The highly anticipated final part of our live Beyond the Wrench episode with Walser Automotive Group is here! In this episode, we dive deeper into what makes Walser’s culture stand out. Our guests discuss how they hire for cultural fit, emphasize the importance of first impressions with recruits, and leverage school visits and community relationships to attract new talent.

Check out the full live version of the podcast on YouTube!

About Our Guests:
Sherry Schultz
Chief Human Resources Officer

Lindsey Trett
Director of Talent Acquisition

Jon Olstad
Technician Production Manager

Rick Dotte
Heavy Line Technician

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
For Technicians & Students

• Compare & Explore Technician Pay: View salary information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
• Find Your Ideal Shop or Dealership: Looking for the best places to work? Discover and research the best shop or dealership for you at wrenchway.com/shops.

For Shops & Dealerships

• Hire Top Talent & Assist Schools: Connect with skilled technicians, engage with schools, and help elevate the auto and diesel industry with WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships. 

For Auto, Diesel, & CTE Instructors:

• Support Your Program & Connect with Industry: Get resources and equipment for your program and grow your industry partnerships with WrenchWay's free solutions for schools.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

For the first time, we took the Beyond the Wrench Podcast live on social media with our friends at Walser Automotive Group. In this episode, we explore how Walser has earned its reputation as one of the nation’s top dealership employers. We dive into their “People Strategy,” how they engage technicians in community recruitment, and how they create clear career paths for technicians.

Stay tuned—part two goes live next week!

Can't Wait? Check out the full live version of the podcast on YouTube!

About Our Guests:
Sherry Schultz
Chief Human Resources Officer

Lindsey Trett
Director of Talent Acquisition

Jon Olstad
Technician Production Manager

Rick Dotte
Heavy Line Technician

Sponsor:
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
For Technicians & Students

• Compare & Explore Technician Pay: View salary information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
• Find Your Ideal Shop or Dealership: Looking for the best places to work? Discover and research the best shop or dealership for you at wrenchway.com/shops.

For Shops & Dealerships

• Hire Top Talent & Assist Schools: Connect with skilled technicians, engage with schools, and help elevate the auto and diesel industry with WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships. 

For Auto, Diesel, & CTE Instructors:

• Support Your Program & Connect with Industry: Get resources and equipment for your program and grow your industry partnerships with WrenchWay's free solutions for schools.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

WrenchWay Co-Founders, Jay Goninen and Mark Wilson, reflect on 2024, sharing highlights, challenges, and what’s to come in 2025. They discuss proud moments, lessons learned, and future plans—all while focusing on WrenchWay’s mission to promote and improve technician careers.

View the view version of the podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Mark Wilson
Co-Founder & CEO, WrenchWay
[email protected]

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
For Technicians & Students

• Compare & Explore Technician Pay: View salary information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
• Find Your Ideal Shop or Dealership: Looking for the best places to work? Discover and research the best shop or dealership for you at wrenchway.com/shops.

For Shops & Dealerships

• Hire Top Talent & Assist Schools: Connect with skilled technicians, engage with schools, and help elevate the auto and diesel industry with WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships. 

For Auto, Diesel, & CTE Instructors:

• Support Your Program & Connect with Industry: Get resources and equipment for your program and grow your industry partnerships with WrenchWay's free solutions for schools.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Max Sorensen, Senior Vice President of Operations at Caliber discusses the critical role mentorship and structure play in shaping successful auto collision technicians. He shares insights on Caliber’s Technician Apprentice Program (TAP), the rise of female apprentices, and how a bad mentor can derail careers.

View the view version of the podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Max Sorensen
Senior Vice President of Operations, Caliber
[email protected]

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
For Technicians & Students

• Compare & Explore Technician Pay: View salary information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
• Find Your Ideal Shop or Dealership: Looking for the best places to work? Discover and research the best shop or dealership for you at wrenchway.com/shops.

For Shops & Dealerships

• Hire Top Talent & Assist Schools: Connect with skilled technicians, engage with schools, and help elevate the auto and diesel industry with WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships. 

For Auto, Diesel, & CTE Instructors:

• Support Your Program & Connect with Industry: Get resources and equipment for your program and grow your industry partnerships with WrenchWay's free solutions for schools.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Jessica McAllister, Lead Technician, shares insights on attracting young technicians to the industry. As a young technician herself, she talks about the challenges of breaking into the diesel and trucking fields, the power of a great mentor, staying positive despite industry negativity, and offers three key tips for young technicians to kickstart their careers.

View the view version of the podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Jessica McAllister
Lead Technician

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
For Technicians & Students

• Compare & Explore Technician Pay: View salary information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.
• Find Your Ideal Shop or Dealership: Looking for the best places to work? Discover and research the best shop or dealership for you at wrenchway.com/shops.

For Shops & Dealerships

• Hire Top Talent & Assist Schools: Connect with skilled technicians, engage with schools, and help elevate the auto and diesel industry with WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships. 

For Auto, Diesel, & CTE Instructors:

• Support Your Program & Connect with Industry: Get resources and equipment for your program and grow your industry partnerships with WrenchWay's free solutions for schools.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

To celebrate the holiday season and the new year, we thought it’d be fun to reshare an exciting episode from earlier this year. In this episode, Bogi Lateiner, a master technician with over 20 years of experience and the host of All Girls Garage on MotorTrend, shares her unique perspective on the challenges women face in the shop. She also highlights the significant impact that respect for technicians can have and discusses the changes the automotive industry has undergone over the years.

View the video podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Bogi Lateiner
Host of All Girls Garage, MotorTrend
Bogi's Garage

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected]

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

To kick off the holiday season, we thought it’d be fun to reshare an exciting episode from earlier this year. In this episode throwback, John Spence, one of the top business experts in the world, author, CEO, and speaker, offers key leadership and management advice. He covers the elements of a good culture, the importance of caring for your people, and the impact that keeping toxic high-performing people can have on your business.

View the video podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
John Spence
CEO, John Spence LLC
[email protected]

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Leaders from WrenchWay and ASE dive into the findings of the 2025 Voice of Technician Report. We discuss what technicians want from employers, preferred work schedules, desired pay structures, and more. We also compare the results with last year’s survey and share our thoughts on some surprising stats!

Download the 2025 Voice of Technician Report

About Our Guests:
George Arrants
Vice President, ASE Education Foundation
[email protected]

Matthew Shepanek
Vice President of Credential Testing Programs, ASE
[email protected]

Mark Wilson
Co-Founder & CEO, WrenchWay
[email protected]

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Brandon Ludwikowski, Co-Owner of Midwest Performance Cars, joins us to share his journey in automotive and as a flat rate technician. With strong shop leadership, a good shop fit, a positive attitude, and a desire to learn, Brandon's story is an inspiring example of what it really means to "work your way up" in the industry.

View the view version of the podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Brandon Ludwikowski
Co-Owner, Midwest Performance Cars
[email protected]

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Energetic NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Driver, Steve Johnson, makes his first appearance on Beyond the Wrench. After starting as an auto technician, Steve founded the BAT-man (Be A Technician) Scholarship to help break down barriers and attract more technicians to the industry. In this episode, he also shares tips on building your brand and takes us through his early racing years.

Learn more or apply for the BAT-man Scholarship: https://www.stevejohnsonracing.com/scholarships

View the view version of the podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Steve Johnson
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Driver
https://www.stevejohnsonracing.com/

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok