Meet Your Fabulous Technician Team
We are only as good as the people on our team, we are so proud to introduce these talented individuals. These gentlemen are dedicated to their profession and continually striving to better their education and abilities. They are dedicated to providing the service you deserve. We consider them to be family and care deeply for them and their families as well.
We would not be who we are today without them!
Read on to learn more!
Mike Wetzel, Technician
(ASE Master Certified Technician/Smog Technician)
How Long Been With Us: Since 2002
Holds Certifications in the Following Areas:
- Advanced Level Engine Performance Services
- Auto Transmission and Trans Axle Services
- Brake Services
- Electrical/ Electronic System Services
- Engine Performance Services
- Engine Repairs
- Heating and Air Conditioning Services
- Light Vehicle Diesel Engine Services
- Manual Drivetrain/Axle Services
- Suspension and Steering Services
What first interested you about the automotive industry?
I have always had an interest in how things work, as well as making things, so when I saw this job open up I wanted to give it a go! I figured it was something different from what I was currently doing and it was a constantly changing profession that would require me to learn and challenge me on a regular basis.
What do you like most about your work?
I love my work because I love to learn and I like to be challenged. I also like working with others here in the shop. Rusty and Tina Warren are understanding when it comes to my family and their needs, and the other guys are just plain fun. We joke around a lot and that makes for an enjoyable
work environment.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?
Being able to complete a job and knowing that it won’t come back for that problem again is great! I like that when I am out, I will periodically run into a customer and have a pleasant conversation with them. It feels good to be part of something that has a good name.
Family?
I have been married for 12 years. We have three beautiful girls, ages 4, 7 and 11. They are
wonderful and full of energy. Each of them brings something special to my family and they help to make me how I am. My youngest is precocious. The middle one is smarter than me and my wife. She has wanted to be a doctor since she was 3 years old. My eldest is very close to my heart and has taught me much about life and people. She has Autism and reminds me daily to look at life with wonder and enjoy as many moments as you can. Laughter is wonderful and hugs can heal
many hurts.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I have many things that I love to do. I enjoy cooking, reading and singing. I also like to act a bit. But mostly I find myself just spending time with family and friends and playing games.
Favorite movie?
Tough Question! Since there are so many good movies out there, so instead of my favorite, here are a few from different styles.
Fantasy - Edward Scissorhands and The Dark Crystal
Comedy - Office Space
Romance - Say Anything
Suspense - Unbreakable
Favorite book?
Once again too many to choose from, instead I’ll go with authors. Pretty much anything by Ted Dekker keeps me interested. Also Richk Riordan, who wrote the Percy Jackson books.
Have you done any community service?
I spend a lot of time at my church, helping out with the Sunday school and AWANA programs. On occassion I have assisted RidgeProject in some community clean ups, I also find it important to swing by the mobile blood bank to donate life.
Allen Castro, Automotive Technician
How Long Been With Us: Since 2007
Holds Certifications in the Following Areas:
- Holds Master ASE Certification
- Brakes
- Heating & Air conditioning
- Suspension & Steering
- Engine Repair
- Engine Performance
- Electrical/Electronic Systems
- Auto Transmission & Trans Axle
- Manual Drivetrain & Axles
- Advanced Level Engine Performance
What first interested you about the automotive industry?
At first I was going to school for linguistics to become a translator. At the time I was driving a 1989 Mercury Cougar, my first vehicle. I decided to take an auto body shop class to improve the look of my vehicle. After completing the class, I realized how rewarding and fun it was working on a car was for me. I decided to get into the automotive field and I took some college courses on it also.
What do you like most about your work?
There are many reasons I like my job. The people I work with, learning more and more every day to become a better technician, and the sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Master Tech with Smog License under my belt!
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?
Would probably be the learning and diagnosis. Vehicles are different, have different problems, different designs. Being able to learn and understand them to better diagnose them gives me the confidence I need to better serve the customer.
Family? Married/ Children/ Grandchildren/ Nieces /Nephews
I’m the middle child and have an older brother who I look up to and a younger sister who is also my best friend. I have an amazing loving partner Britney who has given me the gift ever, our daughter “Scarlett”.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I like visiting my family in Los Angeles and playing with my nephew Sean.
Favorite movie?
Batman, the dark night
Pacific Rim
The Heat and Inception
Favorite book?
I’m actually a major geek @ heart! The books I read are graphic novels and comic books
Favorite sport?
Tennis, basketball and football.
Have you done any community service?
I’ve done some community service with RidgeProject and Warren’s Automotive in the city of
Ridgecrest, CA.
Chris Preul
Position Held? Automotive Technician
How long have you been on the team? Since October of 2014
Tell us about your education & background:
I graduated from Mesquite High School and took three automotive classes at Cerro Coso Communtiy College and passed. I have always had a passion for cars.
How did you become a member of the team?
I responded to an ad in the news paper for a maintenance position and worked my way up.
Do you currently hold any certification, if so in what areas?
Brakes
Suspension & Steering
What do you like most about the work you do?
Constantly learning new things and being able to help people.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Either having or working on getting my ASE Master Certification.
Family/Married/Children/Grandchildren/Nieces/Nephews?
I’ve been married for 7 years and have 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. I have 7 nieces and nephews between my wifes and my side of the family. We are all very close.
Favorite Movies?
The Fast and Furious movies
Favorite Book?
Don’t have one
Favorite Sport?
Playing baseball. I grew up playing little league.
Community Service or Passions, including non profits?
I enjoy riding my motorcycle and going camping and fishing with my friends and family. I also really enjoy working on cars.
Christian Garza
Position Held: Automotive Technician
How Long Have You Been On The Team: Since May of 2015
Tell us about your education & background: I graduated Burroughs in 2012 and attended Universal Technical Institute in Racho Cucamonga where I completed various courses in automotive repair.
How did you become a member of the team?
A few very good family friends told me about their favorite repair shop in town and encouraged me to go speak with the owners . After one meeting with them I knew this was a place I’d enjoy working.
Do you currently hold any certifications, if so in what areas?
Brakes
Manual Drivetrain & Axles
Suspention & Steering
What do you like most about the work you do?
I enjoy knowing I contribute to the team here at Warren’s by keeping the shop clean and ready for the techs and help provide a clean and friendly environment for the customers.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years I see myself as a master tech here at Warren’s.
Family/Married/Children/Grandchildren/Nieces/Nephews?
I have two older sisters. No children, but I have a year old German Shepard girl that’s like my child.
Favorite movie?
There’s too many movies to choose from. Anything that’s funny or mystery and suspense that makes me think.
Favorite Book?
My favorite book is The Outsiders by S.E.Hinton or anything written by Kurt Vonnegut.
Favorite Sport?
My favorite sports are competitive swimming and Moto GP racing.
Community Service or passions, including non profits?
I’ve volunteered for DART’S Autism Camp two years in a row and enjoyed every second of it.
Aaron Patin - Technician
How Long Been With Us: Since January, 2016
Education & Background?
I was a student athlete at Burroughs High School, graduating with a 3.2 GPA and received outstanding athletic awards in football, baseball and wrestling. After high school I attended Victor Valley College for 1 ½ years to pursue my automotive career.
How did you become a member of the Team?
I won an automotive scholarship from Warren’s Automotive upon my graduation from high school. During my college studies, I was informed that a position at Warren’s with opportunity to advance to the technician level was open. I applied for that maintainence position and advanced to the technician level within a couple of months.
DO YOU CURRENTLY HOLD ANY CERTIFICATIONS/ IN WHAT AREA?
So far I have been certified by ASE in Brakes; Power steering and Suspension.
What do you like most about your job?
The challenge in diagnosing and solving problems in vehicles and the satisfaction I get at the end of the repair. Nothing is routine. Every day is different at our shop.
Where do you see yourself in 5 Yrs.?
I see myself as a Master Tech, performing heavy diagnosis at the prime of my career.
Family/Married/Children/Grandchildren/Nieces/Nephews?
I am the second oldest with 4 other siblings, I have a beautiful girlfriend and she and I have one gorgeous little daughter.
Favorite Movie?
“The Wood” – it’s an oldie, but hilarious.
Favorite Book?
“Lord of the Flies” was one of my favorites back in high school
Favorite Sport?
Football and wrestling are favorites.. Maybe one day I will be able to coach one or both of these sports.
What have you done in your Community? Have you done any Community Service?
I like to go out and help or be a part of community events. If I get an invite – I’ll be there. I also love to spend time with my daughter and watch her grow and learn.
