Matt Curry
Biography
Matt Curry has worked in the automotive aftermarket business
for over 30 years. He started changing tires when he was 15 and
worked his way into management, overseeing seven automotive
stores for several different companies, doubling and tripling
sales and profits at every store he managed..
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In 1997, Matt and his wife, Judy Curry, started Curry’s Auto
Service with one shop in Chantilly, Virginia. Curry’s Auto Service
ultimately became one of the largest independent auto repair
chains in the Washington, DC metro area, with nine shops across
Northern Virginia and one in Maryland. Matt and Judy succeeded in
differentiating Curry’s from its competitors by offering strong value
propositions that highlighted under-represented demographics
within the auto repair industry. By instituting prominent ecofriendly,
green-focused programs and community outreach, and
earning female-friendly accreditation from AskPatty.com, Curry’s
actively contributed to the economic, social, and environmental
development of the communities in which it operated..
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In 2010, Curry’s was chosen by the readers of Northern Virginia
Magazine as the “Best Auto Repair Shop” in Northern Virginia.
That same year, Curry’s was named Motor Age magazine’s Top
Shop in North America. In 2011, the company was awarded
the prestigious Angie’s List Super Service Award and voted
Top Shop Finalist by Tire Review magazine. Matt was also
recognized as a “Home Grown Hero, Entrepreneur of the Year”
by The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship..
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During the recession in 2008 and through 2011, Matt launched
a major expansion, growing from four stores in 2008 to nine in
2011. In recognition of this growth, Curry’s was named to the
Inc. 5000 list for 2009, 2010 and 2011, moving up about 1000
spots each year. Curry’s opened its tenth store in March 2013.
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In addition to being an Inc. 5000 company for three consecutive
years, Curry’s was ranked the 126th fastest-growing business
in Consumer Products and Services Industries by Inc. last year.
Curry’s was also recognized as one of the 50 fastest-growing
companies in the DC region by both the Washington Business
Journal and Washington Smart CEO.
In early 2013, Matt expanded his business model, investing
in two vertical companies: a computer development company
and a technology company called The Hybrid Shop, which
specializes in electric vehicle propulsion systems. After only 12
months, in November of 2014 The Hybrid Shop successfully
raised $2.5 million through a PE raise.
Matt and Judy made a successful exit from Curry’s Auto Service
by selling to a publicly-traded, $1 billion corporation in August,
2013. They now concentrate full time on The Hybrid Shop,
the world’s leader in training and education in the diagnosis,
maintenance, and repair of hybrid vehicle technology and battery
conditioning and repair.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND AWARDS
In 2004, Matt raised $209,000 and launched the Dulles South
Youth Sports (DSYS) league in August of 2006. More than 1,600
area children and teens now participate in the DSYS leagues
each year. The Currys continue to advise the organization and
help fund DSYS needs, including starting a scholarship and field
fund in the hope that DSYS will have its own private playing
field someday.
In 2012, Curry’s Auto Service was a finalist for the Washington
Area Jefferson Awards for Public Service. Matt and Judy have
donated their time and money, totaling over $500,000 to 57
national and regional charitable groups, churches, parentteacher
associations, and youth athletic clubs since they started
their company in 1997 and were recognized by The Washington
Business Journal in 2012 as among the region’s Top 50 Corporate
Philanthropists.