Team Smitty’s

Mike

Owner

  • Mike has been working in one capacity or another here at Smitty's since he was twelve. In 1987 when Smitty experienced health issues, Mike answered the call and began a career at Smitty's. Mike is an ASE certified Master Tech with a degree in business from San Diego State and a degree in Transportation Technology from Cuyamaca College. He is certified with the CTI technical institute for Hybrid repair. In his “spare” time he is an Automotive Expert Witness for the Federal Court system. He's the administrator for the Smitty's Fantasy Football league. He is married with three fantastic kids. He enjoys travel, stand up paddle boarding, surfing (Smitty's Surf team), diving and desert riding with his family.

Fadi

Service Advisor

  • In 2004, Fadi got off to a great start with a bachelor's degree in automotive technology from UTI, arguably the country’s most prestigious automotive college. His education landed him 21 years in the automotive industry specializing at dealerships such as Ford, Chrysler, Hyundai, Jeep, Toyota, and Lexus. He worked for a decade as a technician and the rest as a service writer. Born in Chiapas, Mexico, and raised in San Diego to Iraqi parents, Fadi is fluent in English, Spanish, and some Arabic. Outside of the automotive world, he enjoys family life with his precious 8-year-old daughter and delightful 18-month-old son, sharing these moments with his beautiful girlfriend. Fadi's off-duty pleasures include exploring San Diego's dance scene and discovering new culinary hotspots.

Giuseppe

Technician

  • Giuseppe came on the scene in 2007. First and foremost Giuseppe is 100% Italian: He eats breathes and speaks fluent Italian. His Spanish is pretty good as well! He loves being part of the Smitty team. His people skills mean that he will likely evolve into a Service Advisor when he begins to slow down a bit (If that ever happens!) Giuseppe brings 35 years of automotive experience to our family of seasoned veterans. He is fast and accurate. Giuseppe has a tool for every job and is an inspiration to work with.

    Giuseppe's married and is a father of three grown boys. Giuseppe is a member of the Smitty's Surf team. He likes stand-up paddle boarding, surfing, or just about anything with his wife, which he adores so much.

Christian

Service Advisor Assistant

  • Christian is proud to be among the newest members of the Smitty's Service family. His genuine interest in people is reflected in his customer service skills. A natural as a Service Advisor, the assistant position will provide an opportunity to learn the technical side of the position. Christian graduated from San Diego State University in 2018 with a degree in Film, TV, and Media Critical Studies.

    Currently, he volunteers hours at non-profit theatres Asian Story Theatre, and Teatro Mascara Magica. Christian is the inspiration behind the 100 push-up challenge at Smitty's and has the dubious distinction of being the latest member of the Smitty's Fantasy Football League. Constantly outside, he drives a 2018 Green GTI out to San Diego's many hiking trails and beaches.

Enrique

Office Manager

  • Enrique is Mike's oldest son (Dare we say 4th generation Smitty?). Enrique received his diploma in Kinesiology at San Diego State University. This over-achiever wears many hats: besides attending to administrative and bookkeeping duties at Smitty's Service, he serves as a youth leader at Kensington Community Church and recently started a video production company that has really taken off. He's a perennial playoff contender in Smitty's Fantasy Football league. Despite that, he's still an avid Charger fan. He enjoys off-roading, hiking with his wife, grilling, and restoring his great-grandfather's historic home.

Rick

Technician

  • Rick has been Mike's "go-to" guy since 1995. He has done it all: Manager, Service Advisor, Technician, Fabricator, and Facilities manager. Rick has a degree in Aviation flight operation and Aviation technology from Miramar College. This ASE Master Tech is an advanced engine performance specialist. He is certified with the CTI technical institute for Hybrid repair. Rick enjoys off-roading, bible studies, and sailing. Ask about his current project; building a custom buggy from the ground up.

Alex

Technician

  • Alex is a factory-trained Nissan technician which gives him a leg up on Japanese vehicles. He is attending Miramar College in pursuit of his SMOG license at night and works at Smitty’s by day. He has taken the lead with Smitty’s new digital inspections. He’s always tweaking the program and customizing it to fit our shop’s needs. His understanding of automobile repair and maintenance coupled with a genuine concern for people make him an obvious choice for team Smitty.

    Alex is in his fourth year in the Smitty’s Fantasy Football League. We are all about family here at Smitty’s Service and Alex is actually our Manager Beto’s son-in-law. His beautiful little girl and lovely wife are his world. On weekends you may find them hiking or off-roading in San Diego’s back country.

Beto

Manager

  • Beto has remained a natural leader here at Smitty's since he came on the scene in 2007. This ASE Master Tech / Advanced Engine Performance Specialist owned his own shop for five years. Have any tough questions? Beto is one of the brightest automotive minds here at Smitty's and is also fluent in Spanish He is certified with the CTI technical institute for Hybrid repair. Beto's years of experience and excellent work ethic have been a valuable asset to the Senior Tech team and now as Manager here at Smitty's. Beto is in his fifth year in the Smitty's Fantasy Football league. He is married, with three girls, and spends his "off hours" living the dream.

Jose

Technician

  • Jose began his career with Smitty's in 1996 - If he were a baseball player he would win the prize for most consecutive starts. You can always expect a smile from Jose and he has the most contagious laugh in the building (dare I say the industry?) He consistently produces quality work and has one of the lowest "comeback" rates in the business. Jose enjoys serving at his church. He is happily married, two of his adult kids are working and one is still in school. His whole family is active in volleyball.

Griffin

Technician

  • Griffin is the youngest member of team Smitty's. His passion for cars began at Point Loma High School and friends are not surprised to learn he pursued a career in the automotive industry. You may have received a ride from Griffin when he was a Service Advisor Assistant. That job immersed him in every facet of the industry and he thrived! The Smitty's School of hard knocks combined with an education at Miramar College provided him a foot in our door as a Technician. His ambition and pleasant demeanor will serve him well as an A-level technician and even a SMOG technician. His future's so bright he actually does wear shades.

    Griffin is pumped to take on this year's Smitty's Fantasy Football League. On any given weekend you will find him hanging with his girlfriend or maybe even surfing with Mike and the guys.