On January 29, 2026, Lithia & Driveway (LAD) participated in an all-day Lunch & Learn for over 300 students at Wyoming Technical Institute (WyoTech) in Laramie—one of the largest auto tech schools in the United States. The event included seven presentations that covered a variety of automotive topics, including electronic mechanical services and drivetrains, with LAD providing lunch for everyone.
The Lunch & Learn represented another level of participation in our ongoing partnership with WyoTech, where we sponsor a classroom year-round to support the students’ hands-on training for future careers in diesel mechanics, auto repair, and collision/refinishing.
An Emphasis on Electric Vehicle Opportunities
David Ydstie, Fixed Operations Manager at Audi Minneapolis, and Kevin Prettyman, Service Manager at Twin Cities Performance Ferrari, led a LAD presentation on the electric vehicle (EV) market, emphasizing the growing demand for EV auto technicians and recommending tips for getting hired after graduation.
Highlighting Lithia & Driveway as a possible future employer, students learned more about our company story, comprehensive total rewards, competitive pay plans, and widespread locations. Ridge Pinkerton, a WyoTech student, said he learned a lot about Lithia & Driveway, “especially about the ecosystem and the multitude of opportunities they have for working on all types of vehicles.” He was also interested to hear about its many locations in the Pacific Northwest, where he plans to live after graduation. “I’m definitely interested in working for Lithia.”
Hybrid Ferrari Holds Center Stage
As part of our presentation on EVs, we collaborated with Ferrari of Denver to ship a 2022 Ferrari 296 GTB hybrid to the event. Students saw firsthand how the mid-rear-engined, two-seater Berlinetta represented Ferrari’s shift to electric mobility with its new 120° V6 engine coupled with a plug-in (PHEV) motor. A big thank you to Jeff Hocker, Director of Aftersales at Ferrari of Denver, who made all the arrangements to get the Ferrari onsite.
A Special Donation for Students
During lunch, Lithia & Driveway’s senior recruiter, KayLee Watson, presented a $10,000 check to the LoveTrades Foodbank to support student needs while attending WyoTech.
The LoveTrades Foundation is an independent nonprofit that raises monies for scholarships for WyoTech students and provides an on-campus foodbank for students who may experience food insecurity during their training.
