ABOUT US

JOHN KONAKCI

Founder, The Tourmaster, Driving Adventures USA

Austin, TX

I am excited to know that you are checking out My Personal Garage (MPG)!

First, a little about me: I was raised in Turkey by Turkish parents, but I love Texas and the United States. I came to the US at the age of 23 and fell in love with its people; the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and political system; and its history, values and culture. Two of the greatest gifts in my life were given to me here: I found my faith in Jesus Christ and I met the most remarkable woman I know who became my wife. I've been fortunate to have gained business experience in multiple industries and at companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. I have had the opportunity to make an impact in a broad range of business functions ranging from manufacturing to supply chain management, finance, business development, and investment fund management. I thrive on challenges; I am driven to get results and delight my customers. I love serving my clients.

Besides spending time with my wife, my greatest passion is driving my sports cars and sharing this passion for driving with other like-minded enthusiasts by organizing esoteric driving tours in Texas, Colorado, and Arkansas. Through my other company, Driving Adventures USA, we have put on more than 140 driving tours in 20 years. Our driving tours are intended to bring together enthusiasts who have a passion for driving their cars the way they were designed to be driven. They are considered by many to be the most thrilling and challenging yet safest spirited driving events in the US. If you love to drive your car, you should check out that website.

I have a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.B.A. from Kenan-Flagler Business School at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

DAWN JANACEK

Client Engagement

While most girls were dressing up Barbies, I was tearing up the track with Hot Wheels and building cities with Tonka trucks. By age 9, I was already changing my dad's oil and hooked on everything automotive. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, I broke ground as the first woman promoted to a parts counter in the city, then managed a GMC body shop by 25. College took me into IT for a better paycheck, but I never left my love for cars - or driving way too fast - in the rearview.

With a lifetime of passion for cars, I know that a high-end vehicle is more than just transportation; it's a work of art and a piece of engineering mastery. I treat every car in my care with the same respect and attention to detail that I give my own, ensuring it's always in top condition and ready to perform at its best. My devotion goes beyond maintenance - it's about preserving the heart and soul of each machine, giving every car the respect it deserves.