Speaker Bios
BILL HAAS
Bill Haas is the owner of Haas Performance Consulting LLC, with 40 years of experience in the automotive service and repair industry. Clients now have access to Bill’s solution based focus, expertise, unique perspectives and in-depth knowledge of the industry. Services available include business management seminar development and delivery, keynote presentations, business consulting, performance coaching, and strategic planning facilitation. His career includes time as a technician, shop owner, technical trainer and most recently on the staff of the automotive industry’s oldest and largest association representing automotive service and collision repair businesses. .Bill received the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) credential from the Automotive Management Institute in 1996 and has been a member of the Automotive Management Institute’s faculty since 2002
MARGARET KLEMMER
Margaret is the Chief Marketing Officer for Autoshop Solutions based in Apex, North Carolina. Autoshop Solutions is an award-winning website design and Internet marketing agency that has been helping the automotive industry with custom-designed websites and Internet marketing solutions since 2005. In August 2013, Autoshop Solutions was named to the Inc 5000 List of America’s Fastest Growing Companies. Margaret has been with the company since 2006, and she has acted as a catalyst in the growth of the business. During her time with Autoshop Solutions, Margaret has grown from handling direct customer interface and managing the entire website production and marketing process to now overseeing the corporate marketing and social media for the company.
DAN GILLEY
Dan’s automotive career began when he bought, repaired and sold a 1959 Cadillac convertible at age fourteen. Since that time Dan worked as both a technician and service advisor at several independent repair shops and new-car dealerships. Dan joined the RLO team in March of 2003 as a full time instructor and coach sharing his passion with others. In 2010 Dan became President and owner of RLO Training. He continues to passionately work to further the automotive industry and encourage shop owners and their teams in achieving personal and professional best. Dan and his team are continually updating their multiple workshops and creating new, different and specific courses for the industry. Dan strives to maintain RLO Training as the unsurpassed training company to provide the most profound impact on the automotive industry.
CHRIS PEACE
Chris has been a GM technician, shop foreman and service manager before becoming an automotive instructor. He is currently ASE Master Certified in Automobile, Medium/Heavy Truck and a GM World Class technician. During his teaching career, he has taught General Automotive and Heavy Duty Truck classes and became the GJASEP coordinator before leaving the college. At the college, Chris also taught GM STC and ACDelco classes as part of his workload. His automotive experience and knowledge cover quite a few years.
TIM ROSS
Tim Ross is the President of Mudlick Mail. He has over 15 years of sales and marketing experience that covers multiple industries. Tim has spent the last six years developing custom marketing programs for small businesses to help them grow their sales and customer count while helping his clients understand their return on investment. Before Mudlick Mail, Tim recently came from Valassis, a $2.3 billion dollar advertising company, where he was involved in providing innovative media solutions to local, regional and national accounts of all shapes and sizes. Tim is committed to helping his clients better understand consumer buying habits, managing and understanding what effects return on investment and short and long-term profitability. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Dayton.
ALLEN BASS
- Over 30 years in the Automotive Industry
- ASE Master Automotive Technician/L1
- GM Certified Technology
- Over 15 years as shop manager
DAVID PATRICK
David Patrick is a highly experienced auto technician, with over 35 years in the automotive industry. Having been an ASE Certified Technician since 1982, David achieved master auto certification status in 1988 and master medium/heavy truck certification by 1994. Now having taught many classes across the eastern United States, David has earned a position as an instructor for Carquest Technical Institute (CTI).
CRAIG VAN BATENBURG
Craig Van Batenburg is the CEO of ACDC and a former repair shop owner. He is engaged full time in the understanding of the technology used in hybrid and electric cars. His 45 years of automotive experience serves him well. Driving a Nissan Leaf when he can and a Chevy Volt for longer trips these days, he also owns and drives HEVs from Ford, Honda and Toyota as well a Nissan and GM. With great passion, a keen wit and more experience that most, Craig can help you understand not only how but why these new electrified cars operate the way they do. Craig is in demand worldwide and travels often to help those seeking a simple explanation of a complicated subject.
