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.
{ 1 Comment }Meet The Staff: Michael
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?
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!
{Comments Off}The Difference Between Motor Oils: 10W30 And 5W30
Dear Master Tech Automotive,
What is the difference between 10W30 motor oil and 5W30 motor oil?
Signed,
Confused
Michael Searcy says:
In 10W30 oil, for example, the two numbers (10 and 30) mean it’s a “multiviscosity’ or “multigrade” oil that’s effective over a range of temperature. The first number, 10, is an index that refers to how the oil flows at low temperatures. The second number, 30, refers to how it flows at high temperature. The W means the oil can be used in a winter.
A popular belief is that 5W30 oils were to thin to protect vital engine parts when they get hot and 10W30 caused harder starting on those cold winter morings, but numerous studies have concluded there is essentially no difference between 5W30 oils and their 10W30 brand mates. There is no visable way to tell the difference.
A larger number of automakers now recommend 5W30 as the “preferred” oil and even identify 5W30 on the oil filler cap. However, in most cases the manufacture also provided a chart with various temperature ranges and the acceptable viscosity. In our region the temperature ranges usually allow the use of either 10W30 or 5W30. Most consumers in the state of Tennessee use the 10W30 because it is the most availabile and usually the least expensive, while maintaining quality and your manufacturer’s warranty.
The purpose of oil is to help protect the engine’s moving parts. But motor oil does much more than lubricate. It helps cool the engine, keeps it clean, prevents corrosion, and reduces friction to improve fuel economy. The worts mistake you can make is to put a single grade oil in an engine that was design to be run on a multigrade oil. Viscosity grade is important to the life of your engine, so be careful. Recommendations vary with the make, engine, and model year of the car, so check your owner’s manual and ask your mechanic for the proper grade of oil.
{Comments Off}
