To kick off the holiday season, we thought it’d be fun to reshare an exciting episode from earlier this year. In this episode throwback, John Spence, one of the top business experts in the world, author, CEO, and speaker, offers key leadership and management advice. He covers the elements of a good culture, the importance of caring for your people, and the impact that keeping toxic high-performing people can have on your business.

View the video podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
John Spence
CEO, John Spence LLC
john@johnspence.com

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Leaders from WrenchWay and ASE dive into the findings of the 2025 Voice of Technician Report. We discuss what technicians want from employers, preferred work schedules, desired pay structures, and more. We also compare the results with last year’s survey and share our thoughts on some surprising stats!

Download the 2025 Voice of Technician Report

About Our Guests:
George Arrants
Vice President, ASE Education Foundation
george.arrants@aseeducation.org

Matthew Shepanek
Vice President of Credential Testing Programs, ASE
matthew.shapanek@ase.com

Mark Wilson
Co-Founder & CEO, WrenchWay
mark@wrenchway.com

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Brandon Ludwikowski, Co-Owner of Midwest Performance Cars, joins us to share his journey in automotive and as a flat rate technician. With strong shop leadership, a good shop fit, a positive attitude, and a desire to learn, Brandon's story is an inspiring example of what it really means to "work your way up" in the industry.

View the view version of the podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Brandon Ludwikowski
Co-Owner, Midwest Performance Cars
brandon@midwestperformancecars.com

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Energetic NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Driver, Steve Johnson, makes his first appearance on Beyond the Wrench. After starting as an auto technician, Steve founded the BAT-man (Be A Technician) Scholarship to help break down barriers and attract more technicians to the industry. In this episode, he also shares tips on building your brand and takes us through his early racing years.

Learn more or apply for the BAT-man Scholarship: https://www.stevejohnsonracing.com/scholarships

View the view version of the podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Steve Johnson
NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Driver
https://www.stevejohnsonracing.com/

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Tim Winkeler, President & CEO of VIP Tires & Service, joins us to discuss how they prioritize relationships in building their shop culture. VIP Tires & Service has used staff feedback to drive improvements, learning valuable lessons along the way. These include the power of feedback, the importance of closing the feedback loop, and focusing on long-term company health.

View the view version of the podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Tim Winkeler
President & CEO, VIP Tires & Service
TWinkeler@vipauto.com

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

In this recorded webinar, Jay Goninen and Mark Wilson, Co-Founders of WrenchWay, are joined by ASE President & CEO, Dave Johnson, to announce a new partnership with School Assist, the online platform that connects schools with industry. They discuss new product features, the growth of School Assist, and the progressive ASE and WrenchWay partnership.

Referenced Materials:

• School Assist
• Webinar Slides
• Press Release: ASE & WrenchWay Join Forces to Reduce Technician Shortage
• ASE Education Foundation Field Manager Map
• Upcoming Webinar: 2024 Voice of Technician Survey

About Our Guests:
Dave Johnson
President & CEO, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
djohnson@ase.com

Mark Wilson
Co-Founder & CEO, WrenchWay
mark@wrenchway.com

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

As a former technician, Larry Hourcle is now an Academy Instructor at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and a valuable voice for dealerships seeking growth. This episode explores Larry’s career transition, the importance of technician development, setting the right tone at the shop, and key career advice for technicians.

View the video podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Larry Hourcle
Academy Instructor, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
lHourcle@nada.org

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok

Ray Clark, Director of Training and Development for Truck Country and Stoops Freightliner, shares insights on the industry's need to collaborate with schools. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships with students starting in middle school, discusses challenges in getting counselors to advocate for the trades, and highlights key elements for conducting effective advisory committee meetings.

View the video podcast on YouTube

About Our Guest:
Ray Clark
Director of Training and Development, Truck Country and Stoops Freightliner
RayClark@truckcountry.com

About Our Host:
Jay Goninen
Co-Founder & President, WrenchWay
jayg@wrenchway.com | 608.716.2122

WrenchWay Resources:
Salary Comparison Tool - See pay information for automotive, diesel, and collision technicians near you at wrenchway.com/pay.

Technicians & Students - Looking for the best shops or dealerships to work at? Check out wrenchway.com/shops.

Shops & Dealerships - Want to find quality technicians, connect with schools, and support the auto and diesel industry? Learn about WrenchWay Top Shop Memberships.

Auto, Diesel, or Tech Ed Instructors - Need help getting resources for your program and connecting with industry? We have free solutions for you on WrenchWay.

Connect with us on social:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• TikTok