Our Technical Team

In order to develop the most complete kits in the world, we have to know transmissions and power steering — and all the little intricacies that are involved in a rebuild — inside and out. Our team has both the technical and practical experience to not only ensure that we develop the best kits and tools on the market, but with our finger on the pulse on the latest innovations in the industry, we can help you navigate the ever-changing technologies that drive your business. If you are looking for insights on a new technology or a custom engineered solution, please give us a call (800.736.2236) or contact us through our website — we’d love to help.

Our Technical Team

Elena Rodrigo Lopez

Elena Rodrigo Lopez

Electronic Engineer

Product Line Specialty: Electronic Power Steering

Years of Experience: 7 years

Practical Experience:

  • “Test Engineer – Catechom
  • Process Engineer – Sercore Tech S.L.
  • Application Engineer – Corteco”

Certifications / Degrees:

  • Industrial Engineering – Specialization in Electronics
Makenzie Timbs

Makenzie Timbs

Project Manager

Product Line Specialty: Power Steering

Years of Experience: 6 years

Practical Experience:

  • Product Development and Quality Co-op — Freudenberg-NOK

Certifications / Degrees:

  • BS Mechanical Engineering – University of Toledo
Aaron Toole

Aaron Toole

Senior Category Manager

Product Line Specialty:
Transmission, Heavy Duty Steering, Hydraulic Power Steering, Electronic Power Steering

Years of Experience: 10 years

Practical Experience:

  • Worked in various injection molding plants as an assembler/ operator
  • Operated as a Electrical Field Service Technician
  • Spent time as a Process and Assembly Engineer for injection molding and vibration welding manufacturers, included PLC programming and troubleshooting
  • Held Quality Supervisor positions within FNGP
  • Served as a Product Development Technician and Program Manager within Power Steering before assuming Category Management responsibilities

Certifications / Degrees:

  • Associates of Applied Science in Electrical – Electronic Engineering Technology
  • Bachelor of Science in Technology — Bowling Green State University
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
  • Lean Manufacturing Green Belt – FNGP
Drew Jacoby

Drew Jacoby

Application Engineer

Product Line Specialty: Transmission

Years of Experience: 17 years

Practical Experience:

  • 8 Years Lear Corporation/IAC — Manufacturing Engineer; Lean Systems Black Belt
  • 4 years Owens Illinois
  • 5 years Freudenberg-NOK — Quality Technician; Product Development Technician; Application Engineer

Certifications / Degrees:

  • BS Manufacturing Technology – Bowling Green State University
Sam Burris

Sam Burris

Product Development Technician

Product Line Specialty: Transmission

Years of Experience: 17 years

Practical Experience:

  • Material Technician, Process Trainer, Equipment Trainer, Lead Auditor, Product Development Technician — Freudenberg-NOK

Certifications / Degrees:

  • ISO9001/14001 Lead Auditor
  • Lean Systems White Belt
Don Cottrell

Don Cottrell

Technical Services Manager

Product Line Specialty:
Transmission / Power Steering

Years of Experience: 36 years

Practical Experience:

  • Various Transmission Specialty Shops — R&R Tech, Swingman, Transmission builder, General Technician
  • 20 years Freudenberg-NOK — Product Technician; Sr. Product Technician; Product Manager; Technical Services Manager

Certifications / Degrees:

  • ASE Certified Master Technician
Brandon Evans

Brandon Evans

Product Development Engineer

Product Line Specialty: Transmission

Years of Experience: 4 years

Practical Experience:

  • Freudenberg-NOK — Product Development Engineer

Certifications / Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science | Mechanical Engineering — University of Akron
Caleb Griffith

Caleb Griffith

Product Development Technician

Product Line Specialty:
Heavy Duty Steering, Hydraulic Power Steering, Electronic Power Steering

Years of Experience: 2 years

Practical Experience:

  • Racing and performance background

Certifications / Degrees:

  • Associates of Mechanical Engineering Technology
Roger Barnett

Roger Barnett

Senior Product Technician

Product Line Specialty:
Power Steering Technical Services

Years of Experience: 18 years

Practical Experience:

  • Automotive Technician
  • Service Writer/Manager

Certifications / Degrees:

  • ASE certified in 7 automotive fields
  • Technical Certifications for GM, Hyundai, and Kia
Matt Hire

Matt Hire

Product Marketing Manager

Product Line Specialty:
Transmission, Heavy Duty Steering, Hydraulic Power Steering, Electronic Power Steering

Years of Experience: 15 years

Practical Experience:

  • 15 years of engineering experience in various manufacturing environments

Certifications / Degrees:

  • Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Brandon Lewis

Brandon Lewis

Product Development Engineer

Product Line Specialty:
Transmission

Years of Experience: 3 years

Practical Experience:

  • Automotive Diagnostics and Repair
  • CNC Manufacturing and CAM software
  • Manufacturing, assembly and testing of small lawn and garden equipment

Certifications / Degrees:

  • Mechanical Engineering Technology Bachelors Degree
Owen Hoover

Owen Hoover

Design Engineer

Product Line Specialty: Power Steering

Years of Experience: 3 years

Practical Experience:

  • Material Analyst Co-op – Rolled Alloys
  • E18 Product Design Engineer Co-op — Freudenberg-NOK

Certifications / Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Leigh Gibbons

Leigh Gibbons

Application Engineer (Europe)

Product Line Specialty: Power Steering

Years of Experience: 18 years

Practical Experience:

  • Auto Suppliers Ltd – Customer Service & Product Support (12 Years)
  • TransTec Europe – Product Technician PS/EPS/AT (4 Years)
  • TransTec Europe – Application Engineer PS (2 Years)

Certifications / Degrees:

  • NVQ – Customer Service
  • Diploma – (CIM) Product Management B2
Dean Morrison

Dean Morrison

Application Engineer (Europe)

Product Line Specialty:
Transmission

Years of Experience: 14 years

Practical Experience:

  • OEM Design and Development Engineer sealing application (Tiers 1& 2)

Certifications / Degrees:

  • BSC

TransTec® Kits and Tools available worldwide

TransTec® brand power steering seal kits and tools have been supplied to the automotive aftermarket for over 35 years and are available around the globe.

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