About Us
Clutch with a
Mission
Clutch Automotive owner Matthew Schwab is H-Town born & raised. He graduated from Stratford High School a few miles from the Dairy Ashford location and served as the Young Life director there for 5 years. He loves Houston as much as Hakeem loved the dream shake, and it has always been his dream to start a business in his hometown, serving his friends and community in a tangible way.
In 2020, Matthew was fortunate enough to make that dream a reality by purchasing Cornerstone Automotive - Dairy Ashford from neighborhood friend Tony Gregory. This shop and its team of technicians have become a West Houston staple for over 25 years, led by General Manager, Lionel Brown. Matthew is honored to join them in carrying on that legacy of honest answers, solid service.
In early 2021, Matthew was introduced to Friendswood legend Ray Ford, owner of Ford’s Automotive. After 40 years of building a reputable business in his hometown, Ray decided to retire. Matthew purchased Ford's in partnership with his college roommate and Friendswood native, Andrew Boone. Andrew and the team that has been in place for over 25 years is still caring for their neighbor’s vehicles with care.
In 2022, the Clutch expansion continued by purchasing Liberty Hoepfl Garage. This historic auto shop has served as a landmark in the Garden Oaks neighborhood for over 75 years. Under the leadership of General Manager Austin Stephenson, the Clutch team is excited to continue a relationship with our Garden Oaks neighbors and be the newest piece of the garage's history.
Meet The Team
Meet the folks behind the
wheel.
Trent Barger
Trent Barger joined Clutch Automotive in 2022 and brings 20 years of experience in shop operations, management, and support. Trent is primarily focused on store productivity and organizational growth through various initiatives. He currently oversees organizational compliance and reporting, treasury management, procurement, and acquisition implementation. A native of the Mississippi Delta, Trent enjoys copious amounts of sweet tea, misses duck hunting, and still has not acclimated to Houston traffic. Trent is excited to join and support the Clutch team.
Will Todd
Will Todd serves as President and CFO at Clutch Automotive, managing corporate finance, acquisitions, and data analytics. With a BBA from the University of Texas, he started his career at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He was the CEO of Bedrock Energy Partners before joining Clutch, and a VP at Cibolo Energy Partners, focusing on North American oil and gas investments. Later, at Lime Rock Resources, he was integral in executing 17 acquisitions. Outside work, Will is passionate about golf, fishing, family, and his church community. He's a fan of Vernon Maxwell, frequents Papa Genos, and embraces Houston's heat with humor. Interesting quirks include his love for Hawaiian pizza, playful pranks, and a self-professed ineptitude at fantasy football.
Miranda Peña
Miranda, the newest member of Clutch Automotive Corporate, brings a wealth of experience from her impactful journey in full-time youth ministry. Passionate about fostering growth and leadership in others, Miranda's commitment to community service has left a lasting mark. After her wedding, when she and her husband Isaac moved to the city, a serendipitous connection with Matthew paved the way for her seamless integration into the Clutch Automotive family. What sets Miranda apart is not just her background but also her alignment with the company's ethos. With a unique blend of leadership skills and a genuine desire to empower individuals, Miranda's arrival promises a harmonious fit within the company's values. Her vision for personal and professional growth mirrors Clutch Automotive's commitment to creating a positive impact on both the team and the broader community, making her an invaluable asset to the company's mission and culture.
Andrew Boone
Meet Andrew Boone! If you’re from Friendswood, then you probably already know him, and if you know him, you love him. A former missionary turned VP of Operations, Boone is just the best, and we couldn't be more grateful to have him on the team. Andrew Boone is a Friendswood native and one of six kids. After graduating from Friendswood High School in 2005, he went to UT in Austin and completed a degree in business management. While in college, he was an active Young Life leader and also pursued a long-term passion to serve internationally and move overseas. In 2011, he moved to North Africa and then later to the Middle East, where he lived with his family until 2019. While overseas, he studied Arabic in Egypt and Jordan, taught English in Libya, and started an Arabic language program in Lebanon. He loved the adventure of living in a different culture and spending time getting to know and share life with locals over generous portions of coffee and sweets. In 2019, Andrew moved back to Friendswood with his wife, Caroline, and two kids to be close to family and start a new career. After two years as a service writer at an automotive repair shop, Andrew joined his former UT roommate and owner of Clutch Automotive, Matthew Schwab. He loves getting to build a local business in his hometown, serve longtime friends, and build relationships with new customers. Hobbies: anything outdoors, playing with his kids, drinking coffee, hunting and fishing. He also dominates in a hometown pool game called “Bottle."
Matthew Schwab
Clutch Automotive owner Matthew Schwab is H-Town born & raised. He graduated from Stratford High School a few miles from the Dairy Ashford location and served as the Young Life director there for 5 years. He loves Houston as much as Hakeem loved the dream shake, and it has always been his dream to start a business in his hometown, serving his friends and community in a tangible way. In 2020, Matthew was fortunate enough to make that dream a reality by purchasing Cornerstone Automotive - Dairy Ashford from neighborhood friend Tony Gregory. This shop and its team of technicians have been a West Houston staple for over 25 years, led by General Manager, Lionel Brown. Matthew is honored to join them in carrying on that legacy of honest answers, solid service. Now in five locations, Clutch Automotive is growing and ready to take care of your family’s vehicles. With over 100 years of combined experience among our Master Certified technicians, we can handle everything from oil changes to engine repairs on all makes and models. Interesting facts: Matt has different colored eyes, plays the banjo, and hosts a Houston sports podcast with his brothers called Schwabcast. Houston sports hero: Lance Berkman; favorite Houston restaurants: Superica & Hughies; favorite Houston tradition: Cheering on the runners at Mile 20 of the Houston Marathon.
TESTIMONIALS
See what people are saying about us.
"Terrific prices and overall, very satisfied. I was happy to drop off my car and take a walk back home (was even offered a Lyft for free!)."
“Love this automotive center. They are friendly, professional and do the job quick with no painful interaction. Fantastic experience. I will certainly return.”
"Fantastic locally owned "small business". Customer service has been top notch and very communicative. I have not experienced any high pressure "up sell"
“Always quick service with reasonable prices. All repairs and recommended work is clearly explained with no sales pressure. Have used Clutch several times.”
"Had a great experience servicing my old Chevy. They laid out everything in a document complete with pictures. And it only took like a day or two!"
"Fully trust their work. Employees are friendly and always make me feel at home."
Blog
What Can a Car Diagnostic Test Tell You
In this blog post, we’ll go over what a car diagnostic test can tell you, how it works, and when to bring your vehicle to a professional based on the test results you get from your diagnostics. Read more.
What Does The Check Engine Light Mean?
Understanding the check engine light warning can save you time, money, and a lot of headaches down the road! In this guide, we’ll explain why it turns on, and what you should do when it starts flickering. Read more.
Top 5 Drivable Spots from Houston, Texas
Ready for a quick getaway from Houston? Whether you’re craving the beach, historic towns, or…
Meet the Team — Elizabeth
With 24 years in the automotive industry, Elizabeth Nowlin is a name synonymous with dedication,…
Meet the Team — Derrick
In this month’s employee spotlight, we are thrilled to introduce you to Derrick Hodgen, a…
Building Upon Legacy
At Clutch Automotive, one of our core values is to see good in all things. In…
Meet the Managers — Jim
With over four decades of extensive experience in the automotive repair industry, Jim Noblitt has…
Keeping Car Care Classic
Exciting news is on the horizon as we proudly announce the grand opening of Clutch…
Meet the Managers — Street
In the intricate world of automotive management, finding individuals who seamlessly blend leadership with passion…
Clutch Expands — Kuykendahl Edition
Embark on an automotive adventure at our fifth Clutch location, strategically positioned off Kuykendahl in…