Meet Our Staff

About Me: I was born in Fishkill, attended John Jay High School, played soccer and lacrosse, and graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh. Kellie and I have a son, Jackson, and a pit bull named Gracie. My family owned a few dealerships in Fishkill, so I was born into this business! I started cleaning cars after school. After college, I worked at Freedom Ford for my uncle in the Parts department and later in Sales. I started at Ruge’s in 2019 in Sales, became the Business Manager, and now Sales Manager. First Car: My first car was a Barney purple Ford Tracer! Now it's a Ford Edge and a Lincoln MKX. Why Ruge's: Ruge’s reminds me of my family dealership. A place that cares about its employees Hudson Valley Recommendations: Cosmos, Savonas, Quiet Cove, Kingston Beach, and Ferncliff Forest. Something You Can Do That We'd Never Guess: A backflip and a 720 on a snowboard! Fun Fact: I still play in a weekly soccer league.

About Me: Born and raised in Red Hook. Currently living in Kinderhook with his girlfriend Kay, their children Emma and Oreon, and two dogs, Sammy and Bowie. My Garage: 2022 Subaru Forester & 2011 Nissan Xterra What Was Your First Car?: Buick LaSabre Why The Car Business? Love cars! Experience Done it all! Started in Parts, moved to Subaru Service, then Sales at CDJ, and now Business Manager at Ford Why Ruge’s?: A family run business, great people. Hudson Valley Recommendation: Hudson Brewery in Hudson! Something You Can Do That We'd Never Guess: I am a really good cook and baker Fun Fact: I love Rally Racing and Hockey. Lets Go Rangers!

About Me: Born and raised in Yonkers, and moved to Wappingers Falls in 2014. I have a son, 2 dogs and a Siamese cat. I'm an absolute animal lover! Bought my first car when I was 18, a Plymouth Sundance. Experience In 2006 my sister brought me into the car business . I started out as a service receptionist and 3 weeks later the advisor fell ill and I was thrown onto the service desk! Eventually I became the Assistant Service Manager. In 2021 I moved into the Heavy Duty truck side becoming Service Manager of a 5 OEM dealership. 35 years in customer service, 20 of those in Automotive! Why Ruge's? I had heard great things about Ruge's from customers and employees so when I saw an opportunity to be a part of a family run business with such a great reputation I had to be a part of it! Why Service? I'm a people person. I like helping people, solving problems and turning negatives into positives.

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. Kristin has been named a Hudson Valley Magazine 2019 Woman in Business Honoree and Ruge's was voted Best Auto Dealer in the Hudson Valley for 2018 and 2019. Email Kristin: khutchins@rugesauto.com.

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 lewis@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 four 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. Scott is a graduate of University of Vermont, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Resort Marketing and Management in 1984. Email Scott: shutchins@rugesauto.com.

Jim King, Director of Fixed Operations, knows the value of hard work and dedication and applies that to everything he does at Ruge's. As supervisor of the parts and service teams at each of our three stores, Jim ensures that his staff have exactly what they need to deliver our signature Ruge's experience to customers every day, working closely with the group to maintain a focus on goals and objectives while removing any inhibitors. Raised in the small town of Ridgebury, New York, Jim started working in the Pine Island onion fields at age 12, and his first gig in the automotive space was pumping gas at a Hess Station when he was just 16. After attending Orange County Community College for Electronic Technology, Jim was hired by IBM in 1981, where he held various positions during a 34-year career there, including a two-year assignment in Dublin, Ireland. By 2016, he made the choice to "leave Corporate America" to work for Ruge's, and says he "couldn't have made a better decision." Jim and his wife of over 30 years have one son, one daughter, and a granddaughter who he calls the "cutest baby ever." They enjoy tech-free weekends hiking, boating, waterskiing, and fishing at their cabin in the Adirondacks.

With over 38 years of experience, Rob joins the Ruge's team as Parts Director for all four of the dealerships. Rob was born and raised in Wappingers Falls, New York. He is the youngest of three boys. His first full time job was working at a local Exxon station where he pumped gas and washed windshields; this is where his love of cars began. He then started working at a local parts supply store as a delivery person, working his way to parts counter person. After a few years, he moved into a G.M. Dealership Parts Department where he was able to learn from the ground up, the ins-and-outs of the running a Parts Department. Rob then became a Parts Manager, which provided him with knowledge of the critical role that parts departments play in the success of a dealership. He currently resides in New Paltz, New York with his wife and family. Rob is a big sports fan and in his spare time he likes to play golf.

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.

About Me: Grew up in the Hudson Valley. I enjoy playing golf when I have the time to do it. A group of friends and I make a trip every year to a different location to try out a bunch of courses. My Garage: 2017 Subaru Impreza, 2023 Ford Explorer What was your 1st car: 2010 Honda Civic Experience: I have been with Ruge's Ford for 2 years now! What do you like best about Ruge’s?: Ruge's gives us the freedom to work individually, transparently and confidently. Rare in the business world, but you can tell that the Ruge's truly care about and appreciate the people that work for them. Why the Car Business?: I have always had a passion for cars. Also, my father has been in the industry my whole life (works at Ruge's Subaru) Hudson Valley Recommendation: 21 Burgers and Wings

About Me: I was born in Texas but have lived most of my life in and around Rhinebeck. I started working at Ruge's in 2025. My Garage: My current car is a Lexus IS300 F Sport What was Your First Car?: My first car was a 1990 Ford Tempo, but I've owned a Subaru, Honda, Nissan, & Mazda as well. Experience: I have been in the car business for 5+ years but before that, I was in the restaurant business for about 17 years. I owned and operated a restaurant at the Red Hook & Woodstock Golf Clubs for 9 of those years. What do you like about Ruge’s?: Ruge's cares about both its employees and their customers and it is refreshing! Why the Car Business?: I'm a people person; I like meeting new people and building relationships. Working in auto sales allows me to do that! Hudson Valley Recommendation: My favorite places to go in town are Terrapin for apps & drinks, Gaby's for their amazing margaritas and Momiji because who doesn't love Hibachi? Fun Fact: Whenever I can, I like to get out of town on little day trips with my friends. We love exploring new places particularly anywhere with water and waterfalls!