Our staff at von Bibra Suzuki

Danny Pickering
GENERAL MANAGER – HELENSVALE

How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
Since 2013.

How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
3 Years Sales Consultant then moved into Sales Manager role with Hyundai and Suzuki, then the Used Car Sales Manager. I have recently taken up the position of General Sales Manager at Helensvale.

Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Advertising Companies in the UK then spent a short period of time working in Canada.

What do you love most about your job?
Everyday is different to the next with new challenges.

Where did you grow up?
Blackpool, England.

Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
A bad attitude is like a flat tyre, you can’t go anywhere until you change it.

TONY MCKENNA
DEALER PRINCIPAL – FERRY ROAD

How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
35 years, all with von Bibra

How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
Over 35 years I have had many positions with von Bibra – Mechanic, Reconditioning Manager, Salesperson, General Manager, New car Manager, Sales Manager and General Sales Manager taking over as Dealer Principal of Ferry Rd in 2024.

Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
I have not worked for anyone else.

Where did you grow up?
Ulverstone Tasmania.

Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
‘Ability – is what you are capable of. Motivation – gets you doing it. Attitude – determines how well you do it. Habit – will keep you doing it.’

LACHLAN MANNING
Suzuki Sales Manager – Helensvale

How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
7 Years
Hyundai Sales Consultant
Used car sales consultant
Relief Sales Manager

Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Kmart Tyre and Auto as an apprentice mechanic

What do you love most about your job?
Never a dull day, there is always a new experience

Where did you grow up?
Coffs Harbour.

Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
You can’t move forward while you keep looking backwards

NICK
SUZUKI MANAGER – FERRY ROAD

How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
5 years

How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
Started as a Hyundai Salesperson at Helensvale in 2020 before moving into Mitsubishi + Suzuki later in the year. Continued with these brands until August 2024 when moving into Quality Used + Wholesale at Helensvale. September 2025 I was able to make the move to my Current role at Ferry Road.

Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Previously I was in real estate working for Harcourts Hope Island as a sales consultant.

What do you love most about your job? I love the atmosphere you can create working with the salespeople and the team plus what we can do for our customers to make everyone’s experience the best that it can be.

Where did you grow up?
Grew up in a small town called Kingaroy later moving back to the Gold Coast as a teenager.

Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
“Do the Hard things first and life becomes easy. Do the easy things first and life becomes hard”

Luke Winslade
SERVICE MANAGER – HELENSVALE

How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
23 years.

How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
17 years, starting as a parts interpreter, service advisor then becoming the Service Manager at Helensvale for 8 years.

Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Avon City Ford in Christchurch NZ as a parts interpreter.

What do you love most about your job?
Making customers happy.

Where did you grow up?
Christchurch NZ.

Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
Don’t stop at the first rung on the ladder, there is many more above you.

BLAKE LEDINGHAM
SUZUKI SERVICE MANAGER – SERVICE CENTRE EXPO COURT

How many years’ experience in the Auto Industry?
16 years

How many years have you worked for von Bibra & what position/s have you held?
Have worked for von Bibra for 3 years, as a Service Advisor and then into my role of Service Manager.

Who did you previously work for and what was your role there?
Motor Cycle Holdings as an Apprentice, Mechanic, Parts Interpreter, Service Advisor and Service Manager.

Where did you grow up?
Moree NSW

Favourite quote or best piece of advice given to you?
Lead from the front