Derek Amodio Was a Chef but Now He’s a Technician?

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In this episode, Jeff chats with Derek Amodio about his unique path back into the automotive industry after spending years working as a chef. Derek opens up about making the switch from the kitchen to the shop, the challenges of moving from hourly pay to flat rate at a Chrysler dealership, and why having the right culture and mentorship around you matters so much. They also talk about keeping up with changing automotive technology, the importance of ongoing training, and how a supportive team can make all the difference for techs getting started or finding their way back into the industry.

Timestamps:
00:00 Weather and tire myth discussion

09:24 Getting hired at FedEx

12:32 Choosing a dealership career path

20:12 Using memory notebooks

26:33 Challenges of incentivized pay systems

28:41 Discussing job training and challenges

33:37 Tech training and helpful tips

42:17 Balancing work hours and breaks

45:59 Installing car seats on Saturdays

50:56 Thinking about future innovations

54:38 Tesla maintenance issues

59:28 Driving a yellow SRT8 Challenger

01:04:11 Mechanics sharing car repair challenges

01:12:19 Teamwork and helping each other

01:18:12 Discussing technician pay plans

01:21:48 Chrysler heater core issue workaround

01:25:34 Supportive service manager

01:33:29 Supporting each other in tough times

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