Michael Reed comes by his auto mechanic instincts thanks to time spent with his stepdad working on cars in the family home driveway. We’re sure happy he did. Let’s learn more about his upbringing and passion for working on cars and trucks here at our family run auto repair shop in Parker.
Michael Reed, Technician
Q: Did you grow up around family or friends who worked on cars/trucks/jeeps, or did this interest develop through other life experiences? In short: what inspired you to become an automotive technician/mechanic?
Mike: My stepdad always worked on our family cars. When I was really young, I began to help him when the toolbox rolled out. Once I was old enough, I went to a vocational tech school . It really locked in my knowledge and skills around diagnosing and repairing cars and trucks.
Q: How old were you when you started on your training path?
Mike: I guess I was about 14 years old working with my stepdad out in the driveway. I was 22 when I officially enrolled in tech training.
Q: Who taught you to be the mechanic you are today?
Mike: As I said, my stepdad was a big part of influencing me, and building my love for cars today. Once I got bitten by the car bug, it was a mixture of being self-taught and schooling.
Q: Did you apprentice under another mechanic you admired?
Mike: I was never a full apprentice. Luckily I was taken under someone’s wing when I started working in a shop. Both Rob Bear and Ron Thrall were my biggest mentors. I’m grateful for that experience.
Q: What would you say to young boys or girls in middle and high school who are considering taking an auto shop class at their school or follow-up at a vocational technology school?
Mike: If you love cars and making them run optimally, stick with it … your passion will lead the way.
… and that’s part one of our conversation with our dedicated auto mechanic and InC Auto Repair Center team member, Michael Reed. We’ll publish the second part of this exploration of his passion for working on cars and trucks soon. Watch for it.
Have you caught up on all our other crew interviews?
Here’s a link to these and other automotive news stories you might be interested in.
Shop Co-Owner:
Sheryl Brown: Keeping Pace with Automotive Technology – Convo #3
Sheryl Brown: Women in the Auto Repair Industry – Convo #2
Sheryl Brown: Conversation with Sheryl Brown – Convo #1
Make sure you catch up on the other conversations we had with key members of the InC Auto Repair Team:
Ron Thrall, Service Advisor: Life as an Automotive Service Advisor
John Baranski, ASE Technician: How to Become an ASE Mechanic Convo #1
John Baranski, ASE Technician: Life as an ASE Lead Tech Mechanic Convo #2
Michael Reed, Technician: Inspiration: Driveway Tinkering Births Mechanic Convo #1
Michael Reed, Technician: Mechanic’s Memoir: First Car & Favorite Toosl (coming soon) Convo #2
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