Kenneth Chavez, co-owner of Chavez Auto Group, has been recognized among the recipients of the 2026 Hamilton 40 Under Forty Business Achievement Awards.
The awards were presented Oct. 29 at Carmen’s Event Centre in Hamilton. Organized by Business Link Media Group, the 13th annual ceremony recognized 40 people under 40 for their professional achievements and community involvement.
Chavez Auto Group is a southern Ontario automotive repair business whose CARSTAR operations include Hamilton Midtown, Hamilton Lockwood, Waterdown and Cambridge. The business began in St. Catharines in 2001 as the LC Group, founded by Peter Chavez and Ian Ladd.
Kenneth Chavez is a second-generation operator whose work has included financial management, student recruitment and community fundraising. CARSTAR Canada identified him as the group’s controller when he participated in Mohawk College’s Connect to Careers Job Fair in March 2025.
Mohawk College also included Chavez among seven of its alumni receiving this year’s Hamilton awards, identifying him as a 2014 business graduate.
“Listening to your accomplishments tonight, it is clear that Hamilton has another incredible group of young leaders guiding us into the future,” said Marilyn Tian, president and CEO of Business Link Media Group, in an Oct. 30 release.
Chavez has participated in efforts to introduce students to collision repair careers, including a visit to Mohawk College’s Stoney Creek campus highlighted by CARSTAR Canada this year.
The group has also supported young employees pursuing the trade. Following the 2026 Skills Ontario Competition, Peter and Kenneth Chavez presented a CARSTAR Hamilton Midtown employee recognized in auto collision repair with an additional $1,000, according to CARSTAR Canada.
Community fundraising has included the annual Soaps It Up carwash campaign for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. CARSTAR Canada reported that the Hamilton Midtown and Cambridge teams raised $11,198 through their July 17 carwashes this year.
Chavez was previously profiled in Collision Repair magazine’s 30 Under 40 series in September 2025, which covered his involvement in the family business and efforts to attract workers to the industry.
Chavez Auto Group was also an automotive sponsor of the Hamilton awards ceremony. CARSTAR Canada was among the event’s other sponsors.
