RR 245: Kate Jonasee from K-Tech in Sebastopol, CA

Do you remember when you started in business? What humble beginning did you have?

Kate Jonasee from K-Tech and Pauline’s Auto worked her way across the country after graduating from automotive technology college in upstate New York. She persisted through every opportunity to own two shops in Sebastopol, CA.

Kate says she learned something along the way from every shop she worked at and always had the goal to own her own shop, let alone two and possibly more.
Listen to the smart choices she made along the way, what her personal motivations were and how she is working to improve herself and her business.

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THA 019: Where Will We Find Our Future Automotive Instructors?

Where Will We Find Our Future Automotive Instructors?

This all-star panel tackled this problem head on. Where will the experience at the educator level come from when you need certain certifications. Will working technicians consider this as a career move and invest in the time and money to meet the teaching certification standards.

We may drive experienced and knowledgeable people away because of the needed certifications, pay and admin requirements. This topic is as important to discuss as the technician shortage.

Please have this discussion, with administrators, at the local college and high school level.

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RR 225: Jose Gonzalez – Educator

When you have big goals, and are determined to make a difference you can do just about anything!

Jose Gonzales was a working technician for 16 years for a dealership and an independent. He always admired automotive trainers and that motivated him to become an instructor in post-secondary. While he was was teaching, Jose completed his AAS degree in automotive technology then switched to become an instructor in secondary education (high school).

As if that wasn’t enough, Jose then completed his bachelors in business administration. When you hear Jose tell the story, you’ll realize he has a master plan and his moves were calculated and resolute. He loves teaching and is preparing for even more opportunities in the future.

Jose Gonzales is an educator who is shaping our future technicians, yet he says there are challenges to get some students to move to post-secondary or college level; he explains in the interview. Jose counts Jim Morton as an important mentor to him.

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RR 218: Rick Escalambre, Educator – Trainer

We call aftermarket professionals independent and that mislabeling has a negative impact on the industry.

Rick Escalambre the 2015 Vision Educator of the Year, retired two years ago from Skyline College and is busier than ever as an adjunct professor and contract trainer.

He is an author and member of NASTF Education Committee and involved in the educators think tank at Vision KC among others.

Rick is very outspoken on licensing and having a standardized training model in post-secondary education. Among the talking points: getting involved in education, shops recruiting at the college level, and creating strong apprentice programs. This career educator will have you thinking hard about his perspectives.

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RR 191: George Arrants – Career Educator, Trainer and Recruiter

Career educator, trainer and recruiter has a powerful message for the industry.

George Arrants currently the Director of Training & Recruitment for the Wheel Time Network brings his insight and wisdom to this interview. George talks the fundamental importance of secondary and post-secondary advisory boards. He says it is a national concern with a local solution. He shares how to recruit members for advisory boards and why they are so important for our industry’s future.

George Arrants shares his perspective on the tech shortage and asks the question is it a shortage of qualified applicants or the lack of applicants. He talks about the value of Super Tech for the heavy-duty industry and compares it to a Skills USA program for big kids.

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RR 188: Marlo Miranda – 2016 ASE Instructor of the Year

2016 Byrl Shoemaker ASE Industry Education Alliance: Instructor of the Year, survived many challenges.

Marlo Miranda automotive technology teacher at Forsyth Central High School, Cumming, GA, was honored at the ASE Fall Board of Governors meeting in November 2016.

Marlo Miranda has a very formidable story. It wasn’t an easy go growing up in New York City. He shares his story of survivor-ship through the mentoring of his automotive technology shop teacher. This molded Marlo to this day as he brings to his students the value of having someone believe in you.

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RR 184: Tim Dwyer Automotive Education Specialist at Consulab

Tim Dwyer was a shop owner for 25 years and was an instructor at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, for 12 years, where he helped start and instructed the Pro-Tech Automotive Internship program. He has found a perfect evolution of his storied carrer as an automotive education specialist at ConsuLab Educatech.

Tim is pays it forward with a very in-depth interview that covers many bases from his own shop, to being an educator and discovering a powerful way to educate his students with a Team Based Learning approach to his work in helping instructors utilize the power of their teaching aids.

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RR 176: Jennifer Maher from TechForce Discussing a Solution to the Technician Shortage

There’s a tech shortage in the transportation industry. It doesn’t matter if you’re talking automotive, trucking, diesel, aftermarket, motorcycle, marine, collision repair…you name it…they’re all struggling to find trained, professional technicians. Meet Jennifer Maher, the CEO/Executive Director of TechForce Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with the mission to champion students to and through their education and…

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RR 164: Scott Norman – Skills USA & Worldskills USA

Where are the industries top young technician’s going to come from?

Skills USA and Worldskills brings to our industry an opportunity to showcase young talent in a competitive environment. Scott Norman, Chairman of the National Automotive Service Technology (AST) committee for SkillsUSA and the USA Technical Delegate for Worldskills gives you an insider’s overview of these two important competitions.

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RR 152: Scott Norman Automotive Educator

Automotive Technology Bachelor’s Degree program producing our future technicians and entrepreneurs.

Scott Norman is an Associate Professor of Automotive Technology at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS and President of the National Association of Automotive Universities.

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RR 112: Randy Baker – ASE/NATEF Industry Education Alliance Educator of the Year 2015

Where are the young technicians going to come from? Randy Baker is doing all he can to make that happen.

Randy Baker, honored as a 2015 Educator of the Year from ASE/NATEF, shares his story from shop owner to educator. He is outspoken and passionate about the additional support the aftermarket can have on secondary and post-secondary education recruitment. Do you want to know if shadowing or intern programs work? What should you tell a parent who has a child that is a hands-on learner? Get a powerful viewpoint from an enthusiastic educator.

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RR 111: Frank Palange from V & F Auto

Frank Palange from V & F Auto Service in Agawam, MA, and his dad Vinny bought an acre parcel in 1988. They built their shop and today this thriving enterprise includes repair, auto sales and auto parts. Frank is a ‘tell it like it is’ guy (he is proud to say that is who he…

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RR 106: Bill Haas from NACAT

Are you having a problem finding trained technicians – – here’s an answer that will help you.

There is a guy by the name of Bill Haas – – who has done just about everything in the repair industry. He started at the age of 12. He dragged home a junk motor that he bought from a garage. For the next few years he played with that poor engine – – until he knew how to fix every component. Later, Bill became a shop owner, sold it then taught technicians how to fix cars , became a business consultant and trainer including the man at NACAT. (The North American Council of Automotive Teachers)

You need to hear the story of what Bill has done and is in the process of doing to help you get better technicians.

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