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Veteran Master Technician Joins the Swedish Team
This July, Swedish Engineering welcomed Master Technician Tom O’Connor
to its Ann Arbor team of professionals. Tom arrived after 21 years
of service at one of the city’s best shops. Today, he works alongside
his friend and colleague, Master Technician Mark Newbound. “When
I heard Swedish Engineering had an opening, I was there immediately,”
said Tom. “I couldn’t have been more excited. They have
a great reputation in the community and are a great group of people
to work with.”
Tom is a 35-year veteran of the automotive industry. He began his
career as a high school student working after school and on weekends.
He soon became one of the first ASE master certification recipients
– back when the organization was referred to as NIASE. Tom is
certified at the Advanced Level, a level which only a few technicians
are able to reach.
Over the years, Tom has perfected his skills and become an official
Bosch Certified Technician, a distinction he says is rare. Volvos
use Bosch eletronics, “Therefore, I’m an expert when it
comes to electronic systems in Volvos.”
While the Ann Arbor native enjoyed the pace and pressure for two decades
at his previous employer’s shop, Tom was ready to settle into
the type of work and clients that Swedish Engineering is known for.
“Swedish Engineering is my kind of place –small and personal”
he explains. “But at the same time, it’s extremely professional
and customers are a top priority. That’s important to me.”
Another change for Tom is that Swedish Engineering’s Service
Manager Corky Zaron handles much of the paperwork. It’s a format
change that Tom is comfortable with, as long as he knows he can enjoy
interaction with owners of the cars he repairs. “I’ve always
enjoyed talking with customers,” he says. “I work on cars,
but I do it for the people.”
Tom and wife Nancy have two grown sons, 27-year-old Matthew and Evan
who is 23. His current hobbies include coaching children’s soccer
and kayaking.
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