Tim Kintz and His Impact on Those He Left Behind
There are plenty of people in the automotive industry who know how to sell cars.
Very few know how to change people.
Tim Kintz was one of those rare few.
Tim Kintz automotive training wasn’t about scripts or shortcuts—it was about changing the way people showed up inside the dealership.
If you ever trained with Tim, heard him speak, or watched him work a showroom floor, you know this already. And if you didn’t—this is the part of his story that never fit neatly into an obituary, a résumé, or a bio page.
Because Tim’s impact wasn’t just about automotive sales training.
It was about how he made people feel capable of more than they believed they were.
The Tim Kintz You Didn’t See
You’ve been around Tim in some form or fashion. Maybe it was his Train The Trainer workshop. What about his booth at NADA? Maybe you’ve only seen him in his YouTube videos sharing his playbook on closing and negotiating.
But Tim Kintz loved baseball first. This automotive legend grew up competitive, which explains his natural talent for sales. When an injury ended his playing days, it didn’t take that mindset with it. It just found a new place to live.
Years later, that same edge showed up everywhere Tim went. From his days in the dealership to his time as a trainer with Joe Verde, Tim Kintz moved fast. That competitive spirit was always hunting for something to build.
Enter the Kintz Group, where his philosophy of leadership, teamwork, and excellence transformed the way dealerships approached automotive sales training.
From the Dealership to Automotive Sales Training Excellence
Tim had credibility because he earned it the hard way.
In addition, he understood dealerships from the inside out—the pressure, the pace, the personalities, and the stakes. Automotive sales training was not taught from a distance. He taught it from experience.
That’s why people leaned in when he spoke.
Furthermore, he knew what it felt like to carry responsibility. He knew the tension between performance and people. And he knew that most problems weren’t about effort—they were about clarity, confidence, and leadership.
Tim didn’t just explain what to do. He explained why it mattered.
That difference is what made his training stick long after the workshop ended. The standards Tim set through his automotive training still guide leaders today.
“Tim was a person that made your life better because he was part of it. I had the pleasure of working with Tim in the training industry 20 plus years ago and we remained friends ever since.. all the great conversations about our families will never be forgotten. Tim was a person that made your life better because he was part of it. A true friend for many years and my heart is broken as he was a big part of my life.
You will be missed and never forgotten..
RIP my friend…”— Kelly O’Connell, CEO, Heartland Auto Group
Overall, that sentiment is echoed again and again by those who knew Tim. His impact wasn’t transactional. It was personal.
The Tim Kintz Automotive Training Philosophy
“It is rare for someone who is larger than life to also be so caring. Yet that was Tim Kintz.
His success wasn’t defined solely by the company he built, but by the company he kept. He didn’t just build businesses but he built people.
We honor Tim best not by our sorrow for his passing, but by living, loving, and leading as generously as he did. He will be forever missed.”
— Joe Webb, President | DealerKnows
Tim’s leadership stood out because it combined confidence with care. He was charismatic and driven, yet thoughtful and mindful. He pushed people hard—but he never made them feel small.
In an industry where intensity is common, Tim was different. He expected excellence, but he also created trust. That balance is rare, and it’s why his automotive sales training programs left such a lasting impression.
The Man Behind the Reputation
Inside the Kintz Group office, Tim was unmistakably himself.
He often brought his dog, Axl, to work. Axl would wander the office, curl up in someone’s lap, or quietly sit in on meetings. It was a small gesture, but it said everything about the culture Tim built—professional, yes, but human first.
“Tim always knew when we’d need a boost of happiness during a stressful day at work. Every time he brought Axl in, Tim would hear us squeal over his dog and knew that was the right way to motivate his team. Haha!”
-Valerie Perez, Performance Coach | Kintz Group
Tim had style, too. He kept his own stash of Air Jordans, a reflection of his competitive spirit and appreciation for excellence.
Meetings with Tim were never dull. He was the best storyteller in the room, often breaking tension with a wild or hilarious story that left everyone laughing. Those moments weren’t distractions—they built connection and reminded people they were part of something real.
At first glance, Tim could be intimidating. He carried authority naturally. But he was intentional about making sure everyone felt safe to speak up. He encouraged open debate, welcomed challenges, and made collaboration non-negotiable.
“I remember being surprised at how creative and involved Tim was with marketing. He loved brainstorming ideas and mapping out new designs with me. The man was a brain and he never ran low on motivation to make the company better.”
-Brandi Szeker, Marketing Manager | Kintz Group.
High standards never came at the cost of respect.
Quiet Generosity That Changed Lives
Tim was also deeply generous—often in ways few people ever saw.
From setting up diaper subscriptions for new parents, to covering birthday dinners, to quietly stepping in when someone needed help, Tim was always the first to give. He never did it for recognition. He did it because he cared.
This generosity extended beyond the office. In fact, Tim believed that success meant nothing if it didn’t improve the lives of others—especially family.
His greatest pride was always Kristi, Maddyn, and Cooper. Every mile traveled, every lesson taught, and every life changed was rooted in his love for them. Family was not separate from his work. It was the reason for it.
“What began as a professional relationship quickly grew into a meaningful friendship. The way Tim Kintz commanded a room left a huge imprint on my life. What began as a professional relationship quickly became a meaningful friendship. Tim Kintz was a rare and kind friend, mentor, trainer and leader.
Rest in peace, my friend.”— Ray Scozzari, Menholt Auto Group, Director of Training and Development
Stories like Ray’s are common throughout the automotive industry. Dealerships didn’t just hire Tim—they insisted on him.
If Tim wasn’t facilitating, they didn’t go.
That is the mark of a true leader in automotive sales training.
Carrying Forward Tim Kintz’s Automotive Training Legacy
Though Tim’s chapter on Earth has closed, his influence continues.
It lives on in:
- Dealership leaders who now mentor others
- Training programs shaped by his philosophy
- Teams that communicate better, lead stronger, and care deeper
The true measure of leadership is what remains after someone is gone. Tim’s legacy is one of excellence, integrity, humor, and heart.
Why Tim Kintz Automotive Training Still Matters Today
Tim wouldn’t want empty words or polished statements. He would want the work to continue—done well, done honestly, and done with high standards.
It was firmly believed that leadership meant showing up prepared. Moreover, he believed coaching meant telling the truth, even when it was uncomfortable. And he believed that people deserved both accountability and respect. That philosophy became the foundation of Tim Kintz automotive training.
Tim would expect questions to be challenged.
Ideas to be debated.
And standards to remain high.
As a result, Tim didn’t build The Kintz Group to reflect him—he built it to outlast him. And the best way to honor that is to keep teaching, leading, and pushing people to be better than they were yesterday.
That is the legacy he cared about most.
And that legacy will live on for generations.
Rest in peace, Tim.
