AutoTechnician.org Co-Founders and Honorary Contributors
It is with great pleasure and an honor to introduce these gentlemen, although some are quite well-known within the industry already. Each has an extensive record of field experience, education, certifications and contributions to the automotive repair and service industry, and each has ultimately shaped the lives and careers of many professional automotive technicians across the U.S.A. – me being one of them.
Each has volunteered their time and experience and shared their insight to help develop this organization. The ideas they shared, their wisdom and foresight are the fuel behind AutoTechnician.org’s mission – and for that, they will always be greatly appreciated.
T.J. Rebert – Facebook
For all that truly knew him, TJ was a very special and generous man. He also became a very close, personal friend of mine as well.
He loved to pour his knowledge into anyone who was receptive. I can personally vouch for him greatly improving my own technical education, and my greater understanding of many other things a stupid young man in his 20’s should learn about.
TJ, you will always have a home here, and you are greatly missed. Thank you for…everything.
Title: Semi-Retired CMAT/L1,L2 plus
Years Experience: 50+
Career History:
- Owner and operator of Ford8and9InchRears.com – his “retirement gig.”
- Advanced Level Engine Performance Instructor for Pep Boys, Inc. -Philadelphia.
- Advanced Automotive Instructor and curriculum developer for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. – 12 years.
- Vo-Tech Automotive Instructor at Delaware County Vocational – 12 years.
- ASE Master Auto Technician (since 1973), L1, certified in 42 of 45 ASE certification areas.
- Delphi (formerly Aspire, Inc) Master Train-The-Trainer Instructor Certification – for training and certifying Emission Repair Technicians.
- Pennsylvania Certified Automotive Instructor Former Certified NY, NJ, PA, MA, DE and CA Safety and Emissions Inspector and State approved Instructor.
- MACS (Mobile Air Conditioning Society) certified Instructor
- Taught and attended numerous diagnostic, technical, and industry sales-related seminars across the country.
My Specialties/Accomplishments:
- Owner of Ford8and9InchRears.com, specializing in 8” and 9” Ford differentials.
- Proficiency with electrical and engine performance diagnostics
- Owner, fabricator and builder of six street rods.
- Partner and crew member of Poverty Stricken Racing which includes Nostalgia Fuel Funny Car, an A/Fuel Dragster and a Fuel Modified Land Speed Roadster.
Tom McLaughlin
Title: Retired CMAT/Manager
Years Experience: 50+
Career History:
- AAA Mid-Atlantic Approved Auto Repair Manager – YouTube
- Pep Boys Inc. representative to the MAP (Motorist Assurance Program)
- Co-chaired the UIG (Uniform Inspection Guidelines) Engine Performance committee and served on the Brakes, HVAC, Steering & Suspension and Electrical UIG committees
- B.S. Business Administration – Widener University
- ASE President’s Club – 1996 – All 28 certifications (at that time)
- ASE Master Auto Technician, Collision Repair, HD Truck, Machinist and L1 certifications.
- Pennsylvania Certified Automotive Instructor
- Taught and attended numerous diagnostic, technical, and industry sales-related seminars across the country.
Greg Meyer
Title:CMAT L1 and Instructor
Years Experience: 30
Career History:
- Over 40 years in the automotive service and repair industry including over 15 years of management experience: 10 at a district level, and 5 years as a shop owner/operator.
- Advanced Level Engine Performance Instructor for Pep Boys, Inc. – 12 years
- Advanced Automotive Instructor and curriculum developer for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. – 5 years.
- Diagnostic Specialist for Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
- Has taught and written courses covering GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Nissan and European engine control systems and driveability diagnostics along with courses for Electronics, HVAC, ABS, Suspension and Alignment and Ride Disturbance Diagnostics.
- Currently teaching Automotive and Truck Electrical and Electronics at Lincoln College of Technology, Grand Prarie, Texas.
- Current ASE Master Auto Technician since 1982
- Current ASE L-1 certification
- Former Texas Safety and Emissions Inspector
- 10 years of light and heavy duty towing experience.
- MACS (Mobile Air Conditioning Society) certified Instructor
- “Effective Communication And Consulting” training from Booher Consulting, Inc. Dallas, Texas
- “Creative Training Techniques” training from The Bob Pike Group, CTT International
- Numerous other diagnostic, technical, and sales-related seminars across the country
John Gillespie
Title:CMAT L1-A9, Shop Owner, Instructor
Years Experience: 33
Career History:
- 13 years as a shop owner
- 2 time NAPA ASE Tech of the Year, Carrollton Ohio Region
- 2 time GM Master Technician (1985-1986) and had a seat on the Master Technician Advisory Council in ’86
- Host of the Saturday Morning Mechanic (7am) radio show 1230 AM WBVP- 1460 AM WMBA
- CTI Instructor 4yrs (Including Buffalo and NY City)
- Technical Writer – completed 60% of the Cleveland Institute of Electronics
- Digital Electronics Engineering – electronics background
- Supported members of ASE test workshop committees
Peter Meier
Title:Technical Editor, Advanstar Automotive Group – Motor Age Magazine, CMAT L1, NATTS Certified, FL.
Years Experience: 35
Career History:
- MACS/CarQuest 2006 “AC Technician of the Year”
- MACS Regional Trainer
- Sponsoring member of IATN
- Authored a self-published book, “Automotive Driveablity: A Guide To Engine Performance Diagnosis”
- Private and public vocational program instructor
- Received publication recognition from both ASBPE and IAMA
John Kelly – Facebook
Title: Founder, AutoTechnician.org
Years Experience: 25
Career History: (More background and history available here)
- Over 30+ years in the automotive service and repair industry including over eleven years of management experience: six at a district level, one and one half at the director level
- ASE Master Auto Technician since 7/91
- ASE L1, X-1 certifications.
- ASE L2 and T1, T2 and T3 through T8 certifications.
- ASPIRE, Inc. (now Delphi®) Train The Trainer certification – for training and certifying Emission Repair Technicians
- Registered NY Safety and Emissions Inspector
- PA Emissions Inspector & Repair Technician licensing Instructor
- PA Master Emissions Repair Technician
- PA Safety and Emissions Inspector
- NJ Emissions Repair Technician and Instructor
- MA Repair Technician and Instructor
- DE Emission Education Program (DEEP) Repair Technician
- MACS® (Mobile Air Conditioning Society) certified Instructor
- “Effective Communication And Consulting” training from Booher Consulting, Inc. Dallas, Texas
- “Creative Training Techniques” training from The Bob Pike Group, CTT International
- Numerous other diagnostic, technical, and sales-related seminars across the country
Note: Some certifications have since lapsed… I know, I know. Recert!