NW AUTO CARE ALLIANCE - Key Persons
Adam was contracted as an instructor for CTI in 2000. Prior to that he owned and operated an automotive technician training company, was a Washington State Certified Emissions Instructor, and worked as a technician for a GM / Toyota dealership in the Seattle, WA area. During that same era he was also heavily involved in high performance engine building and tuning for the racing industry. For the past ten years Adam has been an affiliated operating partner in a business in Burien, WA specializing in European and Asian diagnostics and repair.
Over the past 15 plus years Adam has progressed from teaching over 70 technicians in Western Washington to successfully teaching over 600 technicians in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California. When he is not teaching classes he is actively helping CTI member shops diagnose and repair vehicles in cities throughout the four states. Adam is one of the most passionate instructors in the CTI organization and his passion has become contagious with his students. He has also produced several excellent advance level courses for CTI.
Adam has 25+ years experience as a technician and trainer in the automotive industry. Adam has owned his own automotive repair business in Burien, WA for the past 8 years. Adam has previously owned his own training company in the Seattle area. His dynamic teaching style is contagious ensuring a positive learning experience for CTI customers.
Bill began his career working part-time at a full service gasoline station in Appleton, Wisconsin. His career includes time as a technician, shop owner, technical trainer, and also a staff member of the automotive industry's oldest and largest association representing automotive service and collision repair businesses. While at the association Bill had the opportunity to work with all segments of the industry. His knowledge of the industry has been shared on many occasions as he has been invited to speak at numerous industry events as well as providing testimony at hearings of the U.S. Congress and several state legislatures on important legislation and regulation affecting the automotive industry. Bill received the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) credential from the Automotive Management Institue in 1996.
Brandon Mathews started in the automotive industry in 2003 working with air cooled Volkswagen engines. A passion for European cars kept him interested in the field and eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible. In 2007 he shifted to working with BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche vehicles at an independent garage where he spent the next 12 years. Brandon holds degrees in Automotive Technology, Psychology Anthropology, and a master's degree in Business Organizational Leadership. He currently holds a level 3 certification from the RMI on vehicle electric high voltage systems.
Darrin's automotive journey began working with his father and brothers repairing and fixing up Jeeps. In 2003, he started his own auto repair and 4X4 business with a core business philosophy of treating every customer like a personal friend, and creating the best customer experience possible. By having a dedication to the success of his employees that is unlike any other, as well as to the care and safety of his customers, Darrin's shop has grown to be one of the largest independently owned auto repair facilities in North America, and they have customers, literally around the world. His unparalleled success quickly caught the attention of the industry, and it's brought about his being featured in countless podcasts and nationally published articles, he's been on the cover of Auto Inc. magazine, and he's spoken at number of the industry's largest events.
You'll find Darrin also has a passion for ongoing education, whereas he's read hundreds of books, and in 2017 he was one of the first classes to graduate with an AMAM (Accredited Master Automotive Management) Degree from the AMI. Darrin's also a Certified High Performance Coach, and before becoming President at Elite Worldwide, he's filled the role of the lead trainer for the industry-acclaimed Master's Service Advisor Program, he's coached a number of clients to incredible levels and he's helped Elite grow into the remarkable brand it is today.
Darrin currently lives in Grand Junction Colorado with his wonderful wife Ginger, and they have three beautiful children who embody the same principles that Darrin and Ginger do. You'll also find he's heavily involved with his church, and to round out his passion for life, he's an accomplished musician who enjoys writing and recording music, and he loves exploring the backcountry, four wheeling, camping and traveling.
Dave started his career working for a leading Automotive Equipment and Supply Distributor in Southern California in 1991. After working in the field as an Equipment and Supply Sales Representative, he then moved up to Sales Manager. Dave then took up the position as Director of Equipment and Supplied for CPW covering three western states and supervising the sales force associating with thirteen warehouses. After the sal of CPE to American Tire Distributors, he assumed the position of Regional Supply Manager of the Western Region.
Dave has an extensive knowledge in supervising and training sales teams. He has conducted numerous seminars for TMPS and Tire Repair, to include Technical Schools and National Accounts. Dave has a degree in Automotive Engineering and is a certified Tire Industry Association (TIA) Automotive Tire Service instructor.
A Pacific Northwest native, Dave began his career as a young lad working for independent repair shops, intrigued after a summer of watching his grandfather fix cars at his gas station in Alaska. Working his way through various managerial capacities in the dealership arena and seeing significant results, it was here his entrepreneurial spirit and vision for automotive management lit fire.
With his start-up and management of ‘Dave's Auto Repair', the birth of "CompuTrek Automotive Management Systems" was developed and now, proven to ensure service centers are highly profitable and integrous. This System was the catalyst that launched his own repair business to a near million dollar sales in under four years.
As a graduate of the GM Automotive & Business Management University and the Arizona Automotive Institute, Dave's a former A-Level Master Tech that has solid commitment and integrity to the industry. Now, a seasoned Certified Master Level Coach, Trainer, and Seminar Facilitator to business owners, managers, service advisor's and tech's, Dave's leadership skills are highly transferrable and being used in many other management arenas in the marketplace in the U.S. and Canada.
Eric has over 35years of experience as an automotive technician with an extensive
advanced diagnostics background including ADAS Calibrations, drivability, networks, keys and key programming. Eric is an ASE re-certified Advanced Level L1 Master Technician who has spent a great deal of his career focusing on automotive electronics, drivability diagnostics, module programming and network communication. He is the owner of EZ Diagnostic Solutions, a mobile business
Gary Smith has 34 years in the automotive service industry. He has been blessed to have done training and business consulting work for hundreds of automotive shops and dealerships across 46 of the 50 states, Canada and the Caribbean, and has trained over 10,000 automotive professionals over the last 12 years. Gary has a unique perspective on the industry, and coaches businesses on technical issues, customer satisfaction and shop process practices. He has helped many shops and dealerships to grow their businesses and improve their performance throughout his career. He currently works nationally as an instructor with BG Products Distributors, Launch Diagnostic Equipment, AAA and Shell Oil Corporation.
Job Titles:
- Author, Industry Consultant
- Instructor Biography
Greg Marchand is an author, industry consultant, and passionate educator. As a former shop owner, Toyota business consultant, and college teacher, Greg is passionate about the health and sustainability of the automotive industry. Greg believes that the future of the automotive industry relies on a businesses ability to adapt to market demands, deliver quality, learn quickly, and build relationships with all stakeholders.
Greg designs and delivers knowledge rich, engaging automotive service and sales curriculum for instructor led and virtual instructor led training programs delivered throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. He also conducts in-shop process consultations worldwide and served as the Special Advisor to the President of Kia Motors Adria Group where he oversaw all aspects of new vehicle distribution, sales, and aftersales support throughout eight Central European countries.
His spare time is spent fishing, skiing, and ice climbing. Greg holds an undergraduate degree in Automotive Technology and an MBA in Organizational Sustainability.
Education, AAS, Automotive Technology, Vermont Technical College. MBA, Organizational Sustainability, Antioch New England University.
Haakan Light has been in the Automotive Industry since he was 15. He is certified as a Technician, Service Advisor and Parts Professional. He started as a General Service Technician. He worked in European Shops and eventually moved up to working for Identifix. Haakan fielded technical calls for Identifix, the Bosch Automotive Parts hotline, and also trained customers on using Identifix. Previously, Haakan worked providing technical support and training with Garage Gurus. He now works for TOPDON as their National Training Manager and also runs Tool Development operations for the USA. Haakan has also operated a mobile diagnostic service for a number of years as a secondary business.
With ten years of rich experience in the independent automotive repair industry, Ian's role as a Channel Account Manager at Tekmetric centers on fostering impactful partnerships and integrating cutting-edge technology. He is dedicated to bringing our advanced shop management software into the operational core of independent repair shops, streamlining processes, and enhancing customer interactions. His diverse background, spanning service advising to parts management, provides him with a comprehensive understanding of industry dynamics, enabling him to drive innovation and deliver value in a professional and relatable manner.
Jason is ASE certified as a A1-A8 Master Tech. He has over 23 years experience and has owned his own shop for the past 7 years. He has been with NAPA Autotech for three years. His experience includes, import, domestic, European, hybrids and heavy duty diesel.
Job Titles:
- Instructor Biography
- Master Trainer for Garage Gurus
As a master trainer for Garage Gurus, Mark teaches chassis, brake and drivability classes and field clinics within St. Louis and beyond. Mark joined the Garage Gurus team after working at the MOOG training center where he helped develop and teach air conditioning and electrical product courses. Mark started his automotive career working in general repair shops while attending the Southern Illinois University Automotive Program, as well as a stint as a technical representative with Everco Industries in the New England/NYC area.
Maylan Newton has often been referred to as a Blue Collar speaker; do in no small part to his over 35 years of achievements within the Automotive Repair Industry. His energetic style of training captures your interest immediately and maintains your focus throughout his seminars like no other. Add to that the over 20 years he has been sharing his high energy style of teaching Automotive Repair Shop Management with people all over the country and his experience of Writing Service in over 500 repair shops, teaching hundreds of people just like you how to make more than just a living in this industry, and you will quickly see, that his seminars are the ones for you! Maylan is an AMI accredited instructor and continues to be in high demand to present at the major trade shows and association events across the country. Join Maylan as he shares his experiences with you, through his unique sense and style in approaching workplace attitudes and procedures, enjoy learning how to build your tomorrow… today!
Michael Herzberg Smith, EMBA 42+ Years Experience ▪ Breakthrough Purpose, Growth & Business Strategies ▪ Private Equity, REIT, Exit Strategies & Succession ▪ High-Performance Brand, Market Presence, Culture & Mastery ▪ Human Dynamics, Leadership & Team Performance ▪ Customer Journey, Experience & Loyalty Background ▪ The Institute for Automotive Business Excellence - Chief Strategy Officer ▪ Herzberg Smith & Co - Founder & Managing Partner ▪ World's Largest Consulting Firms - Practice Leader & International Strategy Committee ▪ Global C-Suite Executive - Holding Company / Six Continents ▪ Small Business Entrepreneur - Hands-On / Built & Sold Education ▪ BA Psychology & Mass Communications - University of California, Berkeley ▪ Executive MBA - University of Washington ▪ Leadership Certificate - Harvard University ▪ Trained Facilitator - Pacific Institute & Predictive Index
Rick White has been working in the consulting, software and automotive industries for greater than thirty-five years. He brings to the business a career's worth of technical, management, coaching and training experience.
Rick believes strongly in education and has achieved many honors and awards. He has been featured in many publications including AutoInc, Ratchet & Wrench and Fender Bender. He is now founder and co-owner of One Eighty Business Solutions, a coaching and training organization specializing in the auto and truck repair industries.
Rick has a passion for learning and loves helping shop owners reignite their entrepreneurial spirits. His clients consider him a trusted advisor.
Sara Fraser is a millennial who has a love for life, travel, and connecting with other humans! She has over 15 years of retail management experience and 6 years as an office manager for a used car sales and service center. To bring her customer service, marketing and business knowledge to the automotive industry, she joined the team at Haas Performance Consulting LLC. Sara loves helping others grow and succeed, and is excited to share her expertise on management and social media, her views on how and why younger generations think and act, and how to work and manage a business within a multi-generational workforce. She currently teaches classes on Generation Z, Social Media, Business Culture, Customer Service and more! When she isn't working, Sara spends her time traveling, attending theatrical productions, music festivals, concerts, advocating for human and animal rights, celebrating life in general and connecting with other people from all over the world.
Job Titles:
- Instructor at Kishwaukee College
- Instructor Biography
Scott has over 25 years of technical experience in automotive repair shops. As owner of The Driveability Guys, Scott performs mobile diagnostics and reprogramming for local repair shops in the DeKalb Illinois area as well as industry training around the United States and Canada. Scott was also one of the four trainers for the Illinois EPA's vehicle emissions testing program.
Scott has been an automotive instructor at Kishwaukee College since 2009. Prior to Kishwaukee College, Scott was adjunct faculty at the College of DuPage for 7 years. He has a degree in Automotive Service Technology as well as many hours of training by manufacturers and independent training entities. Scott is also recognized as an Illinois state emissions repair technician. He was also a technical trainer during his 8 year Army career. Scott has written many technical articles for MotorAge and Gears magazines.
Scott became an ASE Subject Matter Expert (SME) in 2017. Scott currently maintains 21 ASE certifications including: Master Automotive Technician, Master Truck Technician, A9, L1, L2, L3, Alternate Fuels and more.
Tim McDonnell first joined Mitchell 1 in 1985 and is currently a senior product marketing manager for Manager SE. He has experience with various Mitchell 1 products and is the company's primary media developer for product training assets and a subject matter expert in shop management software. Tim has co-hosted the Manager SE workshop events since 2005. He also served as the Vice-Chair of the AMI Board of Trustees from 2009-2015. He is also the ‘voice of Mitchell 1' - you'll hear him on the recorded messages when you call the Mitchell 1 office.
As a native of Maine, and along with his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Utah State, Tom began his journey in the world of customer service at a very early age. Since then, he's spent the majority of his life helping others by sharing his product knowledge, and helping his customers make good decisions that are in their best interest.
Tom has worked with the Cintas Corporation for many years where he was in the top 20 of over 1,000 Customer Care Representatives. Before his time with Cintas, he worked for a company that produces educational material for children, where he ultimately ran their summer sales program as Director of Summer Sales. During his time there, he won many awards, one of which was top team in the nation.
Using his broad knowledge of business, teaching skills, and his customer service skills, Tom acquired a job at Elite Worldwide. He currently is the Lead Trainer for the industry-acclaimed Master's Service Advisor course and has helped numerous service advisors achieve success and also works as a Business Performance Analyst. Tom has spoken at many events and his personal stories, knowledge of sales and business help audiences connect and learn from him.