Kevin Den Hoed, KAT Automotive, Mechanic, Bragg Creek, Foothills

Kevin Den Hoed RSE

Automotive Service Technician
Red Seal Endorsed

Kevin has been in the Automotive Repair Industry for 30+ years during this time Kevin has worked at smaller Independent Shops, he has worked at Dealerships where he gained his Master Technician & Diesel Technician Status, he left the Industry to teach the Automotive Journeyman Repair Apprenticeship Program at S.A.I.T (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology). Kevin only decided on leaving teaching when COVID Struck & forced him away from the school & students, however it was a joint decision with Amber that saw an opportunity to be able to continue working in the Automotive Repair Industry while helping our community, family and friends. Kevin's love of teaching & desire to help develop honest & reliable technicians has been a large part of the decision to help develop & support Apprentices employed at KAT Automotive.

When not at work Kevin, enjoys spending time with his friends & family, camping, travelling, exploring or just having a conversation over a good whiskey. Kevin also enjoys travelling with Amber & when possible Tara will join them and their joint family love for Disney theme parks. After a few quick upgrades to the shop, the purchase & delivery of some much needed tools we finally were given the green light by the MD of Foothills to start KAT Automotive. We made sure that we obtained all the current required licensing & affiliations, got our business license, proper business Insurance, became A.M.V.I.C Licensed & ensured we became members to the Bragg Creek Chamber of Commerce. KAT Automotive was Legally Born!! and we haven't looked back yet.

Interesting Fact: -KAT Automotive is actually located on the same site as Kevin's childhood home.

Amber Den Hoed

Amber worked in an smaller Independent Shop right out of High School gaining some valuable knowledge that she honestly never expected to use again except maybe in emergencies or on her own car. Amber spent over 16+ years working in Emergency Service Industry as a Medic in the Foothills area and as a Volunteer Firefighter in Priddis and Nanton communities respectively until she had to step back due to health reasons. Amber really enjoys going out to the shop and helping out up front with the customers, creating estimates & invoices & booking appointments. Amber has the role of technology & advancement within the shop ensuring that KAT Automotive & our Technicians are leading the curve when it comes to Technology and Innovation, and she is often on webinars learning about how to use the new technology and State of the Art Automotive software that KAT Automotive is very proud to be using. Amber is jokingly Referred to as HR (Human Resources) by some of the KAT Staff. Regardless she is very much involved with staffing & day to day operations.

Amber can often be found on the Ice Coaching Female Minor Hockey, she has a talent for teaching, & Instructing, one of her best skills is in being relatable to her students/ Athletes and she has a passion for helping young girls and women learn how to play one of her favorite sports. Amber loves Coaching & developing life long relationships with the Athletes, their parents & other Coaches. Amber also enjoys working with leather creating, tooling & building wallets, dog collars & belts in her spare time.

Interesting Fact: Amber has recently developed a love for pottery & loves creating unique pieces on the wheel when she is able to get to the studio.

Tara Den Hoed

Meet Tara, she is more than just the "T" in KAT when she is in the shop she is a Service Advisor but she works a lot remotely doing Data Entry, inputting Invoices & bills. Tara has also recently taken over KAT's Social Media she makes sure that we are keeping current and up to date with our Social Media Marketing. Part of Tara's job is making sure we are reaching out to all the potential KAT customers the best that we can. Tara takes her role in content Creation seriously Tara makes sure that all of our employees are having some fun, making TikToks, posing for Instagram or just having some laughs, with her Pun of the week. Tara is an Important part of KAT and always will be. The initial reason we started KAT was to help towards paying for Tara's Hockey. Tara completed her Minor Hockey career playing U18 Elite hockey, she had several offers to continue playing at the collegiate level in the United States, but a serious injury meant she had to re-asses that journey. Tara really enjoyed volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters when she was in High School & still enjoys volunteering and helping whenever possible.
Tara enjoys spending time with her partner , cheering his football games & rewatching episodes of "Modern Family: together. Tara also enjoys going Line Dancing & hanging out with her friends & Family in her Free time. Tara created her business Bear Essentials Beauty where she is a certified Lash Technician and Enjoys making people feel & Look their best, recently Tara has been learning, Studying & practicing her Nail Art which is another service she offers at her Home Based Spa- Check out her work at @bear.essentials.beauty . Tara has future aspirations to eventually follow in her Parents footsteps of working as a Front Line Emergency Service personnel.

Interesting Fact: Tara once wore a maple leaf on her jersey & represented Canada at a Hockey Tournament in the United States- coming home with the Championship Ring.

Missy Chapman RSE

Automotive Service Technician
Red Seal Endorsed

Missy has been with us at KAT Automotive since 2023, We really appreciate that she is able to do duo duties- working as a Shop foreman & you may find yourself talking to her in the front as she has been also helping as one of our Service Advisors. The shop is always in good hands when she is here. Missy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the shop as she has worked in this industry for several years & is a business owner herself.
Missy like Kevin previously worked in the Dealership side of the industry as well as working as a mobile Mechanic . Aside from her quick Wit & Strong work ethic Missy also brings something that KAT was missing which is experience & knowledge working on European Vehicles which has been great for KAT & the community.

Our KAT customers benefit from Missy's skills and knowledge, she is a Red Seal Journeyman, as well as being a friend, Mentor, co-worker & Role model for KAT Apprentices. Missy really "Fits" in with the KAT Krew- from friendly banter, witty comebacks, music choices and overall shop Atmosphere Missy really helps promotes team work, encourages a high work drive, and overall "having Fun" while working hard.
When she is not at the Shop, or working on vehicles Missy dedicates her time to her Family, her kids and her charitable work helping out Women's shelters & other groups who benefit from her Other Hobby which is Couponing.- Missy has 2 wonderful young daughters and they are her main focus- As they SHOULD be, from skiing & snowboarding coaching soccer, weekends at Basketball Games She makes sure they are her number 1 priority.

Interesting Fact: Missy was actually one of Kevin's Students for her 4th Term at SAIT, a "few years ago now" Missy is actually very handy and has taken on many home improvement projects that look professional done.

Sean Orr

Automotive Service Advisor

Sean joined the KAT Automotive Team in July 2025 and we are so happy to have his kind, Funny, People First Philosophies working the front Desk as one of the KAT Automotive Service Advisors. Sean is "Mr. Customer Service" and his History of being in the Bragg Creek/ Redwood Meadows area serves him well in that he practically knows every single person who walks in the door and if he doesn't Sean is quick to engage in a conversation leading to a feeling that you have a deep connection and have known each other for many years. Sean is admittedly not the most experienced "Car" guy but he is so willing to learn all the lingo & is keeping in touch with new technology & or procedures so that he can better do his job as a Service Advisor. One of the biggest things that Sean does offer is in his ability to Listen to our customer & be able to make sure that what our customers are asking for is communicated properly to our Technicians so that they can do their jobs more efficiently and to the customers benefit- getting to the root of the issue faster. When Sean isn't either at KAT Automotive, Visiting & helping care for his dad Sean can be found on his Mountain Bike, Enjoying the beautiful Scenery, sights & smells of Nature, Hiking or Enjoying a good Whiskey & Steak.

Interesting Fact: Sean used to be a Butcher in the community & then was a part owner at a popular local restaurant and he still sometimes goes and cooks at this restaurant. When Sean isn't either at KAT Automotive, Visiting his dad Sean can be found on his Mountain Bike, Enjoying the beautiful Scenery, sights & smells of Nature. Sean often likes to go hiking with himself or a friend getting to enjoy benefiting from the exercise while spending time in nature & the great outdoors.

Abby Wolsey

Automotive Service Technician
Completed 3rd Term 4th Year Apprentice

Abby joined the KAT Family in November of 2022 she fit in instantly with everyone here and brings with her a real love for the Automotive Repair industry & a huge desire to be a great Mechanic. Abby also Attended and graduated from the Foothills Composite High School and is a graduate of the Automotive Mechanics course at that High School.

Abby brings a fresh Outlook to KAT, an up beat attitude when at work and she fits in well with the other tech's, her ability to work & joke with the other staff is another reason we see Big things in her future. Abby craves learning and expanding her knowledge when it comes to fixing cars and her ability to interact with customers helps make her a Favorite among KAT Kustomers, when it comes to fixing our customers vehicles she wants to fix your car correctly- Abby has a very Organized & methodical approach to tackling any big jobs.

On her time off Abby likes to hang out with her boyfriend, listen to Classic Rock music, spend time with her cat, dream about what her next Tattoo will look like. Abby loves to go thrifting for clothing and shoes and Abby is an avid collector of Memorabilia from her favorite bands.
Recently Abby has moved into her own place in the South west of Calgary which has greatly decreased her travel time to KAT & to School when she has to attend. Abby is spontaneous and Generous & she enjoys seeing the Job completed properly. We look forward to watching her career evolve because we know she is going to be Great!!

Interesting Fact: Abby used to be very involved in the Horse World mainly riding English.

Sydney Clark

Automotive Service Technician
1st yr. Apprentice

Sydney joined the KAT Automotive Team in November of 2024 initially as a Tire technician, to help during the busy winter Tire Season. she then advanced to becoming a lube tech in January and has been advancing in her knowledge and experience every day. Sydney is now a registered Automotive Apprentice & she is doing very well in her 1st term of school & is expanding her knowledge & Skills which is no surprise to any of us. Sydney is always working hard to progress her knowledge & Hand speed while completing repairs, everyday she is just getting faster & more experienced . In her spare time Sydney can be found at her Jiu jitsu Gym kicking someone's butt, chatting with & hanging out with her Boyfriend, Gaming, and creating & drawing, she also enjoys spending time with her friends & family. Sydney has a pet Snake named Indy. We look forward to being able to watch Sydney Grow into a great & proficient Technician & an amazing strong woman.

Interesting Fact: Sydney initially started her journey into the trade world doing welding but lucky for us she found it was not the right one for her.

"Joy"

KAT Shop Dog, Loyal Companion
Havanese

Joy is a vivacious and sociable companion often found curled up on one of the KAT Office chairs or on her bed beside Ambers desk. this little "fur Missile" has been a standard around the shop since she joined us. she is a hypo-allergenic dog having hair instead of fur which is often overed in the fall & winter with her wide array of hoodies, jackets & sweaters-(Yes she even sleeps in P.J's in the colder months and after a bath or recent hair cut).
Joy takes her job very seriously as the keeper of the office and will always let you know that she is watching you by way of a very sharp & ear shattering Bark & a wag of tail. Joy likes to get the zoomies in the office or in the shop when its clean, usually when there is no customers but sometimes in the rare occurrence in front of our great KAT Kustomers.

Interesting Fact: Joy is a Hypo-allergenic Dog having Hair instead of fur so most people will not react around her, But Joy is Allergic to many things including, Chicken, Beef & Pork products so she is kind of Ironic!! Joy also more outfits then Kevin does in the closet and is not often seen without a hoody or some sort of outfit on- she is Ambers Dress up dog!!!

Ripley

Sealed Brindle Boxer
"Shop Greeter" & Escort & "Good "Dog"

Ripley is the shy quiet one, and while she is always aware when you arrive she seldom is verbal with her acknowledgment but, she will go as taught by "Buddy" to greet you, she will watch from a distance while you do your transactions in the office and when you leave she will escort you and send you on your way.

Ripley will come into the shop in cooler weather especially to check in with and offer to our Technicians and staff any emotional support, tail wags & kisses that they may be needing and then when they are done she will often go into the house to keep guard and watch over from inside.

Interesting Fact: Ripley loves to wear her Hoody around as it has a calming effect on her Plus she looks good in it, she also has several colors to choose from. Ripley learned from Buddy to always watch over us and can often be seen laying somewhere close with one eye on the road & the other on the shop or her 'People"

Buddy

Tri-Colored Border Collie

Buddy was a part of the KAT Family for a long time almost 14 years and he would often be seen looking for a ball or frisbee to carry. In his youth Buddy was an excellent fetch dog and loved catching the frisbee and swimming.

We are sad to say that Buddy crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Mar-12-2026 just 5 days short of his 14th Birthday. We will never forget how Buddy could hear so well that when your vehicle started to drive down the driveway Buddy knew it, and was ready to greet you to announce your arrival or escort you down the driveway. Buddy was always there to make sure that you acknowledged him by giving him lots of pets & attention, if you didn't he would continue to verbally get your attention,... Ok he would bark. We all miss the fact that Buddy is not here to come in and do his daily shop check in, & he would make sure he was always available to give you a send off by barking good-bye and seeing you off, whenever you left the shop for the day. Buddy was also an avid travelling companion and would often travel with whoever had to make a parts run, he loved hanging his head out the window as you drove in town or up the driveway.

Interesting Fact's: Buddy loved to chase a frisbee or ball & would Run doing that until he couldn't even move anymore. But even more than that he loved spending time laying on his bed at Tara's Business/Nail & Lash Salon in front of a heater. Buddy loved to swim so much that he never minded going for the boat ride to get to a beach where he could swim.- Buddy also did not like to get his picture taken so he would glance away as soon as he saw someone taking a picture, he was camera shy.

Buddy will be forever Remembered & loved he was part of the KAT Team from Day 1