Our People

Ed Starns

Ed Starns has been the general manager of our Collinsville location since we purchased it in June of 2005. Ed came to us from the Collinsville BP-Amoco, which had to close because of the new shopping center development. Prior to that Ed spent fifteen years with Midas. He started as a mechanic and later became manager and area supervisor.

But Ed’s automotive career actually started in St. Louis. His first job was at Meyer Texaco on South Broadway. Ed started like many of us “old-timers”, by pumping gas and fixing tires.

He left his family, his job at Texaco and his high school sweetheart behind when he enlisted in the Army. He was only 16 years old at the time, and his parents had to give him special permission to enlist. He actually obtained his high school diploma while in the Army. Ed became a Combat Engineer in the service, and learned a lot about machinery and heavy equipment.

After six years in the service, Ed came back to St. Louis and began his automotive career. In 1998 Ed and Karen, his high school sweetheart were reunited and became husband and wife. How they became engaged is quite a story. Karen wanted Ed to get away from cars for a few days, so they planned a vacation on Mackinaw Island in Michigan. While Karen planned the trip, Ed was making plans of his own to propose to her.

They stopped on the way, and Ed couldn’t wait to get to the island. He proposed to her on the beach at Lake Michigan. Between them they have three sons and one grandson.

Ed’s employees love working for him. His concern for his customers is contagious, and all the guys really want to please the customers. John Jackson says, “Ed is such a class guy. He has been so helpful to me, teaching me, and encouraging me to advance myself.”

And two of Ed’s former co-workers at his old job decided to follow Ed and work at Najjar Car Care in Collinsville.

Ed loves people and he loves cars, which has helped make him both a successful mechanic and service manager. He also loves sports. For many years Ed played competitive softball on a traveling team. Now he limits himself to following sports and not playing. He is an avid baseball and hockey fan, and has season tickets to both the Blues and the Cardinals.