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AT Faculty and Advistory Committee

Automotive Faculty

Scott Hall, Department Chair

Scott Hall has been in the automotive trade for over 30 years. He began as a teenager working in the service station business while in high school, and started his formal education by graduating from Bellingham Technical College in Automotive Technology in 1975. After working in the industry in a variety of capacities in independent shops and dealerships as a technician as well as management and shop ownership, Scott returned to school. Graduating from the University of Idaho with a degree in Trade and Industrial Technical Education, and Master Certification from Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), his teaching career started in 1986 teaching Automotive at Blaine High School in Blaine Washington. In 1991-92 his educational abilities took him to Bellingham Technical College where he taught 1st year automotive students, and in 1993 he joined the staff at Skagit Valley College.

As the department chair of SVC Automotive Scott feels most passionate about the level of education that the automotive program can now provide to its students. In 1999 the program was master accredited by the National Educational Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and reaccredited in 2004. In 2003 SVC Automotive was recognized as the number one automotive program in the USA by the Automotive Industry and Planning Council (AIPC). What is most rewarding to Scott is supplying his students with the most current and highest level of education possible and giving them the training and skills to be successful in life.

    Ron Schaffner, Instructor

    Ron Schaffner joined the Skagit Valley College Automotive Technology program in 2005. He has 15 years of experience in many different areas of the automotive field. Ron has degrees in Automotive Technology and Automotive Machining, and is ASE Master Certified in both areas.

    Some of the experience that Ron brings to Skagit Valley College includes everything from small repair shop technician to production line engine rebuilding. He has many years experience working on farm equipment, but has also spent several seasons working in the professional ranks of NHRA drag racing. Those who know him best will tell you that performance and racing are what drive him in this industry.

    Ron enjoys working with students and loves to challenge them in critical thinking. He hopes that students who attend his classes will not only learn industry skills for future employment, but will also learn how to seek out information on their own and become "life students" as they grow in their career.

    AT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

    • Greg Brue, North Cascade Ford
    • Biran Eisen, Blade Chevrolet
    • Doug Faber, Mount Vernon Towing
      Doug Faber has been a part of towing and repair with Mount Vernon Towing since 1962. After graduation from Calvin College in 1979, he became an aircraft flight instructor. Doug returned to towing and bought Mount Vernon Towing in 1992 and has since bought Lee Myles Transmission and Auto Repair in Mount Vernon and Oak Harbor. Having trained and certified staff is important to Doug. This requirement of the business upholds the standards the community has come to expect from Mount Vernon Towing, Faber Crane Service and Lee Myles Transmissions and Auto Care. The company shares support staff and have dedicated personnel in each area of operation. Doug believes in education and sends staff and himself to classes nationwide to increase professionalism. Doug is a nationally recognized leader in the industry. Tow Times has written an article about Doug and Mount Vernon Towing. He has received several awards for businesses including Washington Tow Operator of the Year, and considers the Skagit Valley College Automotive Technology program a vital part of training tomorrow's automotive technicians. Doug is more than willing to share his time regarding SVC, auto repair, or the towing industry.
    • John Fernandez, Consultant
    • Daryl Hamberg, 76 Service Station
    • Aaron Hardin, Karmart Nissan
    • Rich Marsula, NAPA
      Rich Marsula received his Associate Degree from Skagit Valley College and continued the education at Washington State University where his Major was in Business Administration. For the past 27 years he has owned and operated independent stores in the automotive parts industry. Currently he operates four stores which employ over 35 people. Customer loyalty and responsible business has kept his company growing in a highly competitive market. As an advisory board member, Rich would like to welcome anyone with interest in the auto parts industry and invites you to contact him if you have any further questions. (360) 707-9936.
    • Ken Pike, Pike's Automotive
    • Phil Robertson, Bavarian Autohaus
      After two years at Phoenix College, I was recruited into the (just starting) Integrated Circuit Technology at Motorola. Since the technology was at its early stage, there was no source of education in semiconductor physics offered, I used on-the-job training to advance. In two years, I was in an engineering role, and in five years I became an engineering manager. Due to several patentable processes I developed, I was given the role of Device Physicist. I then spent 30 years in this role at 4 corporations and received 2 patents and managed hundreds of engineering and production personnel. In semiretirement, I have owned and operated an automotive repair shop (Bavarian Autohaus) for the past eleven years, changing a 30-year hobby into a business. I have been on the Automotive Technology Advisory Committee for ten years and find the Skagit College program a great asset to us and the community.
    • Rick Wyckoff, Skagit Ford Subaru
      I have worked in Ford parts sales for 39 years.  I have been in parts sales here at Skagit Ford Subaru for 35 years.  My first automotive training came my senior year in high school while taking an automotive class.  I was chosen from that class by my instructor to receive a year's technical training from Ford Motor company. 

      I have served on the Skagit Valley College automotive advisory committee for 16 years.