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Yes there really is an Art!
Owner
30 Years
Here he is! The man who began it all. We've got a page dedicated to his legacy, and you can read more here. Art is the driving force behind the shop. He has managed to build an excellent reputation by being honest and explaining auto repair to his customers. He has the ultimate in positive attitudes. Over the years, he's saved hundreds of cars other mechanics had given up on and condemned to the scrap heap, making him a hero to many of our customers.
Art drives a first generation Honda Insight, and also the new Lexus CT200h Hybrid
Ann
Accountant. Wine connoisseuse. Bocce ball Queen
26 Years
Long time customers will remember seeing her in the office a lot, but lately she's been spending more time upstairs taking care of the bookkeeping, making many of our customers sad. If you call the shop, you're likely to hear her voice answering phones and helping with scheduling. Everybody likes Ann. She has been with Art nearly since the beginning. She is an avid wine collector, and works part time pouring tastings in a local winery.
Ann drives an Acura Integra and a Mercedes Sedan
Brad
Technician. Diagnostic Expert. Guitar Collector
21 Years
He is the best drivability diagnostician I have ever met. He does almost nothing but drivability and smog failure diagnosis all day. Every shop needs a "Brad", but most do not have one. He's one of the reasons we're so successful. Brad is an ASE master technician. He is also a collector of many things, and has his California Curio and Relic license that allows special handling of antique firearms and other oddities.
Brad drives a 1.8L Subaru
Enzo. Like the Ferrari
Technician. Efficiency Expert. Motorcross Man
17 Years
He knows something about everything. He can hold his end of a conversation on almost any topic. From tugboats to reptiles to motorcycle racing to old punk music, it seems like he's done a little of everything. Here at Art's that's what he does... a little of everything. Services, steering and suspension, clutches, engine repair, you name it and he might be doing it on any given day. Enzo is an ASE certified Master Tech.
Enzo drives a Honda Civic or a Honda Dual Sport
Leon
Shop Handyman. Equipment Specialist. News Barker
15 years
Leon is a sports fan and loves to give other sports fans a hard time when their teams lose. Leon has a lot of duties. He cleans the shop, maintains the equipment, picks up parts, installs tires, changes oil, builds shelves, paints and does whatever else is needed to make the day go smoothly and the shop look nice. He also knows everything that's going around in the Bay Area news, and is the first one to let us know what's happening in our community.
Leon drives a Honda civic
Paul Cortes (Mister December 2010)
Shop Foreman. Manager. Hybrid Expert
14 Years
Paul wrote most of the articles featured on this site. He is a graduate of Los Angeles Trade Technical College, an ASE certified Master Technician + L1, Master Machinist (M1,M2, & M3), certified Alternative Fuels Technician (NGV), and certified Service Consultant. Paul has filled every position, from mechanic to manager. He most enjoys challenging technical work, and is our primary "problem solver" who has figured out and fixed many complicated Hybrid failures that various dealerships could not successfully diagnose. He is also a published automotive trade writer, and you can read various articles at mastertechmag.com.
Paul drives an Acura TL
Lute
General Manager. Service Writer. Skateboarder
14 Years
Lute was a bank manager at Wells Fargo where Art had an account. When Art would come in to make a deposit, Lute would ask automotive repair questions. After years of questioning from Lute, the do-it-yourself bank manager, Art, who considered Lute the best employee in the bank, tried to lure him away. After being asked twice, he finally came to work for Art. We (and you) are lucky to have him. Lute will explain every facet of any auto repair in depth to anyone with the time and inclination to listen. Lute is an ASE certified Master Technician with the L1 advanced level specialist. These days he manages the daily business operation and you will meet him in the office. He also writes the white pages you will find at our counter, and has contributed articles to the site.
Lute drives an Acura Legend, Toyota Tacoma or a Honda CBR-954RR
Eric
Service Writer. Manager. Barbecue Expert
9 Years
Eric is a Mazda Master Technician who worked for a Mazda / Subaru dealer for many years until a shoulder injury sidelined him. Now he is putting his many years of experience repairing cars to good use explaining car repair in our front office. Eric is an ASE Master Tech, L1 Tech, and one of a small pool of Mazda Master Techs. Eric also races and teaches racing technique in a spec RX7 class. If you have a Mazda or Subaru question, Eric is the one to ask.
Eric drives a 1985 BMW and races a late 70s RX7
Ivan (pronounced "ee-von")
Technician. A/C Expert. History Buff
7 Years?
Ivan is an excellent diagnostic mechanic, but can also do any other type of service or repair work we throw at him, making him a very versatile employee. Ivan is an employer's dream: He works hard all day (and beyond when necessary). He owns the largest tool collection in our shop, including many tools normally purchased by the shop owner. He voluntarily participates in after-hours training. And he has a good attitude, even when the pressure is on. Ivan's last job was at a Toyota dealer, where he gained Hybrid experience.
Ivan gets 40+mpg with his 1991 Civic Hatchback
Scott
Technician. Balanced Mechanic. Mountain Bike Guru.
6 years
Scott used to work right down the street from us at Weatherford BMW, until he opened his own shop in Moraga. Now we're lucky to have him here at Art's Automotive. Scott is a mechanic who knows all aspects of the auto repair business, and this allows him to anticipate and respond to questions without having to be asked. Like most of the small business owners I've met, Scott remains very focused on his work all day. Scott is an ASE certified Master Technician and is an L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist. Scott is also certified to repair air conditioning.
Scott drives a Honda Civic
Christian
Parts Manager. Systems Administrator. Nerd
3 Years
My name is Chris, and I am the parts manager as well as the IT guy here at Art's. I graduated from UC:Berkeley, and after a bit of down time, came to work for Art's in 2007 to take over Paul's old job so he could become our lead technician. You may see me in the office since I do service writing as well. I'm ASE certified. The website is my design! I am a published author for Nissan's technical trade magazine, and enjoy balancing creative endeavors with the logical processes of automotive repair.
I drive a 2003 Honda Civic
Morgan
Technician. 4x4 Enthusiast. Racer5 Afficionado
New Hire in 2010
Morgan recently came to us from his shop downtown. He is an ASE Master Technician, with L1 advanced certificate and his California Smog license. Morgan seems to have an innate sense of how cars work, and is almost like some sort of car whisperer! His experience with other types of vehicles has also brought a unique outlook to performing service and repair to this shop.
Morgan drives a Toyota Corolla and has a large GMC diesel?
Chris
Technician. Drummer. Metal Head
New hire in 2010
This is Chris. He is fresh out of Arizona Automotive Institute, where he received accolades for perfect attendance, student of the phase and the Dean's list for academic excellence. Chris has been making leaps and bounds in terms of hands on experience here at the shop, and we expect to see him do great repair work in the future. His speed and efficiency comes from working near to Enzo, one of our long time mechanics who knows every trick in the book for getting the job done perfectly and timely. Outside of work, you're likely to hear him carry the rhythm as a drummer. He also knows movies like the back of his hand! Just mention a movie, and you're likely to get the whole script from memory. Try it some time!
Chris has restored a 1988 Camry for his daily driver
Mike
Technician. Fisherman. Outdoorsman
New Hire in 2010
Mike has been in the automotive industry for 25 years now between various independents and dealerships. He is an ASE Master Technician, with the L1 advanced specialist certificate. Mike is patient and capable, and willing to learn about all the advanced systems we work on here. He has been great so far at balancing his workload and producing the high quality of workmanship we expect from the technicians here at Art's. Mike also enjoys the great outdoors, and once caught an enormous sturgeon weighing over 70lbs!
Mike drives a Dodge Ram truck
