Meet Our Staff
Dan Dumbauld, A.A.M. - General Manager
Born: Wabash, Indiana
As the founder of The Auto Shop Inc., he has been serving downtown businesses and their employees since 1979. A 32-year veteran of the automotive repair industry, Dan’s role has changed from an ASE Master Certified Technician to Automotive Business Professional, earning his AAM degree from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) in order to grow with and support the automotive community.
The Auto Shop is your downtown AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility, has been awarded the “ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Facility” status and is recognized as one of the Phoenix area’s Top 55 Auto Repair Facilities as recommended by Mark Salem, “The Car Guy” on TV3 and KTAR.
Dan has been listed as an honored professional in the Nationwide Registers “Who’s Who in Executives and Businesses” and is an appointed member of the National Car Care Center Advisory Council for Parts Plus in Memphis Tennessee representing the Southwestern region of the independent automotive repair industry.
To remain an industry leader, Dan and his team remain active participants with the Automotive Service Association (ASA), AMI, Parts Plus, The Better Business Bureau, The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the Automotive Repair Partners of Arizona.
Kurt Molyneux, A.A.M., C.S.C. - Service Manager
Born: Ames, Iowa
With 19 years in the automotive industry, Kurt has earned ASE Certifications as an automotive technician, customer service consultant and parts counter professional. To further his customer service and management skills he actively participates in ongoing training through the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) even though he had received his AAM degree in 2004. With his experience, knowledge and integrity he leads our service team effectively and efficiently. Kurt understands our service philosophy completely and will deliver you “Stress Free, Easy to Use Service”.
Wendy Phillips Miller, A.A.M., C.S.C. - Service Consultant
Born: Port Washington, Wisconsin
Wendy is a graduate of the Automotive Management Institute as well as an ASE Certified Service Advisor. With 15 years in the automotive field, she has a wide range of familiarity with all components of the industry: from clerical positions to management. Wendy’s experience and proficiency can easily be seen in all that she does. Wendy is also our liaison for various neighborhood businesses; coordinating The Auto Shop’s participation in an employee benefit program. You can find her smiling face at our front counter, ready to help you understand the needs of your vehicle. Wendy, a proud mother of one, enjoys crafts and home decorating as well as cooking, reading, and camping.
Matt Dumbauld - Business Office Manager
Born: Phoenix, Arizona
Though Matt has "volunteered" here at the shop through the years, in 2003 he began training in our business office as he works his way through college earning his business degree. We rely on his fresh knowledge, computer aptitude, software skills and hard work to keep us up to date with our business expectations of the future. Trained in various procedures, policies and office equipment, he is capable of completing all business office duties in an efficient manner. As an assistant coach in the Apollo High School Basketball program, Matt understands the importance of teamwork, focus and persistence is a necessity for any organizations success.
Sarah Kidd - Marketing and Publications
Born: Phoenix, Arizona
Sarah has volunteered at The Auto Shop for a number of years. She dual majored in Elementary and Special Education at Northern Arizona University and taught a wide variety of ages. Now, a full-time mommy, Sarah works part time from the corporate office in Portland, Oregon. She brings fresh ideas and a love of writing to our team. She is helping to manage our VIP program as well as our monthly newsletter. Sarah enjoys photography, spending time with her family, and hiking beautiful Oregon.
Eric Stephenson, C.M.A.T., L1 - Senior Technician
Born: Alliance, Ohio
This ASE Master Certified Technician is a 16 year veteran of the automotive repair industry. He brings both experience and knowledge to our team. Eric treats every car that enters our shop as the most important car of the day, which makes him an excellent master technician. We are fortunate he has made his home here at The Auto Shop. Cooking is one of Eric’s hobbies; in fact, he hopes to open a restaurant one day. Eric also enjoys reading, playing games with his children, and decorating for Halloween. (Eric’s house is the place to be on that spooky night!)
Saul Ramos, C.M.A.T., L1 - Senior Technician
Born: Phoenix, Arizona
Saul, a Phoenix native, is an industry leading technician. Starting his trade at a very young age, Saul exposed himself to nearly all makes, models and systems of vehicles. Further, he is familiar with today’s sophisticated computer control systems. This makes him the perfect “Go-To-Guy” for our team. Graduating at the top of his class from Universal Technical Institute and continuing to pursue excellence, he sets a high professional standard with our team of technicians. Besides working on cars, his hobbies include fishing, camping, and spending time with his wife and two children. Saul is also huge NASCAR fan.
James Diggs - Apprentice Technician
Born: Landstul-Reinland Phaltz, Germany
James moved to the United States at a year old, as his family was in the military and moved around often. James followed in his family’s footsteps and served our country as well. He spent 4 years in the Marine Corps and was stationed in Japan for part of that time. He has had an earnest interest in vehicles since his teenage years and has not put down a wrench since he was 15. James is a recent graduate of Universal Technical Institute, majoring in Automotive Technology. Despite working nearly full time and attending school full time for an entire year; James excelled and made the Director’s List (a final grade of 95% or higher) and also received an “Excellence in Attendance” award (97% attendance or higher) at his graduation. He is a talented addition to our team, bringing the latest and most current information on all automotive needs to his everyday work. His commitment to his training is seen in his accomplishments.
Gabriel Vasquez - Detail and Appearance Technician
Born: Cuauhtemoc, CHIH. Mexico
As our vehicle appearance expert, Gabriel has work for 10 years perfecting his skills. The dedication and hard work put forth is evident in every vehicle he services. His attention to detail is impressive and ensures your vehicles wash and / or detail will be of premium quality.
Bob Meeks - Service Porter
Born: St. Mary's, West Virginia
Bob has a lifetime passion for hot rods and auto racing. During his career, spanning several decades, he has worked as a mechanic, raced autos, and trained other mechanics and drivers. Now retired, Bob restores vintage motorcycles and enjoys spending time with his wife of 35 years, his two children, and three grandchildren. Bob really enjoys meeting new people and finds driving the shuttle a welcome opportunity to do just that.
Dave Keyes - Service Porter
Born: Augusta, Georgia
Dave has always been close to the AutoShop. He spent the first 23 years of his life just over ½ mile from here at 5th Street and Culver, now part of I-10. His 40+-year career started at a VW dealership at 3rd Ave and Van Buren, and he also worked for Tanner Construction, where one of his jobs was an industrial photographer.
While at Tanner, Dave documented the building of the “Stack” (I-10/I-17 Interchange), the Deck Park tunnel, and many other highway projects around Arizona.
He has also been a builder, fabricator, and driver of top 10 dragsters; fabricator for the LeMans Team “Mirage” for Mario and Michael Andretti; Dave has rebuilt antique aircraft for such clients as the Owl’s Head Museum (Maine), John Denver, and others.
He enjoys meeting new customers and finding many with close ties to this part of Phoenix. He’s also happy to back in the “hood” where he grew up! In his spare time, he’s just completed fabricating a series of vintage motorcycle fuel tanks.