Auto Industry Has Proven to be a Rewarding Career for Shawn Arkfeld |

Working in the automotive industry might not have been Shawn Arkfeld’s ’92 first choice after graduating from college, but 32 years later, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Arkfeld is being recognized with the Midland University Alumni Achievement Award during a ceremony Sunday, Oct. 20th at the Wikert Event Center as part of Homecoming weekend.

He has climbed the automotive ladder during his time in the industry, starting in sales and eventually landing in his current role of Chief Operating Officer/Managing Partner/EVP of Baxter Auto Group. He has been with Baxter more than 20 years and currently oversees 20 dealerships in five different states. Baxter was recently recognized as one of the top 50 auto groups in the country.

But as a fresh college graduate three decades ago, Arkfeld had a different professional career in mind. “My plan was to play professionally, overseas, in basketball or baseball,” he said.

“I was looking for a job and saw an opening for a car sales position, but I didn’t really go to college to sell cars. But I went and visited with them and was very honest that this wasn’t what I was looking for. They were even more interested in me after being honest with them, so I told them I would give it a try until a better offer came around. Thirty-two years later, I’m very humbled to still be involved in the industry and love what I do.”

Athletics has always been a big part of Arkfeld’s life, dating back to growing up in a small town in Iowa. He transferred to Midland his sophomore year and was part of the Warriors men’s basketball team under coach Rich McGill that advanced to the NAIA Division II National Tournament in 1990. After a successful junior year, he was set for a big senior season before a preseason injury sidelined him for the majority of the season. He is one of only 40 Warriors to cross the 1,000 point barrier for a career, finishing with 1,094.

In the meantime, his love for baseball continued and his opportunity to be a rare two-sport athlete emerged when he joined the baseball team as a pitcher his junior year. “I loved baseball and Coach McGill told me I could play, but I was only allowed to pitch,” Arkfeld said. “I got to play with a lot of great teammates on both teams.”

Arkfeld draws comparisons between his athletic career and the auto industry, which can often be as competitive as any sporting event. “I love working with people, and sports is all about coaching and working with people,” he said. “I love the competitiveness of our business, and I’ve had to learn to manage people over the years. I found out early on that most people hate buying cars, but if you’re genuine and authentic with them, that will go a long way in helping you succeed.”

Those ideals come from growing up in a farm community, and being raised by parents who knew the value of a good work ethic. “That all started with my parents, who worked very hard during a time when the farming industry was a very difficult business to be in,” he said. “I remember as a 12-year old working long days on the farm. But in order to be allowed to play sports, I had to get my work done.”

Those values were further reinforced at Midland, thanks to coaches like McGill. “He wasn’t into politics when it came to playing time, he was about effort,” he said. “Work ethic was not going to be an issue with me.

“I came from a town of about 200 people, so going to school in a town of 25,000 was a big change for me. Having athletics to fall back on made things easier and I met a lot of great people.”

Now living in Elkhorn, Arkfeld and his wife, Jeanine, are the parents of four children and have two grandchildren.