Import Motor Werks Team Members
Michael Doherty – Service Manager
Michael started in the automotive business at the age of 15 detailing cars at a Saturn dealer up North. He moved south at age 19 and went to work detailing at a Porsche dealer, where he remained for five years. At that point, he moved to his first service writer position at an Audi dealer. He remained there for a couple of years before moving into the world of independent repair shops. He began working with us in 2008 and has been an integral member of our team. Michael is a very hardworking person, who always goes the extra mile to be sure that the customer is taken care of. Michael is the proud father of two boys and husband to wife, Kelly. He says he likes being here in our small shop “because it’s like family here”.
Matt Newcomer – Shop Foreman
Matt is our tall, dark and sarcastic Shop Foreman who has been with us since 2008. He is an ASE Master Technician and received his initial training in 1999 at Universal Technical Institute in Chicago, IL. He then attended a four month Porsche Training program. He has worked full time as a technician since 1996, while attending school. Next, he worked at a Porsche dealership here in Cary for 6 1/2 years, before leaving there to go work for an independent shop. Matt has been working on European and Asian vehicles professionally for over 15 years. Ironically, he likes to work on old cars in his spare time. He currently owns a 1949 Chevy truck that he is outfitting with modern running gear. Matt is married to Kelli and they have two boys. We all enjoy his dry sense of humor and his quick wit. Matt likes – food, and repairing almost anything. Anytime we have something that doesn’t work, we have Matt look at it. He enjoys a challenge. Matt says he works at this shop because our business model has a customer friendly approach and the environment is more laid back.
Jake Tillery – ASE MAster Technician
Jake began working on vehicles while he was still in high school. We think that genetics play a role here as both his parents and his brother are also technicians, so it seems to be in their blood. He began working on European vehicles in 2004 and has been with our shop since 2009. He is an ASE Master Technician and continues to increase his knowledge base with appropriate training courses. When asked why he likes working at Import Motor Werks, he replies “because his co-workers are more like family”. When Jake isn’t at work, he likes to spend his time working on old American muscle cars and spending time with his family. He is passionate about his two sons and his wife, Meghan, who teaches elementary school.
Sean O'Connell - BMW Master Technician
Sean has joined us from the BMW dealership in Wilmington, NC. He says that he enjoys working here because of the friendly, relaxed atmosphere you won't find at the dealership. We are very excited to have him with his work ethic and skillset on our team! Sean is very passionate about BMW's and currently holds the following accreditations:
Associates Degree in Automotive Systems
BMW Master Certification
ASE Master Certification
When Sean is not working on customer cars, you may find him in the gym or working on/racing his NASA Spec3 race car!
Kim Andrews – SERVICE ADVISOR
Kim joined our team in 2013 and came from the dealership world. Kim was born and raised right here in Cary, NC, and has been interested in cars since she was a teenager. She has been working in the industry as a service writer since 2007. She says she is not afraid to get dirty and is a tomboy at heart, which everyone at the shop agrees with! She enjoys the customer service aspect of the job and we find she brings additional skills to the shop, as she has an accounting background as well. When asked what she is most passionate about, she will quickly reply “Anthony” – her son. She loves playing video games and Legos with him during her off hours. She also loves participating in fundraising, particularly those centered around animals or children, as she says “they are the most defenseless of us all”. Her weakness – Starbucks Frappuccinos, especially the vanilla!
Sam and Tammy Russ – Owners
Sam and Tammy took over the shop at the beginning of 2012. Since then, they have been fortunate to be supported by a great team of professionals that help them navigate the intricacies of the technical aspects of the business. They strive to learn new things on a daily basis and firmly believe that the keys to success are: 1) take care of the customers’ needs in a professional, respectful and friendly manner; 2) take care of the employees and treat everyone as they wish to be treated and 3) everything else will fall into place if you do the right things every single day! Sam takes care of the facilities management and the loaner vehicles, while also handling various other aspects of the business. Tammy handles all the financial aspects of the business, as well as providing back up to the service writers when needed. They are both involved in the day to day operations of the business and are accessible to their customers and their employees.