Introducing Hunter Mathews: The Detail-Oriented Dynamo at Agile Offroad. With nearly a year and a half under his belt, Hunter’s transition from power sports to adventure vans was fueled by a desire for change and a referral from a former colleague. He thrives on the camaraderie with his co-workers, his meticulous attention to detail evident in every aspect of his work. Outside the shop, Hunter enjoys rebuilding motorbikes, snowboarding, and cherishing moments with his dog, Brandy.
What’s up Hunter, I’m excited to follow you around today for your Highlight! First off, how long have you been part of the Agile Offroad team?
About to be a year! It feels like it’s been forever! It’s been fun.
What did you do before coming to Agile Offroad?
I actually used to work in a power sports shop, I primarily focused on motor bikes.
How did you end up working here on adventure vans from power sports?
I wanted to change it up a little, I’ve worked on motor bikes for years. Ironically Koop, up at the front desk, used to work at the same place I did and referred me after he joined the Agile team!
That’s not surprising, its pretty cool getting to work here. So, what do you like about working here?
I love everyone at Agile, but my direct co-workers in the shop really make my days at work more enjoyable. Its awesome how much we all have in common. We all have project builds at home, enjoy off-roading in the desert on the weekends. I also appreciate Reid’s meticulousness, Jesse’s constant inspiration to start new projects, Trevor is also a guy who enjoys working on his own projects, and Chris (Beard) is always trying to design something cool on his 3D printer.
What would you say makes you a good co-worker and teammate here?
I’m pretty detail oriented, whether its in the work I do, or just around the Shop. I like to keep our equipment in good working condition, so if I notice I could tweak or fix something small, I take the time to address that. I put a lot of pride into everything I do.
So, what kind of detail oriented work do you enjoy doing on the Vans?
I love the finishing touch of these projects! I like seeing it come together in its entirety. I love installing winches and bumpers, or no rub fenders, auxiliary tanks, the things that people don’t think about the effort it takes to make sure it looks good. If they don’t you can tell. I want it to look good and perform good.
Besides the Agile things you enjoy installing, what Agile product do you think is the most impactful product to upgrade with?
I’d usually say the Air Locker, but at the employee event this past weekend and seeing a Sprinter Van climb up a daunting sand hill like it was nothing, all because of the Atlas Transfer Case? I was absolutely mind blown seeing that.
What were some of the other things you didn’t realize or know about these adventure vans that you discovered after working here?
Besides the off-roading capabilities that they can be brought to. But also the importance of good suspension upgrades on motorhomes! I never thought about that previously either. But in a broader way, I learned a lot about this community. I found out how far these people will travel out of there way just to come here. Coming from power sports, those shops really see a more local crowd. It really does show me how people are coming here because they want the best of the best, I don’t take that responsibility lightly.
Whats something you think people who might not be familiar with us, should know?
That we care more than they would think. We aren’t just a run of a mill bodyshop or something. We’re a specialty installer. And we really do appreciate, and enjoy that positive feedback we get in return from all our clients.
What do you think makes you stand out in the care that you focus on with the vehicles?
It’s being detail oriented for me. I will tuck or organize the wire management whenever I notice it, even if my project is adjacent to that area. Its those little things.
What is something that you see frequently come in for fixing?
Probably poorly done DIY No-Rub Fender installs, you really cannot skip a step on our instructions. Like skipping a screw they think might not be that big of a deal. It causes more issues than you would think, and we constantly have to fix that! We also started seeing the input shaft issues on the 2023 Sprinters. I think the the Drive Shaft Spacer that John came up with to address the issue. It should be required for all 2023 Sprinters.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I started rebuilding motor bikes when I was 17 after I crashed my first one and I had to rebuild the engine. I’ve worked on bikes since, all kinds. I also love snowboarding, riding, and just hanging out with my dog Brandy! And sometimes me and the shop guys go to the desert and camp while we off-road.
Finally, last question what’s your favorite thing about Agile as a company?
The pride and hard work that goes into the research and development of the products. It’s been especially cool to see the behind the scenes on product design that goes into the Grenadier. I also think its really special that they approach manufacturing or client faults with a lot of patience and understanding. Theres a lot of willingness to help no matter what. I love that, and it makes it really special working here.
Hunter Mathews embodies the spirit of excellence at Agile Offroad, bringing passion and precision to every project. His dedication to detail and love for adventure make him a valuable asset to the team. As he continues to thrive in his role, Hunter’s commitment to quality and camaraderie shines bright, ensuring that every van that leaves Agile Offroad is not just a vehicle, but a masterpiece of craftsmanship and adventure-ready performance.
