About Us

Founded in 2016 as Iron Fist Marketing Consultants, with a primary focus on analytical Marketing solutions. In 2020, Iron Fist Consultants was launched to broaden the initial scope of services to include consultive insights and support in Operations, Training, and Human Resources, developing comprehensive proprietary business analytical solutions for each.

Stan Stokes

Founder and Managing Partner

Stan brings over a decade of experience in consulting independent and multilocation automotive aftermarket repair operators to develop, execute, and improve customer acquisition and retention strategies. With over 30 years of experience in sales leadership and business operations, he has been established as a content expert in sales, staff development, marketing, business analytics, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), data integration, and interpretation. With a real passion for identifying the appropriate KPIs and guiding our clients to achieve their marketing, sales operations, and revenue goals. Stan enjoys RVing with his wife, fly fishing, cycling, boating, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Eric L. Renninger

Partner and COO

Eric is an Executive level Operations Leader with over two decades of proven International and Domestic automotive aftermarket team building and business growth experience. Eric has a passion for helping business owners of all sizes and experience levels succeed. His belief is that a successful business is created on personal accountability, ethical business practices, stable processes, and unwavering standards. Eric’s focus on attacking processes and not people is the cornerstone of his leadership and business philosophies with our team and partners. Eric is a proud USAF veteran, husband, and father who enjoys time with his family exploring new and familiar places, casting a fly, cycling backroads, and mechanical curiosities.

Ed Pate

Senior Operations Consultants

Ed Pate has dedicated his life to the automotive industry with over 40 years of experience. Ed was a successful independent shop owner for more than 25 years. He has worked with Ford, Honda, GM, GMC, and some of the largest automotive repair franchises in the nation with multi-unit management experience. Ed’s passion is to equip shop owners and their employees to reach business and career success. Ed believes in leveraging technology, processes, procedures, coaching, and training to improve the lives of others. Ed enjoys spending time with his wife, daughters, and sons-in-law. Ed enjoys DIY home improvement projects and is an avid motocross fan.

Andy Browning

Director of Systems Integration

For over 20 years, Andy has been driving systems strategy and database architecture design. His insight and leadership allow Iron Fist to fuse multiple disciplines and strategically apply technological solutions to meet real-world business needs. Andy holds an MBA in Information Systems and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Appalachian State University. Andy resides in Charlotte, NC, with his wife and children.

Jovan Simmons

Data Specialist

Jovan joined Iron Fist in 2017, bringing ten years of experience in data analysis, automation, and business development. His strong technical background combined with his experience in sales and marketing gives him a unique perspective regarding what actionable insights from data are and the architecture needed to obtain them for our clients. Since receiving his degree in applied mathematics and computer science from UNC Greensboro, he has settled in Charlotte, NC, with his wife and children.