As General Manager of Adam & Son Auto Repair in Colorado Springs, alum Michael MacMasters has discovered the perfect blend of passion and purpose. A self-described “gearhead,” Michael is actively turning his love for cars into a powerful way to serve his community.
“Colorado Springs is a large and spread out city with limited public transportation, so reliable vehicles are essential to daily life,” he said. “When a vehicle breaks down and a person can’t afford to fix it, it often leads to missed work, lost wages, and a cascading cycle that is incredibly difficult to escape.”
Enter the nonprofit Stranded Motorist Fund (SMF).
As a purpose-driven, social-impact company, Adam & Son is focused on solving transportation insecurity in El Paso County. The shop was founded by Dan Adam, an industry expert, equally passionate about changing how people experience auto repair.
“What began as two auto repair shops looking for a way to help has grown into a broader movement connecting businesses and nonprofits across Colorado and eventually beyond,” Michael said. “Our original Repairs for Purpose program allowed customers to support local nonprofits through their auto repair purchases.”
As the model expanded to other industries, they rebranded the initiative as ShopGiv, an app connecting consumers, local businesses and nonprofits in a simple but powerful way: every purchase with a participating business supports a cause the customer cares about.
“It’s an innovative way to make everyday spending more meaningful and to strengthen community impact,” Michael explained.
Michael and Dan also collaborate closely with community organizations that refer clients in need and partner with local high school automotive programs, where students help with selected repairs.
“They meet the individuals they’ve helped and witness the impact of their work firsthand,” Michael said. “Adam & Son verifies the repairs and provides feedback to instructors. It’s a powerful, win-win model that benefits the students, the clients, and the community.”
That blend of passion and problem solving has shaped his journey since childhood. Raised in Montrose, near the San Juan Mountains, Michael spent his days working on projects in the garage with his dad, riding dirt bikes, ATVs and snowmobiles.
“I was the kid constantly taking things apart to figure out how they worked,” he said.
His parents patiently nurtured his early fascination with mechanical systems, an interest that eventually inspired him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at UCCS, where he graduated in 2005.
“When I chose UCCS, I wanted to stay close to the mountains and remain in a place that felt like home,” Michael said.
Though the engineering program was still relatively new, he was drawn to being part of a developing department. Courses like Statics and Dynamics captured his imagination early on.
“I remember being blown away by how much engineering goes into structures to ensure they can withstand the forces acting upon them,” Michael said. “My favorite course, however, was Fluid Mechanics. The concepts tied directly to engine efficiency and performance—principles I still apply in my work today.”
While earning his UCCS degree, he launched a small business designing aftermarket performance parts for GM vehicles.
“I loved being able to apply classroom concepts to something I was passionate about,” Michael said.
That same hands‑on drive was carried into his early career, including his role as a service manager for an RV dealership, where he dealt with some of the most complex mechanical challenges in the industry.
Even now at Adam & Son, that passion guides his work every day.
“The engineering mindset taught me to continuously improve, to question assumptions, and to pursue better systems,” Michael said. “We believe there is a better way to do business—one built on integrity, transparency, and service. It’s not about maximizing profit at all costs; it’s about doing what’s right.”
To current UCCS students, Michael offers simple but powerful advice: “Find something you are genuinely passionate about and pursue it relentlessly…discover your purpose and build a life around it.”
And Michael is proof that aligning purpose with passion doesn’t just lead to a successful career; it can create a vehicle for community change.