Meet Our Team

Kristin Ruge Hutchins is President at Ruge's Automotive. A third-generation owner with over 100 employees in three locations, Kristin has worked to expand the company while working daily to carry out its guiding principles, all of which are rooted in the company's vision of being the most sought-after, unique vehicle sales and service experience in the Hudson Valley region.

Kristin has also served in myriad leadership and volunteer roles over the course of her career. Currently Vice President of the Rhinebeck Area Chamber of Commerce, Trustee for the Northern Dutchess Hospital Foundation Board, and active member of the Millbrook Business Association, Kristin has also been actively involved in the Rhinebeck Rotary Club and has supported a wide range of area nonprofits through participation in fundraising events.

Kristin's leadership extends to her role within the industry as well; she was recently named Chairperson of the Retail Women's Network 20 Group and member of the Regional Women's Network.

As a young boy, Lewis Ruge watched his dad build a vehicle sales and service business, Ruge's Automotive, in the heart of his hometown. By 1963, after serving his country as an Officer in the United States Air Force, Lewis was extended an opportunity to become an official partner. He accepted, and Ruge's has since grown exponentially in reach and in popularity with Lewis at the helm; the company is now known for offering small-town appeal with big-brand appeal.

Lewis has also worked to ensure that his hometown of Rhinebeck and the entire Hudson Valley region are successful as well. He has given generously to dozens of nonprofits and today serves on the boards of Frost Memorial Foundation, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Northern Dutchess Hospital, Northern Dutchess Hospital Foundation, and M&T Bank.  

To get in touch with Lewis, email lruge@rugesauto.com.

In 2015, Scott Hutchins joined his wife Kristin as Vice President at Ruge's Automotive Group, bringing over three decades of global career experience to the historic Hudson Valley community they call home. After years of working in manufacturing in the US and overseas, Scott now heads up all Finance, HR, and IT operations for each of the three Ruge's stores. With an innate ability to identify solutions to challenges and opportunities for growth, Scott has promoted business development and expansion, helped solidify a long-term vision and organizational strategy, and supported rebranding efforts - all while working alongside his family and their staff to protect the guiding principles that make Ruge's Automotive so well-respected throughout the region. 

From the time he started washing cars in our Subaru store at age 15, Joe has been a loyal and important part of the Ruge's employee family. By 20, he had begun selling vehicles for Ruge's, and his success in that role and ability to connect with customers resulted in a promotion to Subaru Sales Manager at age 25. When Ruge's purchased its Millbrook Chevrolet store in 2016, Joe was named Director of Sales and Marketing; today, he oversees all three retail locations. Dedicated to creating a unique vehicles sales experience for customers, Joe is responsible for providing direction to over thirty staff, manages all marketing and advertising efforts, and works daily to build brand awareness and strengthen the community ties for which Ruge's has long been known.

Raised in Stanfordville, NY, Joe graduated from Stissing Mountain High School in 2005 and obtained an Associate's Degree in Business Administration at SUNY Dutchess. He is a graduate of the 18-month Dealer Executive Program in Kansas City, MO, regularly attends industry conferences, and has been actively involved in the Subaru Sales Advisory Committee.

Joe lives in Rhinebeck with wife Amy and their two children. He can be reached by email: jmonaco@rugesauto.com.

Since joining our team in 2012, Director of Digital Marketing Patrick Downes has used his expertise to help us share the unique Ruge's story with colleagues, customers, and our community. A former art school student who studied photography, Patrick is ever creative in his work managing our internet sales, marketing initiatives, websites, and social media channels.

Born in London, Patrick became a New Yorker when he enrolled at Hunter College. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Communications in 1984, he worked for several New York City advertising agencies before landing a role as Vice President and Publisher of Audubon Magazine. Patrick has traveled to over forty countries on five different continents, but is right at home here in the Hudson Valley, having relocated here in 2000 so that his son could live at Anderson Center for Autism. He is a happily married father of four.

Get in touch by emailing: pdownes@rugesauto.com.