Moving Up

Congratulations to our Nissan SCOPE & Infiniti KEI Masters

Evan Pennington

Infiniti Infiniti KEI Master

Lokey Motor Company

Clearwater, FL

As a busy husband and father-to-be in August, Evan Pennington stays current with new subject matter by reviewing SIR videos monthly and navigating through the Virtual Academy quite frequently since becoming a Master tech. Staying up-to-date on ASE certifications and being proactive on upcoming in-vehicle technology was also helpful in achieving his Master certification. He also believes that the in-class training is extremely helpful, especially for the C-III plus tool. Pennington describes the tool as "A-M-A-Z-I-N-G" and claims that it really has "come a long way and is very easy to use."

Pennington started looking through his father's car magazines at an early age and soon found that he had a passion for the mechanical world. Each day he looks forward to working on something new and being challenged, especially when he is fixing engines and transmissions. Pennington also speaks in great lengths about the Infiniti vehicles. "They provide such a blend of luxury and performance." "There is no other brand like Infiniti out on the road." Although, he does admit that the G37 coupe is his favorite vehicle, "it's both sporty and classy," says Pennington.

Todd Almquist

Infiniti Infiniti KEI Master

Plaza Infiniti

Creve Coeur, CO

Todd Almquist started his career as an automotive technician by teaching himself the fundamentals of working on and taking apart vehicles at an early age. Before starting at Infiniti he was proactive in obtaining multiple ASE certifications and became an ASE Master technician as well. Upon starting his career with Infiniti, he followed through with multiple KEI trainings which he found to be "extremely helpful." "The online, and hands-on in-class training provided by Infiniti is essential in achieving master tech status," says Almquist. He also talked about using the new ASIST and bulletins to really provide the necessary information to help him get a difficult job completed. Although electrical is Almquist's favorite system to work on, he also has found it to be the most time consuming, so having the right information is always helpful.

While Almquist looks forward to repairing a vehicle the correct way the first time, he also gets joy out of satisfying Infiniti customers. In his spare time he enjoys working on his motorcycle and spending quality time with his family.

Patrick Dodson

Infiniti Infiniti KEI Master

Mike Ward Infiniti

Highlands Ranch, CO

Patrick Dodson is a Colorado native who loves traveling to the mountains with his wife and kids and hopes to enjoy more winter sports as his children get older. However, when he isn't enjoying the outdoors with family, he is spending much of his time working on Infiniti vehicles. Dodson became interested in cars when he first learned how to drive and says "it has been a hobby ever since." He attended a strong technical school which gave him the necessary background to work on achieving Master for Infiniti. Dodson also stays current on new subject knowledge through the Virtual Academy and checks it monthly. The best advice he can give to technicians working on achieving Master status is to pay extra close attention to electrical training. "You'll need a strong electrical knowledge base for today's vehicles," says Dodson.

Dodson owns a 2006 G which is his favorite vehicle, "because it's a "great blend of sport and luxury. "The entire Infiniti brand is unlike any other brand of vehicles out there. It's a luxurious, technologically sophisticated, and sporty brand. It isn't just your father's Cadillac."

Bryan Tatar

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

John Howard Nissan

Morgantown, WV

Take the advice of Nissan training instructors to heart," is the biggest recommendation that Bryan Tatar can offer to techs aspiring to become Master Techs. Tatar got his start as a technician after high school when he enrolled in the Nissan apprenticeship program. Sixteen years later, he is still working on Nissans and loves it.

LEAF™ electric vehicle technology is a good concept according to Tatar. "It is a good direction to go in to save oil and the environment, and Nissan is the industry leader."

Tatar says he enjoys his job because it is never boring and there is always something new. Even after 16 years in the business, there are always surprises.

Robert Montfort

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Sheehy Nissan of Waldorf

Waldorf, MD

This Master Tech enjoys figuring out difficult vehicle problems and gains a sense of accomplishment when done. Robert Montfort, eight year Nissan technician veteran says he always knew he wanted to be an automotive technician. At an early age while watching his father repair vehicles, he soon began taking apart small things which soon evolved into taking apart automobiles.

Montfort says he loves the LEAF™ technology. He went on to say that "it's the coolest thing he's seen on the road and can't wait for 5 years to see what the technology will bring".

As a parting word, Montfort wanted to mention that he is thankful for all the training Nissan provided him: "I could not have done it without out it."

Steven Polotti

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Windsor Nissan

East Windsor, NJ

SCOPE Master Technician Steven Polotti started his mechanical career 12 years ago in New Jersey. "I knew I wanted to be a mechanic when I was a kid because I loved shop class," he said in a chipper voice.

When asked what advice he would give to a kid wanting to get into the mechanical field, he said: "Get as much hands-on experience as you can." Steven states since he's been working with Nissan there's been one thing that stands out that he's really been looking forward to. "I can't wait to work on the LEAF™ electric vehicles," he stated.

While outside work, Steven likes to spend time with his family. He and his wife both own Nissans. He owns a Sentra and she owns an Xterra. This Master Tech has Nissan on the brain.

Luis Romero

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Metro Nissan of Monclair

Monclair, CA

Luis Romero was born and raised in Mexico City. When he grew up, he moved to California and became very passionate about being a mechanic. "I have always tried to go to the top. There is no limit to what you can do in this industry," he said. Luis has been a mechanic for 19 years and has a true love for Nissan vehicles. "Nissan vehicles are just powerful, comfortable, good looking cars," Luis said.

daughters and one son. He does not have many hobbies. "The only thing I do most when I'm not working at Nissan is, play around with my 1978 Chevy Camaro," Luis stated.

When Luis was asked what he liked about Nissan the most, he had this story to share: "I owned a 1990 Nissan Sentra, and before I traded it in, it had over 400,000 miles and was still running like a champ."

Luis Romero enjoys being a mechanic even after 19 years. He looks forward to going to work every day for one very important reason, "I like making money."

Jason Rain

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Ehrlich Nissan

Greely, CO

Jason Rain, an 18-year automotive technician veteran, got his start by attending Denver Auto and Diesel College (Lincoln Tech.), where he received a scholarship by winning a state level competition while in high school. Becoming a Master Tech is a personal achievement, according to Rain. Thirst for knowledge, and always wanting to apply himself to the latest technology drove him to become a Master Tech and is his day-to-day motivation.

He believes HEV and EV vehicle technology is the automotive direction of the future. "I love the "Green" technology and think that Nissan should apply the same design technology to some of its other vehicle offerings," Jason said.

Rain could not say enough about Ehrlich Nissan. He said the dealership, which has been family owned since 1946, has a great family atmosphere. "Everyone knows everyone, and nobody is afraid to help when a fellow employee (family member) needs help," Jason said.

Alex Sanders

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Jim Johnson Nissan

Bowling Green, KY

Alex Sanders says he has worked in every department at Jim Johnson Nissan during more than 20 years at the dealership. A technician for the last six years, Alex has always loved cars -- especially newer cars -- and enjoys the challenge of learning about the function of new systems and technology.

CONSULT III plus is a vast improvement. "The tool is more fluid to use and is a 150 percent improvement from the previous scan tool," stated Sanders, who uses C-III plus several times a week.

Sanders' advice for technicians contemplating becoming a Master Technicians is to give it their all, be committed and become as familiar as possible with the product.

Alex wanted to make mention and thank everyone at Jim Johnson Nissan for giving him the opportunity to become a Master Tech.

Adrian Alvarez

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Coral Springs Nissan, Inc.

Coral Springs, FL

Beginning his career as a shop helper, sweeping floors and changing oil at Infiniti, Adrian Alvarez worked his way to the top by studying hard and taking advantage of the classes Nissan offered him. If Nissan is going to pay for my education, why not take advantage of it to better myself and become an expert?" Today, Alvarez is now the shop's foreman and a Master Technician at Nissan.

Adrian loves the challenges of being a Master Technician and appreciates the problem-solving involved in an electrical diagnosis. "I love what I do," he said. "I learned a lot about cars from my older brother when we were growing up -- he was into racing. The cars he worked on really caught my attention, and that's how I got started."

When diagnosing electrical issues, Alvarez uses the CONSULT III plus scan tool and appreciates how far the tool has come. "It's an awesome tool --I use it every day!" said Adrian.

"The newer version of the tool is much faster, a lot easier to use and makes his job easier," Adrian said. His highest priority when helping customers is to make sure their vehicle is fixed right the first time so they don't have to return it due to any minor oversight or cause for redo.

Alvarez takes great pride in his work and provides only the best service to his customers. His drive has brought him to where he is today, and he says this all happened from personal goal-setting and achievement.

Michael Daoud

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Peoria Nissan

Peoria, AZ

Mike Daoud began his deep interest in cars when he was about 20 years old. "I had my own car then that broke down, and when I took it to a mechanic he said, ‘I'm sure you could do your own repair -- and if you have any trouble, then I could just help you."

Daoud said he knew nothing about cars at this point, but shortly after speaking with the mechanic, started learning, and kept on learning until he was able to build his first drag racing engine. Now, Mike is a Master Technician and shop foreman who loves drag racing.

Mike appreciates the design, styling and performance of Nissan. "I love Nissan -- I own two of them," Mike said. "I have an Armada and my wife has a brand new Altima. My dream car is the M56, though." Daoud says Nissan owners expect a lot from their cars, and Nissan accommodates that.

"If you hear a small rattle in a Nissan, it's a big deal to them. Other cars have small rattles, but when a Nissan has one, they want to find the cause and fix it right away," Mike said. For Mike, this is the difference between Nissan and other brands of vehicles.

Adam Green

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Tri-Cities Nissan, Inc.

Johnson City, TN

Frontiers and Pathfinders are Master Tech Adam Greens' favorite vehicles to repair. According to Green, even though Frontiers and Pathfinders rarely need repair, they are easy to maintain and easy to repair when they do.

Adam got his start as a technician while still in high school attending shop class. After high school, he continued his automotive education by enrolling and graduating from NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI). While attending NTI, Green worked as a technician at an Infiniti dealership. Soon after graduation, he made the move to Tri-Cities Nissan, where he has been working for the last six years.

The satisfaction that I was able to accomplish becoming a Master Tech is what Adam says motivated him to take on the commitment of becoming a Master Tech. When not at the dealership maintaining Frontiers and Pathfinders, Green enjoys hanging out at the track and drag racing.

Horace Walters

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Kraft Nissan

Tallahassee, FL

Horace Walters has been a technician at the same Nissan dealership for eight years. Walters started at Kraft Nissan as a technician intern while finishing his education at Lincoln Tech. Horace is very comfortable where he works, and the environment throughout the dealership is stress-free.

Walters, who is also a LEAF™ specialist, says the CONSULT III plus is faster and easier to navigate compared to previous diagnostic tools he has used. "I use C-III plus several times a day and it has saved me a ton of time compared with our previous scan tool," he said.

Horace says technicians seeking Master Technician status need to learn as much as they can from their Nissan instructors, have patience and follow all their directions and instructions. They should also learn all that they can about all the various Nissan products.

Luis Bianchi

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Royal Palm Nissan

Royal Palm Beach, FL

"Becoming a technician was a natural progression," says Master Tech Luis Bianchi. Bianchi has worked at Royal Palm since 1998. He transitioned to Nissan in 2001 when the dealer closed its Chrysler franchise.

"Electrical diagnosis is my specialty," says Bianchi.

He goes on to say, "Take Training! You'll get a chance to build your knowledge and gain an understanding of how the system works," he added.

"Working at Royal Palm Nissan is like working with family," Luis said. Bianchi's true passion is spending time with his wife and two kids. If Luis were to hit the lottery, he would quit work and spend as much time with his family as he could.

Bianchi said he is grateful to everyone at Royal Palm who gave him the opportunity to become a Master Tech. Until he decided to become a Master Tech, Luis was unsure of the direction he was going to take with his career.

Brian Hughes

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Nissan of Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA

In less than three years, Brian Hughes was able to become a Nissan Master Technician. Hughes spent almost 13 years of his career working at various independent repair shops in America's farm belt. He said it is an honor to have the opportunity and title of Nissan Master Technician.

Brian uses C-III plus multiple times a day and finds that the biggest benefit is the ability to switch between screens and functions. He also wishes that there was hardware back up.

"I like the way Nissan supports its technicians," Hughes said. The technology coming from Nissan is very interesting. He is looking forward to GT-R training. "GT-R training is one of the reasons I chose to work for Nissan," Brian said.

"To become a Master Tech, technicians need to study Nissan products and take all of the Nissan online training that's available," Hughes said. "Nissan really supports its techs." Brian continued saying that techs just need to take the time to go over the information provided in training. "Some of the training information provided by Nissan is similar to that provided by ASE," he added.