Crew

Owner, Mike Ludeman

Owner Mike Ludeman started working in the auto body industry more than 35 years ago. Mike is extremely proud of Western Auto Body’s community reputation and strong clientele base, which it has been building since it first opened in 1980. Mike began working for Western Auto Body in 1991 and purchased the business in 1999. “Every customer is important to us, so it’s very rewarding to know they understand how much we care about their happiness and the well-being of their cars.”
Mike didn’t always know he would end up in the auto body industry, but his interest in cars has been with him his whole life. “I’ve always been fascinated by cars,” he says. “My dad was in the auto parts business, and in high school my older brother and I spent a lot of time working on vehicles.” However, it wasn’t until his late teenage years that Mike realized he could turn his passion for cars into an actual career. "I went to vocational college in Wyoming to learn the trade. Around 1984, I jumped right into the industry." Mike’s responsibilities as the owner of a successful auto body shop keep him fairly busy, but he always prioritizes spending time with his wife Christine and their four children; Isabella (17), Gavin (16), Sophia (14) and Austin (13). As a family, they enjoy going on trips in the RV, boating or hanging out in their backyard barbequing by the pool. Mike loves fishing and has given himself the nickname of “Master”. He is an avid fan of the San Francisco Giants and baseball in general, especially when Gavin and Austin are on the field. He is also known to be a #1 Cheer Dad and is always there to watch a dance or theater production. Mike and his wife are big supporters of their local community and their children’s sports and activities, including El Molino Little League, WHS Boosters, Fierce Cheer, and Roustabout Theater. Mike’s approach to auto body work mirrors his overall approach to life: be honest in everything you do. “A man doesn’t have too many things besides his word,” he says. “That’s really important—if you’re honest and stick to those guidelines, the results might not be immediate, but you’ll eventually see the benefits of living your life that way. It translates nicely into having a business and dealing with people. I like to build relationships with my customers instead of going the quick route and trying to be transactional, and the only way to do that is through honesty and backing up my word.”