Tracey Hicks, Automotive Instructor at Frederick County Public Schools, gives us an inside look at what it’s like to build a high school auto program while gaining industry relationships. Tracey discusses the benefits of working with past graduates, the impact of industry support on his program, and the need to introduce trades to kids at a young age.

(2:38) Tracey’s Teaching Journey
(14:12) Benefits of Being Involved with Alumni
(20:47) Positive Influence of Industry Support
(30:08) Running Effective Advisory Committee Meetings
(41:08) Introducing Industry at a Young Age

Resources:
WrenchWay's Free Solutions for Schools

WrenchWay's $1,000 Monthly Giveaway

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

About Our Guest:
Tracey Hicks
Automotive Instructor, Frederick County Public Schools
[email protected]

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David Mortlock, the Fixed Ops Director at Sheppard Auto Group, understands the importance of building relationships with his technicians. In this episode, David covers how to manage your P&L statement while growing and keeping techs happy, the importance of getting to know your techs and their goals, and the need to prioritize the technician and service advisor relationship.

(16:55) Treating Technicians Right
(20:59) Developing Technician Career Paths
(33:42) Managing P&L While Growing Techs
(41:49) Better Explaining Pay Structures
(50:09) Technician and Service Advisor Relationship

Resources:
Register for a TechMission Local Event

WrenchWay Reverse Job Posts

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
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About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
David Mortlock
Fixed Ops Director, Sheppard Auto Group
[email protected]

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Small but mighty, Madison Andrews, a technician at Group 1 Automotive, doesn't let her gender, size, or age stop her from excelling as a strong technician in the shop. In this episode, Madison discusses her automotive career, the impact good mentors can have on technicians, and what it's like being a female in the industry.

(1:22) Madison’s Journey in Automotive
(11:44) Joining Toyota’s T-TEN Program
(28:50) Building Trust as a Young Tech
(38:15) Having & Creating Positive Mentor Relationships
(52:31) Importance of a Defined Career Path

Resources:
Register for a TechMission Local Event

WrenchWay's Free Solutions for Technicians & Students

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
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About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Madison Andrews
Toyota Technician, Group 1 Automotive
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Shops know the importance of working with local schools, and schools need support from industry—yet there is a disconnect. During this bonus episode, we dive into how shops can better grow their relationships with schools, the benefits of working with schools early on, and the importance of setting the right expectations for young technicians.

(5:58) How Industry Currently Supports Schools
(10:44) Positive Impact of Working with Schools
(21:45) #1 Tip for Shops: Show Up
(32:43) Setting a Career Path for Young Techs
(40:14) Choosing the Right Techs as Mentors
(43:34) Communication Between Shops & Schools

Resources:
Register to Attend WrenchWay's TechMission Local Events

WrenchWay's Free Solutions for Schools

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
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About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guests:
Lindsey Trett
Director of Talent Acquisition, Walser Automotive Group
[email protected]

Brad Walker
Automotive Department Chair & Professor of Automotive Technology, Oklahoma City Community College
[email protected]

Tara Topel
Owner, Topel’s Service Center
[email protected]

Randy Golding
Automotive Instructor, West-MEC
[email protected]

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The popularity of merging and selling shops has really grown within the last decade. It can be a scary process for shop owners and their employees, but that is where Cole Strandberg, Principal at FOCUS Investment Banking, and his team come in. Tune into this episode to learn how to attract buyers to your shop and get educated on the merger and acquisition process. 

(7:20) The M&A Process
(14:26) Guiding Staff During Shop Sale
(19:43) How to Attract Buyers
(32:25) KPIs to Focus On
(39:24) Importance of Proper Communication

Resources:
Register for TechMission Local Events

Join a WrenchWay Local Chapter

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
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About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Cole Strandberg
Principal, FOCUS Investment Banking
[email protected]

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Adam Bryant, Shop Foreman of Enxing Kia, makes his second appearance on Beyond the Wrench this week! In this episode, Adam provides simple shop tasks young technicians can do to help make a positive impression. He also discusses why it is important to have confidence as a young tech and shop benefits to look for when seeking employment.

(16:04) Simple Tasks to Increase Shop Efficiency
(24:19) Be Patient & Confident
(38:21) Shops Investing in Their People
(42:15) Pressure & Expectations of Young Techs
(53:39) Be Aware of Tool Debt

Resources:
Submit Your Nominations for WrenchWay Awards

WrenchWay's $1,000 Monthly Giveaway

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
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About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Adam Bryant
Shop Foreman, Enxing Kia
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Stephanie Stanke, Owner of Wooster's Garage, brings a fresh perspective in this week’s episode on how our industry can address one of its most significant shortcomings—the technician shortage. Stephanie discusses the importance of collaborating with local youth and schools, how she has built alliances with her competitors, and ways the industry can attract more female technicians.

(2:07) Stephanie’s Automotive Career
(12:56) Getting Involved with Local Schools
(29:27) Industry Losing Its Best People
(33:52) Working with Other Shops
(45:12) Changing the Industry’s Perception
(56:47) Attracting More Female Technicians

Resources:
WrenchWay TechMission Local Events

WrenchWay Shop Memberships

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
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About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
[email protected] | 608.716.2122

About Our Guest:
Stephanie Stanke
Owner, Wooster's Garage
[email protected]

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As a shop manager or owner, it is crucial to establish effective communication and build relationships with your technicians. As a Commercial Supervisor of James Matthews Ford, Jon Boyd understands this task better than most. During this episode, Jon shares how he manages his diverse team and discusses ways shops can improve their technicians’ lives.

(1:46) Jon’s Career
(12:22) Getting Honest Feedback from Employees
(29:52) Responsibility of Communication
(37:09) Becoming a Trusted Leader
(41:46) Ways to Improve Techs’ Lives

Resources:
Submit Your Nominations for WrenchWay Awards

WrenchWay Reverse Job Posts

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

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

About Our Guest:
Jon Boyd
Commercial Supervisor, James Matthews Ford
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In this bonus episode, we replay a recent WrenchWay roundtable discussion about flat rate. Our panelists Russel Wickham from Country II and Jon Boyd from James Matthews Ford, LLC. engage in conversation about their opinions on flat rate and how it’s impacting the industry. They also give advice on how to improve the flat rate system along with more insight on how flat rate impacts technicians.

(7:11) Experiences with Flat Rate
(13:08) What Does Flat Rate Mean?
(22:04) The “Why” Behind Flat Rate
(31:04) Flat Rate’s Impact on Technicians
(39:50) How to Improve the Current Flat Rate System
(50:45) How to Openly Talk About Flat Rate

Resources:
WrenchWay TechMission Local Events
WrenchWay Solutions for Technicians & Industry Professionals

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

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

About Our Guests:
Russel Wickham 
Technician, County II
Follow Russel on LinkedIn

Jon Boyd
Commercial Supervisor, James Matthews Ford, LLC.
Follow Jon on LinkedIn

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Danny Combs, Founder of Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT) and father of an autistic child, explains the common misunderstandings of autism and how his team is teaching autistic kids technical skills so they can have a career in skilled trades.

Danny’s passion that he has for his students, the autism community, and skilled trades is truly unmatched. You don’t want to miss this episode and all the great things TACT is accomplishing!

“Anybody that wants to come here and learn has that opportunity.” - Danny Combs, Founder of Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT)

(5:00) About Autism
(11:48) Common Misunderstandings of Autism
(27:48) Building and Growing TACT
(36:11) Training, Curriculum, & Safety
(51:08) Communicating with Autistic Employees

Resources:
WrenchWay TechMission Local Events

WrenchWay Free Solutions for Schools

Download the free WrenchWay mobile app:
App Store
Google Play

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

About Our Guest:
Danny Combs
Founder, Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT)
[email protected]

Connect with us on social:

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