I was honored to co-host the inaugural "Pistons & Pizza" event with Jordan Bochanis, owner of PizzaCo next door to our shop. The evening brought together automotive enthusiasts to support the Piston Foundation's mission: providing scholarships for skilled trade education in the automotive industry.
The Piston Foundation addresses a real challenge. The automotive industry faces a growing skills gap—as experienced technicians retire and vehicle technology becomes increasingly complex, the need for well-trained young technicians has never been greater. Supporting their mission is personal to me.
The Piston Foundation's mission resonates deeply with my own story. My path to specializing in Carrera GT service began with technical education—the foundational training that taught me not just how to turn wrenches but how to think systematically about complex mechanical systems.
At the Pistons & Pizza event, I spoke about the importance of my own tech school education. The instructors didn't just teach procedures—they taught problem-solving approaches that apply regardless of what vehicle you're working on. That foundation has proven invaluable as automotive technology has evolved.
The Foundation announced a goal to award 50 automotive education scholarships in 2023. Fifty scholarships means fifty potential careers launched, fifty future technicians who might someday achieve their own versions of specialty excellence.
After my presentation, guests toured Repasi Motorwerks. For many attendees, this was their first glimpse inside a facility that normally hosts some of the world's most valuable Porsches. I hope the tour showed them where skilled trade education can lead—from technical school to the pinnacle of specialty automotive service.
The night was hosted by PizzaCo owner, Jordan Bochanis, and next-door's Jimmy Repasi, owner of Repasi Motorwerks, who invited a few dozen of their friends to enjoy a fun night of pizza, car talk, and support for skilled trade education. Jimmy Repasi spoke about the importance of his own tech school education. The Foundation announced a goal to award 50 automotive education scholarships in 2023. After the presentation, guests headed next door for a tour of Repasi Motorwerks, which specializes in maintaining Porsche Carreras.
— As featured in Piston Foundation
Supporting the Piston Foundation aligns with my belief that the automotive industry needs to invest in its future. The skills gap is real: there aren't enough qualified technicians to service the vehicles already on the road, and that shortage will only intensify as experienced technicians retire.
Every scholarship the Foundation awards potentially addresses that gap. Every young person who receives support to pursue automotive education might become the next specialist who keeps these remarkable cars on the road.
The Pistons & Pizza format works because it doesn't feel like fundraising—it feels like community. Car people enjoy gathering, talking about what they love, and supporting causes that matter. When that energy can be directed toward educational scholarships, everyone benefits.
For young people considering automotive careers, the Piston Foundation represents opportunity. Technical education can lead to careers that are intellectually challenging, financially rewarding, and personally satisfying. The path from tech school to specialty service—which my career demonstrates—is available to anyone willing to commit to learning and excellence.
For the automotive community, events like Pistons & Pizza demonstrate that enthusiast culture can be directed toward meaningful impact. An evening of pizza and car talk supported scholarships that will help launch careers.
For current technicians and shop owners, the Piston Foundation provides a way to give back to the industry that has provided our livelihoods. Supporting technical education isn't just altruism—it's investment in the workforce that will maintain the vehicles we love for decades to come.
I appreciate the Piston Foundation for including Repasi Motorwerks in their inaugural Pistons & Pizza event. Supporting the next generation of automotive technicians is something I'm passionate about because technical education made my career possible. Everything I've achieved started with that foundational training. Giving back to the educational pathway that made everything possible isn't optional—it's a responsibility.