Kyle Larson of East Dubuque — Long Time Runde Chevrolet Employee

Kyle Larson began working for Runde Chevrolet about 10 years ago. As a teenager, he began working after school and summer hours in the detail department. Along life’s path, he’s taken some academic and professional detours. He completed a BA in History at Loras College and he also served a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the US Military, but he’s glad to be back in the Tri-States selling full-time at Runde’s selling new Commercial Vehicles. When he’s not advising his customers, you can probably find him either working out at the gym, spending time with his girlfriend, or reading any books he can get his hands on. And if you want to find out more about Kyle, well then just keep reading ….

Are you originally from the Dubuque area?   Yes, I grew up in East Dubuque and attended St. Mary’s Grade School right up the hill from the Chevy store. I attended Wahlert High School in Dubuque as well as Loras College. I never moved away! I currently live in Dubuque now and hope someday to move out to a quiet rural setting here in the Tri-State area.

How long have you worked for Runde Chevrolet and what do you do here over the course of a normal day?   I started working for Runde right around last Thanksgiving. Primarily I do both retail auto sales as well as Commercial Consulting. I also perform programming changes to the admin side of Runde Auto Group’s website to make it more user-friendly and convenient.

Contact Kyle if you’re in need of a new truck or van for your business.

What did you do before you came back to Runde’s?   I actually worked in the Wash Rack in high school and some of college. I then left and completed college afterwards I worked for a local IT business as well as enlisting in the Iowa National Guard.

What’s the best thing about your job?   Being able to meet new people. I could talk to just about anyone all day long, especially if they have an interesting job. I also seem to be distantly related to just about everyone in southwest Wisconsin so drawing connections to family members is fun for me as well.

Considering the awesome new Chevrolet vehicle line-up, which vehicle are you the most excited about right now? The new Stingray Corvette? The new Silverado HD? The new Chevy Tahoe?    I gotta say the new Silverado HD. The Stingray is one heck of a car and the Tahoe is just a quality machine but deep down I’m a truck guy and the new ones are far and away the nicest I’ve ever driven.

Do you have a favorite spot in the Tri-State area?    Absolutely!   The Potosi Brewery in Potosi, Wisconsin. I really like to sample the different crafts they have rotating on draft and their food is excellent. I tell everyone I know about their egg rolls: summer sausage, melted cheddar and sauerkraut with a side of horseradish honey-mustard; what more could you want!

If Kyle Larson could only drive one vehicle for the rest of his days, which one would he choose and why?   Probably a half-ton truck. I’ve been driving a new Silverado 1500 for the last couple weeks and I don’t want to give it up!

You’re not a bad looking fella by any means.  Have you found your one-and-only-someone yet?   I have been dating Amber Greene from Galena, IL for just over two and a half years. That girl is a saint for having put up with me so long!

Agreed.  Would you describe yourself as the life of the party, a casual mingler, or a wallflower?   These days I’m more of a casual mingler, though back in my college days … I’d better stop there.

Do you have family in the area?    I have something like 70 aunts, uncles, and cousins on just my mother’s side that I see on a semi-regular basis. I bowl in Dickeyville with some cousins. As I said before, I’m pretty hard pressed to find someone in Southwest Wisconsin that doesn’t know someone I’m related to!

Does Kyle Larson have any hobbies that you do regularly?   I do like to hit the shooting range as often as I can and I do really enjoy bass fishing. I recently took up golf, and though I am embarrassingly bad, I just enjoy the excuse to be outside.

What is the funniest joke you’ve ever heard? (PG-rated of course).   I hate sausage jokes. They’re the wurst.

We always say there’s nothing like a good joke … and that was nothing like a good joke. What is your favorite movie of all time?   How many times have you watched it?   Smokey and the Bandit. I’ve probably watched it more times than is healthy.

What is currently in the cd player of your vehicle?   A mix of hard rock songs to help me get pumped up on the way to the gym.

Do you work out a lot?   I have to admit I’m addicted to working out.   I’m just glad that it’s a healthy addiction.

What station is your XM satellite radio tuned to right now?   I rotate between Octane, Willie’s Roadhouse, and Patriot.

If you had one month left to live, what would you spend it doing?   Hiking, fishing, shooting, and bonfires.

What’s the farthest place you’ve ever traveled to and what did you do there?   I went to Afghanistan in 2010 with Delta Co. of the 1-133 Infantry Battalion. We did combat operations.

What’s the one thing about yourself that most people would be surprised to find out about Kyle Larson?   I was a History major in College with a focus on Medieval Europe and the Crusades.

Lightning Round:

Chicago Bears or Green Bay Packers?  DA BEARS!!!

Jordan, LeBron, Kobe, or Larry Bird?      Jordan

Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Foo Fighters or good old Zeppelin?  Zepp

Mexican food, Chinese buffet, Burger King, or pizza? Definitely pizza from either Happy Joe’s, Giordano’s, or Gooch’s Greenhouse in Kieler, WI.

Just goes to prove our theory that everyone loves Happy Joe’s Pizza … maybe even more than Germans love David Hasslehoff. Viva Happy Joe’s!!

Home on the range, or bright lights, big city?   Home, home on the range

Facebook, Twitter, The Chive or the daily newspaper?   Real Life.

Win the lottery, fly to the moon, base jump off of Mt. Everest, or sail around the world on a boat??  Winning the lottery. Definitely the lottery … that would enable me to do the rest.

Great answers.  Well Kyle Larson, thanks for chatting with us today.  It’s good to have you back at Runde’s.