Mark Owens (Team Leader)

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In 1989, Mark began working at Chevrolet, Geo and GMC medium truck dealerships. He holds several Chevrolet certifications, and is certified ASE Master, L1, and R-134 Refrigeration. Mark has been in the repair industry his whole life, he is the 3rd generation of mechanics. Mark's father was a graduate of Dunwoody Institute and bought into a small full service Skelly gas/repair station with Mark's grandfather in a rural southeastern MN farming community, and Mark started working there before he could drive (legally). He had 3 years of automotive schooling after he graduated from high school, including a 3rd year advanced drivability and electrical program. He worked in his father's garage and other independent garages until moving to a Chevrolet, Geo, GMC medium duty truck dealership, where he worked for 12 years. Mark's hobbies include the outdoors, he loves it all: swimming, hunting, fishing, sailing, hiking, canoeing, motorcycling, snowshoeing, waterskiing, and the list goes on. He loves to travel whenever the financing and vacation time allow. He has a 21 month old at home and they are expecting their second baby in September. He says it seems that is where most of his time and money are spent lately. His latest challenge has been studying and flying to obtain his private pilot license of single engine airplanes. Mark thinks life is great!

Bill Petersen

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Bill started his automotive career in 1982. His dealership experience includes Buick, Chevrolet, Chevrolet trucks, GMC, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac. He is certified ASE Master and L1. Bill spent a short time at a full line GM dealer including Cadillac, approximately 4 years at a Pontiac/Buick/GMC dealer, and approximately 4 years at a Chevrolet/Pontiac/Buick/GMC shop. His credentials include GM factory certifications, Chevrolet Master technician, Buick Service Master, and Pontiac Service Guild. Outside of work, Bill has served on the Advisory Council at Pine Technical College. He also likes to dabble in projects with friends, and he has a grandchild spend a week with him each year doing whatever they want. Bill spends a lot of time traveling to visit his kids and grandkids, most live at the western edge of Minnesota near North Dakota, and he enjoys some fishing and boating occasionally.

Bill Siegmann

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Bill's Buick dealership experience began in 1985. He is a certified ASE Master and L1 certified technician with 21 years of diagnostic experience. Bill has 13 years of Buick experience, and is a certified Buick Service Master. Outside work, he enjoys snowmobiling, and bicycling.

Christopher Pittman

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Chris started working at a Pontiac/GMC dealership in 1994, then worked for independent shops. He is certified ASE Master and L1. He went through a 2 year GM ASEP program at Dakota County Tech. After graduation, he then worked at Pontiac/GMC dealer for about a year. Following that, Chris worked at two different independent shops until coming to Identifix. He has no outside auto activities, with the exception of restoring a 67 SS Camaro for the last 5 years. He and his wife have a 20 acre hobby farm with 3 horses.

Dave Martin

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Dave started his automotive career in 1987. He owned and operated an independent shop for 10 years. Dave started 'Metro Mechanics - Auto Repair at Your Home' to pay for college expenses in the early 1970's. In 1978, he moved to a permanent location with 5 service bays. He worked there as owner/technician with several employees until selling the business in 1987. Dave also worked as the lead drivability technician at Andy's Service in Anoka from 1987-1989. His credentials include graduating from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, and he also attended Dunwoody Institute for additional automotive training in all areas of automotive service and repair. Dave is a member of the advisory board for Anoka Technical College Automotive Program, as well as a community education Automotive Instructor. He had the opportunity to demonstrate the operation of new data recording equipment built by Owatonna Tool Company for head executives from Honda Motor Corporation, Tokyo, and he helped write the L1 test. Dave has had advanced training in diesel fuel injection systems and drivability, advanced training in current Hybrid systems, and is Master ASE Certified including L1, along with being certified AC Delco Specialized Electronics Training, ABS, and Air Conditioning, and Undercar Specialist. He has been employed at Identifix since 1989 in various positions including G.M. technician, Bayes product development team, and manager of marketing. Dave has musical talent playing the violin. During college, Dave earned extra money recording violin backgrounds in a studio for various vocal soloists,and he has played in several quartets and small orchestras, performing in many weddings. He also performed the Bach Double Violin Concerto in D minor as the guest soloist with a local college orchestra.

Jim Watson

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In 1974, Jim started his automotive career. He spent 17 years at Goodyear as a driveability technician and service manager. He has earned the ASE Master Tech of the Year Award. Jim is a member of the Service Technicians Society and teaches the Third-Year Automotive Program at a Minnesota technical college. He is certified ASE Master and L1.

John Esau

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John began his automotive career in 1984. He worked at an Amoco service station for 2 years, moved to an Oldsmobile/GMC dealership for 6 years and then for the next 14 John years worked at a Saturn dealer. John graduated from Southwest Technical College in Jackson, MN with a 2 year Automotive Technician degree. He then attended Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria, MN where he received his Automotive Diagnostic Technician’s certificate. John is a ASE Master Certified Technician plus L1, has his A/C Refrigerant Handling certification, and is a Oldsmobile and GMC Master Technician. While at the Oldsmobile/GMC dealership, John was a light line technician specializing in electrical and drivability work as well as HVAC and other light duty repairs. At the Saturn dealership, for the first 2 years, John was responsible for working on all aspects of automotive repair but specialized in complex diagnostic work, electrical repair, drivability, automatic transmission diagnostics and repair and internal engine failure diagnosis and repair. For the next 12 years at Saturn, John was the Shop Foreman. During that time he did only testing and diagnostic work, being responsible for the entire car. He was based out of one dealership, but this was a 4 dealership chain, and John was responsible for diagnosing their complex repairs also. In 1986 John won the State of Minnesota VICA (Vocation Industrial Clubs of America) troubleshooting contest and competed in the national VICA trouble shooting contest. While working for the Oldsmobile/GMC dealership he was a member of the Oldsmobile Service Guild, ranked in the top 100 technicians nationally. John is also a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. In his spare time, John likes to ride his motorcycle. It is a 1973 Kawasaki that he has owned for 15 years. He is a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He enjoys reading and dreaming about building his own airplane some day. John also builds all of his own computers and recently built a home theatre computer that has built in TV tuners, including HDTV. It views digital photos and is controlled by a wireless keyboard and remote control. John is a family man and he and his wife enjoy spending a lot of time with the joy of their life, their 26 month old son.

Ken Hughes

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In 1976, Ken started his dealership experience that includes Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Geo, and Oldsmobile. He owned and operated an independent shop for four years. Ken was selected to teach GM's Specialized Training and has earned GM's Technician Award. He is certified ASE Master Car, Master Truck, Master Machinist and L1. Ken graduated from Indian Hills Community College in the top of his class with a degree in automotive repair. He also studied small business management and accounting there while owning his own business. Ken came to MPI/Identifix starting in January 1995, and has served on numerous projects and committees, plus team leader positions in GM and Asian for a total of 10 years. He is now serving as the ARGIS contact for UAT testing at Roseville as well as working on the queue servicing customers. Ken teaches evening classes for Advanced Automotive Electronics at St Cloud Technical College and along with Mike Lane helped develop the Automotive Electrical course used by Minnesota high schools. He was a GM instructor (evening classes) out of the Kansas City branch for Specialized Electrical Training (SET) at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) while working as a line technician at George White Chevrolet. He also was a substitute automotive instructor for DMACC during this time. Ken completed the Dale Carnegie Course for public speaking and then served as a graduate assistant to the instructor for the next class. He served on the advisory council for the Automotive program at Indian Hills Community College in Iowa and for Century College in the Twin Cities. Ken likes to jog (he would say run, but he says he goes way too slow for what would be considered running). He likes working with robotics and anything electronic, this includes making his own circuit boards with various devices and timers.

Kevin Caple

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Kevin began his automotive career in 1972, and has earned numerous Service Guild awards as a GM Diagnostic Technician. He graduated from a GM training center, and attended vocational school for automotive repair. Kevin has 7 years' independent garage experience. His dealership experience includes Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and GMC Truck, for a total of 24 years GM experience, 20 of which was driveability and electrical specializing. Kevin has served on numerous technical school advisory committees and was chosen to judge vocational skills tests. He is certified GM Driveability, Diagnostic and Emissions, and ASE Master and L1. Kevin mentors middle school and high school age kids who show interest in the repair industry. Previous hobbies include street rods, highlighted by building an award-winning 23 T bucket roadster from the ground up, and drag racing (he is part owner of a C class econo-rail dragster). Kevin's most professional enjoyment comes from learning new things (how they work and how they fail) developing better, more accurate ways to diagnose systems and working with a team of people that are committed to excellence in information gathering, deciphering and applying in relation to automotive repair.

Lester Bentley

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Lester's dealership experience started in 1980 and includes Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac. He has earned Buick Service Master, Chevrolet Master Technician, and Pontiac's Service Guild awards. He is certified ASE Master and L1, as well as GM Compressed Natural Gas certified. Les spent 2 years in a repair shop associated with the high school he attended, of which 1 year was auto body department and 1 year in the mechanical. They did actual production work for customers 4 hours a day each afternoon, 5 days a week. Les did his first head gasket on a 1976 Honda Civic. He continues to fix cars for a small group of friends and relatives. Les has served as technical advisor for a small local repair shop, and continues to work there on a limited basis. Until recently, he was also a member of the Lay Automotive Advisory Council for Central Lakes College. Currently, Les serves on a community outreach program associated with the church he and his family attend. (This included a trip to Waveland, Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina; Les served as home base coordinator which oversaw collecting material that was sent as aid and securing lodging and dining recommendations for those that made the trip). This group also aids families in distress in and around the community where his church is located. Les also serves on the Youth Committee associated with his church. He teaches a class on Bible history called Biblical History 101 for Young People (average attendance is 30 kids per week and is enjoyed by several adults who have attended on a regular basis). Les enjoys researching Biblical history, colonial U.S. history, Minnesota history and Native American history as it pertains to Minnesota, Dakota, Wisconsin, and colonial U.S. history, with the main tribes of research being Ojibwa and Dakota. He is also in the process of writing (how be it slowly) a book on Bible history geared toward young people ages 7 - 13.

Ralph Dahlen

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Ralph started his automotive career in 1981. His education includes Pine Technical College, Alexandria Technical College, and AA degree from Inver Hills Community College in Minnesota. His dealership experience includes Buick, Chevrolet, and Pontiac. He holds GM training certifications in ABS/Brakes, AWD/4WD, Body Controls, Climate Control, Diesel Driveability, Electrical/Electronics, Fuel Systems, Ignition Systems, and Transmissions. Ralph is certified ASE Master and L1. He has 24 years of GM diagnostic experience. Ralph first worked for two summers as an apprentice at a state park, where they worked on everything from a weed whip to a road grader. After his 2 year tech school completion, he worked at a Chevrolet dealership for a short time, then moved on to a Chev/Pontiac/Buick dealership. A year later, he went to a one year specialty program at Alex Tech. After that, he worked at a large Chevrolet dealership that allowed him to specialize in drivability, electrical and HVAC. Ralph has been active as an automotive instructor for 20 years.

Bob Mordorski (Team Leader)

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Bob became an automotive technician in 1994. He has worked at a Lincoln/Mercury dealership, as well as independent shops, with 13 years total experience, and over 7 of those years at Identifix. Almost all other experience was in the aftermarket working on all makes and models. For about 1 year, he worked as lead tech/service manager at an independent repair shop. He is certified ASE Master and L1. Occasionally Bob works on autos outside of work to have some hands-on time. Also when available, he has done a couple of seminars and is looking to do some teaching at night (although the teaching part has not come together yet). His main hobbies are working around the house and yard. Thanks to his wife, they usually go on vacation once a year to somewhere outside the country. So far they have been to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Bob also has an unusual fixation with electronics, computers, Christmas lights, and putting the three together.

Bill Strehle

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Bill's first experience in the automotive industry was at a Standard Oil gas station in Milwaukee in for 3 years in the early 1970's. He started with pumping gas part time, and then his duties were expanded to changing oil, changing and balancing tires. As he became more familiar with automobiles, he started performing brake jobs and exhaust repair, tune-ups and other minor repairs. With this experience, he was then able to start at Goodyear, where he learned how to perform front end alignments, front end repair, oil leaks, and all the other services that Goodyear provides. In the late 70's, Bill was hired as an apprentice for heavy line engine repair at Rank and Son Buick in Milwaukee, and worked with a Journeyman line-tech for almost a year before going on his own. He learned and performed all aspects of heavy line engine repair. He then relocated to LaCrosse, WI, in 1980 and was hired as a general line tech and performed all aspects of auto repair with the exception of automatic transmissions and differentials. After a year, he worked as a Service Writer, when he discovered he was tired of turning wrenches. However, he was not fond of the long hours as required to be a service writer. In 1983, Bill relocated to the Twin Cities and worked as a general mechanic, service writer, tow truck driver and snow plow operator. He received training from Bill Sauer's Auto Tech. From 1989 to 1999, Bill was first a general line tech and then the driveability specialist for Apple Valley Ford. Bill worked at Diagnostic Hotline in Eden Prairie for 2 years, until 2002, as a Ford Specialist providing telephone diagnostics for pay-per-minute subscribers, and then was hired for the Identifix Hotline to be a Ford Specialist. Bill's hobbies include motocross and motorcycles, and playing guitar, as he is an avid music lover. He also is a hobby farm enthusiast with a large garden, and raises horses, goats, and chickens.

Dave Sill

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Dave started his career in 1986, working for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealerships. He is certified Ford EEC IV and EEC V, and ASE Master and L1. He is Ford EEC (Electronic Engine Control) -IV and V certified. Dave serves on the advisory committee for the Auto Tech program at St. Paul College, and has done seminars at CARS convention, AASP convention (and for the Dyno club, way back when). His hobbies include canoeing and camping, hunting, fishing, hiking and just about any other outdoor activity.

Jeff Boskowitz

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Jeff's career began in 1973 at International Harvester Trucks, after which he worked at Ford dealerships. He is certified in Ford EEC I through V, Brakes, ABS systems, SRS systems, Climate Control Systems, Advanced Electronics, 7.3L and 6.0L PowerStroke Diesel, as well as ASE Master and L1, and MACS certification. Jeff served as an IH technician from 1973-1979, and IH Service Manager from 1979-1980. He was Ford Sr. Driveability and Electrical Tech during 1980-1994, then worked for AIS from '94-2001 with a one year break as Service Manager for an independent shop and returned to AIS in 2002 where he is currently the Ford team leader. Jeff loves camping and ATVing with his wife and son, deer hunting, viewing the many waterfalls along the North Shore, plus reading about, touring ships and museums, and collecting artifacts of the freighter industry of the Great Lakes, (especially related to the Edmund Fitzgerald).

Jerry Hokanson

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Jerry started working for Ford dealerships in 1970. He has earned Ford certificates for EEC I, II, III, IV and V, as well as Advanced Electronics, Engine Mechanical and Control Systems, and OBD II certified. He is also certified ASE Master and L1. His experience includes many years' work at different dealerships, such as Lincoln-Ford, Heavy Ford Truck and Ford. He also spent 4 years at an independent shop, and has had 2 years' experience at a snowmobile-motorcycle dealer. Jerry has 11 years Hotline experience, with over 125,000 calls taken. He has been married for 29 years to a wonderful woman that allows him to have and play with his "toys". Jerry has 3 great kids: a 27 year old son, who is a computer system administrator, a 25 year old daughter who is in nursing, and a 19 year old daughter, a biology major who just completed her sophomore year in college. He likes to restore old cars and motorcycles, and build street rods. Jerry has owned over 50 cars, and currently owns 8. RIght now he is working on a 1957 2 Dr "Del Rio" Station Wagon, a 1948 Chrysler Windsor sedan, a 1954 F100, and 2 1974 BMW 2002s. He has been a Boy Scout leader for the past 16 years, and has taught Auto Mechanics Merit Badge to over 200 Boy Scouts. Jerry and his wife have been very active in their childrens' schools, and now that the kids are out of school, he and his wife like to travel. He also collects coins and likes to read. Jerry's 15 minutes of fame happened while growing up in California, where he was a vendor for the Oakland A's and Oakland Raiders. Tom Hanks worked there at the same time, and Jerry once sold a hot dog to Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Jerry Rathman

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Jerry started at a Ford dealership in 1994. He actually started working on cars in 1989 when he started modifying his first Mustang. He took one year of diesel mechanics in 1993 before switching to the Ford ASSET program in 1994. Jerry has 6 years' experience in the dealerships and is a Ford Master and ASE Master Mechanic. He has restored and modified cars, motorcycles and trucks and is currently running a Mustang drag car on E85.

Paul Mensink

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In 1981, Paul began working at Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and Merkur dealerships. He is certified Ford EEC and ASE Master and L1. Paul has 2 years' experience as a driveability technician. Paul spent 3 years as a technical writer at Bear Automotive in the mid-1990's, and has 14.5 years as a hotline specialist at AIS. He has many interests but says he has no available time to do anything as he's too busy being a taxi driver for his kids' activities, and a slave to his wife!

Greg Montero (Team Leader)

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Greg began his automotive career in 1990. His experience includes working as a technician at an independent repair shop as well as some GM, Jeep/Eagle dealership experience. He also has Service Manager experience at an independent repair shop. He is on the St.Paul Technical College advisory board, and is involved the AASP MN, serving on the Training and Education committee. He is certified ASE Master and L1 and has recently completed his AAM (Accredited Automotive Manager) certificate from the Automotive Management Institute. Greg volunteers on the audio-tech team at his church and enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons.

Arlen Mauland

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Arlen began his dealership experience in 1978. His experience includes: Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury. Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Oldsmobile and Pontiac. Arlen is a certified Chrysler Master Technician and ASE Master and L1. When he was 30, he went to college part time for 7 years for Mechanical Engineering. and finished up to senior level. Arlen's hobbies are hunting and fishing.

Keith LeMay

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Keith graduaded from Century College in St. Paul, MN. in 1974 with a degree in Automotive Service Technology. He worked in automotive dealerships from 1974 to 1994. He then took a position as shop foreman for a independent repair shop until 2007, except for a break for a few years when he was an Associate Pastor at a local church. Keith is a Certified Master Technician with over 27 years of experience. He also has a BA degree in Theology and is a licensed Minister. Keith has been married for over 31 years and has three daughters (all married) and three grandsons. Keith and his wife love to tour our area and take long trips on their motorcycle.

Michael Brown

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Michael began his automotive career in 1979. His experience includes Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Porsche, and Saab. Michael is certified ASE Master. Mike has been a mechanic on Chrysler products for 15 years, but he's also worked with VW, Porsche & SAAB for a few years of dealership experience. He's also worked at several independent establishments on just about anything that got dropped at the door. He has a total of twenty years' experience, not counting his current position.

Steve Anderson

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Steve began his automotive journey at a young age helping his father tinker on the family’s 1972 Oldsmobile 442. His passion continued throughout high school by making performance modifications on street cars. Steve’s quest for knowledge continued at Hennepin Technical College in Brooklyn Park, MN where he graduated with an A.A.S. degree in Automotive Technology. He was nominated by his instructors to participate in the VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) skills competition, he finished in 3rd place. Steve’s automotive career began in 1999. His experience includes working as a technician at an independent repair shop specializing in drivability and electronic systems. Steve keeps himself extremely busy on the nights and weekends, he is an expert motorcycle road racer, flies very high powered model rockets (certified level 3 with the Tripoli Rockery Association), and plays in a competitive adult hockey league 4 times a week.

Tom Vadnais

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Tom began his Chrysler, Dodge, Mitsubishi dealership experience in 1975. He received the Mopar Top Tech award in 1990. Tom is certified ASE A/C Recovery and Recycling, Master and L1. Tom currently has on-going Chrysler training at the training center in Plymouth. His outside interests include motorcycling, sailing and restoring his 1967 Coronet 500.

Guy Dibble (Team Leader)

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Guy began his automotive career in 1989. His experience includes working at Isuzu, Mazda, and Subaru dealerships as well as owning and operating an independent shop for two years. Guy grew up in his father's automotive repair shop in Texas and has been working on cars since he was 14 years old. He went to Texas State Technical College after high school and obtained an Associate's Degree in Automotive Technology. After tech school he worked in a multi line Japanese car dealership where he became familiar with Mazda, Subaru, Isuzu, Suzuki, Kia and Diahatsu. His specialty carlines were Mazda and Isuzu both of which he is Master certified. He has his ASE Master Tech certification as well as the advanced L1. Guy has worked at Identifix for 6 years now. Outside side of work he enjoys fishing and mountain biking and spending time in the beautiful Minnesota outdoors.

Brad Davis

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Brad started his automotive experience in 1985. His experience includes Dodge, Jeep, and Toyota dealerships. He worked for Tires Plus for a year when going through college, Chrysler for one year, and Toyota for 11 years. Brad serves on the Dunwoody Institute Advisory Committee. He also teaches Third-Year Advanced Driveability, and ABS and SRS classes at St. Cloud Technical College as well as teaching independently for the MSSA, ASA, Dyno club and at technical colleges around the state and has held seminars at SEMA on Toyota systems. Brad is certified ASE Master and L1. He was team leader at the last Toyota dealership he worked at and at Identifix for 10 years, and is also a Toyota pro technician. Brad has numerous certificates from extended learning and independent training seminars. He has been doing Martial Arts for 25 years, he also races Motocross, mountain bikes and loves to drag race his 1969 Camaro. He roller skates every weekend with his kids. Brad also has two 1969 Camaros, one with a 590 hp 406 cubic inch small block and a Chris Alston chassis works rear suspension, full roll cage and 4 wheel disc brakes. The other is a 510 hp small block with a 250 horse NOS nitrous system on it.

Eric Betts

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Eric began his automotive career in 1991. His experience includes working at Isuzu, Subaru and Kia dealerships. Eric is certified Isuzu and Subaru Tech. Eric's first experience working on cars was when he purchased his 1970 model Dodge Charger back in 1986. After graduating from Chapel Hill High School in 1990, he went to Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas (yes, during the David Koresh reign over the Branch Davidians). After graduating in 1992 with a certificate in Automotive Technology, Waco Auto Imports (where he started his internship in 1991) hired him full time to work on Isuzu, Mazda, Subaru, Suzuki, and Dahatsu. In 1993 he left Waco and moved to Dallas and began working at John Eagle Isuzu where he specialized on Isuzu vehicles. After being offered a job at Crown Motor in 1994, he gave up big city life and moved back home to Tyler, Texas, where he worked until 1999. While at Crown he worked on Isuzu, Subaru, VW, and Kia. He also received his ASE Master Certification, and became an Isuzu and Subaru factory trained technician. In November of 1999, Eric began work at White Bear Acura, Isuzu and Subaru, in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. In 2000, Eric and his family pulled up their roots and moved to Minnesota. While working at White Bear he earned his L1 certification. In 2005 Identifix acquired their newest employee. While living in Tyler, Eric met and married his wife in 1994. They have two wonderful daughters. Eric enjoys playing softball with the guys, riding his GSXR 1000, camping with the family and likes to cook.

Paul Anderson

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Paul Kujawa

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Paul began working in a Nissan dealership in 1981. He is certified Nissan Master Technician and ASE Master and L1. Paul also spent a short time as a service writer, a fleet service technician and a technician in an independent garage. He has done some automotive teaching at night at a local Technical College as part of their education extension program. Paul enjoys spending time with his family, going to church, going fishing, being involved in the Boy Scouts (Assistant Scout Master and Brotherhood Member in the Order of the Arrow) and going to plays.

Steve Wilson

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Steve began his automotive career in 1974. His experience includes Infiniti and Nissan dealerships. Steve is certified Infiniti Master Technician and Nissan Master Technician. Steve's first job was at the local Texaco station back in 1975 and he has been in the automotive industry ever since. After graduating from Dunwoody College of Technology, he went to work for Nissan and spent the next 16 years as a dealership technician earning Master Technician status from both Nissan and Infiniti and is an ASE Master/L1 certified technician. He also has competed in Infiniti's troubleshooting contest on a national level. Steve went to work for Snap-on/Sun Diagnostics as a Diagnostic Tech-Rep and won Regional Top Tech awards several years running. After health problems took him off the street he came to work for Identifix as an Asian Carline Specialist. Steve has been a member of Dunwoody College of Technology's Technical Advisor Counsel since 1990. He has taught classes, put on seminars and developed equipment user groups, sharing and learning from other technicians. In addition to his automotive career, Steve was a firefighter for 10 years and is a certified level two firefighter, EMT and level two Fire Officer, certified MSA SCBA Technician and a certified aerial fire truck hydraulic/multiplex control system technician. Loading the RV up with his wife, Nancy and their three boys, Ryan, Christopher and Joe for a weekend of hunting or fishing in Minnesota's great north woods is Steve's favorite past time, and he says don't forget Lucy, the Golden Retriever.

Todd Erickson

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Todd started his automotive career in 1984. He has progressed from a Technician at a Tune-up Specialty shop to a Cadillac Journeyman to a Sr. Master Subaru technician. Along the way he has acquired his ASE Master, L1, Alternative Fuels and Medium/Heavy Truck Technician certifications. He is also an ASA AMI Accredited Automotive Manager, performs technical training and writes articles for automotive trade magazines. Todd is also the founding member of MNSubaru.com, a Subaru based enthusiast club with over 500 members.

Wayne Pasicznyk

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Wayne started his automotive career in 1986. His dealership experience includes Honda, Toyota and Mazda, with over 20 years' total. Wayne has received the distinction of Honda Master Technician, Bronze Level and Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician. He is certified ASE Master and L1. Wayne also served as a service writer early in his career, and he currently serves on the St. Paul Technical College advisory committee for their Automotive program. He has taught classes on Honda and Acura systems at the ASA of Missouri / Kansas, and VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo in Overland Park Kansas. Outside of work, he likes to play golf, but says his golf game needs work most of the time.

Jim Newkirk (Team Leader)

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Jim began working at independent shops in 1978, where his primary responsibilities were drivability diagnostics of European and Asian vehicles. Jim's certifications include: Certified Master Automotive Technician with L1 Advanced Diagnostic Certification, Bosch BSC3 Automotive Diesel Injection, Ignition and Start Charge Systems certified, Goodyear Advanced Automotive Electricity and Electronics, Goodyear Automotive Diagnostic Specialist certified, Goodyear Import Fuel Injection certified, Hickock EEC-IV, CFI, EFI, DIS, EDIS Computer Controlled Electrical and FI Systems certified, MAC, Mobile Air Conditioning Society Certification (MACS). Jim has been with Identifix for 13 years, and has a total of 27 years in the industry. He is currently the European team leader/carline specialist, with expertise in VW/Audi, Volvo, Jaguar, Rover, and Honda/Acura. Jim has authored service articles for such publications as Auto Inc.and Motor Service Magazine, appeared as a guest speaker and featured discussion panel member on a syndicated east coast automotive radio talk show and is a regular contributor to the 'Identifix Update', the Identifix technician newsletter. He also conducts training classes and seminars on a regular basis. Some of the groups he has trained include: The North Central Tire Dealers and Suppliers Association, Automotive Technicians of Minnesota, The Northland Dynamometer Association, The Minnesota Service Station and Convenience Store Association, Under Car Specialists Inc., Amoco Certicare, The Automotive Service Association of Minnesota, The Automotive Service Association National Convention (CARS) and The Automotive Service Professionals Association of Pennsylvania and Kansas. Jim also has served on the Hennepin County Votech Automotive advisory committee and as a judge at the annual VICA Automotive Skills Olympics. Away from work he plays string bass in the Bluegrass/Gospel band Singleton Street, enjoys hunting, sporting clays and other outdoor activities, dabbles with home computers and tries to keep up with his 2 sons, Chris and Alex.

Adam Garberg

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Adam started working with cars and taking classes in high school, mainly due to the fact that his first car, a 1972 VW bus, never ran properly. He participated in the Minnesota 2001 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Hands-On competition, finishing in 3rd place. Adam attended school at Universal Technical Institute and graduated from the Auto/Diesel/Industrial program, and worked at a Honda/Volvo dealership while attending school. After graduation at UTI, Adam worked at an independent shop for 6 months, fixing anything that came through the door. During that time, he and a couple friends started Straight Line Specialties, an aftermarket tuning and fabrication company that is still running to this day. Wanting a more secure future, he left the business venture to attend Volvo SAFE graduate school, and then worked at another Volvo dealership for 3 years as a journeyman technician. During that time, he achieved a proficiency rating of Certified Technician in 2004 and Volvo Master Technician in 2005. In his spare time, Adam enjoys racing R/C cars, being outside, working on his house and spending time with his dog, Bruno.

Craig Zuidema

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Craig began working in dealerships in 1973, including Alfa-Romeo, Audi, Chevrolet, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Porsche. He is certified ASE Master, L1, Alternate Fuels, and Diesel Engine.

Dave Cox

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David has been in the industry since 1978. An ASE Master tech, always with independent shops from 2-20 employees, he has owned his own shop for a few years (Coxs All-Tech Auto), and been a service manager at 3 shops. Dave serves on the Century College Advisory committee, loves to golf, and spends time on the water. He has built a wooden 16' runabout and is in the planning stages of building a 28' live-aboard trawler.

Dave Tidaback

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Dave began his automotive career in 1975. His experience includes Audi, BMW and VW. He has had 9 years of independent shop experience, mostly on BMW, Volvo, VW, Nissan, and Toyota, and 12 years of dealership experience, primarily BMW. Dave served as Service Manager at one independent shop, and assistant Service Manager at a BMW dealership. Dave is certified BMW Master, Volvo Certified Tech, and ASE Master and L1. He is BMW team leader/lead diagnostician, and has had 11+ years at Identifix. Dave's qualifications include: certified BMW Master, Volvo Engine & Fuel Injection, and Bosch BSC 1, 5. As far as his outside automotive activities go, he says it's all he can do to keep the family's vehicles running properly. For hobbies, he enjoys bicycling, camping, kayaking, and growing orchids. Dave originally was in the field of biomedical research - quite a jump to fixing cars!

Robert Jacobs

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Robert came to Identifix after spending two years with BMW and prior to that, 5 years with Infiniti. While working at Infiniti Robert earned his ASE Master Technician and L1 certifications and Infiniti Master Technician status. He also attended night school at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from Dunwoody with an Associate of Applied Science degree in the Automotive Technician Apprenticeship Cooperative program. Before working at Infiniti, Robert was in constant exposure to machines and vehicles around the family road construction business. Growing up, the company shop served as a location for Robert to pursue his interest in European vehicles. Including Volkswagen, Fiat, Opel, Audi and MG, there was always something in a state of repair. Shortly after starting at Infiniti, he took a strong interest in BMW vehicles. He purchased a BMW 325i and has been studying, working on and restoring BMWs ever since. One project involved a mechanical restoration of a 1972 BMW 2002. There's currently a 1985 BMW 735i taking up space in his garage while it undergoes repair and restoration. Aside from his interest in all things automotive, Robert enjoys spending time with his wife and their two boys.

Steve Griff

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Steve started his automotive career in 1985 at his family owned service stations in Long Island, NY. They were full service repair facilities and Steve eventually started working in the shop repairing cars. After being mentored by Master Technicians and attending every automotive seminar and class he could, Steve was well on his way to becoming a full line automotive technician. After 10 years as an all line technician, Steve moved to Minneapolis, MN in 1995 and went to work for an independent repair shop that specialized in European imports. Then in 1998 Steve opened his own full line repair facility that eventually grew to 4 locations with 40 employees. After successfully running his company for about 5 years, Steve sold it and returned to work for an independent shop specializing in European imports. Steve then came to work for Identifix. Steve has attended countless automotive classes and seminars over the years, too many to mention. He is a Master Certified Technician L1 with over 20 years of diagnostic and repair experience. Steve enjoys spending his evenings and weekends with his 2 sons who are heavily involved in sports and school activities. Steve enjoys jet skiing and golfing and over the years has restored many cars. His favorites are Mopar classics, especially the Plymouth Barracuda.