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Taking Technical Skills Beyond the Bay
Taking Technical Skills Beyond the Bay
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About this episode
John Melendez shares his journey from a young technician in a family shop to owning and managing JDM Collision, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience, mentorship, and continuous education. He discusses the evolving complexity of modern vehicles, the need for advanced certifications, and how these credentials help in negotiating with insurers. John also highlights his efforts to engage and mentor the next generation through local school programs, advocating for collaboration between mechanical and collision repair disciplines to ensure safety and quality. His passion for the industry and dedication to excellence shine throughout the conversation.
Topics:
career journey
mentorship
technical skills
continuous education
certifications
collision repair
modern vehicle complexity
insurance negotiations
youth engagement
shop management
John Melendez, Owner of JDM Collision, discusses the immense value of carrying technical skills into management and other industry roles. He covers his evolution from technician to industry leader, the lasting impact of effective mentorship on the next generation, and how leveraging certifications directly drives higher pay.
Check out the full video version of the podcast on YouTube!
About the Episode
- Host: Jay Goninen, WrenchWay, [email protected]
- Guest: John Melendez, JDM Collision, [email protected]
Links & Resources
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Technical
Too Afraid to Ask
Car
Chevrolet C8
"...ere getting your hands dirty this morning on some C8 Corvettes. Absolutely, Jay."
Car
Chevrolet Chevelle
"...re was a night and I'll never forget this, a 1968 Chevelle black and it had to be painted complete. It was a..."
Select text to request an explanation
But yet, their talents could be truly utilized on a direction to either be in a mentor, being
a production manager, even a parts.
There's still enough room to keep these guys engaged in their industry, and I think that will
make it that much stronger.
Welcome back to Beyond the Wrench.
My name is Jay Gannon, and I am your host on today's show.
I am really, really excited to welcome John Melendez from JDM Collision in Illinois.
John is one of my favorite people in the industry.
Every time I talk to John, we have an absolute blast, and he's highly educated, highly certified
as we'll go through this conversation and talk a lot about, but just a smart, smart person.
I am jealous, John, because you told me you were getting your hands dirty this morning
on some C8 Corvettes.
Absolutely, Jay.
Best part about it is I love working on M cars, and the same with the customers, but the best
part about that is I've never had a C8 talk back to me yet.
There are days where not being behind a computer, not being on a phone, really seems appealing,
and being able to just walk out to your shop, get a beautiful shop, beautiful facilities,
and just kind of be able to wrench, that's got to be fun.
It is, honestly, and that keeps me engaged, and of course, if I'm going to give direction,
I should lead by example, and that's been so important, but just to be involved is what's
keeping me well-rounded and up-to-date on the way these cars are changing.
I found that out the hard way.
If I don't stay engaged and continue with the education, Jay, I'm going to fall
behind it.
I really don't want to have that happen because it is a great time to be in the
industry if you have good direction.
Your perspective is always great, and even if something is maybe not going the direction
you want it to go, or if you see the industry and have some frustrations with it, I always
get the sense that you're coming from a viewpoint of trying to help the industry and trying
to push it in a forward direction.
Yeah, and that's a valid point, Jay, where I see a lot of that and where it
stems from and what we're trying to do is if we can get consistency in our industry.
Just to mention this past panel discussion that we had last week in SEMA, I was sitting
next to a very bright young man from K&M Collision, and I always reference, I just
met him, and that's Kyle Branshaw, and he made it very clear that guesstimate is
basically you've got to come out of the equation, that we do not want to start
the process with any consumer that walks in our door, that we truly should give that
consumer a damage report and keep them involved on what it's going to take to get
that car back to pre-loss condition, and I think that's very important in
resonating in a direction in which if we had a process that was the same across
the nation, then there's only one way to do a damage report, and the only
thing that changes is just to make a model, and if we can get that solid
and have that work put out there, our industry is going to be even better to
work with.
Oh, I can't wait to dive into some of this. Before we do that, we've got to
start with a young John Melendez and understand what brought you into this
industry. With a John name, I do have to ask, has it always been John or
was there a Jonathan, Johnny, any variations of the first name?
If you ask my wife, we couldn't say that under circumstances of verbiage.
35 years, but you know, of course, I run supporter and I just want to
emphasize that. No, not exactly. No overall nicknames or anything like
that. But in reference to starting out, that young John started out and now
I'm going to start admitting my age, Jay, which I really didn't want to do
today is 1973, my dad bought a shop and I was involved in that. And of
course, you know, give you a quick little background and starting out like
anything else, there was a broom put in my hand, then it was picking up the
tools. It was wiping the tools. And I was always upset with the fact, you
know, and not realizing, let's use karate kid as an example, the wax on
the wax off. It that's that resonated after that movie back in 85 and
understanding what direction my dad was trying to put me into and
understanding that, you know, you need to learn a tool. If I if I asked you in
now mind you, once again, the age is coming into play. I need a half inch
wrench or I need a half inch six point socket. You know, I need a 12
point in this case, you know, believe it or not, picking up all
that stuff, it really, really helped me. And then of course, it gave me
the path of direction where I'm at today.
I think the attention to detail piece is something as we go through this
conversation, you'll start to understand about john is that I don't
know that there a stone goes unturned with you, right? You do have a
different level of detail in in I think one of the most, I guess high
quality shops that I've seen. And I think it's what drives you to
be so successful, right? And so, you know, you look at those early
days of your career, and maybe what that and what your father taught
you about that attention to detail, I started off very similar in my
career, right, which was in a family shop, cleaning, sweeping,
taking the garbage out. At the time we used to burn cardboard.
So I had like a old burn barrel and take cardboard out and burn
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that was always fun. But you're absolutely
right. I think that sets the stage for a lot of really, really
good things. Now, as you kind of went up, the difference in our
trajectory and how our careers went was that I was a terrible
technician. Turns out you were pretty darn good. How did how
did you go down that technical route and be so good? Oh, you
know, dude, that is just an honest and I appreciate that
type of question, Jay, because I got tired of sweeping that floor.
I got tired of picking up them tools. And I got tired of watching
my uncle who worked at my dad shop that he was literally putting
him under his belt. And this goes back to when I was 13 years
old. Now mind you, you're looking back now in, you know,
the late 70s, and going to the 80s, which I don't want to
use the math no more. Like I said, I don't want to keep it
ready yet. Is that my dad was a fireman. So he would work
24 hours. And then he was off 48 hours. And he had the shop
myself. And there was a couple other employees there. And in my
dad's brother, which was my uncle, always giving them the
attention. Well, they finally got me so ticked off one day,
there was a night and I'll never forget this, a 1968 Chevelle
black and it had to be painted complete. It was a complete
paint job on this thing. It had to be immaculate. Back then
it was lacquer. I went ahead and my dad was working that
Sunday. And I decided, you know what, I prepped, I sanded, I
clean, I'm like, you know what, the easy part is right around the
corner. I'm going to do it. And that was my first paint job. And
I went ahead and I did the car myself. My dad came in the next
morning, I went to school. I went to school, didn't get back
and my uncle was going to take credit for this. I'm like, Oh,
no, no, no, no, no, I painted the car and none of them
wanted to believe it. I says, do you think really Sunday I
did? I said so honestly, I could paint better than him. And you
guys have spent all the time with him. And believe it or not till
today, I still razz my uncle because he's in the insurance
side of it. And I says you could not even fix a car today,
let alone put gas in it, just like it was when we were
younger.
How old were you when you painted that first car? 13 years
old. Oh my goodness. And what a brave soul you went out
and at that when you're 13, and maybe you had this little rebel
in you that was like, I'm just gonna do it. I don't know if I
would have had the guts to do that.
Yeah, you know, because you know what, they were giving me
these taxigab, these old checkered cabs, old Dulux
yellow, I'll paint this fender because you know, here, we got
to get it out right away. Or you could do the inside of that.
I'm like, I've been painting these things since I was,
you know, just coming into the shop after the fact, you
know, but honestly, I got a strike that it was 15 J, not
13. It was 15 years old, even 15. Pretty impressive. Yeah. And
it just got to the point is like, I'm doing a lot of the prep
work. And it's like the easy part, all these guys are taking
that, you know, and then they're putting a buffer in my
hand. I'm like, oh, no, no, no, I want to have some fun
here. And honestly, that's what gave me the direction.
Do you have any runs in that first paint job? No, but
the back, I couldn't reach the back of the sale of the
rear package tray panel. And it was a little dry right
there. And that's the only spot they had to redo. But
everything else was nice. I couldn't reach it.
Super impressive. So you go from that paint job. Where does
your life go from there? I assume maybe you're earning a
little bit more trust as you're in the shop and you're
pulling off some more of this.
Took the initiative and I made it very clear by paying
attention and watching everybody else created a better
technician than the one that you spent the time with.
And I still emphasize that with my uncle. I Oh, I
drive him nuts on that. And mind you, we're four years
apart. And till today, if he ever comes to the shop, I
make it very clear, I bet you you can't pick up that gun
and paint that car. And how could you? It resonates
that way. And of course, you know, you get his nostrils
to flare. And I just love having that little dig
into him over the years. I was neglected and I took
offense to that even till today. So what happens? Do
you go through high school kind of the traditional
route that way? Yes, Jay. And you know what I was
fortunate that when I went through the high school, when
I got into high school, they had the work program back
then. So therefore, I was in school, the first thing in
the morning. And then I went and worked in my dad's shop in
the afternoon. You know, of course, and I was threatened
that, you know, I do grade you. So if you're not
behaving, you're going to get a bad grade, you know,
that was that was another dig that they used to give
me and razz me about. But that was very
beneficial that I was able to to do that. And I
wish more programs would come back in reference to
what we did back in the day and give these kids a
true hands on. I think that's lacking right now. And
they wonder why we're having issues in some of these
high schools and acquiring new talent. Not not to get
old. I Yeah, we could go on that forever. And we I
think we'll dive into that later on, because I do
think that hands on portion is so important. But you
know, looking at your path, when do you start
full time at the shop?
Well, boy, I'll tell you, going through that. And I had
to grow up real fast, Jay, at the age of 17. I was
going to be a dad. And, you know, it left me no
point that, you know, my dad's business was smaller.
And with the complexity and the way cars are
changing, and that's when the X body came out,
the Chevy citation, we had to actually farm that
car out, just to get the unibody corrected,
because we didn't have a frame, we didn't have a
bench to pull these things. When I seen that,
and then understanding, I had to grow up real fast,
it left me no choice but to move on. And I ended up
working and going to a dealership. And I've been
in the dealership world ever since. Wow.
I so you go to a dealership at 17?
No, of course, I had to be at my 18th birthday. I
ended up getting married. Now I have to be
responsible. I had to grow up real fast. So during
that, I did manage to secure a job at a
local dealer. And I went into the service
department. And like I said, from doing oil
changes, whatever I could, I just got my foot in
the door. And then they found out that I was
well rounded, of course, and into the body
size side. So the manager ended up pulling me
inside of there. And then of course, there was a
lot of animosity and service because I learned
how to do the dashboards, the climate
controlled steering column rebuilding. And I
was painting and doing all that there and
still doing the mechanical work. And that
body shop manager was benefiting from that
because his bottom line just drew because
that was done in there. And you know, the
body shop was like the redheaded step child
in the mechanical side is they're the number
one guys. And even back then, I had a dual
type certification in which I was going after
both and I was utilizing to be able to do
better and to make myself more money, you
know, as far as flag hours, I was flagging
mechanical hours in the body shop.
How so you were on a flat rate type
system just coming in? Oh, yeah, absolutely. I
told them I was a seasoned veteran. And when
I walked into the dealership, I barely had
any tools. I used the credit card. I had a
brand new box I got from Sears. I'm unwrapping
everything. And I think I had this manager
so scared. He's like, I'm just taking that
tools. I says, I do. He says, but they're
new. I says, well, I couldn't take those
from my dad shop. Oh, okay, I'll give you
the benefit of doubt. It's scared to
crap out of this guy. This guy's BSed
me, right? I got plastic and boxes and
opening everything up. Just got the basic
craftsman set and I went to work.
Wow. And so when you start working on the
collision side, are you doing all the prep
stuff again? Or do you go straight into
the paint stop? I went straight into the
body side and I was very fortunate that I
had a technician put me under his wing.
Working together with a gentleman that was
very well rounded. He helped me. He
showed me more about structural pulling.
And then of course, when he would get
a job that was damaged or it was a
theft recovery, we would work together.
He would do the body side. I would do the
mechanical side. The car never went to
service and our little department was
being more efficient because we were
working together back then. Then that's
where where I was able to continue and
keep that under my belt. And I've
always seen that type of networking
when I was young. And that's what I
instilled what I'm doing today.
What what was his name? His name was
Jerry Planzinski. This old pollock.
He looked like Mr. Goodrich. He had
the round glasses on the same buster
brown hair. Always wore his uniform.
And he looked like that poster that was
up there. And I it was just I was very
fortunate to have that man put me under
his wing to help me. And I'm very
grateful for that.
We talk so much to successful people
on this podcast and that seems like a
common thread or a common theme in
that the impact that our mentors
have on us. Right. And I've got one.
I've got business card right here of
one of my really a mentor that I
loved and really think that he was a
reason I ended up in the position I
did in my career was because of him
and several others. But hearing your
story there. I'd like to maybe just
hear a little bit about a more about
him as a mentor and how he taught you.
Was it trying to just give you the
hands on or was it hey watch me do
this and then you do it. Give me an
idea. How did he teach you.
Well I have in respect for him
because I worked to the stall right
next to him. And if he needed to
anchor a car down because we didn't
really have the benches in there
we would using the floor systems that
I would literally move a car over
see that he was there or because
he was an older gentleman. If it was
bringing out the dozer to get
something pulled I would help him
and just being respectful and by and
I'm always a firm believer by giving
that respect. I'm going to get it
back in return and honestly J.I.
hit a home run with that. And wow
that's what helped me realizing that
I was you know brought up
respectfully. You respect anybody or
everybody that you end up conversing
with or doing things with and
hopefully you get it in return.
And that's where I ended up getting
it from. And with having that type
of attitude and going through this
man was a very sharp body man. He
showed me how to pick and file and
you know and straighten out panels
versus you know having to do
replacement showing you know that
you're going to do it the right way
doing it from the backside front
side. Any little concept that there
was and then of course you know
coupling that with continuing
with the GM platform and going
through schools or I should say the
GM schooling that was available or
tech bulletins and information he
would show me referencing how that
is. And then of course you know
adjusting a door I'll never forget
this. That was the first time
working with this man. He had a
dead blow hammer he says this is
how you adjust this frame and whack
the crap out of this thing. He says
now it's going to line up just
right. I'm like are you kidding me.
He goes no you'll see that when you
go to one of the assembly lines
they have the same exact hammer.
And I mean that resonated and it's
stuck with me till today.
I'm like wow OK some basic
common sense just to get this
straightened out to make the job
go. I mean just to complete the
job and having that
type of involvement
in direction from somebody who is
a seasoned veteran back then is
something I'll never forget.
I've said this in the past but I
think this is worth sharing again
that for those
texts that are listening to this
never underestimate the impact
that you have in a shop right
because if you are taking that
mentorship type role
even if you know it or not right
I think a lot of folks maybe don't
have the moniker of the title
that goes along with being a
mentor but your legacy
could easily outlive you if
you treat young people right right
like if you're taking somebody
under your wing and treating
them the right way showing them
respect and really trying
to help them.
You have no idea how much that
helps a young person out and
that will help your legacy
live on forever.
That's funny you mentioned it
because that's exactly how I
feel I've been involved with
the different schools going to
or putting together some
segments at the colleges.
I just recently got back from
East Peoria for the instructors
and you know it was like 11
12 mechanical instructors like
four or five bodies
explaining you know the
collaboration what's important
in going in that direction.
Enjoy that hopefully plant that
seed but circling back
to that point I ended up
having this past summer two
kids came in from the local
high school program and this
gentleman's name is George
never read to he's a C.T.
instructor for Thornton
fractional north that is in our
backyard right outside of the
area and he decided to bring two
kids in there and and the
first thing I did is I took
them into the paint shop area
showed them the programmable
robotic arm you know how this
is so important how you
program things and I took them
right to the 3D measurement
system using the CAD system.
I let them kids turn it on I
let them kids go through and
start measuring it resonated
so well just out of that.
And this man did is on in
summer schools out of session
and I ended up hiring one of
them young men and he even
contacted back his instructor
says hey man I did get hired
by JDM. I'm extremely happy
he's still with us till today
he's doing a phenomenal job.
He's getting on the new iCar
Academy program with one
under the young man.
Jay I got a call three or
four weeks ago.
Hey John is it a problem if
I can put something together
because I'll tell you it
resonated so well seeing the
shop of what you have today
and how advanced it is I would
really like to bring a few
more kids so we can get them
in there and and get a
program together.
Well it's set up I think it's
going to end up happening here
December 2nd I think is
going to be the date.
I got 14 kids coming.
Okay and I love that I'm
excited and I managed to get
ahold of my car.
I mean Bud's Center is
going to be out here the
marketing team the media
team and Jay I think we're
actually going to have a local
news channel that's going to
come out on this because I'm
taking in the day and I'm
creating a complete process
from when the car comes in
when it's checked in how it
gets pre-washed how it gets
identified how the paint shop
is doing taking it into the
advanced body center showing
our alignment center how we
check wheels and tires and
tread and with the new
advanced electronic laser
machines that we have in the
back and I'm going through
step by step by step for
these kids I call and when I
contacted iacar I got 14
shirts coming through these
kids I got 14 safety glasses
coming for these kids and even
having lunch catered in I'm
going to go all out and I
just hope that I'm able to
plant that seed and get that
glimmer and hopefully now
I'll have another one or two
future techs that I could
bring on board like the
young man that we have now
but at least say look a
shop like this and people
who truly respect and want you
in our industry is what I'm
trying to get across and I'm
excited and this one coming
up for shops out there
listening how John is
approaching that is about as
perfect as you can get right
it is about trying to create
more awareness about what
you're doing and the
involvement in the program
that you know the high
school program as a whole
and whether it's high
school community college being
able to get involved and do
just what you're doing which
was put together something that
was a little more formalized
there it took a little bit
more planning you're going
about it in a fully intentional
way getting I car involved
fine folks at I car
I love that man that is
that is that is so cool
and and very very impactful
so I'd love to hear that
now we can't totally
veer off your story though
we need to we need to talk
through
your story you go from your mentor
and what happens next you start
working on more stuff by yourself
you kind of keep growing your career
walk me through that side a little bit
yes you know exactly that way Jay
I I was able to get well
rounded and I'm once again very
very grateful for having a mentor
that I was able to work
underneath that was extremely
helpful and then of course
when it a pamping is that
the years that I was at that
dealership and how one thing
I'm very proud of working
working next to them
and then now going into
full flag hours and and doing
very well on making a good
living at the age of 20
I bought my first house
because I was working at
the dealership doing well
and yes wow yes yes
and then from there
I continued with that
and I was there for four years
and then we lost our manager
he moved on and he ended
up then I was a Pontiac
dealership from there
he ended up going to an
Oldsmobile GMC dealership
that was further south
that was in Northwest Indiana
and next thing you know
about three months later
I get a call from him
he says hey he says
how you been doing
I says no we're still doing good
and you know still working
with Jerry and Tom the painter
and everybody we're all still there
he goes not for long
I'm like what do you mean
he goes Jerry's going to be leaving
he's coming back with me
so is Tom so is Mark
he goes and we have a spot for you
I'm like really
he didn't say nothing
and this is I think that's true
so we're get all situated
everybody one by one is coming out
because you know he
he didn't want to hurt the dealer
but then again he was very upset
with the service manager
once again there's that fighting going on
and when he went out of that
when I get in I'm like
alright so we get into the shop
and go into the office
and everybody's setting up their tools
everything else I get my tools
or he says you don't need them
John I'm like what
he goes no what are you talking about
I'm the service director
you're my new body shop manager
I'm like okay
I didn't see this coming
and ever since ever since then
I've been in the management side
but yet I still kept working
but that man is the one that plant
the city says no
you need to be running our body shop
how I mean
and this is one of those things where
I think maybe we've evolved a little bit
as an industry
but one of those things
where I'm like there's definitely
opportunities to prepare somebody
like you for that role a little bit more
obviously you've been highly successful
throughout your career
but there are a lot of times
where that exact scenario happens
and it doesn't work right
because you bring somebody
from the technical side
into the shop
into the management chair
without a whole lot of training
you just kind of put them there
plucked them there
because they were good in the shop
would you have advice for somebody
that's kind of making that transition
right now
absolutely
we're going to circle back
just a little bit
would help
yeah
I didn't see the writing on the wall
whenever when he was on vacation
he was teaching me
how to write estimates
to use the platform
use the program
he was never this way
he didn't want nobody going in
and hurting his job
and he relied on me
and slowly but surely
I was getting that information
and he blindsided me
when I ended up going to that
didn't expect it
but in reference to that
once again you're going to still
have to be engaged in the educational part
regardless if you're going to step out
you're going to go into the management side
you're going to be writing estimates
being a well rounded individual
that has the ability to identify the damage
it makes it so much easier
how you're going to have a technician
fix the car
and I strongly emphasize
that we need more people
that are willing to transition
to that next level
is going to make the industry
more consistent
where that person is able
to truly identify
and not some of these individuals
and not being disrespectful
to young individuals
that are working for certain insurance companies
but they follow a script
and I'm totally intimidated
by the fact that if somebody comes in
they're going to hand me an estimate
well this is how the car is going to get fixed
this is until you can exceed my credentials
then I'll accept that estimate
oh by the way you can't
so therefore here is ours
how you arrive at that figure
is your problem
okay
and I don't want to get off that subject
but I have to get off this subject
because that'd be like somebody
all the years that you've been in business
they're going to tell you
how to wrench on a car
and this is all you're going to get paid
that doesn't go very well
doesn't that up
no no but you know
and going back to that
where if we have more individuals
because our talent pool is changing
and I would respect the fact
that for that person
who doesn't want to do the work anymore
and they're getting up to that level
in which you know
now their bones are aching
a little bit more
and you know
things are a little bit more difficult
or complex
but yet their talents
could be truly utilized
on a direction
to either be in a mentor
being a production manager
even a parts
I mean there's still enough room
to keep these guys engaged
in their industry
and I think that will make it
that much stronger
technicians
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walk me through the JDM collision side then
like as far as
getting into your own business
and and just trying to
like
the whole story of JDM in general
can you can you walk me through that side
all right
JDM has been in existence for 20 years
we celebrated our 20 year anniversary this year
which was happy anniversary
thanks buddy it was in June
and once again
where's been my heart
I've been in dealerships
I did a couple bouts
with a couple MSOs
was very short-lived
and in 1997
I ended up going to work
for a large dealership group
which they had 19 franchises under their belt
and I left a good position
with the larger MSO
and I acquired this
and the thing that I did is
being very careful
with the state that I was in
being an at will state
I didn't want to take a chance
I'm leaving a good job
that I had a very strong position with
I want to secure myself
with direction and security
because I felt I've earned it
with over the years
and working and now I'm on a management side
but yet still have the ability to keep working
so I wanted a couple that
with the right organization
and I did
and with working with this organization
from 1997 up until 2005
that dealership treated me like old
we had three dealer
we had three dealership body shops
I converted it into one
and worked that
and then I bought it from
the dealer principal in 2005
and that's where I'm at today
How does that conversation
go with the dealer principal?
Oh it was fantastic
because he had five other kids
which that was their management team
and or they all had a stake
inside of the business
not realizing that I
construed a contractual agreement
with ownership interests
instead of taking bonuses
I invested in myself to buy the place
and the reason why I ended up
getting this type of recognition
with this dealer principal
and God rest his soul
it was because of the respect
the empathy I had
and I really put forth the effort
in which the department
was extremely profitable
and it continued
and there was a reason why
it wasn't John looking at the clock
and quitting at five o'clock
I did whatever I had to to maintain it
and to keep that integrity
and keep that collaboration
with the service department
and not being that redheaded stepchild
and whatever I wanted
that body shop received it
because it was totally recognized
on a different level
by instilling that type of attitude
and working together
I think I'd love to get some advice
there as well on
how you approached that
because we hear from so many technicians
that I feel like struggle
on the communication side
with leadership
in being able to have
open transparent conversations
I think a lot of them are
maybe scared of having
something held over their head
by a leader
or maybe just don't have
that confidence that you did
to have those open conversations
to even have
maybe that forethought
to really
even know that ownership was possible
right
I you know there's
there's so many things
that I give you credit for
throughout that process
and I want to maybe pull
some of what you did out of that
to give some advice to the audience
and say okay how did
how did you go about that John
like having that conversation
that can't be
an easy conversation
obviously respect is a big piece of it but
if it's somebody looking for promotion
or it's somebody looking for a raise
it's somebody
you know maybe wanting
to open their own shop someday
I think so many people are terrified
of having that conversation
that are technicians
how should they go about that
you know that could be answered
in many different areas
Jay considering I was fortunate
that I had a dealer principal
that came up the same way
like a lot of us did
he was working in wrenching
and eventually ended up buying
a dealership
and ended up growing to so many
very similar story
when you look at
from where my age
who comes from
I'm the tail under the baby boomers
that generation
looked at
for those who did hard work
and were consistent
were rewarded
didn't have to ask for that raise
didn't have to look outside of that
them days are gone Jay
we're the last of what
that piece of the puzzle
that it would get put together
with other different pieces
that allowed us to go ahead
and be able to achieve
that next level goal
and I just happened to land a right dealer
in which I was able to
like basically
live his legacy
with the body shop
by able to buy it
and and he was very receptive to that
so to try to comment
outside of that
we don't know if any other dealer
is going to be the same way
or the same mindset
but in reference to answering the question
more stringent is consistency
hard working
hard working
empathetic
and and and truly having
the customer's best interest
as far as doing your repairs
properly
in my case
I graduated up into the
the customer side of it
and let me tell you something
I did not let one
single customer
have a car delivered
that they were disappointed on
I had the highest CSI
within that department
for the dealership
and one
trips or this
and you know
the dealers are always good for that
you know
or send them out
or John you just won this
or you got that
you know
or here's an extra stipend
simply because
you know
your CSI was consistent
follow-up phone calls
truly making sure
that client was completely satisfied
a lot of things that are missing
today
in reference to that
even some of these dealers
because
a lot of their writers
they're overwhelmed
and they're losing that personal touch
and then they wonder why they have issues
hmm
and that's what helped me
Jay over the years
is it's just
you know and honestly
once again
lead my example
be a person that truly is
has the right direction
and does care about
everything he does
and everything else
will follow right behind
and some a little patience
mixed in there too right
I think that was one of
that was one of my faults
early in my career
was that I was not patient
I wanted to
and I think there are a lot of
young people right now
that are probably in that same boat
where
I just want that next promotion
I just want to keep
you know
you kind of want to keep moving
and
if I were to tell my younger self
something
it would be like
slow down a little bit
like you don't
you don't need to
get to that next level
so fast
and in fact
I think
at some point
that hurt me a little bit too
of like
you're trying to grow so fast
and you're trying to get to the next level
so fast
right
that you really
don't take a breath
and be like
hey you know
should focus on
maybe just
like you did
perfect your craft
make sure that
whatever you're doing
that you do it
better than anybody else
and
I think the
the red carpet
will be laid out for you
in the future
right
and and that's
right
PJ
yeah
you know
I think that's really good
and you know
you got to look back
and you got to ask yourself
the question
you know
do I continue
is it going to be beneficial
like you know
I did switch a few dealers
for that same reason
there was
there was no other direction
or there was no
any
any more to move
and luckily
because
of working
so close
with this one manager
that he kept us
under his wing
and and honestly
his success
was based upon
the people he surrounded
himself with
and that's the same philosophy
philosophy that I believe
in today
my business is successful
because I have the right
people working
underneath
and we're working together
oh
and and you do it
as good as anybody
really surrounding yourself
with good people
so
I always love to hear
that type of story
as you're getting this
thing started
and kind of
just really rolling
it had to benefit
because you had those
relationships already
right
where you maybe
you don't have to take the
route of
a typical small
business owner
in that you've got some
you've got some business
built in
you've got some loyalty
built in
when you're
when you're rolling out
this JDM collision side
yeah
it is Jay
and like I said
the networking
and then of course
being a dealership
body shop
that that same customer base
I'm fixing
second generation kids cars
now from the same ones
that I've had
over the years
and it's such a great feeling
that I'll have the kids come in
and you know
hey my dad said
to come over here
just want to get this
taken care of
and then of course get a call
back from the dad
and he says
I really appreciate the advice
you gave my son
you know
or my daughter
you looked out for them
and and having that type of
rapport
with our existing
in our past customers
and helping out
the second generation
just solidifies that
you know what
when you do
are when you are empathetic
and you really want to be
helpful
for them to send their kids
or their wife
and that's the way it should be
because this way here
they know that we're going to be
doing things right
you know
and that's why I decided to make
the larger investment
and and update
and get myself
ready for tomorrow's repairs
I'm very proud of that
and and Jay
God forbid
if it all fails
I'm going to be on a corner
somewhere with a hot dog wagon
trust me
I don't think you'll ever
be operating a hot dog wagon
I think your your skills
are always going to be in
demand
you talked about
investment and skills
and I think you
take that about as seriously
as anybody I've ever met
in terms of your credentialing
your training
talk to me about that
a little bit
because you
it feels like have
so many of those credentials
that a lot of people
in this industry
would love to have
you've got a lot
well and Jay
I can't take all the credit
for that
I'm going to be honest with you
back in 2010
when I bought the body shop
in 2005
okay
and in 2010
when we had from
2008 to 2010
we lost a lot of dealers
right
oh there's a cash for clunkers
and everything else that was
going on
there was a lot of negativity
that you know what
believe it or not
them 19 franchises
by the time they started
dissecting
and cutting back
because everything that was
going on
I lost them all
no longer had the
affiliation
and dealer principal
dissolved the corporation
they lost the Chevy hat
I mean
there was so much of that
going on
and I thank god that
it it didn't affect us
because the body shop
was already five years
under my belt for one
two I still had that customer base
and I'm
very fortunate
that it was able to continue
even during that downturn
so I mean
and it continued
now
from 2010
to current
in which by the way
to reference
why I can't take all the
credit for it
I had a GM rep
that this guy
really saw the future
and he's the one
that planted the seed
he says John
you ended up losing
the dealership
where you had your hat
which was a Chevrolet
Buick
Bosmobile
GMC
Pontiac
all of them were
inside of this
dealer principal's belt
okay
when they were gone
I had nowhere else
to continue my education
this GM rep put me
into a dealership
that I'm still
networking with till today
that can be
where I can continue
my education for one
number two
by by going that route
he also made it clear
to me with the
complexity of these cars
and what's coming down
the pipeline
you need to get yourself
well-rounded
and get yourself in a position
in which you can start
doing both
like you have been
and it's going to come up
to where the shop
is going to have to be
well-rounded
to be on a new
certification programs
that are coming down
the pipeline
until today
I thank that man
for the direction
he gave me
and that gave me
the new direction
and the new platform
that JDM is today
well I think
it credit to you though
for actually taking
that seriously
right because I think
it could have easily
you could have easily
gotten that advice
and said ah
I don't need that
and kind of kept
going the same way
that you were
but you took a little bit
of a different outlook
at it
yes
and you know
definitely
Jay uh
but I didn't
really think that
it was going to get
this advanced
you know
I thought it was
still going to be able
to bang on a fender
you know
if I got to pull a
drivetrain out
or something basic
God that's going to
be no problem
you know
eight us
what was that
back in 2015
okay
oh now you gotta
start scanning cars
hello
okay
and and
exactly everything
he was saying
it came to fruition
I was like
now I get it
that's wild
I just
kind of the evolution
you've seen
over your career
of our industry
how do you keep
pushing yourself
for those credentials
then
because you know
obviously they've
gotten you to
this point
and when we talk
about credentials
let's talk about
what credentials
you're talking about
right like what
what is it that
you have
for credentials
right now
with
with General Motors
I've kept my master status
with them
and that's through
the center of learning
and we're talking
many years
that I've continued
to go ahead
and get whatever
is available
that's there from
from electronics
suspension
you name it
from climate control
EV
everything that's
available that is
required
I've still been
able to continue
with that
and once again
I want a relevant
I want to make that
very clear
is because of the
GM route
that managed
at least
plant me
into a dealership
that I
continue with that
education
which he knew
that was very important
and for the record
I'm on four
different dealerships
rosters
as their preferred
technician
in reference to this
industry
and that's strong point
that I have
with networking
with these dealers
they require
my education
to be on their roster
for what is here today
for these cars
and that's one of the
biggest advantages I have
and I thank God
for having that education
so taking that
and coupling it with
iCar
as a
platinum certified
structural technician
platinum certified
non-structural technician
platinum certified
estimator
platinum certified
refinished technician
okay
and the only one that I
have lacking
because I've
got a little tired here
I'm getting older Jay
is I've got to do the
ADOS
and then I'm going to
couple the iCar's
EV
and then anything else
that ASC has
but I do have that portion
from the GM segment
because of the
EV cars that are in the
platform
that I had to get that
education
whether I liked it or not
but
I feel that is limited
in which I would like to
get more well-rounded
with other makes
some models
that I want to be able to
service
and I
how much time
do you spend on this
like when do you have
the time to do all of this
because it
feels like a lot
it is Jay
a lot of it is
is that
you know
we're empty nesters
okay
and of course
I try to occupy
occupy myself
with segments
and education
and educational platforms
or online training
a lot of it is done that way
and it keeps me from
doing all the honey
do stuff around the house
that's about as
honest of an answer
as you're going to get
that's that's
that's really good
that was that
was that
what I was expecting
honestly
so now you know why
I'm so engaged
in education
and the life
is very apprehensive
I'll be
even buying another car
these days
oh that made my day
that was pretty good
so walk me through
one of the things
we just had a conversation
last week at SEMA
that I thought was
fascinating
which was
how you've been able to
leverage
some of
your
certifications
and
just
trying to paint
that picture of credibility
so that
when you walk into
a conversation
with an insurer
on how they're going to pay you
you've got
backup to be able to say
hey I did this the right way
I need to be paid accordingly
talk to me a little bit
about that
like what impact
does that
credentialing have on you
and your ability to
maybe get what
you're worth
or what you should get paid
you know
gee that's
that's valid
and
and it's only going to
reference that
niche business
that
JDM is
what it is today
okay
and now we're going to
go with my GM credentials
I have like
five pages that
could be printed up
in reference to
what I've had over the years
I supplied that
to the insurance company
now I have a master status
okay
I have the ASC status
that couples with it
then I have the
iCar status
that couples with that
that
right there alone
solidifies that
and when you go
into our shop
and you look at the equipment
from having your own
eight hours
having your own
alignment rack
having your own tire
machines
your own balancers
the 3D
everything that is
pertinent for doing
a proper repair
and especially since I have
the credentials that's
coupled with the
the GM
and the brand itself
they have no choice
but to pay
and it's
so that it is solidified
and I do get
compensated accordingly
and I mean
it makes sense
now
believe it or not
I'm doing the Ford
I'm going to get in
Ford right now
because I had a dealer
contact me
and the other one
is going to be a
JLR
that's Jaguar Land Rover
that one is a very
stringent type
certification
but
I've already asked
I want the mechanical side
I want a couple that
with this
because I am not going to give
any insurance company
any leverage
saying that because
you don't have that
right type of certification
we're not going to pay you
I've found a loophole in the
system
and I hit a home run
it sure sounds to me like
your honey-do-list
is going to really be
delayed
with all of these
you mentioned
ASC in there
and you know
being that my background
is primarily on the
repair side
I think there are some
I think just
almost confusions
or
maybe lack of understanding
with the correlation
between
maybe an iCar
and ASC
we've partnered with
both of them
they're both great organizations
how do you see
that kind of
whole thing working together
right
you know
you talked about
using it to justify
being paid
properly
you're just stacking credentials
in order to be able to
have that argument
or like
walk me through that
ASC side
where you see that
maybe being relevant
on the collision side
you know
simply
with the way
these cars are being built
today
and what we're trying to
draw the line
Jay is
when these adjusters
or these
these outside appraisings
or third party
hot party
provider
that they hire
to reevaluate the damage
I've been writing
estimates for 20 years
okay
that's great
but let me tell you something
the car has changed today
that's what's provoked me to go in
and and have that
dual type certification
simply because of how
complex the cars are today
okay
so now
I want to know this
and the reason why
I want to couple that
with my existing education
that I have now
is I want to be able to
truly identify the damage
and repair it the right way
and you have to have that
type of credential to
reach
you know
to reassure ourselves
this is where we're going
in number two
that same person
that's been writing estimates
for 20 years
Jay
honestly I
I'm not trying to be
disrespectful in regards
to that person
but I wouldn't let them
put gas in my car today
if that's because
how complex the cars are
you know
and that's not being
disrespectful
and I emphasize that
and I'm going to continue
and hopefully this industry
is going to couple
and embrace
this type of direction
and certification
is going to reassure
their business is going to
be compensated accordingly
but yet
take the compensation
out of the equation
don't you want to know
how it's going to
what it's going to take
to repair that car
you've got to understand
the concept
from mechanical
suspension
to body
to the drivability
you need to know
how are you going to
put out a car
that you can't identify
that that suspension
was damaged
and it's been compromised
and I just recently
made a comment
in the last
panel discussion
that I had
I've got a brand new C8
the guy wiped the car out
cars spun out
hit it
took out the rear suspension
I think it's got a rail
that's completely damaged
so what we did is
with our ability
to go into global connect
sit there
let's get it scanned
and my apprentice
is working underneath me
and says hey bry
do me a favor
test
left front
right front
right rear
save the left rear for final
I want you to do a test
on the calipers
okay that's part
of our safety inspection
the left rear
caliper
and emergency caliper
failed the test
really
yes sir
100%
now do you see why it's so important
to try to bring in the mechanical side of this
when you're identifying damage
now because it wasn't scratched
now it does have a carbon fiber rotor on this thing
and you know what
I'm not going to take a chance
because grandma's not driving that car
I'm going to replace that
and the bearing and the rest of the suspension
and the bolts that are there
but because the rotor
and the emergency
I'm sorry the caliper
and the emergency caliper
didn't have any damage
that doesn't mean that it isn't
and it was uncovered
by doing his proper safety repair
it even surprised a crap out of me
I'm like see guys now
and honestly that's been resonating
for what's going on
and taking in consideration
with bud center
and icar
and mike anderson are doing today
that is what pushed me
because they told me a few stories on
shops
that are actually
not in business anymore
because of
certain instances that happen
or it
something that happened
is like
I don't want no more part of this
okay
that's where this collaboration
is so important
for identification
and the true safety
of doing a car right
I have one more instance
I have a brand new e-ray
that was hit
this guy hit the
pot hole the size of texas
okay
so what happens is
is it takes out the suspension
front and rear
well bud center made it clear to me
he says hey john you know
what did you take in consideration
about
checking that rack and pinion out
it's electronic
I says you know what
that's right
so I'm looking back and forth
and I'm hearing you know what
we're going to have to get a
an oh meter
we're going to have to take the rack
out of the car
and we're going to have to test it
that way
that way
or at least move it
and check the value
well come to find out
it's in our gds too
we plug the right in
plug the car in
we're able to go right to the rack and pinion
set the car up
as we're in
I could take the wheel
make sure it's centered
turn it to the right
it gave a 75 millimeter
I'm 79 millimeters
okay
stop
the bomb stops working fine
came back
turn it all the way to the passenger
or so the driver's side
now it's negative 79 millimeters
it passed
didn't have any damage
but
when we're doing this
and then of course
you know and then we jack up the car
even more
and I says you don't want just for the hell of it
but let's check this
let's spin this
and let's check the wheel bearing
because you know once again
there wasn't any end of the damage
but the the strut itself
went right through the strut tower
it to the cap
we found
now the bearing
was no good
the wheel once we put it on a machine
didn't show any damage
the barrel was internally bent
the tread were
the tread was actually
you know split
with these cup sport cup two tires
okay
and our computer system
was able to show that
and on top of it
once we had everything off
just for the hell of it
we're spinning it
we found it been excellent
no kidding
this is an e-ray
it's an all-wheel drive car
and that
is provoked from
just a short candid conversation
with iCar
and knowing what
Bud's Center is
the word that he's trying to get out
with Mike Anderson
I even mentioned it to Cole
I says you know what
you got to get these guys together
our industry needs to embrace
these type of inspections
because there's a lot of damage
I guarantee is going down the road
that the average person doesn't know
about
now you know why I'm so adamant
about trying to put together
a comprehensive
collaborative
education
and a possible new direction
for that technician for tomorrow
I
that was such a good description of it
and
you've been a proponent
of
that mechanical collision
kind of collaboration
kind of the
integration
if you will of the two
I think
you had mentioned Ados
I think that's another element to that
making sure that
collision
and repair
are on the same
same playing field
and to answer that question
real quick
my apprentice
that I have underneath me
you know the first thing that he's
learned what to do first
he does all the 3d measuring
with our
CAD system
for the structure of the car
really
he is my mechanic
and he's also my Ados technician
and my alignment check
before that even reaches that
he's checking the integrity
in the data line
of that vehicle
to make sure it's not compromised
he knows ahead of time
before it even goes on the alignment rack
for a pre alignment check
he's checking the structure
do you see where the collaboration comes in
how
so how do you write that up for
to present to the insurance
company right
like how do you
we do it
we bill it
no exceptions
really
that's right
there's a two hour check
automatically
because you know that that vehicle
has been compromised
let's just say it's got hit in the left front
the left front it was hit hard enough
where it compromised the unibody
okay
we need a true 3d measurement
because of the complexity and sensors
that are throughout the rest of the vehicle
we also have to check for indirect damage
how are you going to do that
that's why we say we have a two hour
prerequisite
it gets identified
it gets a 3d measurement
it gets a clean bill of health
if not you know exactly where the
damage is at
then right after it comes down
the wheel before it comes down the wheels
because it's hitting the left front
we're checking the wheels
we're checking the balance
we're checking the tread
the tire treads with the lasers
okay
I have all john bean equipment
the latest that's out
so now we get them back in there
then the car goes over
it gets a pre-alignment check
which is a half hour minimal
the tire check
that's another inspection
that's all part of our safety protocol now
which I wasn't doing before
until bud centered
I know I'm referencing him more than once
shout out to bud he's the best
yes
he opened up my eyes
and he's like John
these safety inspections are very
very important
and I was very
you know it was like I said
candid conversation
but I was honest with him
and he struck a chord
and now he created a new monster
I am definitely doing this on every
single car
that comes through the process
knowing that I could truly state
we're trying to make it completely
right
that makes total sense
and the repair side of that too
of saying you know
if you have an ASC certified tech
that's actually doing
some of the safety inspection
like along with all of the other
credentialing that you have
tying all of this together
gives you that well rounded technician
that's actually giving a
realistic look at this
in a way
and also shout out to you
for having the right tools to do it
right
it's hard to argue
when you've got all of the tools
to do all of the things
same thing with the tires
and the inspections there
we showed them a printout
and we here you go
they were like totally shocked
do you realize one of the appraisers
had the balls to tell me Jay
that oh that tire will wear
back out it'll it'll be fine
I'm like excuse me
because I had a flat spot
it was sized
this is another one
that was side swipe
and it moved over
it literally had two flat spots
on the front tires
from the side initial impact
and he says no
just let it drive itself
it'll be fine
I oh my god
I came unglued
trust me
I mean it was
can we put
like a GoPro on you
for one of these conversations
for with an appraiser
I think
oh yes
especially that would be
oh wait
wait you're gonna love this one
it's funny
now we're gonna go right into it
you see what
another C8 came in right
it's like
you know
and I don't like to mention
any insurance companies name
because I don't want to be
considered a bad boy
right right
so he calls up he says
hey I want to schedule an
appointment because I have to
re-evaluate the damage on the
car I says
well I'm glad that you called
I says because
unless you have a C8 certification
and access to the protocol
the GM is stating on
how this car gets to be fixed
we will have that report for you
I says but
I would love to educate you
I'm gonna have the car in place
and we're gonna do the 3D
measurement first
and we're gonna have it
already disassembled
so it would make the process
go so much smoother
right
insurance adjuster's coming in
he's got his chest pumped out
you know we got
I got all the guys wearing
JDM shirts
we're all around the car
and then there's one guy
there that he was like
oh okay who are you
I says
oh by the way
to the adjuster I says
this is the owner of the car
and he was like excuse me
I says that's right
I says I'm here to educate him
on how this car is gonna be
properly fixed
I said so now
we're gonna start
and the guy was like
totally quiet
he didn't have the attitude
like he normally does
when he comes into the shop
when it was all said and done
press the final button
here's the invoice
this is our complete repair plan
if there's any differences
that are on here
it's gonna be because of parts
that is it
I said so there's no uncertain terms
this is what I'm submitting
to your insurance company
for them the third-party payer
that has this obligation
to take care of this
contractual agreement
that you have
with him
your customer
I'm just a service provider
welcome to my world
this guy you could not
get a peep out of him
and he left
okay
and guess what
we got compensated accordingly
I think I told you
over a couple of beverages
one night that you should
have a reality tv show
and I firmly believe that
I think if there was a camera
following you around all day
there was a lot more under your belt
for that because of a
I remember that night
it was a great time
it was a fun time
fun time
all right so I've got a few questions
for you
courtesy of our marketing team
I'm going to add one in
to start with
first one is
where in the world
do you come up with all the energy
you have
you're always going 100 miles an hour
and I don't know that
I've ever seen you like tired
Jay I love what I do
honest to God
and I want to emphasize that for everybody
if you don't love what you do
you shouldn't be doing it
okay
that's good advice
I love cars
I always have
it's been in my blood
and I'm not going to stop
and like I said
I'm not getting any younger
and and keeping engaged
and involved
is is keeping me younger
all right
I'm going to be 62 years old dude
and you know
a lot of guys look at
and you don't
you don't look old you don't
you know why
because I keep engaged
I keep busy
and and keeping your mind
and I like being the sponge
I try to absorb anything that I can
if I go to a seminar
or you know
I go to a panel discussion
if I pick up one thing out of that
it was a benefit
you know
yeah
and then that's
you're as good about that as anybody
I mean you
you really really are
you're not just saying that
you very much are a sponge
you're a ball of energy
all the time
that's why it's always so fun to talk to you
all right next question
if you weren't doing this
what would you be doing
hate to admit this
but I probably would have been an attorney
you would have been a hell of an attorney
I uh yeah yeah
I wouldn't have wanted to go against you
originally would
I wanted to be in
really
yeah
yeah
what what kind of an attorney
just one that has teeth
that pisses people off
we already kind of talked about this one
what was your first job
that was kind of
a uh
a layup for you
very similar to me
what was
so last question
what time do you get up in the morning
it varies
there's times that
my mind is going 100 miles per hour
I look at the clock
it's like 330
it's like all right
I'll make a pot of coffee
all right
and today I had
I had another interview
going over with
with autobody news
on some other stuff
or I should not
with iCar
and uh
I overslept
and it was not
not often that happens
but you know
I'm up between
three and five in the morning
and then
if I sit down in a chair
and I'm reading
I always
read myself to sleep
I'm out by nine
10 o'clock
and then I'm ready to roll
you know
and and there's times that I don't
and there's times
that I need to recharge
to have battery
and it and it feels great
I'm kind of that same boat
what I'm most surprised by
is that you actually sleep
I I didn't think you actually
slept
I just think
I I was thinking
you just went
24 hours a day
100 miles an hour
I didn't know that there was
sleep in your
in your calendar
once in a while
the glass of blackberry brandy
does wonders
yeah
my great grandmother
that was her thing
before she passed away
she was a
if we did a toast of
blackberry brandy
I don't know how you like
blackberry brandy
that that stuff is
it's too sweet
it's too sweet
we used to
quick story for you
before we have to get off
of here
the reason I
really don't like
blackberry brandy
is because
when I was
early twenties
we used to sneak
little flasks
of blackberry brandy
into Wisconsin Badger football
games
and put that
into a coke
so
and then we would drink that
I don't know why we thought
that was a good idea
it's probably
the only thing we could afford
I don't know what it was
definitely had too much of it
in a short amount of time
no no
no
other than toasting
for my great grandmother
that was uh
that was
an exception
that was my extent
of blackberry brandy
yeah yeah yeah
well I
I can't tell you
how fun this
conversation was
as always
I
you're one of
my favorite people
in the industry
I think I let off
by saying that
and appreciate that buddy
just your passion
and everything you do
shines through
it's always fun
talking to you
and I
I hope you get a reality
TV show someday
and I hope
we're able to get you
back on this podcast
many many more times
we'll we'll definitely
be doing a follow-up
and I'm looking forward
I'm working with you
ASC
and with iCar
because I really think
that we are going to
get something that's
going to be
really great for our industry
I do too
thank you my friend
all right
you take care Jay
thank you
that wraps up
another episode of
Beyond the Wrench
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