Vehicle Service Experts Council
Dwayne Myer Immediate Past Chair
CEO, Dynamic Automotive
Dwayne Myers has been with Dynamic Automotive, an independent service repair facility, since 1997. Prior to joining Dynamic Automotive as a technician, he worked in the heavy-duty truck field and was a tank mechanic during his service in the U.S. Army. Dwayne has held many roles throughout his time at Dynamic Automotive, as a technician, service advisor, and location leader, and he is now the CEO of the company. Today, Dwayne leads and develops the executive and management teams. He focuses on the continuing development of all team members to build a more robust culture in the company. This development is critical to the growth of both Dynamic and its team members.
Tara Topel Chair
Owner, Topel's Service Center & Topel's Service & Repair
Tara Topel is the owner of Topel's Service Center Inc. and Topel's Towing and Repair in Lake Mills, Wisconsin — a family-founded shop serving the community since 1948. With over two decades of ownership experience, Tara is known for her commitment to team development, transparent customer communication, and building systems that help independent shops thrive. She is the 2021 Female Shop Owner of the Year (Auto Care Association), a Women at the Wheel Award recipient, Chair of Vehicle Service Experts, and an active voice for the independent repair industry. Tara believes that when shop owners share knowledge freely, everyone wins.
Shari Pheasant Vice Chair
Founder, Horsepower Strategies
Shari Pheasant, founder of Horsepower Strategies, is a Leadership & Culture Strategist with more than 15 years of driving growth through the one lever most organizations overlook: people. She has also been a shop owner for 22 years as of 2026. Working across 12 industries, she partners with leaders to align teams, strengthen accountability, and create cultures where performance is sustainable and scalable. A nationally recognized Jefferson Award winner in 2001 and recipient of multiple honors since, Shari was most recently named the 2024 AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year with her husband Jeff and the 2025 Women in Auto Care Female Shop Owner of the Year. Her work blends data-driven insight with human behavior, challenging leaders to think differently, lead intentionally, and build environments where people and performance rise together.
Taylor Mitchell Member
Chief Administrative & Technology Officer, Great Water Garages
Taylor Mitchell is Chief Administrative and Technology Officer at GreatWater 360 Auto Care, focused on building the systems and teams that power growth. With a background in automotive technology and industry standards, she’s known for making the complex simple and actionable. Taylor is deeply passionate about supporting repair shops and strengthening the independent aftermarket, ensuring operators have the tools, data, and clarity to succeed. Her leadership style blends accountability, simplicity, and a people-first mindset to help teams perform at their best.
Tom Palermo Member
Owner, Preferred Automotive Specialistse
Tom Palermo, owner of Preferred Automotive Specialists, is a results-driven leader with over 30 years in the automotive industry and a lifelong advocate for excellence who leads by example. As an owner of a NAPA Gold Certified Auto Care and ASE Blue Seal facility, he has built a culture centered on teamwork, professionalism, and continuous learning. A World-Class Technician with over 50 ASE certifications, Tom has earned honors including 2011 WIX Tech of the Year, 2015 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year, and the 2025 AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year. He exemplifies technical mastery and innovation, leveraging AI, data-driven training, and advanced diagnostics to elevate service standards. Serving on the ASE Board of Governors and Board of Directors, Tom is committed to mentorship, industry advancement, and strengthening the automotive community.
Thomas R. Schearer, Jr Member
President, Schearer's Sales & Service, Inc
Thomas R. Schearer, Jr. is the owner of Schearer’s Sales & Service, Inc., a premier European automotive repair facility in Allentown, PA. With over 30 years in the industry, Tom is known for building a client-focused, process-driven business centered on Trust, Quality, and Personal Touch. He specializes in leadership development, operational excellence, and scalable systems for independent repair shops. Tom is the 2024 Ratchet+Wrench All-Star Award recipient and winner of the 2025 Bosch Module Shop of the Year. He also serves as a coach with his daughter Samantha’s company, ShiftPoint Training Academy, where he mentors shop owners and leaders to elevate performance, accountability, and client experience.
Bernard Tansey Member
Chief Operations Officer, Co-Owner, Euro Clinic
Bernard Tansey , owner of Preferred Automotive Specialists, is a results-driven leader with over 30 years in the automotive industry and a lifelong advocate for excellence who leads by example. As an owner of a NAPA Gold Certified Auto Care and ASE Blue Seal facility, he has built a culture centered on teamwork, professionalism, and continuous learning. A World-Class Technician with over 50 ASE certifications, Tom has earned honors including 2011 WIX Tech of the Year, 2015 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year, and the 2025 AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year. He exemplifies technical mastery and innovation, leveraging AI, data-driven training, and advanced diagnostics to elevate service standards. Serving on the ASE Board of Governors and Board of Directors, Tom is committed to mentorship, industry advancement, and strengthening the automotive community.
Joel Haver Member
Owner, Haver's Auto Repair
Joel Haver is the owner of Haver’s Auto Repair in Omaha, Nebraska, operating three locations serving western Omaha. He has worked full‑time in the automotive industry since 1996, beginning his career at his father’s gas station at just 12 years old. Joel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanized Systems Management from the University of Nebraska. Known for his belief in harmony and inclusion, Joel leads by putting his employees in the best position to grow and advance their careers. This people‑first approach has helped Haver’s Auto Repair earn recognition as Best of Omaha year after year. Joel is proud of the team he has built and the strong reputation the company holds in the community.
Kenny Bridges Member
Store Operations Leadership Support, VIP Tires & Service
Kenny Bridges is part of the Store Operations Leadership Support team at VIP Tires & Service, bringing more than 24 years of experience in the automotive industry to his work. An ASE Master Technician and TIA Certified professional, Kenny has built his career around technical excellence and a deep commitment to developing others. Kenny is best known for his focus on team member training and development, helping technicians and leaders grow their skills, confidence, and long term careers within the industry. His hands on approach to leadership, combined with his recognition as an ASE World Class Technician, reflects his passion for elevating both people and performance across the shop floor.
Sue Dickson Member
Owner, Give Me Ten
Sue Dickson brings over 40 years of real-world automotive experience, growing up in her family’s repair shop, Closs Tire & Auto in Waukegan, Illinois, and later stepping in to run daily operations. After facing the technician shortage firsthand, she partnered with independent shop owners to create Give Me TEN—a simple, business-first work-based learning model that makes it easy for shops to connect with students without slowing down operations. Known for her no-nonsense, shop-owner perspective and ability to bring industry, education, and workforce development together, Sue focuses on practical solutions that actually work in the field. Today, in her retirement, she is dedicated to tackling the technician shortage head-on and building the future workforce our industry depends on.
Jennifer Holland Member
Assistant Vice President, Marketing, ASE
Jennifer Holland is a dynamic marketing leader and strategic force behind high-impact initiatives at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). With nearly two decades of experience, she has built a reputation for transforming bold ideas into measurable results that elevate brands and drive organizational success. As Assistant Vice President of Marketing, she leads innovative strategies spanning brand development, partnerships, events, and integrated campaigns. Known for her ability to bring clarity to complexity, Jennifer blends creativity with operational precision to deliver exceptional outcomes. A trusted collaborator and forward-thinking leader, she continues to shape meaningful connections that inspire audiences and move the industry forward.
Kohl Adamson Member
President, Cordell's Automotive Service and Tire
Kohl Adamson is the President of Cordell’s Automotive Service and Tire, overseeing seven locations across Wisconsin and Minnesota. Having been around the industry his entire life, Kohl officially took the reins of the family business in 2017. Since then, he has spearheaded a massive transformation, driving a 10x revenue increase in just seven years. Kohl is known for his "Slow Down to Scale Up" philosophy, moving away from high-volume car counts to focus on operational rigor and the EOS framework. His approach prioritizes preventative maintenance and a "people-first" culture that builds leadership from within. By balancing aggressive growth with a commitment to the local community, Kohl earned his shops Auto Value Platinum and NAPA Gold certifications, establishing Cordell’s as a leader in the independent aftermarket.