Instructors

John Thornton

John Thornton operates a mobile diagnostic business in the Chicagoland area. John assists his repair shop customers with driveability concerns, computer reprogramming and setup needs, bus communication issues, transmission controls and electrical diagnosis.

John has over 30 years of diagnostic experience and is an ASE certified Master Technician with L1 certification.

John also conducts training seminars nationally for professional repair technicians through Autotrain, Inc. These seminars combine real world problem solving with system operation. These seminars focus on developing efficient diagnostic tech- niques through a thorough understanding of both the system under discussion and the diagnostic tools available.

Kat Messenter

Kat Messenger has over 8 years experience training independent auto dealers in North and South Carolina. She has trained dealers and consulted with education programs in Texas, New Mexico, Iowa and other states.

Joe Barcarella

Joe Barcarella is a recertified ASE Master Tech who also holds the L1 Advanced Engine Performance certification. Joe has published several articles on vehicle repair and can be seen discussing emissions system diagnostics and repair on You tube's popular "TennecoInc" channel.

Kelly Bennett

Kelly Bennett commenced his training career in Calgary, Alberta Canada in 1987 with a workshop entitled "Starting a Successful Business". In 1992 he was asked to con duct a workshop to the automotive industry department at the Okanogan College in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. By 1995 Kelly was in high demand in the automotive industry which has led him to become one of the top automotive industry trainers throughout the United States and Canada.

Kelly has appeared on radio, television and has been featured in many daily and weekly newspapers. He is an award winning columnist with his very popular monthly "Management S.O.S." articles series found in Canadian Technician Magazine (www.canadiantechnician.ca). Kelly also writes articles for AUTOINC and for the WORLDPAC Industry News-"WIN", as well as several ASA chapters across theUnited States.

Roger Johnson

Roger Johnson is the holder of 18 major Sports Car Club of America driving titles, earned over 25 years of automotive competition. His other contributions to that organization have earned him every major national award, including two that are named for him. He was inducted into the SCCA Hall of Fame in 2008.

Away from competition driving, Roger maintains a full schedule of automotive testing, competitive comparisons / certification, and high-level training of automotive engineers in subjective evaluation techniques for ride & handling. Clients include every major OE automobile manufacturer and numerous aftermarket, government and media companies.

Sherry Robertson

Sherry S. Robertson, PHR is a certified professional in Human Resources with over 25 years of business management experience and 15 years of focused HR. She most recently served as Human Resource Director for a Raleigh property management company, before creating her own Human Resource consulting firm, Answers4HR. Answers4HR caters to small businesses seeking advice, education, and support in all aspects of Human Resources .

Sidney Gay

Sidney Gay joined Tenneco in November of 1993 after 15 years of jobber counter sales in New York. During his 18 year tenure with Tenneco, Sidney managed aftermarket sales in New York's Brooklyn, Bronx and Manhattan markets for 7 years, before accepting a position as Sales Training Manager. Sidney began his aftermarket career working in in father's repair facility and has accumulated over 30 years in the industry. Mr. Gay is a certified Front End Specialist, and holds a B.A. and M.A. in Economics.

Rich Cregar

Rich Cregar is an Instructor in Automotive Systems Technologies and Green Transportation Technologies at Wake Technical Community College and a GlaxoSmith Kline Faculty Fellow at the Institute for Emerging Issues at N.C. State University.

In addition to teaching, Mr. Cregar develops and presents Continuing Education workshops dealing with BioDiesel, Clean Diesel Technology, Vehicle Emissions Systems, Hybrid Electric Drive Systems and Electric Vehicles nationally. He is presently project manager for two grant programs, the Department of Energy's Clean Transportation Education Project and a Workforce Investment Act pilot course dealing with hybrids and electric vehicles.

Danny Sanchez

With over 23 years in the automotive industry, Danny Sanchez is the driving force behind the success of Autoshop Solutions. From shop owner to sales trainer to CEO, Danny has experienced the many aspects of growing a successful automotive business.

Danny's message of "customer first, money later" is transparent in his sales training, company culture, and business methods. With 18 years of front line auto repair counter and management experience, 12 years website and internet marketing experience, 7 years automotive business coaching and training, and most recently, building the largest internet marketing agency dedicated to the automotive aftermarket, Danny's portfolio of experience is what makes Autoshop Solutions, Inc. the leader in our industry.

Chef Brian

Chef Brian Adornetto began his culinary journey early in life. He was taught the basics of cooking by his mother and grandfather at the landmark P.N.K. Tavern in Jersey City, NJ which has been in his family for 80 years. So, it was no surprise that Brian chose to attend culinary school following his graduation from Saint Peter's College.

After graduating from the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, Brian honed his skills at such high profile New Jersey restaurants as Puccini's, Sonoma Grill, the Hilton at Short Hills' Four-Diamond, Three-Star Terrace Restaurant and the Five-Diamond, Four-Star Dining Room. Brian then became Sous Chef for Amanda's in Hoboken, which received an Excellent rat ing in that year's Zagat's guide. Eventually, he rejoined the Hilton Hotel Corporation and served as Banquet Sous Chef and later as Chef de Cuisine in the Hilton at East Brunswick. He then became an Executive Chef for Morrison Management Specialists, a division of Compass Group and Chef Consultant for Rao's Specialty Foods.

He has cooked at the James Beard House twice, The Cellar in Macy's Herald Square, "live" on WHUD 100.7 FM in the Hudson Valley, the Taste of the NFL, numerous Fancy Food Shows, and the Taste of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. Other memorable career moments include testing recipes for Chef Sanjeev Kapoor's "How to Cook Indian" and contributing recipes to "The Best Recipes of ShopRite's Culinary Workshop" and "The BounceBack Kids Cookbook".

Brian can now be found on the adjunct culinary faculty of Wake Technical Community College in NC, writing about food and dining in the Raleigh Downtowner Magazine as well as other publications and websites, and teaching at A Southern Season's Cooking Studio in Chapel Hill, NC. He also offers private cooking lessons, demonstrations, and culinary workshops. Brian and his wife, Barbara, have two daughters, Gabriella and Aliza.

Dale Yarborough

Dale Yarborough, retired Air Force, with 22 years of active duty service. A native of North Carolina, and is currently working for the North Carolina Department of Labor in the position of VA Apprenticeship Consultant for the past five years helping private and public sector agencies develop training programs as well as outreach to veterans. Prior to that worked four years as a Wage and Hour Investigator.

Tony McKnight

Tony McKnight has been a technical education teacher and network technician prior to beginning his career with NC Department of Labor Apprenticeship & Training Bureau. Tony has extensive knowledge of workforce development issues. Prior to starting his career with NCDOL, he was a Business Service Specialist with Regional Partnership Workforce Development Board for three years. He is an Army veteran serving 11 years in U.S Army. He has been employed as an Apprenticeship Consultant for four years serving Orange, Granville, Person, Vance, Alamance, Durham, and Guilford counties. Tony holds a Bachelor's of Science from Gardner Webb University in Business Administration/ Economics and Graduate certificates from North Carolina A&T State University in Technology Education.

George Lesniak

George has over 25 years experience as a technician and educator. His experience includes working for major equipment manufacturers and training companies. George has been instrumental in the development of the CARQUEST Technical Institute Minds-On Training program. He is an ASE Certified Master Automotive Technician with L1. George has been working with CTI since 1999 and is currently the Director of Training at CARQUEST.

Vince Manship

Vince brings 15+ years of experience to CTI as a technician and instructor. He most recently worked with a national training organization as their highest rated instructor. Vince joined CTI in 2005 and brings tremendous energy to his classroom. Vince is an ASE Certified Master Technician with L1. Vince is currently in charge of curriculum development for CARQUEST Technical Institute.

David Cadden

David Cadden is an ASE Master Tech with L-1 Advanced Engine Performance . David has authored numerous books and automotive training programs for auto technicians and shop owners. Real world training techniques derived from real world auto repair experiences are his trademark.

Shaun Forgac

Over 17 years in the Automotive Industry, ASE Master Automotive Technician/L1, GM Certified Tech, Chrysler Gold Level Master Technician, Dodge Viper Certification, Plymouth Prowler Certification, ASE Diesel Certified, Chrysler Dealer trainer for over 10 years, Team leader and engine performance technician

Richard Young

ASE Master Technician with over 25 years experience in the Automotive repair industry. Richard has numerous certifications and degrees in the automotive industry including an Associates degree in Automotive Technology along with numerous Ford certifications. He has vast experience in owning and managing his own repair facility and managing a service department at a Ford dealership. Richard currently wears several hats for Airtex which includes teaching Fuel Delivery System classes for colleges and technicians, diagnostic and training research, product development and supporting our Tech Support helpline.

Joe Knight

AC Delco Maintainence and Repair Specialist Southeast Region at Raytheon Technical Services Company

Auto professional over 40 years experience, has experience as Dealership and Independent shop Technician Shop Foreman and Large GM Store Service Manager. Has been instructor in various capacities since 1978 when not active Technician.

John Bishop

John Bishop has over 35 years experience in the automotive and tire industry. John's Professional experience started with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, working in all areas of Wholesale, Commercial, Retail Tire and Auto Service business. In the last 20 years, John worked with Independent Tire and Auto Service Dealers before joining ATI. "The Bishop" loves helping shop owners achieve their business and personal goals.