"Our team is driven by integrity, expertise, and a commitment to quality service - every vehicle, every time."

Meet the dedicated and hardworking team behind KC's Automotive Specialists
Kelly Smith- Owner
Kelly Smith, born and raised in West Virginia, is the owner of KC’s Automotive Specialists, LLC of Anderson, SC, which provides reliable maintenance services, diagnostic services, and mechanical repairs on personal and commercial vehicles in the upstate of South Carolina. Kelly has over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, which includes working on vehicles, assisting with vehicle repairs, customer service, administrative, sales and management, and a passion for helping the community.
Kelly is currently working on ensuring the community that there are honest and reliable automotive repair shops in the area, with the goal of helping community members not only – maintain and repair their vehicle investment, but also help customers understand how to properly take care of their vehicle(s) by providing up front, honest, and transparent communication throughout the process at KC’s Automotive Specialists, LLC.
Kelly is goal oriented and has several professional and personal goals to achieve this year. Professionally, she will be focusing on improving efficiency and productivity within the company. Additionally, Kelly is interested in getting more involved in the community and increasing networking. She is also excited to learn more about new technology within the industry by staying on top of training for herself and her team. Personally, Kelly will be working towards connecting with other industry professionals, developing a new hobby, and (in the future) – purchasing a Mercedes-Benz G-Class with cash!!
During 2024, Kelly found out that she had an aggressive form of breast cancer. After going through her treatment plan, she has been cleared of cancer by her doctors; here at KC’s Automotive we call that a “W”! This year, Kelly has been awarded the 2025 SC Women in Business Award!
In her spare time, Kelly can be found spending time with her beautiful daughter Kaitlyn, or reading, swimming, and paddleboarding. Kelly also has a passion for travel. She often visits family out of state, and you can also find her traveling to the beach or mountains.
Kaitlyn Smith - Service Advisor
No stranger to the automotive industry, Kaitlyn has been turning wrenches with her dad since she was a child. A memory Kaitlyn has with her father is diagnosing a noise complaint on a vehicle. While on the test drive, her dad asked her what the noise sounded like to her. As a 10-year-old girl, she listened and thought about the question posed to her – she told her dad it sounded like a bad wheel bearing. She was correct and knew she made her father proud that day. This will be a memory that Kaitlyn will cherish throughout her life. Kaitlyn continues in her parents’ footsteps and works exceptionally hard every day at KC’s Automotive Specialists to further the Smith family legacy.
Currently, Kaitlyn is our go-to Service Advisor with over two years of experience under her belt. She is the “Parts Whisperer!" Kaitlyn uses her resourcefulness to find hard to get parts – whether through networks, salvage yards, or specialty suppliers. Her problem-solving skills play a major role in helping find practical alternatives when OEM parts are not available.
Driven by a passion for excellence in customer service and a commitment to personal growth, Kaitlyn strives to build strong, lasting relationships with customers through trust, communication, and consistent high-quality service. She is dedicated to staying at the forefront of industry advancements by continuously learning new technologies and applying them to improve both customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Kaitlyn has a professional goal to become a $1 million service advisor, a milestone that reflects both performance and dedication. Ultimately, Kaitlyn aspires to leverage her experience and skills to become a successful business owner, creating a service-driven family-owned business built on integrity and innovation.
In her spare time, you can find Kaitlyn traveling, spending time on the lake, practicing her makeup skills, or taking on the world with her mama as an unstoppable duo.
Kellie Emmons- General Manager
As General Manager of KC’s Automotive Specialists, a trusted family-owned automotive repair business, Kellie brings over 17 + years of experience in leadership and management. Specializing in operations, sales, marketing, customer service and team leadership. Kellie holds an Associate Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management with a specialization in Human Resources. Kellie’s role centers on ensuring day-to-day efficiency, maintaining high service standards, and fostering lasting relationships with our customers and the community.
Kellie entered the automotive industry in 2017 and has grown through every front-office position to her current role as General Manager. Her background includes service advising, customer relations, and office management, giving her a deep understanding of both the business and customer side of the automotive service industry. Today, Kellie leads our team with a focus on efficiency, integrity, and exceptional customer care. She takes pride in maintaining a welcoming environment and ensuring every customer leaves with confidence in their vehicle and our services.
Kellie’s professional goals are centered on continuous growth - for both her and the team she leads. She strives to enhance operational efficiency, expand our customer base through trusted service, and invest in staff development to foster long-term success. Committed to adapting with the industry’s evolving technology while maintaining the personal, community driven values that define the family business. Ultimately, Kellie aims to build a workplace where employees thrive and customers feel valued every step of the way.
Outside of work, Kellie is dedicated to personal growth and giving back to the community. You can also find her at church, spending time with her family and friends, or traveling.
Brian Matusiewicz- Shop FOreman / Master Technician
Originally from New Jersey, our master technician, Brian, moved down to South Carolina with his family after connecting with James Smith in 2020. After weeks of speaking over the phone, Brian was inspired to move down after meeting the team and seeing James’ vision and passion for KC’s Automotive Specialists.
With over 19 years of experience in the automotive industry, Brian brings extensive knowledge and experience to the table. While pursuing his associate’s degree in education, Brian discovered his passion for repairing cars and quickly changed career paths. Brian was initially self-taught, but his passion for learning has brought him into the classrooms of some of the industry’s brightest minds- and he continues to better himself with various training, new technology, and specialty tools. Brian’s experience, combined with his commitment to providing outstanding service to customers, makes him an exemplary shop foreman. Brian possesses deep knowledge of automotive systems, diagnostics, and repair techniques, coupled with a strong ability to mentor and lead technicians in a fast-paced environment.
Certifications:
- ASE Master Automobile Technician A1 – A9
- ASE Undercar Specialists
- ASE Advanced Level Specialist L1, L2, L3
- ASE EV Technician Electrical Safety Certification
Continued Education:
In his spare time, you can find Brian spending time with his family outdoors doing everything from rock climbing, camping, and hiking, to kayaking and fishing. Brian is a family man through and through and spends as much time as possible with his wife and three boys.
Noah Murphy- Automotive Technician
Noah Murphy, born and raised in South Carolina, is an Automotive Technician at KC’s Automotive Specialists. He joined our team in April of 2023 and has proven to be an asset to the company. Noah has had a passion for automotive repair since he started driving. After getting his first car and observing that it needed work, Noah was determined to be the one to repair it. One piece at a time, Noah educated himself and learned how to get it safely back on the road. It was then that Noah discovered his passion for cars, and it’s that passion that has motivated him to excel in the automotive repair industry. There isn’t a problem that will keep Noah down- he’s determined to get back up, problem-solve, and come up with the solution. The team truly appreciates Noah’s positive attitude and willingness to learn and loves that Noah is excited to grow with us.
Noah is a dedicated and detail-oriented automotive mechanic with a passion for delivering high-quality service and reliable vehicle performance. Noah is known for his consistent work ethic and commitment to doing the job right the first time. Continuously expanding technical knowledge through hands-on experience and ongoing training to stay current with the latest automotive technologies. Noah takes pride in maintaining high standards and building trust with every customer. A personal and professional goal that Noah has is to study and earn his ASE G1 General Service Certification, then move on to earn the ASE Master Automobile Technician certification.
In his spare time, you can find Noah spending time with his wife and daughter, playing video games, and listening to music.
