Automotive Technology Faculty and Staff

Erich Bass-Werner
Office: 1528
Phone: 510.723.7179

I come from a family with a long tradition of automotive service technicians and shop owners. I worked as a professional engineer, a grand-master automotive service technician, master technician, shop foreman, and field service manager. I have been in the auto repair business since 1985 (even earlier, if I count the years helping my father in his shop when I was a teenager). So I know the business inside out since I am working in the car industry for the past 35 years.

During my years working in the trade, I trained technicians, apprentices, service advisors, and technical instructors; the auto repair industry was the right choice for me and a successful endeavor.

In late 2018 I was presented with the opportunity to teach, so I decided to try it as I am getting ready to complete my career at Mercedes-Benz; I am now a full-time automotive technology instructor at Chabot College, and I am enjoying it.

Instructor’s Qualifications:

Professional Engineer (MSEE, BSEE)
Certified Professional Automotive Service Technician (Canada Inter-Provincial Red Seal)
ASE Master Technician (G1, A1-A8, and L1)
Certified in advanced automotive electronics (BOSCH)
Certified in advanced automotive diagnosis (BOSCH)
General Motors Grand Master Technician
General Motors Shop Foreman
BMW Certified Master Technician
BMW Shop Foreman
Mercedes-Benz Certified Master Technician
Mercedes-Benz Shop Foreman
Technical Trainer
Technical Instructor
Certified British Columbia Motor Vehicle Safety Inspector
Certified British Columbia Emissions Inspector (Aircare)

Instructor’s Education

Prospect High School - Automotive Program
Michigan Technological University - B.S. Electrical Engineering (Electronics, Circuits & Systems, Computer Engineering)
University of Central Florida – B.S. & M.S. Electrical Engineering (Electronics, Power)
Mid Florida Technical Institute – Advanced Automotive Technology
Harcourt Learning Direct - Electronics
Cleveland Institute of Electronics - Advanced Automotive Electronics
Bosch Training Center - Certified Bosch Automotive Technician
British Columbia Institute of Technology - General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program
Land Rover University
BMW University Training
Mercedes-Benz University

Memberships:

SAE
IEEE
iATN

David Espinoza
Office: 1524
Phone: 510.723.6653
Email:despinoza@chabotcollege.edu

I started working on cars at an early age of 12 with my father. I joined the US Army in 1979 and completed 1 year of automotive and diesel training. I did eventually end up specializing in gasoline engines and power trains while in the military for 4 years. I attended Sequoia institute in 1986 and took classes’ full time. I completed the program in 1986 and worked at my first job for two years as a lube/smog tech at Oil Changers and eventually managed my own location.
I worked for Grand Auto for two years as a smog technician and then eventually managed my own location. From there I went to Montgomery Ward’s and stayed for 10 years. I was a lead smog technician then worked a s a regional trainer for 8 locations. I specialized in smog failures and drivability diagnosis.
I was an independent contractor for two years and performed drivability diagnosis for several shops including:

Guaranteed Muffler and brakes and automotive
Marks Transmissions and Auto Repair
Amaral’s Mufflers and Auto repair
Bay Cities auto Auction
Cat’s radiators and Automotive repair
Bob’s Repair Service

I eventually started teaching full time for Eden Area ROP in Hayward, Ca since June of 2004. I started teaching part time for Chabot College in Hayward, ca in 2002008.
I have the following ASE Certifications:

A1 Engine Repair
A2 Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
A4 Suspension and Steering
A5 Brakes
A6 Electrical/Electronic Systems
A8 Engine Performance
L1 Automobile Advanced Engine Performance Specialist

I am currently a State of California Smog certified technician.

I belong to ASCCA & CAT. I actively participate in the SkillsUSA organization both with Eden ROP and Chabot College. I have been a martial arts instructor since 1994 and a student of the class since 1974.

Ed Snider
Office: 1524
Phone: 510.723.6653
Email: esnider@chabotcollege.edu

I have been working around the automobiles most of my life. My formal education with auto mechanics started back in 1973 when I attended high school auto shop, and has continued ever since. After High School I attended Universal Technical Institute in Phoenix Az. My first automotive repair job was at an Arco station. I started working as automotive technician at a Volvo dealership in 1978.

In 1979 I started working at a large Olds, Honda, Jeep and DeLorean dealership in Glendale Az. I enjoyed working on Honda’s so much I decided to specialize as a Honda Technician and worked as a Honda Master Technician at dealerships for over 25 years. During my career as a Honda Master Technician I participated in the Honda Top Tech contest five years in a row and received national recognition from Honda as one of the top 20 Honda Technicians in 1992.

In 2003 I started teaching new technology and repair procedures to BMWS.T.E.P students and BMW Dealership Technicians.

I started as an Automotive Technology Instructor (adjunct) here at Chabot College in 2011. My first assignment was to help 25 displaced NUMMI workers gain the knowledge and skills needed to enter the auto repair industry.

Qualifications:

Honda Master Technician certification
ASE Master Technician / L1 certification
BMW certification
MACs certification
California EA Smog Technician

The automobiles we have today have developed into very complicated machines that require constant education by those who repair them.

Steve Kay
Office: 1524
Phone: 510.723.6653
Email: skay@chabotcollege.edu

Steve Kay joined the Automotive Staff at Chabot College in 2016. He is also currently on the Automotive Staff for Mission Valley ROP, teaching at James Logan High School in Union City. Prior to joining both of these programs, Mr. Kay worked for Wyotech located in Fremont. Mr. Kay began there in 2003 as an Instructor and over the next 12 years saw his way to Lead Instructor, Department Chair, Assistant Director of Education, Director of Education, and also served as Interim President for a short time. When joining the staff at Sequoia Institute, later becoming Wyotech, Mr. Kay brought 25 years of knowledge and experience as a small business owner in Fremont specializing in the repair of Honda and Acura vehicles. Mr. Kay holds a Master Degree in Business Administration and has been an ASE Certified Master Mechanic since 1988, as well as a Certified State Instructor in the Smog Program. In addition to fulfilling his passion for automobiles and technology as the vehicles continue to evolve, Mr. Kay is an avid outdoorsman, adding the title of Hunter Education Instructor to his name. In his spare time, Mr. Kay has been an active member in the Elks Lodge for over 25 years, holding many positions currently serving as a Trustee, multiple Committee Chair Positions and a couple of District positions as well. As if this is not enough, Mr. Kay currently serves as a High School Football coach in Fremont. Mr. Kay has served the community as a Scout Master, Cub Master, Den Leader, baseball coach, football coach, Board member for Youth Baseball programs, member of CYO Board of Directors, Booster Club President, and served on numerous other committees to help the youth. With all the activities Mr. Kay has been involved in, his biggest accomplishment has been as a family man. He has been married for over 35 years and has two sons, both of whom have coached and one currently still does coach with him, and both share the love of the outdoors and have followed the lead of the dad to be very actively involved in giving back to the community