West Bend, WI — In true Midwestern fashion—humble, hardworking, and heartfelt—Elvis Manjusak’s journey to becoming the new general manager of Morrie’s Honda in West Bend, WI is a story that’s as much about grit as it is gratitude.
Born in war-torn Bosnia in 1994, Manjusak came to the United States as a refugee at the age of six. His family, sponsored by a church in Hartford, Wi, started over from scratch, navigating a new language, culture, and life.
Today, standing at the helm of one of West Bend’s prominent dealerships, Manjusak’s story has come full circle—right down the road from where it all began.
“I’ve been here since the beginning,” said Manjusak, now 30, reflecting on the dealership’s opening in late 2019. “Me, Dan, and Ryan were the three OGs here. We started with gravel in the parking lot and a Honda-branded camper as our office.”
At the time, Manjusak had no car sales experience. He had recently graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a degree in psychology and was commuting to West Bend for work at a corporate office. Seeing the new Honda dealership rise from the ground sparked a conversation with friends in the auto industry—and eventually, a career pivot.
“I interviewed for a service-advisor position, but those were full,” he said. “They pitched me on sales. I was hesitant. I took the night to think about it. But I knew in my gut—it was time for something new.”
Manjusak excelled quickly. Sales turned into a finance role, which turned into a promotion to used car manager, where he thrived for over two years. Now, as general manager, he leads the very team he grew alongside.
“Being here from day one helped me earn trust,” Manjusak said. “We’ve got a core team—James in service, Alex our Master Tech, Tyler at the counter—we’ve all been in the trenches together. That means something.”
Leadership came naturally to Manjusak, but not by accident. He credits his fast learning and ability to adapt under pressure as keys to his success. “When you’re moving parts around all day—this department, that issue—you’ve got to be able to think quick, stay calm, and keep it moving.”
Ryan, a colleague at the dealership, also pointed to Manjusak’s unique upbringing as a source of his perspective and drive.
Manjusak’s parents fled Bosnia’s civil war in the late 1990s, initially trying to settle in Germany before landing in the Netherlands. After a few years, the family was offered asylum in the U.S.—their only option after three other countries declined their application.
The family arrived at Milwaukee’s Mitchell Airport in August 2000, supported by local church sponsors who helped them find housing and jobs. Manjusak was placed in first grade that fall, knowing no English. His teacher used a Bosnian-to-English dictionary to communicate.
“By fourth or fifth grade, I was fluent,” he said. “I don’t forget what my parents gave up. That motivates me every day.”
Despite the weight of his background, Manjusak carries himself with Midwest modesty. He still lives in Hartford, where his family first put down roots. His father, skilled in renovation, flipped their first foreclosed home into a beautiful space the family lived in for 15 years.
As for his plans at Morrie’s, Manjusak doesn’t want to reinvent the wheel. “The former GM Brad left us in a great spot,” he said. “He really elevated our visibility and volume. My goal is to keep that momentum going, fine-tune where we can, and make sure the team runs as smooth as possible.”
At the heart of it all is a sense of belonging—fitting for a man whose American story began with being given a chance.
“I’m lucky to be here. I’m proud of where I came from, but I’m even prouder of where I am now.”
