Meet_the_Video_Experts - Customer Marketing: Vehicle Repair

Meet the Video Experts Behind Our Content

From our skilled video creators to our automotive specialists, the Vehicle Repair Group delivers industry-leading insights through engaging content. Get to know the professionals bringing expertise and innovation to the automotive world.

Erik Screeden

Technical and Multimedia Content Director

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I have been in the automotive industry for 24 years now! I spent the first decade and a half of that time as a technician. During my time as a tech, I have worked at both OE dealerships, independent repair facilities, as well as a GM performance shop. As I moved out of turning wrenches for pay on a full-time basis, I transitioned into a support role for SPX working with their scan tools and J2534 support. That led me to the opportunity to get into a Technical Sales role, and sales is where I have spent the last decade of my career. It was through my technical sales and support roles that I found that I really enjoy the people associated within the automotive aftermarket.

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Brandon Steckler

Technical Editor

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Brandon began his career in Northampton County Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was a student of GM’s Automotive Service Educational program. In 2001, he graduated top of his class and earned the GM Leadership award for his efforts. He later began working as a technician at a Saturn dealership in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he quickly attained Master Technician status. He later transitioned to working with Hondas, where he aggressively worked to attain another Master Technician status.

Always having a passion for a full understanding of system/component functionality, he rapidly earned a reputation for deciphering strange failures at an efficient pace and became known as an information specialist among the staff and peers at the dealership. In search of new challenges, he transitioned away from the dealership and to the independent world, where he specialized in diagnostics and driveability.

Today, he is Technical Editor of Motor Age Magazine, and an instructor with both Carquest Technical Institute and Worldpac Training Institute. He also develops curriculum/submits case studies for educational purposes. Through Steckler Automotive Technical Services, LLC., Brandon also provides telephone and live technical support, as well as private training, for technicians all across the world.

Brandon holds ASE certifications A1-A9 as well as C1 (Service Consultant). He is certified as an Advanced Level Specialist in L1 (Advanced Engine Performance), L2 (Advanced Diesel Engine Performance), L3 (Hybrid/EV Specialist), L4 (ADAS) and xEV-Level 2 (Technician electrical safety).

He contributes weekly to Facebook automotive chat groups, has authored several books and classes, and truly enjoys traveling across the globe to help other technicians attain a level of understanding that will serve them well throughout their careers.

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Scott Brown

Technical Editor

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Scott is a professional automotive service technician with more than 40 years of professional automotive service experience. He is dedicated to continually advancing his technical competencies on current and future automotive systems. Scott is also a technical instructor with a strong focus on vehicle electronics, vehicle network communications, engine performance, service information systems, and advanced driver assistance systems service. Scott is the founder of Diagnostic Network, (Diag.net) a company launched in 2018 after leaving the International Automotive Technicians’ Network (iATN) as president after 22 years of service. Scott is also a technical editor and videographer with Endeavor Business Media under the brands MotorAge and Professional Tools & Equipment News (PTEN). Scott recently co-authored the first ADAS textbook for High School and College curriculum with Goodheart-Wilcox. Scott is also the owner of Connie & Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont California which was founded in 1960.

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Andy Tirado

Technical Editor

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Andy Tirado has a background in automotive training, with roots in dealerships, independent repair, and a private diagnostician practice with bumper-to-bumper coverage, including performance tuning, programming, and calibrations. He has extensive experience as a curriculum developer, trainer, and author of automotive publications throughout the industry. He has supported both the aftermarket and OE and continues to support technicians of today and tomorrow through school programs and training offerings.

Keith Perkins

Owner at Level 1 Automotive

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Keith Perkins has been in the industry for over 19 years, serving in various capacities, including engine machinist and assembler, dyno tuner, diagnostic technician, instructor, technical information specialist, repair technician, and many more roles through the years.

Currently, Perkins co-owns and operates the L1 Automotive Group with his wife. The L1 Automotive Group is comprised of three companies: L1 Automotive Diagnostics and Programming, Level 1 Automotive, and L1 Automotive Training.

Perkins currently holds the title of ASE Master Certified L1 Technician and ASE certifications A1-A9, L1, L4, X1, P2, xEV Level 2, and various other industry certifications. He also serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the ASE A1, A2, A7, A8, L1, and L4 tests.

Perkins has served on the Board of Directors for NASTF since 2023. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 18 years, Liz, and his two daughters, Rylynn and Bailey, in his off time. His favorite non-automotive activity is skydiving!

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Rick Urso

General Manager at Hi-Tech Auto Specialists

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Rick Urso has been in the automotive industry for over 20 years. Currently, he works at a family-owned shop, Hi-Tech Auto Specialists in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Urso started out sweeping the floors and worked his way up to lead technician, then to store manager. He runs the shop while diagnosing most of the drivability and electrical problems that come through. Urso notes that their shop takes pride in doing good, honest work and diagnosing problems correctly the first time.