Category — Meet The Staff

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.

This is the owner of Master Tech Automotive, Michael Searcy. I’ve had a lot of bosses in my life, but there are only two of them that really stand out in my mind, and Michael is one of them. He has taught me more about business and marketing than I ever learned in school. He taught me about good customer service, and when sometimes it’s necessary to cut someone loose. I feel lucky to have known someone like Michael, who has taken the time to teach me so much.

Here’s Michael’s profile:

Are you married/how long have you been married?

20 years

Do you have any kids? How old are they? Boys or girls?

2 girls- Michelle Searcy age 38 and Mellissa Boles age 35.

Do you have any pets? What kind? What are their names?

2 dogs and one cat. Dogs: Gus-golden retriever 7 years old, Gabby-boxer 4 years old. Cat: Meriwether Lewis Clark (Louie)

What are your hobbies?

Scuba diving, especially as deep and with as many sharks as possible. Gardening, and finally work- I love my job.

How long have you been working on cars?

I helped my next door neighbor change his oil in 1962 that would be 47 years

Why did you get into the auto repair business?

I always worked on cars and motorcycles to see how fast I could make them go. I continued this as a hobby until I opened Master Tech Automotive in 1996.

What’s your dream car?

1969 Camaro Indy Pace Car

What’s your favorite car to work on?

Any car prior to 1973.

What’s your least favorite car to work on and why?

Toyota Previa. It is next toimpossible to get to the engine since it’s under the front seat and there is no room to work on them.

Tomorrow, I’ll post an interview Mike did awhile back about the business- it’s pretty fascinating. Stay tuned!

I have a special affinity for Jeff, the manager, since his job was once my job and I know exactly what it’s like to be in his shoes. It’s a tough job some days, and other days it’s a complete blast. Jeff is far better at the job than I ever was- he has an amazing ability to remember people that I have never had, and he has a ton more patience than I ever had and ever will have. He’s just very well suited for the job.

So, you’d like to know more about Jeff? Here’s his profile:

Are you married or single? Do you have any kids?

I’ve been married for 17 years. 3 kids- a 14 year old son, an 11 year old daughter, and a 6 year old son.

Do you have any pets?

2 dogs- a mutt named Booboo and a puggle named Turner.

What are your hobbies?

Right now I’m restoring an old Ford truck with my son. I also love skeet shooting, golfing, camping, hiking, canoeing, and riding dirt bikes.

How long have you been working on cars?

Since I was 15.

Why did you go into the auto repair business?

I have an uncle that owned California Customs and I enjoyed watching and helping I then went through Ford Asset program and worked as an auto technician for several years, but the money would be good one week and bad the next which was a little hard to deal with, so I became a service writer and manager.

What’s your dream car?

1968 Shelby Cobra

What’s your favorite kind of car to work on?

So far, the best thing I’ve ever worked on was a 1971 Corvette convertible I helped my father-in-law restore.

What’s your least favorite kind of car to work on, and why?

Chryslers. Why? Well, they’re Chryslers.

Come on down and see the hardest working guy in auto repair today!