An Interview With Michael
Awhile back, Michael was interviewed by the Murfreesboro Post for their business profiles. I thought it would be great to have most of that interview here since it really explains a lot about how Michael is and why Master Tech Automotive is such a reliable and honest auto repair shop. Here it is:
What is your basic business philosophy? My auto repair business will be known as “Your Neighborhood Garage” by being centered in God, assured by faith and prospered by divine love.
Give us a sales pitch in 25 words or less: We are a locally family owned and operated auto repair facility since 1996. We are God centered. We offer customers the most cost effective auto repair service based on the principles of faith, honesty, integrity, and quality.
What is your proudest business achievement? For three years in a row we were recognized by the Better Business Bureau for “Market Place Ethics.” We were a founding member of the BBB and a member of the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce since opening in 1996. The Murfreesboro Magazine and Murfreesboro Sun publications named us “Best Auto Repair” and “Best Oil Change.”
What led you to Murfreesboro? I retired from the nuclear business in 1995 and began a search for a job that would be in alignment with God’s will for me. Helping people by fixing their car with trust and integrity was a perfect fit.
What is your educational background? I attended Seminole Junior College, University of Tennessee and Louisiana State University. I was a certified senior quality engineer and completed the Senior Reactor Operator Program at Gulf States Utilities. I am a certified auto technician and have completed several auto management courses.
Where are you originally from? I came from Sanford, Fla. in 1970 to work for the Tennessee Valley Authority as a quality engineer in their nuclear program. So I call Tennessee home. I have lived in Murfreesboro longer than anywhere in my life.
What do you do for fun? I love to scuba dive and ride my Harley. This year my wife and I rode our Harley into Canada and made the complete circle around Lake Superior. The total distance was about 1,500 miles. I usually scuba dive four or five times a year in the Florida Keys, Panama City or the Caribbean.
Tell us about your family: My wife, Felicia, was a teacher for 20 years prior to becoming the minister of Unity Church of Life eight years ago. I have two daughters, Michelle Searcy and Mellissa Boles. Both are graduates of Tennessee Technology. Michelle is an information technology manager for Accenture in Fairfax, Va. Mellissa is a third-grade teacher at Capshaw School in Cookeville. She is the mother of our two wonderful grandchildren, Hayden, a 7-year-old, second-grader and Allie a 5-year-old, kindergartener both at Capshaw Elementary School in Cookeville.
Who was your mentor? I have three: Ed Monroe, my first supervisor at TVA, who taught me to do the job right the first time because that’s what people remember the most; Henry “Tap” Richardson, engineering supervisor at TVA, who taught me to look at all possibilities and be prepared for the unexpected; President Jimmy Carter, who taught me that being a good person was more important than being right.
What is the most important thing going on now at your operation? We have changed from a maintenance service facility to a true overall auto repair facility. We do everything from oil changes to engine and transmission replacement. We also do exhaust and welding. To sum it up, if it is broke we fix it.
I have a 1979 corvette that was given to me by my father. It has a rebuilt engine in it with about 2500 miles. When he gave it to me it had been sitting for quite a while although it was running pretty well. When I brought it to Nashville I had someone check it out to see if we could get it to pass the emissions test. During the process we put a new carb on it and were able to get it to pass, however, now it does not run very weel. It seems to lack some power and has quite a bit of spark knock especially after it has been driven for a few miles. It seems to run a little ot also however I cannot tell because it does not overheat and the temp gauge does not work. I am NOT a mechanic so I am looking for someone that I can trust to work on this car to make it run the way I know it can. Any interest?