing technology in vehicles and the differences between each model year of car and truck. It sometimes seems that as soon as you get everything perfected the manufacturers change things around. At the same time this challenge is a big part of what I like about this job.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

Being seen by the law enforcement community as someone that brings knowledge and expertise to the table that they use in making critical decisions.

Tell us a little about your family.

I am married to my beautiful wife Joanie and have a 23-year-old daughter, Katti. My wife is a customer service manager for a gourmet food manufacturing company, Taste Traditions, and my daughter is a recent Creighton University grad who is a social worker for Completely KIDS, a local non-profit that specializes in helping children.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?

My wife and I ride a touring motorcycle. Almost every weekend and during our vacation we take off and go somewhere. The bike we have now currently has 55,000 miles on it. We have travelled to 28 states so far and more are in the planning stages.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?

I love to cook, grill, and smoke all kinds of foods for friends and family.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?

I always wanted to be a professional race car driver. I tried for a few years but never got there.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Maria’s Mexican Restaurant in Ralston. Delicious food and we have a favorite waitress, Jen, who takes great care of us.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

Call (402) 345-8383 or visit our website at jonesauto.com.