Epic Kids Magazine answers.
Meet Frank: From Jazz Musician to Automotive Expert and Radio Host!
Name: Frank Leutz, co-founder/COO of Desert Car Care of Cave Creek
Profession: Automotive service station
Age: 56
What do you do for a living?
I own Desert Car Care of Cave Creek, a super cool automotive service shop where we fix all kinds of vehicles: foreign, domestic, classic cars, and trucks! For over 30 years, I have been in the car repair business and owned three shops in Chandler and Gilbert. I am the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the shop and an ASE Certified Mechanic. Working with an amazing team that works hard every day to help our customers, and guess what? My awesome wife has been my business partner through it all!
What kind of training do you need for your job?
First, a high school diploma or GED. Then enroll in a trade school or a community college to learn how to work on cars. There are great training centers right here in the Valley, like Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT). Next is certification by ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence). You can also specialize in cool stuff like diesel trucks, motorcycles, or even NASCAR! If you need help getting into a trade school, I support TechForce Foundation. They offer scholarships and help teens in the technician training world, help with training, getting jobs, going to events and more!
What’s your favorite part of the job?
I have two favorite parts! First, I love helping customers understand what’s going on with their car. We use advanced technology to figure out what’s wrong, and we explain it in a way that makes sense. Second, I have an amazing team, and we all pitch in to make sure customers feel confident and give them the ultimate customer service. We build trust with them, and we are grateful that we have repeat customers and referrals, which is the best compliment in this business. We also have fun at the shop, barbeques, birthday parties, pizza parties! You must have fun!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to be a musician! When I was 7 years old and grew up in New York City, a music teacher believed in me and taught me to play the trombone. I studied classical music and performed at Carnegie Hall with the NYC All City Orchestra, and then I learned to play jazz and played on that same stage with big legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, and Branford Marsalis. Music and performing were my first passions!
What advice would you give to a kid who wants a job like yours?
Be curious! Start by visiting a local auto repair shop or training center with a parent and ask if you can watch and learn how cars are repaired. You are welcome at our shop! Then check out the TechForce Foundation with your family, they are a great resource to help young people get started with automotive careers. Most of all, stay passionate and never stop learning.
One fun fact NOT about your job?
I also trained in radio broadcasting, and now I host my own radio show about car culture, Wrench Nation Car Talk Show, that airs every Wednesday at 4pm Arizona time, on 88.7FM The Pulse at EVIT in Mesa. I interview people from all over the world, like the stuntmen in the movie Ford V Ferrari, drivers in professional drifting industry. Each episode becomes a podcast so everyone can tune in on your favorite podcast platform. It is my way of sharing cool stories and car knowledge with the world!
