Meet the Team at Nate’s Garage

Eddie Hayford brings years of automotive experience, a strong work ethic, and a personality that’s hard to miss to his role as Service Manager at Nate’s Garage. Growing up around his dad’s automotive business, Eddie got an early taste of the automotive world, and it didn’t take long for that passion to stick. But for Eddie, it’s about more than turning wrenches and solving mechanical mysteries—it’s about helping people and making their day a little brighter. Good-natured, jovial, and always ready with an encouraging word, Eddie knows how to keep things positive, even when a vehicle decides to throw a mechanical curveball. He takes pride in building relationships, supporting his team, and making sure the job gets done right the first time. Around the shop, a little optimism and a good attitude go a long way—and Eddie brings plenty of both! When he’s not keeping the shop running smoothly, you’ll likely find Eddie hunting, fishing, enjoying sports, or soaking up the great outdoors with his family. And if you really want to put a smile on his face, just hand him the keys to his dream ride: a 1972 Chevy Chevelle. Now that’s a classic that deserves a spot in the garage! 

Some people see a problem and walk away. Chad sees a problem and starts figuring out how to fix it! With 27 years in the automotive industry, Chad has spent nearly three decades doing what he loves: solving problems, turning wrenches, and helping people get back on the road. But what really sets him apart isn't just what he knows — it's how he treats people. Chad believes customers should be treated like family, because at the end of the day, a vehicle might be a machine, but the person driving it matters most. When he's not at the shop, Chad keeps life in high gear with hunting, racing, building things, traveling, and making memories with his kids. And when it comes to his dream ride, forget the fancy gadgets and push-button everything. Chad wants a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 with a 4-speed manual — a classic American muscle car with a big-block heart and a clutch pedal that keeps the driver in charge! That tells you everything you need to know: Chad appreciates horsepower, hands-on work, and the satisfaction of doing things the right way. 

Some people see a problem and start looking for excuses. Jim Polingo sees a problem and starts looking for tools, a whiteboard, and probably three ways to fix it that nobody else has considered. The word “can’t”? Yeah, that one doesn’t get much airtime in Jim’s world. With a U.S. Navy background and decades of experience spanning automotive, mid-size and heavy equipment development, design, marketing, and operations, Jim has learned a thing or two about thinking outside the box. Jim thrives on challenges, building teams, and creating processes that turn big ideas into real-world results. But don’t mistake his drive for someone who lives and breathes spreadsheets and business plans 24/7. Jim has a serious appetite for life outside the office, too. Put him behind a microphone, out on the golf course, cruising a back-country road, or chasing down his next great adventure, and you’ll find a guy who knows there’s more to life than checking items off a to-do list. His philosophy? If it can be improved, let’s improve it. If it looks impossible, let’s take a closer look. And if someone says, “That’s just the way we’ve always done it,” well… they may want to pull up a chair, because Jim’s just getting started.

Meet Jon Hoes: Master Problem Solver, Gearhead Since Day One, and World Traveler! Jon has been turning wrenches and taming mechanical mysteries for more than 30 years, starting with dirt bikes, 4-wheelers, and lawnmowers before graduating to cars and trucks. As Shop Foreman at Nate’s Garage, he enjoys tackling the problems that leave others scratching their heads—and helping the next generation of technicians sharpen their skills along the way. When he’s not cracking the code on a stubborn engine, Jon is likely fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, or making memories with his family. His dream garage would feature a 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass and a new Duramax truck—because why choose between classic muscle and modern horsepower? And here’s a fun twist: Jon is also a former exchange student who’s traveled the world. Turns out, his curiosity goes well beyond what’s under the hood!

Meet Jose Casas: Under-the-Hood Detective, Problem-Solving Pro, and Survivor of an Absolutely Un-bee-lievable Day! Jose has spent six years at Nate’s Garage turning his childhood curiosity about cars into a full-fledged career. His automotive journey started young, helping his dad with oil changes, and today he’s the guy who loves chasing down tricky diagnoses, conquering timing chains and belts, and untangling electrical gremlins that make other people want to pull their hair out. Jose has one golden rule: he treats every customer’s vehicle like it belongs to his wife—which means it gets the care, attention, and respect it deserves! When he’s off the clock, he’s still turning wrenches on his own projects, dreaming of the day he gets behind the wheel of a 2013 Audi S5. But perhaps the most shocking thing about Jose has nothing to do with cars: he once got stung by more than 200 bees at once! We’re not sure how he handled that many angry little mechanics, but after an experience like that, a stubborn check-engine light probably feels like a walk in the park!

Meet Andrew Schmitz: 20 Years of Experience, A Master’s Touch, and a Soft Spot for Classic Muscle! When it comes to getting the job done right, Andrew doesn’t believe in cutting corners—or making excuses. With 20 years in the automotive industry and Audi Master Certification under his belt, Andrew has the knowledge and skill to tackle the big jobs that make other people think twice. Transmissions, engines, complicated repairs? Bring them on! Andrew takes pride in working efficiently, owning the outcome, and holding himself to a high standard. For him, there’s nothing quite like turning a challenging repair into a job well done. Away from the shop, he trades the toolbox for time hunting, fishing, and making memories with his family. And if you want to get him talking cars, just mention his dream ride: a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle—proof that even a Master of Modern Automotive Technology can appreciate a timeless classic!

Meet Rolando Ruiz: Puzzle Solver, Parts Juggler, and Family-First Kind of Guy! Give Rolando Ruiz a vehicle that won’t cooperate, a mystery under the hood, and a pile of parts that need putting back together, and you’ve pretty much made his day! With seven years in the automotive industry, Rolando discovered his passion while working on cars with his cousin, and he’s been building his skills and chasing new challenges ever since. At Nate’s Garage, he enjoys diagnosing tricky problems, learning new techniques, and—best of all—helping people get back on the road. But for Rolando, the real motivation goes far beyond horsepower and hand tools: family always comes first, and being able to help the people he loves means everything. When he’s not at the shop, he keeps that same practical, hands-on attitude in everything he does. And his dream ride? A Dodge Cummins—because sometimes you need a truck that works as hard as you do! Rolando’s philosophy is simple: figure it out, get it done, keep learning, and always make time for the people who matter most.

Meet Shawn Guenzler: Electrical Detective, Engine Whisperer, and Performance Car Enthusiast! Some kids take toys apart and hope they can put them back together. Shawn Guenzler took that curiosity and turned it into a 14-year automotive career! His passion started early, fueled by car shows and time spent in Uncle Rick’s shop, and he’s been chasing mechanical mysteries ever since. At Nate’s Garage, Shawn is the technician you want when electrical gremlins start wreaking havoc, computer networks get cranky, or an engine just refuses to perform the way it should. Thorough, efficient, and dependable, he’s the guy who shows up ready to roll, digs into the details, and doesn’t quit until the job is done right. And because learning never goes out of style, Shawn is always sharpening his skills and adding new tricks to his technical toolbox. Off the clock, he trades diagnostic tools for snowmobiles, bowling balls, autocross action, and quality time with his wife and kids. His dream ride? A 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution—because for Shawn, a little turbocharged excitement is always a good thing!

Meet Elias Koch: Problem-Solving Gearhead, Electrical Detective, and Classic-Car Dreamer! Some kids grew up watching cartoons. Elias Koch was watching Roadkill and dreaming about getting his hands dirty! That early fascination with how things work turned into a passion for diagnosing problems, fixing what’s broken, and bringing vehicles back to life. And while some technicians see a tangled mess of wires and electrical gremlins and start looking for the nearest exit, Elias thinks, “Now THIS could be fun!” He takes pride in solving tough problems, getting the job done right, and earning his ASE certifications one test at a time. Just as important, he loves being part of a team where coworkers become friends and everyone has each other’s backs. When he’s not turning wrenches, Elias enjoys kicking back and playing games. But if he could fill his dream garage, you’d find two very different kinds of cool: a 1995 Ford Ranger for that classic, practical pickup vibe and a 1974 Dodge Charger for some serious old-school muscle. Clearly, Elias appreciates both getting the job done and having a little horsepower-fueled fun along the way!

When life throws a curveball — or someone backs into one — Joe Sloan is the guy you want in your corner! As Body Shop Manager at Nate’s Garage, Joe brings a passion for helping people, a love of cars, and a commitment to making sure every vehicle leaves safe, sound, and ready to hit the road again. Inspired by his dad, Joe got interested in working on cars at an early age, and that passion has grown into a career built around fixing vehicles and taking the stress out of what can be a pretty lousy day for a customer. His philosophy is simple: treat every vehicle like it’s his own and make sure the job is done right. No shortcuts, no guesswork — just quality work and people who care. When Joe isn’t keeping the body shop running smoothly, you might find him bowling, hanging out with friends, or doing what any perfectly reasonable person does for fun: competing in demolition derbies! And while he’s no stranger to watching cars get smashed, his dream ride is a little more classic — a 1965 Chevy Chevelle. Around the shop, Joe brings the experience, the attitude, and the people-first mindset that help turn a stressful situation into a reason to smile. Just don’t ask him to keep a demolition derby car looking pretty!

When most people see a wrecked vehicle, they see a problem. Jacob Despins sees a blank canvas! As Nate’s Garage’s Lead Body Technician, Jacob brings six years of automotive experience, a sharp eye for detail, and a passion for transforming banged-up vehicles into something beautiful again. His love for cars started early, fueled by growing up around them and watching restoration shows. But it was repairing his first smashed-up car that really hooked him. Today, Jacob tackles everything from framework and body mechanics to paint matching and custom paint jobs. He loves a good challenge and takes pride in getting the details just right. Even better, he works at a shop that encourages him to keep learning, improving, and pushing his skills further. When he’s not making damaged vehicles look like they never met a guardrail, Jacob is probably hunting, fishing, restoring old cars, dirt biking, or hanging out with his dogs. And speaking of dogs, he has THREE Labrador retrievers! That’s a lot of fetching. His dream garage? A classic square-body Chevy and an ’80 Firebird. Around here, Jacob brings the skill, the creativity, and the craftsmanship to make even the roughest ride look road-ready again. 

Meet Astin, one of the rising stars at Nate’s Garage! He’s still hitting the books while learning the automotive trade, but he’s already bringing the right tools to the table: a great attitude, a willingness to learn, and the determination to get better every day. Astin isn’t afraid to ask questions, tackle a challenge, or roll up his sleeves to figure out how things work. He knows becoming a great technician doesn’t happen overnight — it takes grit, practice, and a whole lot of turning wrenches! When he’s not at school or learning the ropes in the shop, you might find him carving up the slopes on his snowboard. And when it comes to his dream ride? Forget the sensible commuter car — Astin has his sights set on a Fox Body Mustang 5.0! With that kind of taste in cars and the drive to keep improving, we’re excited to see where the road takes him. Keep learning, keep grinding, Astin — your future is wide open!