Moving Up

Congratulations to our Nissan SCOPE & Infiniti KEI Masters

Brent Marriott

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Kingston Nissan

Kingston, NY

Interestingly, Brent started his mechanical career by helping his brother repair motorcycles, which fueled his curiosity in all things mechanical. Intent on learning more, Brent then enrolled in a nearby college specializing in Toyota training and became a Toyota technician.

After working at a Toyota dealership for a period of time, the owner sold the store and bought a Nissan dealership. Subsequently, Marriott went to work at that Nissan store.

Brent completed his online classes to become a SCOPE Master Technician.

"I click on the enroll-in-school button, which automatically notifies my manager when a class I need becomes available," he said. "I have a good relationship with my manager, so he sends me to training when it comes up."

Being a SCOPE Master, though, does not mean Marriott knows everything, so when the occasion comes up, he still calls TECH LINE for help. Brent said, "TECH LINE is very helpful."

"I use CONSULT III plus for everything I diagnose, because I like to keep up-to-date on new system technology," stated Marriott.

Brent has lots of hobbies, and when he has spare time one of his favorites is he likes to brew beer. "I like the Stouts and Porters best," he said. "I'm currently making a coffee Stout."

Christopher Diesen

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Walser Nissan

Burnsville, MN

Christopher Diesen's path to becoming a Master is very interesting. Chris worked as a technician for a Buick dealership for some time, but left the car business to become a law enforcement officer. After a few years in law enforcement, Diesen decided he wanted to return to the car business, and started working in an aftermarket repair facility. One day Diesen took his mother's Nissan in for service. While there he talked to the service manager and was hired on the spot.

Chris says he likes working on the Nissan product line, " because the vehicles are laid out very well and are easy to work on, thanks to diagnostic aids such as CONSULT III plus, TECHLINE, ASIST and the ESM."

"With the Operation Manual and diagnostic aids built right-in, it makes even the most challenging problems easier to fix," he said. "I like the CONSULT III plus because it's fast, the menus are intuitive and it doesn't crash."

Some of Diesen's hobbies include deer hunting, pheasant hunting, partridge hunting, or you might find this avid hunter sharpening his marksmanship skills at range by practicing his longrange shooting.

Elias Luna

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

South Point Nissan

Austin, TX

"One of the hardest parts of becoming a Nissan SCOPE Master Technician was balancing out work, studying and home life," stated Elias Luna. "I didn't become Master just by just what I learned at work. I also spent four to six hours after work studying at home."

Elias acquired his love for repairing cars early on by helping his father change oil, replace brakes and tune-up vehicles at home.

Luna said, "I took an automotive repair class as a freshman in high school to gain more experience and learned the proper way — not the shade-tree way — to repair vehicles.." "I was learning so much I stayed in that class my sophomore, junior and senior years because I loved it."

Elias took a job right out of high school in a tire shop. After a year, Luna enrolled in a night school to learn more about car repairs.

"I worked in the tire shop during the day, took classes at night, and repaired vehicles as side projects at home," Elias said. "I thought about cars 24/7."

He loves a challenge and relishes the chance to repair a vehicle that other shops can't repair. "I gather all of the information I can about what has been done," said Luna. "Then I ask myself, 'What would TECH LINE advise?' I try to figure it out myself before calling."

When asked about repairing cars, Elias said, "I love it. There is nothing better than the challenge and the success and happiness I feel after solving a problem." Luna has this to say about TECH TALK magazine, "TECH TALK has really good advice. It helps me explain the new stuff to the Service advisors and customers."

Enrique Romero

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Weston Nissan

Davie, FL

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician Enrique Romero lived in New Jersey for much of his life but moved to Florida two years ago. Enrique prefers to be called Henry. When Henry is not repairing vehicles at the dealership, he loves to spend time working on his home. Romero chuckled when asked about his hobbies. "Recently, when I go home I've been putting up Christmas lights," he said. Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation comes to mind.

Henry's first job after school was working as a technician in a Nissan dealership. After that he worked as a Service Advisor at a GM dealer for a number of years.

Henry realized he missed working on Nissan vehicles and missed the Nissan customers, so after 10 years with GM, he went back to the Nissan dealership.

When asked what advice he had for newer technicians, Romero stated, "My success comes from taking training classes, and all the years of hands-on service experience."

Henry offers,"Computer skills are also very necessary." "If I could suggest anything to all technicians it would be hone your computer skills and to check the ASIST terminal often. Even if it is a common concern that you've repaired before, always look at ASIST before you dive in, to learn more."

Mark Darr

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Power Nissan Chandler

Chandler, AZ

"I like working on everything — as long as it's Nissan," stated SCOPE Master Technician Mark Darr.

Mark is an avid outdoor enthusiast and said, "I like hunting deer and havalina (medium-sized animal, with a strong resemblance to a pig), and just driving around and exploring."

As a matter of fact, the great outdoors is what prompted him to become a technician in the first place. "As a teenager, I went hunting with dad, and the old 4X4 truck broke down," he recalled. "So, I had to put a clutch in it right in the driveway."

Mark read the Chilton manual and took advice from his brothers, who already did some light mechanical work on their own, and replaced the clutch successfully.

After that experience, Darr took classes in school and from a correspondence course prior to becoming a technician. "The online classes and videos were very helpful in teaching me about car repairs," he said. "I also want to give a special shout out to the Nissan training instructors. They are very cool guys and taught me a lot. I also like the Tech Alert because it's nice to get a heads-up.

Mark likes the CONSULT III plus because it's fast, the menus are intuitive, and he doesn't have to worry as much when reprogramming a vehicle.

Sal Braccio

Infiniti KEI Master Technician

Infiniti of Manhasset

Manhasset, NY

Infiniti KEI Master Technician Sal Braccio's first car was a 1990 300ZX. His second car was 1991 Maxima. Braccio's third car was a 240SX, and then another 300ZX. "Believe it or not, I still have them all," Sal said. "I get attached."

Braccio is a self-confessed gadget guy. "My toolbox has a radio, a laptop with ASIST so I don't have to wait for the other guys and, believe it or not, an arcade," says Sal.

"Buying good tools is money well spent," stated Sal. "If the tool costs me $100 but it saves me a half hour on the job, it pays for itself very quickly."

Sal's advice to new technicians: "Get a good set of tools, learn all you can from online courses, always ask other people, watch and learn — and be very patient. I've always worked on Infiniti and Nissan vehicles because they have great products, excellent styling and they are reliable."

Braccio's hobbies include pinball machines, car shows and boxing.

Randy Brewer

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Gurley-Leep Nissan

Mishawaka, IN

Technicians accomplish a large percentage of each day's job responsibilities by working with their hands. Unfortunately for Nissan Master Technician Randy Brewer, working with his hands has been impossible. Brewer has been off work for more than six weeks as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Although Randy is a bit bored these days, he has definitely been enjoying the extra time he gets to spend with his wife and children. But he's eager to return to work soon.

Brewer claims himself to be a "thirdgeneration" technician. He learned about cars at an early age from his grandfather, who was a transmission tech for GM, and his father, who owns a private repair shop. Brewer finds the greatest joy from working on electric vehicles (specifically the Nissan LEAF) and is now a certified LEAF Technician.

"I love the technology in the LEAF and how performance has driven the vehicle systems for the Nissan brand." Working on such technically advanced vehicles provides Brewer with a new challenge again and again. The best part of his job is "not doing the same thing every day," which explains why he is having such a tough time being off work at the moment.

Ilya Berkan

Infiniti KEI Master Technician

Cerritos Infiniti

Cerritos, CA

Ilya Berkan has an interesting viewpoint on why he chose to become a technician many years ago: "Vehicles are our way of getting around and fixing these vehicles is one of life's necessities," states Berkan, who each day does his very best at repairing vehicles right the first time.

While Ilya doesn't have a specific preference for just one Nissan or Infiniti vehicle, he is thrilled with the production of Nissan's environmentally friendly LEAF and hopes to see a sport hybrid vehicle in the near future. "The features on the LEAF are fantastic," said Berkan, who loves to be working for such a "forward-thinking" brand.

When he is not working on vehicles, Ilya spends his free time with his other prized possessions: his wife of 20 years, three children and, of course, his Aprilia motorcycle.

Mark Hampton

Infiniti KEI Master Technician

Passport Infiniti/Alexandria

Alexandria, VA

As a child, Mark Hampton was fascinated by taking things apart. As Mark grew older this fascination continued as he very much enjoyed working with his hands. Hampton, who started working at a dealership at the age of 16, is now enjoying his personal achievement of becoming an Infiniti KEI Master Technician. "With a lot of dedication, keeping up on ASE certifications and plenty of hands-on training, I was able to achieve Master Tech for Infiniti."

While drivability and brakes are the most time-consuming or difficult issues to diagnose, Mark enjoys taking them on because he appreciates the exceptional quality of the Nissan and Infiniti brand vehicles. "They are built meticulously and have no comparison to other brands," he said. Mark said that because he has been in the business for over 27 years, he has worked on his fair share of automotive brands — and Infiniti is by far his favorite. Mark is looking forward to retirement soon and hopes to spend more time with his two children.

Harout Kouyoudijan

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Baron Nissan, Inc.

Greenvale, NY

This hard-working, husband and father of two has worked and studied hard to achieve his Nissan SCOPE Master certification. "It's an accomplishment that requires time, dedication and a great amount of passion, Harout Kouyoudijan said, and added that Master certification was required to perfect his career.

Although Kouyoudijan describes the Nissan brand as "great quality, durable and dependable," he believes the hardest conditions to diagnose are the "noises" customers hear from their cars. Harout said "squeaks, rattles, errrs, brumms" are just a few of the diagnosis descriptions he receives from customers. Although Kouyoudijan enjoys fixing and diagnosing electrical problems, he always aims to get the job done correctly and quickly, "so customers can get their cars back on the road!"

Since recently selling a classic car he had been working at restoring for years, Harout's free time is now consumed with a lot of "enjoyable relaxing."

Randy Youngblood

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Fenton Nissan East

Del City, OK

Randy Youngblood looks forward to coming to work every day because it fulfills his need to "stay busy." Randy began his love for mechanics at an early age when he started taking apart lawn mowers and mini-bike engines to figure out how they worked. This married father of four children also enjoys watching his youngest son race BMX bikes, which, in fact, he also used to race years ago.

For years, Youngblood has stayed dedicated to the automotive industry. He believes that much of his success in becoming a Nissan SCOPE Master Technician has been achieved by consistently keeping up on ASE certifications and refreshing himself on subject knowledge through Nissan/Infiniti's virtual academy.

While diagnosing electrical issues seems to be the most time-consuming and challenging condition for Youngblood, he relies heavily on TECH LINE, which he says, is a "great resource."

Austin Russell

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Clear Lake Nissan

League City, TX

At the young age of 13, Austin Russell started exploring and taking apart a Mustang with his grandfather. It was at that early age, when Austin really got his hands inside a vehicle, that he knew his passion. And it's not just cars that he enjoys fixing. Russell likes to fix anything and everything that is broken. He jumped right into a Nissan dealership and worked under the wing of his mentor, Brent Kennedy, who is also a Master Technician. "I was very fortunate to have the guidance and experience provided by Brent over the years," said Russell, who also shows much pride in Master certification.

Austin also has much enthusiasm for Nissan's plans for HEV and EV vehicles and believes they will have a positive impact on the brand, the industry and within his line of work as well.

Dale Boudreaux

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Greg le Blanc Nissan

Houma, LA

SCOPE Master Technician Dale Boudreaux started working on cars as a mechanic's helper 34 years ago. "That was after high school in 1978, and I found that I really liked it."

Dale's advice to new technicians is to get familiar with the cars. He recommends driving different cars to learn what is the normal operating condition for each type of vehicle. "For a successful repair, start off by looking at a complaint and try to duplicate it, then go to the ASIST to see what information may be available." "Don't fall into the habit of thinking the same way. Things change and you have to keep up with them."

Dale knows how important it is to keep up with new technology. "When I started working on cars, there were points and carburetors," Boudreaux said. "TECHTALK gives good insight into the new items that come up."

Boudreaux said that even after 34 years of experience, it pays to stay current and consult ASIST.

He went on to say, "I look at the ASIST terminal every morning to see what is new." "I like the ASIST terminal because it groups together the shop manuals and TSBs, so everything I need to repair cars is in one spot. You don't need to know everything, but you need to know where to find everything."

Joe Bach

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Avondale Nissan

Avondale, AZ

"My father owned a radiator repair shop in Montana, and I started working there as a sophomore in high school making cooling system repairs," said SCOPE Master Technician Joe Bach said.

After high school Bach moved to Houston, Texas, to attend Universal Technical Institute (UTI). Joe went to work at a Chevrolet dealership after graduation and became a world class diesel technician.

Joe moved to Arizona to be closer to his wife's family at a time when Chevrolet downsized. At that time, he took a job with Nissan. Bach knew he needed to train hard to become familiar with Nissan vehicles. "The best way to move up is to study and do all the training," Joe said.

For the next three months with Nissan, he took all of the online courses he could. "I'd spent four to five hours a day, every day on the computer to complete the online courses," said Bach.

Joe already had his ASE certifications, which helped him achieve SCOPE Master. "I became GTR certified," he said.

Joe pursues collecting classic and antique guns in his spare time. "I also enjoy spending a lot of time with family," Joe added.

Matt Perkins

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Don Marshall Nissan

Somerset, KY

Matt Perkins said Nissan's technology improvements through the years are helping technicians use their time more effectively. "The wiring diagrams are easier to use and save a lot of diagnostic work," the SCOPE Master Technician said.

Perkins always liked working on cars, so he enrolled in vocational school and learned the trade. Matt started working on Nissan vehicles in 2002 when he went to work at Don Marshall Nissan.

Matt's advice for new and experienced technicians alike is to keep up on the technology by reading TechTalk magazine and taking the new online classes when they are available. "You need to stay current on everything to repair cars," he said.

Asked which part of the vehicle he likes to repair best, Perkins said, "I like telematics and the electrical diagnosis." Matt chuckled as he added, "It's not as dirty as the engine work, and I need to use my mind more."

Perkins enjoys four-wheeling through the mountains with his kids when he's not repairing vehicles.

Jay Bishop

Infiniti KEI Master Technician

Infiniti Tustin

Tustin, CA

An avid surfer and motorcyclist, Jay Bishop enjoys the outdoors when he is not working on Nissan/Infiniti vehicles. Bishop, who has been with the Infiniti organization for seven years, thanks his high school auto shop teacher for getting him interested in the profession. Jay has studied hard to achieve his Master certification and believes in the benefits of using Nissan/Infiniti-provided services such as TECH LINE to help guide technicians through difficult diagnostics. "Intermittent electrical concerns have to be the hardest condition to diagnose," says Bishop.

Jay describes the Infiniti brand as "dependable." He owns a G35, which he occasionally likes to work on between finding the biggest swells and riding his motorcycle on a twisty road.

Joseph Stack

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Crowley Nissan

Bristol, CT

Joseph Stack, who has a "fix-it right the first time" attitude, is very proud of his personal achievement of becoming a Nissan SCOPE Master technician. Stack started off working on hotrods and highperformance vehicles in his spare time before working his way to becoming a technician. Becoming a Master Technician for the Nissan brand involves "a lot of training, focus and education," he said.

Like many technicians, Stack agrees that electrical is the most timeconsuming condition to resolve but relies on the new ASIST and TSBs to stay up to date on new information. Joseph says he prefers to work on Nissan Altimas, but looks-wise the car he likes best is the Juke because of its unique design.

When Stack isn't working on vehicles at the dealership or in a garage, he enjoys home improvement projects, working on the exterior of his home in Connecticut.

Joshua Mccomber

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Harbor Nissan

Charlotte Harbor, FL

Joshua Mccomber, a 5-year veteran technician at Harbor Nissan in Florida cannot remember a time when he didn't enjoy working on cars. Mccomber has spent nearly half of his 12-year technician career repairing Nissans. Working at a Nissan dealership is far more rewarding then working in the aftermarket, he said. Joshua enjoys the daily challenge of being an electrical expert. His biggest motivator is being able to fix the problem incidents that other technicians, or other repair shops couldn't repair.

Mccomber uses C-III plus on a daily basis. "C-III plus is a great improvement from the previous tool," he said. "There are fewer steps to navigate, and the tool is more straightforward to work with."

Jeff Lesicnjak

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Future Nissan of Folsom

Folsom, CA

Growing up and working at his grandfather's fabrication shop is how Jeff Lesicnjak became aware that he wanted to be an automotive technician. Most of his formal automotive training came from dealership training courses. Lesicnjak enjoys working on electrical problems. "I enjoy troubleshooting the probable causes that no one else could find, and conditions that no else could fix."

Jeff says that most all of Nissan's vehicle offerings are a great value and, when asked, has no hesitation recommending any Nissan vehicle. The only question he asks people is how they plan to use a Nissan. After all, Lesicnjak and his wife own three Nissans. They use a Titan for towing and hauling things and an Altima — with lots of interior space — for traveling. Their Sentra is a spare vehicle.

Jeff's advice to up-and-coming technicians is to learn what the product does, how the systems function and how the vehicles are supposed to perform. "It will help you to know all this while diagnosing customer concerns....and take your time."

Patrick Mccormik

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Priority Nissan Richmond

Chester, VA

Patrick Mccormick has always enjoyed working on cars. At the age of 19, Patrick saw a television commercial for UTI. Soon after, he registered at UTI, and with perseverance graduated from the Nissan program.

Mccormick says he enjoys the daily challenges of his job. "I've always liked working on cars because it makes me think," he said. "I'm not looking for something easy — I enjoy the challenge."

Patrick said Nissan's technician training is very helpful and user friendly. He likes the way classes are outlined and the fact that you can move through the training at your own pace.

When asked what advice he has for newer technicians looking to become Master Techs, Mccormick stated: "Take the job seriously, and pay attention when someone is giving you direction or teaching."

Andrew Harmon

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Pat Fischer Nissan

Titusville, FL

Master Tech Andrew Harmon cannot say enough good things about Nissan. Nissan is a growing up and coming company, Andrew said, and he looks forward to working on all the new vehicle lines Nissan is planning to offer.

Harmon said he uses C-III plus on a daily basis. He says he thinks it's a vast improvement over previous versions and the most modern state-of-the-art scan tool he has ever used. C-III plus is one of many contributors to Harmon's passion of working on electrical systems. What he enjoys most about electrical work is the challenge of using service information and diagnostic technology to track issues.

Martin Morgan

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Bertera Nissan Inc.

Auburn, MA

After 10 years working at the same Nissan dealership, Master Tech Martin Morgan enjoys working on Nissans because he says they are the easiest vehicles to repair.

Martin started as a technician 26 years ago when a friend helped him get a job as a lube tech at a local dealership. Morgan prefers performing heavy repairs — especially rebuilding engines and transmissions. When training new technicians at the dealership, Morgan tells them to pay attention to the electronics of the system they are working on and how their electrical systems work. "Everything on a car has electronics," he said.

Martin say what he enjoys most is spending time with his family when he's not at the dealership. He added, "I'm still really motivated to go to work every day because of the people I work with at the dealership are friendly and helpful."

Andrew Dixon

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Sheehy Nissan Richmond

Richmond, VA

Andrew Dixon is a veteran Nissan technician with more than 22 years of experience working at various Nissan dealerships. He became a Nissan tech after graduating from Nissan's ProCap program at the local community college.

Dixon enjoys working on all vehicle systems. By working on all vehicle systems, Andrew says techs will stay familiar and up to date with vehicles and vehicle systems. If asked, Dixon would recommend a Titan or the new Altima to any perspective Nissan customer. He says the Titan is bulletproof and very reliable, and the new Altima is also reliable and is good looking.

Outside of the dealership, Andrew enjoys camping and spending time with his family.

Lucas Adkins

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Marshall Motor Co., Inc.

Salina, KS

Troubleshooting complicated electrical issues is Master Tech Lucas Adkins' specialty. "The more complicated, the better — I enjoy the challenge," he said.

Adkins knew while working on small engines at a young age that he wanted to be an automotive technician. After high school, Lucas enrolled and completed the Vo-Tech program at Northwestern Kansas Community College. He uses C-III plus several times every day. Adkins says C-III plus is fast and easy to use, especially when navigating between different systems.

Lucas recommends Nissan vehicles to people all the time. He recanted a conversation he had with a person the previous week. The person was looking to purchase a pickup truck, so Adkins recommended the Frontier. He told the person that the Frontier is a quality truck that looks good and has high quality. The person purchased a new Frontier from Marshall Motor Co. within a few days.

Miguel Ortega

Nissan SCOPE Master Technician

Rogers & Rogers Nissan

Imperial, CA

Miguel Ortega, an 8-year Nissan technician veteran, enjoys being a technician because it gives him a feeling of being self-reliant.

Ortega became a technician while enrolled in Imperial Valley College's automotive technology program. Prior to completing the program, Miguel was hired as a mechanic's helper, and after two years became a technician. Diagnosing electrical issues, he said, is like working a puzzle. Once you find the right piece or problem, you get a good feeling.

Ortega is motivated to go to work because he learns something new every day, which gives him the opportunity to retain his current knowledge base and become a better technician.