2025 SPEAKERS

Luz is an immigrant from Panama. Upon arriving in the USA, she enrolled in community college, where she discovered a passion for automotive technology. Luz graduated with highest honors and became a GM/Saturn Technician. After 8 years “wrenching,” she became an adjunct professor at her alma mater while working towards her degree in Education. Today, Luz is an accomplished professor co-leading the automotive technology department at Palomar College. Luz is also a Bureau of Auto Repair California Certified Emissions Instructor, a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), and a founding member of SD Techs. Luz wishes to inspire future generations of women into the exciting field of science and discoveries that is automotive technology.

John A. Jaramillo John has over 25 years of higher education leadership experience with over 24 of those years at California Community Colleges. John, after a recent college reorganization, is now the Dean of both The School of Business and Industry and the Division of Economic & Workforce Advancement at Saddleback College (2023). Additionally, Captain John A. Jaramillo, USAR (Retired) served as a military reservist for over 20 years. His service included a 15-month Active Duty Deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005/2006. CPT Jaramillo served in Military Intelligence, Training and Logistics Units.

Dave has been in the automotive industry since 1980 as a technician, machinist, engineer, and instructor. Previous employment includes general automotive repair, engine machining and rebuilding, electronic test equipment engineering, and teaching automotive technology. Dave is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Automotive Engine Builders Association (AERA), and has served as Chairman for 23-24. Dave has earned three AS degrees in Automotive Technology and Machine Tool Technolgy from De Anza College, a Bachelor of Occupational Education from Eastern New Mexico University, and a Master of Education also from Eastern New Mexico University. Dave is currently teaching automotive technology and serving as department chair at De Anza College in Cupertino, California. The department recently received approval from the Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) to offer a bachelorette degree in automotive technology management, which will allow auto tech students to continue their education and create more career opportunities in management. This degree also provides an affordable educational opportunity for students who otherwise may not have been able to afford such a degree.

Larry Rillera is a Staff Air Pollution Specialist with the California Air Resources Board. Larry leads diverse teams for community equity, outreach and engagement, heavy-duty zero-emission transportation initiatives, and partnerships. Larry serves on interagency teams, public-private-partnership ventures, and engages with communities, California Tribes, and businesses in decarbonizing the energy/transportation sector while ensuring communities accrue direct benefits of investments. Larry was the architect of several innovative state financing solutions for solar panel manufacturers, electric vehicle charging stations and ZEV manufacturing. He has established high voltage electrification programs, skills and curriculum development, and career pathway programs in California high schools, community colleges, four-year colleges, and with community-based organizations. Larry also brings knowledge and experience working with labor in myriad industries. Larry received a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science at the University of California at Davis and holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Southern California.

Brandon Stevenson has been a professor at Weber State since 2018. He worked for Cummins corporate for nearly a decade before coming to Weber full time.. Prior to receiving his job at Cummins, he was a GM technician. He has a MBA from USI, a dual bachelors of automotive technology from Weber State, and is currently working on his doctorate. Brandon will be representing Daktic and some of their training aid offerings, speaking to how he uses them in his classrooms.

I have worked at BAR for 15 years in many roles. Currently work in the Hardware Certification & Schools Unit. was a tech for many years first and an instructor in industry for a decade.

Jon Kropp is the Director of Workforce at Southwestern College, where he leads strategic initiatives and grant-funded programs that strengthen career education across five campuses. With over 17 years of experience advancing transportation and sustainability projects for San Diego’s regional community colleges, Jon has played a key role in developing statewide strategies to support zero-emission vehicle adoption and workforce alignment. His efforts have helped secure more than $25 million in funding, including $6 million in CEC funding that accelerated ZEV program adoption at more than 20 colleges throughout California. In addition to his leadership in higher education, Jon is the founder of Rocket 1 Group LLC, a consultancy that helps organizations navigate workforce trends through data-driven insights, strategic planning, and digital solutions. He also co-founded the Mobilize Summit, a pivotal event that convenes hundreds of educators and industry leaders to explore the future of mobility and workforce training. Jon brings deep expertise in curriculum development, nonprofit strategy, web & graphic design, as well as community engagement. He holds a BBA from Gonzaga University and an MS in Management and Project Management from Northeastern University.

Dori Eppstein is a veteran in organizational development and leadership with over 25 years of experience. As the Senior Consultant and Co-Founder of ShiftWorks Consulting and COO of John’s Automotive Care, a multi-shop system in San Diego, she empowers automotive businesses through strategic counsel, culture transformation, and emotionally intelligent leadership. Her work focuses on building high-performance teams, cultivating healthy communication, and driving sustainable growth in independent auto repair shops across the country. Dori holds multiple certifications and brings deep expertise in change management and leadership development, all rooted in a passion for helping people and businesses thrive.

Azra Nasufovic has served as an analyst at the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) since 2019, supporting the Vehicle Retirement Unit within California’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). She helps administer the Vehicle Retirement Program and coordinates the Cars for Schools Program initiative, which provides retired vehicles to schools for hands-on automotive training. In this role, Azra collaborates with automotive instructors, school administrators, and dismantlers to facilitate program implementation and the placement of retired vehicles into automotive training programs across California. With more than twenty years of experience in public service and the nonprofit sector, she is passionate about expanding educational opportunities, strengthening workforce development, and supporting California’s environmental goals through real-world learning partnerships.

Sean Fleming is California's Automotive Technology Instructor focusing on training, support and certification's for students and instructors. Sean is an ASE Master Tech with 15+ years of experience. He works closely with shops, technicians and educators to ensure their teams are confident and capable with Hunter's technology and equipment.

Dustin Nabors serves as a representative for Hunter Engineering Company in Southern CA, where he focuses on supporting educators, students and training programs in the automotive industry. He works closely with schools, instructors and career centers to provide access to modern equipment and resources that prepare the next generation of technicians. Dustin is passionate about helping learning programs stay aligned with real-world industry standards while empowering educators, shop owners, technicians and students succeed into the future.

Elie is an Automotive enthusiast and the founder & CEO of Skilled2Hire, a software company developing novel training solutions for schools, apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training. Elie also heads up Mechanics Marketplace, a recruiting and headhunting company in the Automotive industry. Prior to his venture in the Automotive industry, Elie was a high-tech executive in several successful start-ups and Fortune 500 companies.

Donal Howell has been in the automotive repair industry as a technician and college professor for over 30 years. He retains ASE Master and L1 certification, and is a Certified Instructor for BAR emissions training. He also serves as California Automotive Teachers' newsletter editor, has written technical and news articles for various publications, and recently completed a full technical review of a major automotive textbook revision.

Before entering the public education sector, Larry collaborated with General Motors engineers and technical writers to edit and deliver top-tier technical service training, was instrumental in launching California’s Smog Check Program, and delivered advanced-level vehicle emissions diagnostic training to state-licensed technicians and inspectors with the Bureau of Automotive Repair and private postsecondary training providers. He continues more than twenty years of closely examining educational institutions' effectiveness by serving as a program accreditation Evaluation Team Leader (ETL) for the ASE Education Foundation (formerly NATEF) throughout the western states and Hawaii. Larry continues in his second four-year term, this time as the Workforce Training Groups Advisory on Clean Transportation for the California Energy Commission. He continues working with educational leaders, community members, and business partners to strengthen career pathways, improve program and student outcomes, and improve equity through his employability data research that reveals the root causes of the nationwide technician shortage.

Jack Rosebro has been teaching technicians about hybrid and electric vehicles for over twenty years. He is currently Head of Technology for Earthling Automotive in San Francisco.

Mark Weller has been in the automotive industry for 35+ years. He holds an Associates Degree in Automotive Technology and has been a college level instructor for about 20 years. Mark currently teaches at Barstow Community College and is a national trainer for EV West. He worked in independent vehicle repair shops in his early years, moving up to dealership experience where he spent seven years with Mitsubishi Motors as a Master Elite technician and contributing technical writer. Mark held a California Enhanced Smog License for 22 years. He is a 30 year ASE certified technician; recently adding xEV level 2. Mark also spent several years providing outside sales and support for the heavy equipment industry. He was a contributing editor for the latest edition ACDC Electrified Motor Vehicles College textbook. In 2017, he partnered with EV West to develop easy to understand electric vehicle curriculum and system based training materials. In his limited spare time, Mark enjoys converting gas cars to electric and going to comedy shows.

With over twenty years of experience in recruitment and retention, Virginia Oden specializes in connecting education and industry to build stronger career pathways. She has an extensive background working with Oklahoma Department of CareerTech, where she collaborated with school administrators, instructors, and industry leaders to strengthen workforce alignment in the transportation sector. Now serving in a national role with ASE Education Foundation, she works with Automotive CTE programs across all states to advance partnerships between education and industry, helping to ensure students gain the skills and opportunities needed for long-term success. She is passionate about bridging the gap between classroom and real-world application -- and truly loves the work she does.

Mark Weiss started his career as an automotive technical trainer for Standard Motor Products. For the past 25 years he has worked at LJCREATE as VP of sales providing educational solutions to Career and Technical Education facilities around the world. He is a long-standing CTE evangelist! He has served on a number of national and state level Career and Technical Education committees to help expand the role of CTE in education.

Scott is a professional automotive service technician with 42+ years of professional automotive service experience. He is dedicated to continually advancing his technical competencies on current and future automotive systems. ASE Automotive Master Certifed along with L1, L3, & L4 credentials. He is also a California Certified Automotive Instructor. Scott is the founder of Diagnostic Network, (Diag.net) a company launched in 2018 after leaving the International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN) as president after 22 years of service. Scott is a technical editor and videographer with Endeavor Business Media under the brands MotorAge and Professional Tools & Equipment News (PTEN). Scott recently co-authored the first ADAS textbook for High School and College curriculum with Goodheart-Wilcox. Scott is also the owner of Connie & Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont California which was founded in 1960.

Hao Nguyen has spent over a decade practicing compliance in the automotive industry. After a stint with the California New Car Dealers Association advocating for dealers’ rights, he moved to Southern California to join a consulting firm where he provided legal support and guidance in all functions at the dealership: from sales operations and registration to service department compliance and environmental issues. He is now head of the ComplyAuto Safety and EduTech products, which provides safety and OSHA guidance for dealerships across the country as well as service drive compliance. He continues to support various compliance functions at ComplyAuto, such as privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, sales and finance, and vehicle advertising. He currently resides in Long Beach, California.

Oscar Garcia is the Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer of Aspira Consulting, a Silicon Valley firm providing culturally relevant career and leadership programs. An AI career and leadership expert and international speaker, he has trained over 65,000 people across 17 countries and 5 continents. He hosts the Career Talk With OG podcast and is the author of the upcoming book, 12 Life & Career Skills That Go Beyond the Classroom.

Steve Caruso is a professional automotive technician with over 40 years of experience. He is an ASE Master Automotive Technician with advanced certifications including L1 Advanced Engine Performance, G1 Auto Maintenance and Light Repair, Bosch Master Technician, and Licensed California Smog Technician. A California BAR Instructor since 2012, Steve has authored more than 15 BAR-certified update training courses and has also served as an OEM Technical Trainer, Tech Line Specialist, and Warranty Analyst.