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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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