Ben and Sterling Woody pose for a portrait at Christian Brothers Automotive in Tyler, Texas, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. The father and son operate the franchise together after Sterling acquired the location at the beginning of May. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Sterling Woody and his son, Ben, are not mechanics or service technicians, but their new business is keeping cars running smoothly in Tyler.

The father-son duo took over the Christian Brothers Auto franchise May 1.

Sterling said through a series of circumstances he was able to purchase a Christian Brothers franchise in Waco and use the biblical principles the franchise was founded on to help people.

When the opportunity arose in Tyler, the Woodys jumped at the chance to own another franchise.

“We’ve been coming here for the last 20 years to see family,” Sterling said. “Owning a business here was a chance to have a business close to family.”

Ben said he fell in love with the culture of Christian Brothers after a career in logistics. Ben began working at the Christian Brothers franchise in Georgetown and then moved to Waco to work with his Dad to learn the management of the business. Ben has now relocated to Tyler and works as the general manager.

“Working with my dad has been great,” Ben said. “We think a lot alike and communicate well. It’s great to have him as a mentor.”

The Woodys relate their business management practices to sports. With two sons and three grandsons, the Woody family has spent a lot of time playing sports. They talk a lot about being professionals.

“I treat my business like a professional sports team,” Sterling said. “I treat the technicians like professional athletes — we provide them a great place to do their work and pay them as professionals.”

Christian Brothers Auto specializes in auto repair — anything from an annual inspection to rebuilding an engine. The franchise works to accommodate their customers and family members by providing shuttle service and professional service technicians to help vehicle owners make decisions about the repairs that are needed.

“We work with our customers to keep their cars running properly,” Ben said. “We have videos of how parts work and we show them pictures of what’s going on with the non working parts on their vehicles.”