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Automotive Program Spotlight Series
Sharing stories of strategic partnerships to support the next generation of auto technicians and workers
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School Partner: Rogue Community College | Grants Pass & White City, OR
When it comes to attracting and retaining auto technicians that Earn Customers for Life, some Lithia & Driveway (LAD) stores in southern Oregon are on easy street thanks to a robust partnership with nearby Rogue Community College (RCC) and its five-star automotive programs. Today, this partnership touts strong hiring metrics, impressive success stories, and an expanding auto program.
Stores Mentor & Hire Auto Program Students
The LAD-RCC partnership started in 2020, when Mark Grossman, Lithia Toyota’s service manager, learned an auto-tech shortage was looming. Taking the manufacturer’s advice to “adopt a school,” Grossman contacted RCC to jumpstart ways to support careers in auto technology.
Soon after, one of his part-time auto techs asked to also work as an adjunct instructor at RCC. Grossman got the green light from his GM and a legacy of learning was created. Over the years, store leadership has championed having their auto techs visit RCC to mentor and train with students. “By allowing my auto techs to visit and teach at RCC,’ said Grossman, “I knew in the long run that I’d be getting more ready-to-roll auto techs.”
In fact, Grossman’s established college connection has resulted in over 90% of his service tech staff being RCC grads. Other strong RCC hiring partners include Crater Lake Ford and Mazda, who have hired several RCC interns in recent years—and Lithia Honda has initiated internships with RCC.
Partnership Provides Winning Formula for Stores & Students
Today, Eric Hennings, RCC’s Automotive Department Coordinator, works closely with other area dealerships to create hands-on training and internship opportunities for his students.
“We need technicians to teach technicians” says Hennings. “Without students experiencing an actual service shop, it’s a lot like someone getting their driver’s license without any on-the-road driving education.”
Working side-by-side with experienced technicians, students receive the real-world insights and training they need to complement their classroom education. On the flip side, managers get the chance to gauge a student’s potential as a future team member. These personal interactions also create stronger working relationships that can often translate into store loyalty.
And once students land a new job out of college, it’s the stores that help them achieve additional certifications to advance their careers.
RCC Students Generate LAD Employee Success Stories
To highlight positive outcomes, Hennings points to two outstanding former RCC automotive students—JJ Kyne and Garrett Tischner—who have gone on to shine as full-time technicians at local LAD stores:
JJ Kyne, Mainline Technician
Lithia Toyota | Medford, Oregon
Grossman describes Kyne as a “rock star” when it comes to her drive to Improve Constantly. In the few years since earning an associate’s degree in automotive technology from RCC, she has elevated her skills and training at Lithia Toyota.
She’s currently an expert-level technician with ASE Master Certification through state testing. She also just became Toyota ASE hybrid electric–certified and is only a few classes away to becoming the first female Toyota Master Technician on the West Coast!
Kyne recalls how she had no experience around cars as a teen and wasn’t sure how to pursue an automotive career. “The program at RCC changed that by introducing me to the basics and helping me build my skills little by little.” She credits RCC’s structured learning environment—combined with in-person training at Lithia Toyota—with helping her grow not only in technical ability but also in confidence. “The college gave me the foundation to pursue a career that I love—one that keeps me engaged and allows me to overcome and learn from new challenges every day.”
Garrett Tischner, Master Technician
Crater Lake Mazda | Medford, Oregon
Wesley Barone, former service manager at Crater Lake Mazda, noted that Tischner, at age 23 and only one year out of RCC’s auto program, is one of the youngest Mazda Master Technicians in the United States! “He’s our go-to tech on all complex repairs,” said Barone, “He’s super smart and a true success story for both RCC and Lithia.”
Tischner credits both the RCC program and his instructors as foundational in getting him started and accelerating in his career. “The instructors never stopped motivating me to be a better technician and person,” he recalls. When it came time to set up his final term’s Cooperative Work Experience (CWE), instructors arranged for him to intern at Crater Lake Ford, where he says his “learning never stopped.”
Once hired, Crater Lake Mazda assisted Tischner in his additional training. “Now that I’m a master technician, the support from Lithia has continued,” says Tischner. “Every day, I’m still learning and looking forward to what the future holds.”
LAD Donation Keeps the Auto Program Moving Forward
To fortify the LAD-RCC partnership even more, Lithia & Driveway recently donated $50,000 to RCC’s automotive department. Hennings shared that he has already invested the funds by purchasing new diagnostic tools and two ignition-system trainers.
Hennings also expressed that to keep pace with student interest and the growing need for auto techs, the college is expanding its diesel program to its two campuses by upgrading its facilities. It’s also combining its current two auto program offerings into a single, two-year Transportation Technology degree. With this new curriculum, all auto students are exposed to both auto and diesel basics the first year, and in the second year, they choose to specialize in auto or diesel.
Grossman, who also sits on RCC’s advisory board, says it’s vital that store leaders get involved in “adopting a school” to keep instructors informed on what they are looking for in tech hires. “We can no longer rely on auto techs to just walk in the door,” he says. “With today’s sophisticated auto technology, we need to home grow prospective hires and actively ensure they are getting the basic knowledge and training to grow and advance in their careers.”
If your store or technical school is interested in developing a similar partnership, reach out to Brittany Osterhout, Community Relations Manager, BrittanyOsterhout@lithia.com.
