The Team

  • Brad Vanderploeg

    Brad Vanderploeg

    Store Manager

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    Brad Vanderploeg

    Brad Vanderploeg

    Store Manager

    Brad has lived in the Chicago area from a young age, having played football and baseball at Naperville North High School. He was a Local 134 Electrician Foreman for seven years before an injury put him on a path to a new career. He was brought into the automotive business by a good family friend who he’s worked with for more than a decade. Brad’s role at Current is a natural combination of all his past experience. He’s responsible for leading the sales team to ensure clients have a helpful, positive and transparent experience. Brad loves getting to know each client and their needs, individually.

    Brad and his fiancé  have two children and a German Shephard that keep him busy when he’s not in the store. He loves to be outdoors, especially fishing and hiking.

  • Lida Ruiz

    Lida Ruiz

    EV Expert

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    Lida Ruiz

    Lida Ruiz

    EV Expert

    Lida found her home at Current in 2019 after more than 18 years in the automotive industry. In addition to her role helping our customers find the perfect EV, she single-handedly photographs all cars for Current. She loves all photography, though, and still loves to shoot the occasional wedding! Lida is passionate about environmental friendliness and loves to help people Get Current! When not at work she loves spending time with her daughters, her dogs and coffee!

  • Ray Golding

    Ray Golding

    EV Expert

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    Ray Golding

    Ray Golding

    EV Expert

  • Jeff  Jones

    Jeff Jones

    Store Coordinator

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    Jeff  Jones

    Jeff Jones

    Store Coordinator

    Jeff blends his passion for cars with his extensive professional experience in technology to keep Current Automotive running smoothly each day.

  • Joe Kotz

    Joe Kotz

    EV Buyer

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    Joe Kotz

    Joe Kotz

    EV Buyer

    Joe joined Current in 2020 and sources all of our electric vehicle inventory. Joe is a Navy veteran and has been all over the globe. After his time in the military he began selling vehicles. Once he mastered that aspect of the business he transitioned into buying inventory. In his free time he enjoys all things motorsports, and traveling as much as possible.

  • Dariusz Kononowicz

    Dariusz Kononowicz

    Purchase Operations Coordinator

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    Dariusz Kononowicz

    Dariusz Kononowicz

    Purchase Operations Coordinator

    Dariusz has been an automotive enthusiast for many years. Before joining Current Automotive he was responsible for buying and selling “traditional” cars. Now he brings his extensive experience to Current and is applying his talents to the world of EVs. He spends his free time in the classic car world, and enjoys sharing this passion with his son.

  • Steve  Waner

    Steve Waner

    EV Technician

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    Steve  Waner

    Steve Waner

    EV Technician

  • Trip Jacobs

    Trip Jacobs

    Co-Founder

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    Trip Jacobs

    Trip Jacobs

    Co-Founder

    Trip began his career in the auto industry when he joined the family business in 2006. After almost 10 years, he left to try something new. He became the store manager for a Tesla store in Chicago. He led the store for over two years, eventually taking it to become one of the Top 10 performing Tesla stores globally in Q4 2016. He left Tesla to rejoin the family business in 2017, and co-founded Current Automotive in 2018. Trip is a pilot, he currently flies a Diamond DA40.

  • Joe DiMaggio

    Joe DiMaggio

    Chief Operating Officer

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    Joe DiMaggio

    Joe DiMaggio

    Chief Operating Officer

    Joe has surrounded himself with cars since childhood. Early jobs included running his own detailing business and working at an auto auction. Later, he was a District Manager for General Motors and eventually joined Tesla in 2012. Over the next six years he worked his way up to lead the delivery teams for the Midwest and later California. In early 2019 he came back to Chicago to help his longtime friends and colleagues get Current Automotive off the ground. Joe enjoys fitness, food, cars and motorcycles. He currently drives a Tesla and has logged immeasurable miles traveling and road-tripping in Tesla models since 2012. From Roadster to Model 3, he’s driven and charged across 20+ states.

Current Automotive 41.8167519, -87.9226791.