IAE’s 4th generation leaders, brothers Kevin and Brian Sirotek, have enthusiastically inherited the family passion for fuel-burning machines. Their great-grandfather, Joseph Sirotek, came to America in the early 20th century with the shirt on his back and a dream to be an “American wrench.” Today, over one hundred years later, Kevin and Brian run all of IAE’s businesses with that same entrepreneurial spirit and have built a portfolio of companies that compliment the core businesses and support the long-term vision of IAE.

Brian and Kevin just after announcing new partnership with William Shatner

With unconditional support from 3rd generation ownership, Barb and Bruce Sirotek, and an incredible staff, we continue to push the envelope in everything we do.  Our recent partnership and build with William Shatner is a prime example of our drive to always innovate, while never forgetting where we came from.

Illinois Auto Electric Co. (IAE), founded in 1915, is a family business, rooted in a long line of motor enthusiasts, unable to pull themselves away from the heartbeat of fuel burning machines. The wilder, the better. They jokingly refer to this as their Oil Addiction™. The Sirotek family history is a storied one.

Many years ago, a knight found an orphan on a battlefield and gave him a chance to live. The orphan grew up, and unlike many other orphans, decided not to change his last name, in this case, from Sirotek, which means “orphan” in Czech, but rather to keep the name so his family would never forget where they came from.

Joseph Sirotek, a descendant of the orphan, came to the United States in 1913 with nothing. In fact, he initially lived in an apple orchard in New York because he had no money, no food, and no place to live. Joseph left Europe because he believed he could make a better future for himself in the U.S. He had a vision and undying passion for the automobile industry, where he believed it was going, and what it could do for this country and for the world. With this vision, Joseph found his way to Chicago, and with a little bit of borrowed money, was able to open a small auto parts and repair shop on the South Side. Over one hundred years later, that undying passion and enthusiasm for finely designed machines burns brighter than ever with the Joseph’s two great grandsons, Kevin and Brian Sirotek.

Dylan Moller

Dylan is President of IAE after serving as Director of Innovation for 8 years. He earned his BA at Columbia College Chicago and his MBA at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Dylan has worked extensively in the consumer brands, entertainment, advertising, digital print, and consulting industries. In his free time, Dylan plays piano, produces music, rides his motorcycle, and travels to far off places, including back to Denmark to visit family.

Michael McCaleb

Mike is Executive Vice President of Operations at IAE and has been with the company for 13 years. A self-admitted operations enthusiast, he has worked in all aspects of the supply chain with particular attention to inventory management, operational metrics, pricing analysis, purchasing, quality assurance, and transportation. When he’s not at the office, Mike is busy raising two children with his wife Ashley, and when he can, enjoying live music or a Cubs game.

Matthew Ferrell

Matt is CFO at IAE after having served as Controller for 9 years. He received his BA from Robert Morris College. When away from the office, Matt roots for the Chicago White Sox and likes to take his Jeep Wrangler Rubicon off-road on any and every trail he can find. If you get stuck, Matt will probably pull you out.