Meet Our Automotive Trainers
Training Director
Jerry "G" Truglia
Our DTC Director has extensive experience in the automotive field as a technician, service manager and owner of a dozen different repair shops. “G,” as he is known throughout the industry, is one of fewer than 2,000 professionals certified as a World-Class Technician. He brings world-class training experience and automotive technical expertise to Dorman Training Center.
G is a recognized expert on automotive systems and best practices for their repair and has trained technicians on all popular domestic and international vehicle brands all over North America and Europe. He has authored several FMCSA-approved inspection manuals and training programs for state governments, is ASE-certified and a Golden Wrench winner.
G serves as an adjunct professor at Rutgers University (NJ, USA) and is also an in-demand speaker at industry events. He has often presented at some of the most prestigious conferences in the United States, including the SAE World Congress Conference.
With decades of hands-on experience in every aspect of vehicle repair and education expertise unmatched in the automotive aftermarket industry, G strives to make every DTC student the best technician he or she can be.
Trainer
Josh Weaver
Josh has always been driven to learn new techniques to become a better technician, traveling around the USA to absorb all the training he could from the best instructors and professionals in the country. His focus now is on applying what he learned by sharing his knowledge both in the shop and in the training classroom.
Josh earned an associate degree in applied science in Automotive Technology in a program backed by Chrysler and General Motors. Josh is a certified Pennsylvania emissions and safety inspector, and also holds certifications for EPA 609, ASE L1 and L3.
While in college he worked for a Ford dealership, rounding out his exposure to all of the domestic manufacturers. After receiving his degree, he earned his ASE and Master Technician certifications at a Kia dealership. He was the lead technician at the dealership, which allowed him to see some of the most difficult and challenging vehicle issues that came through the shop. This allowed Josh to hone his diagnostic skills and share that expertise with fellow technicians.
After being in the dealership for many years, Josh became the service manager for a six-bay independent service center, which owned a six-bay collision center as well. Running shops of this size allowed him to see many different driveability issues, along with many electrical and programming issues.
Josh’s passion for diagnostics led him to launch his own part-time mobile diagnostic business and develop and instruct some training classes for some of his local automotive technician association chapters. His goal is to help keep moving the industry forward and improving for the better, by helping technicians learn and grow.
Trainer
Kenneth Zanders
Kenneth brings a unique and useful combination of experiences and knowledge to the DTC. His theoretical foundation includes an educational background covering three distinct academic disciplines–automotive technology, business administration and engineering. His direct automotive repair experience is from a variety of roles, including a three-year stint working as an engineering technician and teacher.
Studying and instructing automotive technicians has helped him gain insights that make their way into our course materials, and in turn complement the diagnostic process we teach: a series of logical steps accompanied by a constant reinforcement of basic skills.
Ken has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience on the best practices for the instruction of automotive repair technicians. He has also helped us create and evolve proven instruction methods that improve technician’s skill and competency in the classroom, and more importantly, in the service bay.
Training Manager
Pete Meier
Pete has been in the automotive industry for fifty years, starting as a service station attendant while in high school. He’s earned ASE Master Automotive certification, wrenched on just about every conveyance that rolls on four and two wheels and runs on gasoline, taught in both private and public vocational schools, trained technicians at regional and national events and served as the technical editor for Motor Age magazine and later as the Director of Digital Content.
Pete started that magazine’s YouTube channel and social media pages, a first for the industry. The channel hosts more than 600 videos now and exceeded 100,000 subscribers before his departure. He was among the first automotive repair instruction professionals, in partnership with TST, to offer training via live webinar and make online training as close to a hands-on experience as possible.
Pete’s worked for dealerships, nationwide repair chains and small independents and is very familiar with the challenges of each of those distinct work environments. As our Training Manager, he’s ready to share his knowledge with students to teach them the best and most efficient practices in automotive repair on current and future vehicles.
In Pete’s words, his mission at the Dorman Training Center is simple: “Offer instruction that helps my fellow technicians continue to improve their standard of living.”
Trainer
Ricardo Mucharraz
Ricardo is a seasoned automotive and diesel technician with over 22 years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, Ricardo has honed his skills in various settings, including general and dealer workshops for domestic and international OEM brands, including Peugeot, Mini and Subaru.
In addition to a strong background in wrenching, Ricardo has served as a commercial training manager at retailers, where he provided instruction to technicians, purchasing managers and territory managers. In his current full-time role as a sales representative at Dorman, he has gained and can share valuable insight about the automotive aftermarket and its critical role in automotive repair.
He has a knack for simplifying complex concepts and a passion for sharing his expertise via courses that emphasize operational efficiency and sales.
Ricardo has collaborated with top-tier industry suppliers, including Clarios, Quaker State, Innova, Alltrade Tools, FENCO, Motor Parts of America (MPA), BBB Industries, US Motor Works, Blue Magic, Perfection Clutch, Dayton Parts and ALLDATA. His extensive experience has given him a comprehensive understanding of the needs and requirements of vehicle owners, technicians, distributors and suppliers.
Trainer
Swede Oun
Owner, O&K Truck and Auto Repairs Ltd.
ATTP Master Instructor, New York State
Author, “Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Electricity and Electronics”
Training provider for various associations, industry and various NY State agencies
Developed trainings that range from four hours to multiple days, specializing in brakes, electrical, regulations and many other subjects relating to our industry
Member of various organizations such as SAE, CVSA, TANY