After 70 years in the moving industry, Team U-Haul knows what it takes to keep our trucks and trailers running smoothly … and it’s much more involved than regular oil changes and accurate tire pressure.
Since the launch of the U-Haul Technician Training Program, shop team members are better equipped to keep up with this ever-changing field. Thanks to these hardworking team members, U-Haul equipment is serviced efficiently and then is back on the road, helping customers with their moving adventure.
To honor their contributions to the Company, U-Haul News will be highlighting team members who hold the title of U-Haul Trained Master Technician. To earn this title, a technician must complete all of the training courses and pass the mastery exams in each of the specialty areas of the U-Haul Technician Training Program. It’s the pinnacle of all U-Haul technicians, and not everyone can claim this prestigious distinction. These four U-Haul Team members at South Bay RERS (Shop 189) in Fremont, California, are now part of this elite group.
Teodorico Capet
I started at U-Haul Shop 189 in August 2007. I was hired as a van-body specialist and have bodywork and mechanical skills that I’ve learned since I was 15 years old. My career goal was to work at a shop, and that was U-Haul.
Since joining U-Haul in 2007, I’ve learned a lot, from installing small decals around the panel and also large SuperGraphics while utilizing my skills to do my work. After installing decals, I started moving up, working on major collision van-body repair. As a van-body specialist, I feel proud of myself and the work I do here at U-Haul. Now, I’m even more proud since becoming a U-Haul Trained Master Technician. I plan to continue my career here at U-Haul and help others become master technicians as well.
Victor Sanchez
I first came to the U.S. at the age of 3 years old from a city called Apatzingán in the Mexican state of Michoacán. I attended grade school and high school here in the San Francisco Bay area.
I started at Shop 189 in October 2014 as a detail specialist. That’s when I learned about the U-Haul Technician Training Program. I talked to my shop manager, Intiaz Dean, and asked him if I could participate. He said, “Of course.” From this experience, I saw that no matter what position you are in the Company, if you’re motivated and want to learn, the Company will invest time and money in your education.
I started the program, and halfway through the courses, I was given the opportunity to move to the tire bay. This move motivated me even more to keep going, and just as I was about to finish the whole program, I was moved to become a preventive maintenance (PM) technician! That was one of the first goals I had when I started with the Company.
From all the classes I’ve taken, I now have a better understanding of the components we work with. The classes have also helped me work faster because I have more knowledge of how things should be done to keep our trucks in excellent working condition for our customers.
My future goals are to continue my studies in the automotive industry and become an engine specialist at U-Haul. I want to become an expert at fixing and rebuilding engines to give my future wife and myself a better future. I really want to thank her because no matter how much time I took to study, she encouraged me to keep going, even if it meant we didn’t have that much time to spend together. I also want to thank my shop manager for giving us the time to do this and also encouraging us to keep going.
Miguel Pedroza
I’m a transmission specialist at U-Haul Shop 189. I’m originally from Mexico, and I’ve been with the Company since August 1999. I started as a detail specialist. From there, I was moved to the battery department. After that, I moved to brakes and PM technician. At that time, I became a team leader for about six years before I was given the chance to be a mechanic working on transmissions and engines.
When I learned about the U-Haul Technician Training Program, I asked if I could be part of it. I have learned a lot from it, and it has helped me have a better understanding of my job to make sure all of our trucks are the best trucks out there.
I am very honored to have earned the master technician title. I really like the atmosphere we have here at Shop 189. And, I also really appreciate that our management takes the time to help all of us become better and succeed here at work and in our personal lives. Lastly, I want to thank Intiaz Dean, our shop manager, and U-Haul for the opportunity to become a U-Haul Trained Master Technician!
Giovanni Mora
I joined U-Haul in 2011 as a transfer driver. My goal has always been to work on trucks, and the driving job presented an opportunity to get my foot in the door. After a year of driving, I worked as a facility maintenance technician (FMT). Realizing that my true passion was working on trucks, I came back to the shop as a transfer driver again.
After driving for awhile, I went in the wash bay, followed by the tire bay and then to trailers before becoming a PM technician. While my position changed and I was learning about different tasks at the shop, I joined a local community college to pursue certification in automotive technology. While pursuing that, I learned about the U-Haul Technician Training Program and signed up right away.
After a long and exciting six months of training, I finished my master tech certification at U-Haul. Recently, I was informed by my shop manager that I will be promoted to mechanical express, where I will be able to utilize and demonstrate what I learned from the training program.
The training information included in the program has helped me to understand, diagnose and repair our equipment right the first time. It’s a challenging program that can be achieved with persistence and hard work. My goal is to continue to learn and grow with U-Haul for many years.
Congratulations on becoming U-Haul Trained Master Technicians!
