Partner with a Purpose – Kyle’s Story

In 2021, Kyle Mountsier, a community partner of Vehicles for Change, joined the Automotive State of the Union (ASOTU), an organization founded by automotive marketing expert Paul Daly in response to the uncertainty and disruption caused by the COVID-19 shutdown in early 2020.

ASOTU’s vision laid the groundwork for what would evolve into a vibrant community of automotive professionals committed to not only overcoming the crisis but thriving well beyond it.

Kyle’s journey into this greater mission took a turn when he was introduced to Vehicles for Change by a colleague, Jonathan Collegio at the National Automobile Dealers Association. Jonathan, knowing that Kyle was becoming involved in the greater Baltimore and DC areas, recommended they connect. Upon exploring the Vehicles for Change website, Kyle immediately felt a deep connection to the organization’s mission. Their goal of uplifting individuals into automotive careers while serving the community resonated perfectly with what Kyle and his team were striving to achieve with ASOTU | More Than Cars.

To Kyle, the work of Vehicles for Change holds personal significance. He believes transportation is far more than just a means of moving from one place to another—it’s about creating opportunities and offering freedom. “When I see VFC enabling transformation through transportation, it gets me pumped. Having met people impacted on both sides of the output (techs and vehicle awardees), I have witnessed firsthand the change VFC is making,” Kyle said.

One of Kyle’s most memorable moments came in 2024 when he had the chance to support Vehicles for Change at ASOTU CON. ASOTU CON is an annual conference hosted by the Automotive State of the Union (ASOTU) that brings together automotive industry professionals for keynotes, panels, and networking. The event focuses on fostering collaboration, innovation, and growth within the industry, while emphasizing community-building and discussing the future of automotive retail.

The team gave away two cars at the conference—one in partnership with the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association and another during one of the main sessions. The most touching part of the experience was witnessing the children of a mother crawling all over their family’s newly awarded car. Seeing the joy on the children’s faces and the overwhelming emotion in their mother’s eyes was a deeply moving moment for Kyle. It highlighted just how powerful transportation can be in reshaping lives.

What Kyle admires most about Vehicles for Change is the generational impact the organization has on communities. When parents are empowered with the tools to transform their life circumstances, it not only alters their world but also sets a new trajectory for their children. The positive effects of this transformation extend throughout families and communities, often impacting future generations in profound ways. For Kyle, the power of this kind of change is immeasurable.

Two years ago, Kyle had the privilege of interviewing a technician who had gone through the Vehicles for Change Full Circle Auto Training program and was now in a leadership position within the organization. The technician shared how his children now looked up to him with immense pride, and the joy in his voice was contagious. This conversation deeply moved Kyle, reminding him that Vehicles for Change is about much more than just providing cars, it’s about changing lives, creating new opportunities, and fostering hope for the future.

“It seems that every time I interact with VFC, I simply smile more. The team and their passion are infectious, and I am blessed to have played a small role in bringing awareness to what they are doing both locally and now nationally,” Kyle said. This year, Kyle and his team are excited to give away even more cars in collaboration with Vehicles for Change and local dealers. They are hopeful that with their industry connections, they can help spread the mission of Vehicles for Change beyond its current reach, turning it into a nationwide movement.

On a lighter note, Kyle remembers his first car—a 1993, Mercury Topaz, with a white exterior and blue interior. Where did Kyle drive first in his car? Work, of course—because, as Kyle likes to say, “you’ve got to pay for what you drive!”