About

Darrin Barney

President

Darrin’s automotive journey began working with his father on repairing and maintaining cars, while at the same time (and being as goal-driven as he is), he was working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. 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 his AMAM (Accredited Master Automotive Management) Degree from the AMI. Darrin’s also a Certified High Performance Coach, and before becoming our Vice President of Operations, he’s filled the role of the lead trainer for our industry-acclaimed Masters Program, he’s coached a number of our clients to incredible heights, and he’s helped Elite grow into the remarkable brand it is today.

Darrin 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.

Now that you have a better understanding of who Darrin Barney is, you can hopefully understand why we are so proud to have him as a part of our family, and his playing such an important role at Elite. Without question, all of us at Elite love Darrin, and now you know why.

Bob Cooper

Founder

Joe Marconi

Executive Council Member

With over 36 years of shop owner experience, Joe has accomplished what most others could only dream of. In addition to being a multi-location owner/operator of one of America’s most successful auto repair shops, he is a graduate of the Automotive Management Institute, an ASE Master Tech, and he is a recipient of the coveted CARQUEST Excellence Award and the Putnam County NY Entrepreneurial Award. He has also served on the Car Care Council, the Tech Net Advisory Council and the CARQUEST Advisory Council, he participated in the development of the ASE Engine Performance Certification test, and he is a cofounder of AutoShopOwner.com. Not only is Joe a regular contributor to national industry publications and a monthly columnist for Ratchet & Wrench magazine, but Shop Owner magazine dedicated an entire article to his shop and his success.

In addition to all that he does for our industry, Joe and Osceola Garage are heavily involved in the local community, as Joe supports all local youth sports, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and donates to several charities (Toys for Tots, Heart Association, The HOPE Foundation, Women’s Resource Center, Friends of Karen, Local Veterans and local Senior Centers, to name a few). Osceola Garage was founded on the principle that the shop will always do what is in the best interest of their customers, employees and the community, so he fit into Elite’s culture perfectly from day one, and we are proud to call him a member of the Elite family. As an Executive Council Member, he also provides his professional insights on the ongoing development of our services, our Quality Assurance Programs, our staff and client training curriculums, and the creation of new services to better serve the growing needs of our industry. We are also pleased to say Joe presents many AMI accredited courses for us, and he plays a leading role in the ongoing development of our services. As one of our Business Development Coaches, he is constantly working with our other coaches for one simple reason: To better ensure the success of each and every Elite client. Joe and his wonderful family live in beautiful Patterson, New York.

Kevin Vaught

Executive Council Member

After starting his work in the industry at age 15, Kevin had opened his own shop by the time he was 22! His shop, Autotire Car Care Center, was an immediate success, and Kevin was able to open up 4 locations over the next 15 years. One of the reasons Kevin was so successful as a shop owner was because he understood the importance of his people and his processes. He believed that he couldn’t provide great external customer service without first providing great internal customer service (to his employees), and that hiring the right people, giving them the tools, systems and procedures that they needed, and then getting out of their way would be a huge key to his success. This business philosophy certainly paid off, as Kevin’s shop was featured in Modern Tire Dealer, and received an award for being the best shop in Indianapolis (voted on by consumers).

Kevin received ASE certification, as well as an ABA degree in Business Administration while he was running his shops. He served on the Kelly Springfield Dealer Council, the Michelin Dealer Council, and chaired the advisory board that designed the “Tech Prep” curriculum for local high schools. He has 43 years of industry experience, and was a highly profitable multiple location owner-operator for over 30 years until he finally sold his company so he could focus on another one of his passions: Helping other shop owners build more profitable businesses. As an Executive Council Member, he also provides his professional insights on the ongoing development of our services, our Quality Assurance Programs, our staff and client training curriculums, and the creation of new services to better serve the growing needs of our industry.

Before working with Elite, Kevin started his own small consulting company where he helped auto repair shop owners improve their operational processes, customer service, and net profit (among other things). He is truly committed to the betterment of the industry, and was recently published in Ratchet & Wrench. Kevin is also committed to his continuing education (as is evident through his completion of courses on financial management, time management, customer service, sales and marketing) and to helping his community through his work spreading breast cancer awareness. There’s no question that Kevin is an industry leader, and we are honored to call him one of our Elite Business Development Coaches. Kevin is an avid golfer, and lives with his wonderful wife in Bonita Springs, FL.

Jim Murphy

Pro Service Leader

Jim has decades of experience in developing successful independent auto repair facilities, tire operations and dealerships throughout all of North America! In addition to his “hands-on” experience, he has developed a reputation as being an industry-acclaimed facilitator and business-building coach, and is heralded as being second to none, industry-wide. He has a great deal of knowledge about financials, marketing, employee development, and business process, to name a few concentrations.

Jim works with Elite and is the lead coach for the Elite Pro Service Program that was developed exclusively for the most successful shops in North America. Without question, Jim Murphy is an industry Superstar!

Born and raised in Southern CA, today Jim and his wife Sherri live in beautiful Spokane, Washington in the summer, spend winter in sunny, warm Phoenix, Arizona, and have a new hobby of traveling all over America in their Motor Home learning about our great country, and consulting clients.

Sherri Murphy

Pro Service Coordinator

Sherri Murphy is an amazing asset! Not just to Elite, but to our entire industry! Sherri has many responsibilities that include qualifying applicants for our Pro Service, assisting through the enrollment process, and helping assure Pro Service remains the premier service for the most successful shop owners in North America. People that know her will tell you, she truly is a superstar! Sherri is married to Jim Murphy, and today they live in beautiful Spokane, Washington in the summer, and they spend the winter months in sunny Arizona. The two of them are a great team, and we are honored to have them working with us.

Trisha Wierl

Marketing Manager & Customer Care Support

It’s an honor to have Trisha Wierl on our Elite team! As our Marketing Manager, and a part of the Customer Care Department, Trisha does an outstanding job and in countless ways, so we couldn’t be more grateful.

Trisha is a native of Southern California and graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. In her free time, she loves roller skating and playing with her two dogs. She also enjoys using her creativity to write music, play instruments, and sing. We’re so proud to have her as part of our Elite family!

Michele Cooper

Special Projects Manager

Without question, Michele is a superstar as well! She too is bright, she’s creative and she’s absolutely great with all our customers! As our Manager of Special Projects, Michele has many responsibilities that range from the event development, project management, special assignments and assuring customer satisfaction. There is no question that she is a superstar who we are very fortunate to have on our team. Michele and her family live in sunny San Diego, California.

Adrian Balcazar

Manager of Web Technology & Customer Support

We at Elite are thrilled to have Adrian Balcazar as a part of our family! We have found he is gifted in countless ways. As our Manager of Web Technology & Customer Support, he helps us with all of our web initiatives, our online platforms, the management of our data, and Customer Care Programs. The good news is, he does an outstanding job with all of his responsibilities.

A native of Newport Beach California, Adrian graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Economics. We are also pleased to report he is a dog lover as the rest of us, he’s a huge L.A. Lakers fan, he absolutely loves sushi and In-N-Out, and spending time on our beautiful Southern California beaches. From the moment you meet him, you will then realize why we all feel so honored to have Adrian as a part of our amazing family at Elite.

Tom Amero

Business Performance Analyst & Certified Elite Trainer

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.

Prior to joining our family at Elite, Tom was with 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 produced 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. Clearly, the sales records Tom’s set over the years are impressive in every way, yet what we find equally as impressive is his passion in excellence, his commitment to customer satisfaction, and his commitment to ethics as well.

Using his broad knowledge of business, his teaching skills, and his customer service skills, Tom works with us as Business Performance Analyst, as an Elite Trainer, and as someone who provides valuable input in our strategic development.

Tom has been married to his wonderful wife Hanna since 2012, they live in the beautiful state of Washington, and they have four of the most adorable children you’d ever see. As a family, they are involved in their church, they enjoy hiking, biking and traveling.

The promise we can make you is this – When you meet Tom, you will then discover why we say his principles are second to none, and you’ll know why we feel his passion for helping others places him in the ranks of the superstars.

Hannah Kennedy

Business Performance Analyst

As an Elite Business Performance Analyst, Hannah Kennedy not only has the experience and talents to excel at her position, but she also has the determination and leadership insight that helps Elite Worldwide improve as a company while raising the bar for the entire automotive industry.

Hannah’s professional accomplishments began with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Baylor University. Early in her career, Hannah worked with global and local banks, gaining valuable business experience, and learning that delivering a world-class customer experience is crucial for running a successful company.

In 2012 Hannah joined Audi of North Houston, part of the well-known Sewell Company, as a luxury automotive sales professional. In 2014, she received the prestigious John Sewell Award in Customer Satisfaction by attaining a perfect customer satisfaction rating, and for meeting target sales metrics.

Hannah also completed the Dale Carnegie Course, Skills for Success, in 2014 and received special recognition for her storytelling skills. Hannah also coached students in advanced service advisor skills from 2021 to early 2023.

In 2017 Hannah became co-owner of Kennedy Automotive Solutions with her husband, Kurt, an automotive repair company in Tomball, Texas. While Hannah’s role in the business does not focus on day-to-day operations, her experience in customer service, sales training, and leadership are valuable resources and a driving force for the company’s future success.

Another attribute about Hannah is her commitment to continuous self-improvement, combined with her sincere desire to help others. She is self-motivated, goal-driven, and organized—perfect attributes for her role with Elite Worldwide.

Even with all these accolades, Hannah remains humble, stating, “I have twenty-plus years’ experience of learning and serving as an expert in customer service.” As a testament to her statement, Hannah created such strong relationships with people she sold cars to at Audi of North Houston that many now take their cars to her automotive repair business. Truly a remarkable achievement.

On the personal side, Hannah loves animals, especially dogs. She spends a lot of free time participating in group fitness classes, cooking, reading, walking, and spending time with her large family. Hannah and her husband also make sure they set aside time for themselves, enjoying watching movies and enjoying delicious food. Hannah’s favorite role is being an aunt to her nieces and nephews.

Jim Butitta

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

Jim Butitta grew up in his family automotive business, a radiator shop and W.D distributor for more than a dozen OEM and aftermarket manufacturers. Over the years his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to add full service automotive repair, and he soon grew the business to six locations that included 56 automotive service bays, a full service radiator shop, a gas tank rebuilding facility and a parts distribution system. Jim now has over 44 years of industry experience, and attributes much of his success to his business philosophy, taught to him by his father, which includes honesty, integrity, respect, great customer service, and running the cleanest, best maintained shops in the country.

Jim has a strong background in financial analysis, budgeting and putting systems in place to insure financial stability, and has shared his expertise with several multi-shop owners to help them become more successful in both their business and personal lives. He has also given back to the industry by authoring articles for a national trade magazine, serving on regional and national boards for over 30 years, serving as President of local ASA group, and serving as National President and Chairman of the National Automotive Radiator Service Association. In addition to working with Elite, Jim gives back to his community by contributing his time and talents to “not for profit” organizations, as he was a past president of a local food bank, and served on finance and building committees for a domestic violence shelter for women and children.

Jim sold his business after 33 years so he could enjoy some of the fruits of his hard work, and spend more time with his wife, Jody, three sons and seven grandchildren. Jim loves to golf, is an instrument-rated pilot, and is a lifelong Harley Davidson rider.

Randy Pickering

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

Not only has Randy Pickering run one of the top shops in the country since 1976, but he’s a 4th generation shop owner whose family has been serving their communities for over 100 years! When Randy first took over the family shop, Pickering’s Auto Service, it was a 2-bay operation. Randy soon grew the business to an 8-bay, leased-building operation, and continued its expansion until it became the 15-bay, state of the art, property-owned shop it is today. In 2010 Randy was able to open up a second location, and today his 2 shops have a total of 25 bays, employ 17 superstars, service more than 500 vehicles per month and bring in over $2.7 million in annual sales.

Randy is a past ASA National Mechanical Division Director, a past president and board member of the ASA of Colorado, and today his shops are affiliated with the AAA as AAR’s, are NAPA AutoCare Centers, and he is a 30+ year member of the Better Business Bureau. When asked about his shops, Randy replied, “We’re not in the business of fixing cars, but more in the business of building relationships through honesty and integrity, quality work and superior service”. With an outlook like this, it’s no wonder that his shops have been so successful. As an independent contractor with Elite for over 7 years, Randy lives in Colorado with his wife, Lynette, and his three children, Trent, Brandon, and Taylor, and 2 grandchildren. Trent & Brandon, now own the family business.

Mike Kost

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

Mike Kost began his career as a technician (ASE Master Certified), but soon realized his dream of becoming a shop owner when he purchased his first Precision Tune store. Mike was able to utilize the skillset he picked up from business college to both start up new shops from scratch and make failing shops profitable, and within 5 years of purchasing his first store he found himself running 4 profitable locations. As a franchisee Mike has been awarded Precision Tune’s Top 10 Presidential Award, received an award for creative marketing, and for 15 straight years has received an award for achieving the highest sales volume in his area.

For over 20 years Mike has continued his education by attending numerous industry sales, management and customer service courses, and the knowledge he’s obtained has helped him create systems and processes that have enabled him to run multiple successful shops from over 300 miles away as an absentee owner. In the last 13 years he’s spent as an absentee owner, Mike has enjoyed helping other shop owners understand the importance of customer service and create proven processes to become more successful, so needless to say, we couldn’t be happier to have him as a member of the Elite family. Mike, his wife Tammy and his 4 wonderful kids live in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Brian Bowersock

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

With over two decades of industry experience, Brian has accomplished what others in our industry could only dream to. He has built four of America’s most successful auto repair shops, and has done so never using any form of price advertising. Through his brand-awareness marketing campaigns, Brian’s name, and the name of his shops, are household names throughout San Diego County. In addition to working with Elite, he is the Fox News Auto Expert on the local Fox television channel.

Brian is an ASE Master Certified technician. He is also a Board Director for the AAIA’s Car Care Professionals Network, and there is no question that he lives by the principle of never putting money ahead of people. A native of Ohio, today Brian lives in sunny and beautiful Escondido, CA.

John Francis

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

John L. Francis has over 50 years of industry experience, and has owned and operated Francis Automotive Services Inc. for more than 43 years. John’s most important business philosophy as a shop owner is to “be honest, speak from your heart, and always be authentic”, so it’s no mystery why he’s been so successful. For years Francis Automotive, an industry acclaimed full service auto repair shop in West Chester, PA , has not only supported the YMCA and Toys for Tots, but has lead the industry in developing a child safety brand. John is an Automotive Service Association (ASA) member, and served on the ASA Mechanical Division Operations Committee for a number of years. We are pleased to say that John represented the ASA in Washington, D.C., where he gave demonstrations to members of Congress on the importance of providing repair professionals with open access to service information. These presentations were instrumental in the information availability agreement that was eventually signed between the ASA and the automobile manufacturers.

John is a past National Chairman of the Automotive Management Institute, he has served as the Chairman of ASA CARS, he was on the ASE Board of Directors for 8 years, and served as an AMI trustee for a number of years as well. He’s been featured in Auto Inc. magazine, is a two-time runner up for NAPA Tech of the Year, and is a recipient of the AMI Alpha Award. Not only is John an extraordinary business professional, but his commitment to the industry, and his peers, is second to none. John lives in Atglen PA, he is married and has 3 children, 8 beautiful grandchildren, and 3 wonderful labs. There is no question that he is an asset to the industry, and we are proud to have him working with Elite.

Greg Skolnik

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

By the time Greg reached his 23rd birthday, he had already completed his degree with Lincoln Technical Institute, become one of the first Master Certified technicians from NIASE (passed all eight tests three hours after his second son was born), become one of the go-to guys on early VW fuel injection systems and created a successful auto service facility that continues to this day. With a career well over 40 years, he now has his A.M.A.M. degree from the Automotive Management Institute, maintains his Master Technician status and has added the L1 to his achievements. Since the early 80’s Greg has participated continuously in training programs and feels he learns something from every experience. “Learning is a life-long process”, he says.

As the owner of one of the more innovative Honda, Toyota & Subaru repair facilities in the Washington DC metropolitan area, Greg has built his business on a solid foundation of core values and common sense. “Putting people before money” is one of Greg’s core values, as evidenced by his decision to change the shop to a four-day only schedule in 1990. The staff has every Friday-Sunday off. The culture he’s created is so ingrained in his business that his crew now handles the daily operations, which has allowed Greg to continue along his path of personal growth by helping other shop owners build more successful businesses. Greg’s success has positioned his shop to be recognized as one of the top shops in North America, and accordingly, his shop was featured in the industry-acclaimed Shop Owner magazine.

As a natural teacher, he still volunteers as a Scout leader for local youths and loves to help people succeed. Greg and his wife, Carol, have two grown sons and enjoy spoiling their four grand kids; all living in or near Silver Spring, Maryland.

Gene Morrill

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

During the 32 years Gene Morrill has spent as a shop owner, he’s been able to establish himself as an industry icon. Not only is his shop a AAA AAR, ASCCA, ASA member and an ASE Blue Seal shop, but it has been a MotorAge Top Shop 5 Times, and won the MotorAge Shop of the Year in 2012. Additionally, Gene’s shop is a 5-time AAA Quality Service Award winner, and has been featured in Ratchet & Wrench, MotorAge and Glendoran Magazine.

Not only does his shop have some impressive accolades, but Gene himself is an ASE Master Technician, the past president and current board member of the local Automotive Service Councils of CA (ASCCA) chapter, and one of the first 49 recipients of the AMI’s Accredited Master Automotive Manager degree (AMAM). Gene is also very involved in his community, as he’s served as an automotive advisor, board member and adjunct professor for Citrus College, is a past president and current board member of the Glendora Rotary Club, is president of the Glendora Community Coordinating Council, and also serves on the Glendora Chamber Government Affairs Committee. Additionally, Gene’s shop regularly collects food and clothes for local children’s homes, so it’s no surprise that his amazing commitment to bettering his community has received recognition – Gene has received both the Glendora Community Council Humanitarian Award and the Citrus College Distinguished Alumni Award.

Beyond being an extraordinarily bright shop owner, one of the greatest keys to his success is his shop’s business philosophy: “Treat your customers like a king, take care of your employees and everything else will work out.” Gene’s focus on taking care of his customers and employees fits in perfectly with our culture at Elite, and we couldn’t be more proud that he works with us.

Gene and his wife Robin of 32 years live in Glendora, California and enjoy working together to provide safe & reliable transportation to all of their customers.

Dean Kuhn

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

There is no question that Dean is the perfect example of what can be accomplished with clearly defined goals, and a commitment to ethics. Starting off as a technician, he’s spent over 25 years as the owner of one of America’s most successful transmission shops, which he has now expanded into satellite facilities.

Before joining Elite, Dean mastered the art of recruiting the superstars, and developed an outside sales program that is second to none, industry wide. Dean has been a guest speaker at national conventions, has sat on the ATRA What’s Working advisory panel (among others), and has been featured in Ratchet & Wrench, Gears magazine and Parts & People. In addition to operating his industry acclaimed AAA approved shop that has won multiple awards for 100% customer satisfaction, Dean has a successful torque converter company, and has created educational videos on torque converters and transmissions that now have nearly a million YouTube views!

Beyond his success in business, what makes us most proud is his most important business philosophy: “The culture of your company must be number one in order to have true success”. He continually adheres to this principle with his work with Wounded Warriors, Navy Relief, and putting on classes at local high schools and colleges. A native of Carlsbad, CA, Dean is also a competitive race car driver, and currently lives with his wonderful family in Vista, CA.

Douglass Kirchdorfer

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

Douglass Kirchdorfer is an industry leader who ran one of the most successful auto repair shops in America. In 1998, he and his wife Rebecca purchased what was to become Downing Street Garage, a six-bay facility that won numerous industry and business awards during the 14+ years they owned and operated the business. DSG has been voted among the top five AAA Approved Repair Shops in Colorado, has won the Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics from the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau, has won the International BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, and was also a winner of the coveted Colorado Ethics in Business Alliance Award. Additionally, Downing Street garage has been named as one of the top 10 shops in America by Motor Age Magazine in 4 times.

Douglass also served on the board of directors for the Colorado Automobile Service Association (ASA) for 10 years and was board president, was one of the founding members of the Denver chapter of the Napa Auto Care advisory board, the Delphi Tool Advisory Board, the Denver BBB Torch Award Selection Committee and served 4 years on the Mechanical Operations Committee of the national Automobile Service Association. Douglass also served on the Grievance and Standards Committee of the Denver/Boulder Better Business Bureau, on the Editorial Advisory Board of Ratchet and Wrench Magazine, and currently serves as an advisor for the Rocky Mountain Finance Institute, where he’s counseling a graduate who runs a small auto repair shop.

Douglass also was an ASE Master Technician with L-1, has his A.A.M. degree from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI), is a licensed A&P mechanic and enjoys restoring old cars; motorcycling; sailing; and helping shop owners improve their businesses.

Chris Monroe

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

Chris Monroe got on the track to becoming an industry superstar at the early age of 10, as his father started Monroe Tire & Service in 1974. He took over as the shop owner in 1987 and has been able to increase company sales for the last four decades despite a high volume of competition and a population of less than 27,000 in his community.

Chris’s success in business hasn’t gone unnoticed. He was recognized as a Tire Review Magazine Platinum Performer in 2014, a Demandforce Top 20 Rated Repair Shop in 2015, the Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year in 2015, North Carolina Tire Dealer of the Year in 2018, and a Tire Review Top Shop Finalist in 2017 as well as 2019!

One reason for Chris’s success is his commitment to training and self-improvement. He has received multiple manufacturer training certifications, has taken multiple management courses and seminars, and is an ASE-certified service advisor. All the training isn’t solely for his benefit, as he’s committed to sharing his knowledge and expertise with others to elevate our industry.

Chris has written several articles for the North Carolina Tire Dealers Association and featured in Ratchet & Wrench, Modern Tire Dealer, and Tire Review Magazine. In addition, Chris is a past board member of the North Carolina Tire Dealer Association and the Tire Industry Association and has been a SEMA panelist.

Chris dedicates his time to improving our industry and making a difference in his community. He is the past president of the Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce Board and Trustee of Cleveland Community College. In addition, he serves on the Cleveland County Small Business Advisory Council and regularly speaks at high school and college classes about small business ownership and the trades.

While his accomplishments are impressive, his shop’s transparency, honesty, and integrity philosophy make us proud to call him a member of the Elite family. Today, Chris lives with Traci in Shelby, NC, and enjoys adventure motorcycling, bicycling, hiking, RV camping, and racquet and paddle sports.

Servando Orozco

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

Servando has decades of experience, and there is no question: he is an industry superstar. Starting his career with a small, struggling two-bay shop in Long Beach, California, today he owns three of the most successful shops in North America. He employs 15 of the industry’s finest technicians and service advisors, and the reputation of his shops is second to none, industry wide. Servando is heavily involved with a number of local charities, he has spoken at industry events, and he has been interviewed by local press as well as a number of industry-acclaimed organizations.

Given that all of his shops are located in extremely competitive areas, Servando is a testimony to what can be done when one has clearly defined goals, a well crafted plan, and the right people on their team. In addition to providing us with business-building content for our audio training downloads in Spanish as an independent contractor, Servando plays a leading role in speaking at many of our Elite events, and in the ongoing development of our products and services. Servando and his wonderful family live in Long Beach, California.

Ed Cushman

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

After working as a service manager, Ed founded C&H Foreign Auto Repair at the ripe age of 22.  He now has over 45 years of experience in the industry, with multiple accolades and accreditations to show for it.

Ed’s commitment to the industry is demonstrated by his participation on multiple boards, including his experience as Boardmember of the ASA National Board of Directors, ASA President (state), ASA President and Board member (Spokane), Chairman of the ASA Scholarship Committee, and Chairman of the AMI board.

He is the winner of several awards, including ASE Technician of the Year (state), ASA Member of the Year (state), and ASA National Chairman’s Humanitarian of the Year award. His shop, too, is a winner of various accolades, including the Spokane Chamber of Commerce’s AGORA Award for Small Business of the Year and the AAA’s Top Shop Award.  He also boasts several certifications, including ASE Master Tech, AMI-Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM), and AMI-Automotive Master in Automotive Management (AMAM).

Ed enjoys volunteering for various community projects, including acting as Chairman of the Northwest BBB Board of Directors, Chairman of the Inland Empire Landlord Association, and various high school vocational programs.  His business participates in the Washington State Employment Workforce training program, which promotes training programs for high school students, veterans, and others.

Ed’s business philosophy is based on building relationships through superior service, communication, fairness and caring.  He believes that by taking care of his customers, everything else will take care of itself.

Ed is married to his grade-school sweetheart, Cindy, and together they have three sons, two daughter-in-laws, and two grandchildren.

Bill Edwards

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

Robert Ohlmann

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

Robert is the proud owner of Tony’s Brake and Alignment, which was founded by his grandfather Tony in 1964.  In its earliest years, the shop employed 3 people and had 6 bays.  It now employs 18 people and has 20 bays, and is located in a 13,800 square foot locale.  Robert started in the shop working summers sweeping floors at the age of 13 years old.  He gradually worked his way up and took over at the age of 26 after his father passed away.  He has since grown Tony’s to one of the largest and oldest independently owned and operated shops in Kentucky.

Robert is the President of the local NAPA BDG group, and has been featured in Ratchet Wrench Magazine multiple times. His shop is a NAPA Care Center, and proudly boasts an average employee tenure of 12 years.  Its customers regularly call it the cleanest shop in town.

Robert and the shop are also active in the community.  They recently participated in the annual Brakes for Breast promotion, the proceeds of which go to the Cleveland Clinic for Breast Cancer Research.

Robert’s business philosophy is to provide each customer with quality service and products, and with integrity and respect.  His motto is “Always be upfront, fair and honest,” so he couldn’t be a better fit with Elite’s culture, and we couldn’t be more proud to call him part of the Elite family.

Robert currently lives in Kentucky, where he was born and raised, with his wife Nicole, and his two beautiful children.

Nick Sallas

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

Nick Sallas brings 38 years of industry experience and 26 years as a shop owner to the Elite team. The first Sallas Auto opened in 1993 as a 2-bay shop, grew to 5 bays within a year, and outgrew the building altogether in just 3 years. To accommodate this rapid growth, they purchased 3 acres nearby and built a 7,000 square foot shop with 10 bays. Sallas 2 opened in 2006, and it too required additions to the building within just 3 years, turning it into a 4-bay shop. Nick currently has 18 employees between the 2 stores, and the average employee has been with him for an impressive 10 years.

Not only does Nick own the property of both of the AAA approved Sallas locations, but he and his shops were the cover story for Ratchet & Wrench magazine in December 2011.  Nick has also served on the NAPA National Auto Care Council, been named Regional NAPA Tech of the Year, was the Automotive Service Association President for 2 years, and even wrote his own book on car care maintenance.

In addition to the above-mentioned accolades, Nick and his shops are also very active in the community through fundraisers and events. They recently organized a car show and raised $2,200 for the Snack Back program for children. This same car show supported the Any Soldiers program the year prior and sent supplies to active troops. Nick and his shop have also held Car Care Clinics for 20 years in a row and continue to go out in the community and perform Lunch & Learns to educate businesses and schools.

Nick served on a local school board for 6 years, served on the Community College Automotive Advisory Council, and continues to support community shelters for women and the homeless. His business and personal philosophies are to always treat others the way you’d want to be treated, to treat every customer and employee as family, and to always help those in need.

Nick currently resides in Lees Summit, MO and enjoys hunting, RV trips, golf, building Hot Rods, and spending time with his wife and two daughters. We couldn’t be happier to have him on the Elite team!

Leon Martin

Leon Martin

As part of the Martin family tradition, Leon Martin began working on cars with his father when he was just a young boy in Southern Illinois. He now has over 60 years of experience in the automotive industry and is certified as an American Management Institute (AMI) graduate and an Accredited Master Automotive Manager (AMAM).

After years of training and learning the family business, he bought Martins Auto Service from his father in 1980. He remained with the shop for over 25 years and turned it into an ASE Blue Seal Affiliate.

In 2006, Leon moved to Rochester, WA and became a coach/advisor for Auto Tech Services. He took the small, 1,300 square foot repair facility and helped it reach one million in sales in 2014. By 2019, Leon transformed the business into one of the most successful shops in the country – an 8-bay facility on a 4-acre property. It is now both a AAA and a BBB approved facility with an A+ rating. His dedication to the shop, its employees and its customers is second to none, and we’re proud to have him on the Elite team!

In his personal time Leon enjoys reading, biking, being outdoors, creative metal working and spending time with his family.

Nerces Mavelian

Nerces Mavelian grew up working overseas in his father’s renowned auto repair business and now brings an impressive 39 years of shop owner experience to our team at Elite.

When he was just 26 years old, he and his family opened a three-bay Exxon Gas Station in Dallas, TX, which they eventually transformed into the first Autoscope location. He opened his second Autoscope location in Plano, TX in October,1993 with 10 bays and 9 employees and his third location in November,2008 with 22 bays and 13 employees. He still owns all three of these successful properties and has an average employee tenure of 7+ years!

All three of Nerces’ shops are Bosch Authorized Service Centers. His Plano location was a AAA 100% Satisfaction Shop for two consecutive years starting in 2006, was a 99% Satisfaction Shop in 2008, and was named the Best European Shop in the Dallas A-List. For Nerces, a huge source of pride is the sense of comfort and care he has created at each of his shops, making customers and employees truly feel they are part of a family.

Nerces and Autoscope actively contribute to their communities as well, whether it be supporting the local food bank, speaking at community colleges about small business ownership, or participating with the German Chamber of Commerce’s Apprentice Program. Based on his dedication to his community, his customers and his staff, there’s no question that Nerces fits perfectly with Elite.

Nerces currently resides in Dallas, TX with his wife, Kathy, and enjoys auto racing, golfing, photography, and traveling both internationally and domestically in his free time.

Kevin Jones

Business Development Coach - Elite Top Shop 360

With over 28 of his 34 years of industry experience spent as a garage owner, Kevin Jones has established himself as one of the most successful business leaders in the U.K. He is proud to be the first garage owner in the U.K. to be awarded Elite’s Ethics Certification, and was one of the first garages to achieve the British Standards Kitemark award. Kevin serves as a Business Development Coach for garage owners in the European market.

Kevin is a Certified Automotive Engineer (CAE), and an Associate Member of the Institute of the Motor Industry (AMIMI). He spent several years working as a lead technician for a successful private racing team and has studied automotive repair and advanced automotive repair nationwide, receiving multiple certifications. In addition to the two garages, Kevin owns a very successful vehicle specialist air conditioning company that is renowned throughout the county, receiving referrals from not just Independent repairers, but also fast fit chains and main dealers alike. He also regularly studies advanced business management courses, and has not only received 2 diplomas in this field in the U.S., but has successfully completed the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation on the AMI Masters Program. He is proud to say that his garages are approved AA repair centres and are affiliated with both the Trading Standards and the Trust My Garage Schemes in the U.K.

Kevin believes that his success comes from leading an ethics-based business, and by setting his team up to succeed within their roles in the workplace. This is achieved through development plans for each team member and regular reviews. He ensures that every employee treats his customers in a way that they would expect to be treated themselves, and insists on maintaining high ethical standards in both internal and external relationships at all times. Kevin is enthusiastic in supporting the local community, and hosts ladies evenings and car clinics. His businesses also help raise funds for the Macmillan Cancer Charity and BEN (Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund).

Kevin lives with his family approximately 40 miles East from the centre of London, on the River Thames coastline in Rayleigh, Essex.

Bill Greeno

Business Development Coach - Top Shop 360

Bill Greeno is the owner of Quality Automotive Servicing, a multi-million dollar shop in Truckee, CA. Since its inception, they have seen consistent growth of over 10% annually. Bill has over 13 years of experience as a shop owner, and was named and awarded the cover of Ratchet and Wrench Magazine’s “Great Leaders” edition in 2013, and was again on the cover in 2022. Bill’s shop has twice been named “Best of the Best – Truckee North Tahoe Auto Shop”, as well as the Chamber of Commerce’s “Best Small Business”. Bill has also been a trainer and speaker for World Pac Training before joining Elite.

Bill has his Bachelor of Science in Parks and Natural Resources Management. He is a Level 3 Professional Ski Instructor/Race Coach, as well as a Certified Regional Trainer and Examiner for both the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the United States Skiing Association. Bill is also very adamant on being active in the community; He serves as Planning Commissioner in District 5 Nevada County, is in his 2^nd term on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, is involved with Truckee Sport Shooters BOD and is the Director of Record.  He also serves on the Advisory Board for his School District Career Technical Education, and Advisory Board for Truckee Meadows Community College Automotive Sciences Program. Bill’s shop also hosts the annual Cornhole for a Cause benefiting the Big Brothers Big Sisters Nevada County.

Bill Greeno lives in Truckee, California with his wife Sheila and two children. He is passionate about teaching: “I’ll teach a child to ski or an adult about best business practices (it’s the same to me). I am voracious about helping other to understand and implement new strategies (and joy) into their lives”. He enjoys skiing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting and kayaking, hunting, camping, golfing, and church. Without a doubt, Bill is an incredibly involved, caring, and driven individual, and Elite is incredibly grateful to have him as a part of our team.

Tony Leonardi

Business Development Coach - Top Shop 360

Tony Leonardi is an excellent example of an industry superstar. Born and raised in Northern California, he came up through the industry as a technician while earning a college degree. In addition, he attended more industry-specific courses than you could ever imagine. Tony ultimately built one of the top automotive repair shops in America and became a member of NAPA’s National Auto Care Council.

Tony started Leonardi Automotive by taking over a failed shop in 1992 and has made significant gains in both sales and profits since his acquisition. In addition, his Key Performance Indicators prove that he has mastered every aspect of his business and has the shop running so well that he can run the business remotely.

We are confident there are many reasons his employees love working with him and why his shop has been on the BBB Honor Roll for the past 20 years. All that know him would certainly agree; Tony’s commitment to the success of his employees, and his dedication to his customers, are the foundation for his success.

Tony is heavily involved with their local schools and organizations, making him and his company an integral part of his community and respected in ways others could only dream of.

Tony has three wonderful children with his lovely wife, Liz. They also have a parrot, two cats, and the cutest dog you could ever imagine. He also loves restoring classic hotrods, archery, and shooting, and he spends some of his free time playing his guitar and on his ham radio.

Lastly, the industry is fortunate to have someone as incredible as Tony Leonardi, and we at Elite are honored to have him as a part of our family.

Matt Lofton

Business Development Coach - Top Shop 360

To say that Matt Lofton had a remarkable twenty-plus-year history in the automotive industry would be an understatement. And the best part is that he has just gotten started. One of his early achievements is his seven-year stint in NASCAR as a driver and team owner. This is where Matt learned the importance of building a talented team and always striving for continual improvement: A lesson that would prove invaluable in his future endeavors. Matt won the Orange County Speedway Track Championship in 2006 and Rookie of the Year in 2006 and 2007. He also finished in second place at the renowned Talladega Superspeedway in 2012.

While away at college in 2013, Matt’s father faced a few health issues. He left college to join his family’s business, a part manufacturing and e-commerce company. It wasn’t long before he eventually took over the day-to-day operations, managing over 50 employees. Under Matt’s leadership, he led the company to its most profitable year, recording sales of over $15 million!

During Matt’s time with the family business, Matt began performing automotive repairs for the public in 2015 to subsidize his Research and Development Team of ASE technicians. Matt then realized that he enjoyed the repair side of the auto industry. In 20176, Matt left the family business to establish his own company, founding Strut Daddy’s.

Using his business skills learned over the years, Matt hit the ground running, quickly making Strutt Daddy’s the go-to auto repair facility in his community. Strut Daddy’s also earned many “Best of Community Awards”; Best Place to Buy Tires, Best Auto Repair Facility, and Best Customer Service. Matt’s company has also been awarded the Car Fax Top Award for the past three years. He is also proud that Strut Daddy’s has over 400 online reviews with a 4.8 Google review rating.

In 2018 Matt turned to Elite and became a Top Shop 360 client, coached by Mike Kost, to further his success and find new strategies to enhance his business. Matt is proud of his team’s success and has attained a 30% year-over-year growth for the past three years. Matt is also the recipient of the Elite Million Dollar Club Award and is currently creating a plan to expand his company to multiple locations.

Matt lives in North Carolina with his wife, Terri, who helped him build Strut Daddy’s from the ground up. Matt has two boys, eight and four years old, and two dogs. Matt and Terri are very involved in the community, participating in many local charities and other events. Matt is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys bird hunting and golf.

Dave Earp

Business Development Coach - Top Shop 360

Dave Earp may have been born into the world of automotive service, but what he has accomplished in his 31 years of experience is a testament to his passion for the automotive industry and his desire to help others. In 1991 Dave went to work at his father’s transmission repair business, which was founded in 1964. With a background as an ASE-certified technician, service advisor, and bookkeeper, Dave was confident that the company could succeed even more.

In 2012, Dave took over the operations of his dad’s business and converted it from transmission-only to a full-service auto repair company. In 2015, Dave purchased the business and experienced remarkable growth after implementing his new business model. However, Dave had the determination to do more. Under his leadership, Dave implemented strategies that significantly grew the company. From 2012 to 2022, Dave posted a 69% increase in sales growth since taking over the business.

Part of the reason for Dave’s success is his dedication to his employees. His average employee tenure is 8.1 years, which is quite an accomplishment in business. Dave always strives to enhance the skills of his employees and is committed to helping them succeed. Dave realizes that his success is directly related to his team’s success.

Dave’s industry achievements speak for themselves. His business is an AAA-approved company, a NAPA AutoCare Center, Certified Service recognition, and a TECH-NET facility. In addition, Dave’s company was awarded the O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Certified Service Shop of 2014 and was the feature cover story in Parts and People publication in 2011. Dave is also a big believer in training; involved with various industry organizations.

Community involvement is another integral part of Dave’s life. He works with the Northshore school district on a podcast called Skills for Life, which helps kids choose the right career path based on their skill sets. Dave has even performed several “pro bono” vehicle repairs for those in need and sponsors many community sports organizations. He is also a member of the Automotive Service Association, and the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce. On the personal side, Dave coached his son’s baseball and football teams.

Dave lives in Snohomish, Washington, with his wife and three children; Olivia, 22; Natalie, 17; and Will, 16. He loves golf, working out at his gym, dirt bikes, and snowboarding. Dave’s philosophy on life describes him best: “I live by the philosophy of self-care. Mind, body, and soul so that I can better serve others. Also, being present in the moment and treating others with dignity and respect.”

Mark Harris

Mark Harris’ experience and business success is not the only reason he makes an amazing coach. His desire to help others, combined with a well-round background, gives him a considerable advantage in helping business owners achieve their goals.

After graduating college in 1986, Mark began his career in finance. He then switched gears in 1990 and entered the automotive industry, joining his family’s Chevrolet dealership business until 2003. From there, Mark was a controller and CFO for multiple national new-car dealer groups. As a result, he gained incredible knowledge in understanding how crucial financials are to a company’s success.

In 2009, Mark ventured out on his own and acquired his auto repair company, Becker Service Center in Naperville, Illinois, a very profitable independent automotive repair shop he still owns. His company is a NAPA AutoCare Center, a TECH-NET facility, CARFAX, and Repair Pal Certified.

Mark’s company has won numerous awards, including Best of Naperville Hall of Fame of 2021, the Angie’s List Super Service Award in 2019, and was the front page feature story in “Down to Business.” A section in the Naperville Sun newspaper in 2018. Another noteworthy attribute is his average employee tenure of over four years—a testament to his management and leadership abilities.

While Mark’s accomplishments demonstrate his success and qualifications as a business owner, the reasons why he enjoys coaching are more impressive. Mark believes that his unique background in experiencing the challenges of the financial world gives him a unique perspective on how to build and operate a successful company. Combining his experience in the new car dealership world, in finance, and owning a successful auto repair shop for over thirteen years, Mark believes he understands the daily challenges and obstacles that shop owners endure.

Mark is very active in his community. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, involved with a local charity called Loaves and Fishes, and gives back by repairing the vehicles of those in need. Mark also donated his time to little league baseball teams as a coach, sponsor, and volunteer. Mark also serves as a member of the Finance Committee at his parish church.

Mark is an avid, lifelong swimmer. He also enjoys playing golf and reading. Mark was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and has been married for thirty years. He and his wife, Camille, have two children, Stephanie and Andrew, and now live in Clarendon Hills, IL.

Mark’s philosophy: “I believe that hard work and adherence to one’s principles will ultimately lead to success.”

John Klarkowski

What John Klarkowski has accomplished in his thirty-seven-year career is a testimony to his commitment, passion for helping others, and desire to elevate the image of the automotive industry.

John was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and started his profession as a general service technician at a full-service gas station and repair shop in 1986. John’s early education included attending an Automotive Trade School and gaining valuable experience working at various auto repair shops. Through hard work and determination, John seized the opportunity to run an independent repair shop, gaining valuable business experience. Eventually, John wanted his own company and ventured out on his own and purchased a gas station with multiple income streams, including an auto repair shop business.

John is an ASE Master Technician, but his goals to grow his business led him to learn more about business. With the help of various consulting firms, John was able to take his company to the next level. As his abilities and knowledge grew, so did his business. John was so successful; he purchased an independent auto repair shop in 2007, which has grown from 15% to 30% yearly since opening. His company is AAA certified, a NAPA Auto Care Center, and a Pronto Car Care facility. John’s shop is a multi-year Angie’s List Super Service Award winner.

John has been in business for twenty-five years and still owns and operates his auto repair company. Tenure at his shop is an average of eight years, an incredible accomplishment. John’s mother worked with him during the early days of his first location and still puts in eight hours each week taking care of the company books.

John’s success and experience qualify him as a coach, but his character allows him to help other shop owners. John credits the amazing experience during his career and all the wonderful people he has met that have positively influenced him. John knows the challenges and struggles of the average shop owner, and he is determined to give back to others to make a difference in their business and personal lives.

John enjoys hiking, hockey, snowmobiling, drag racing, reading, and socializing. He is active in his community, donating to various charities, including his local church, police department, and fire department, and is also involved with neighborhood block parties. John lives with his lovely wife, Michelle, in East Bethel, Minnesota.

John’s business philosophy: “Strong, positive leadership and culture guarantees success. We have to be open-minded to accept and embrace it.”