Brandon Jones: Raised on a farm in Sampson County, NC, Brandon Jones quickly discovered that he was mechanically inclined. With a mother in the military and a father in the construction industry, Brandon had ample opportunity to tinker with machinery both on and off the farm. His aptitude for all things mechanical led him to pursue an Associates Degree in Tool and Dye Mold Making. In other words, he didn’t just use tools to fix things; he learned how to make the tools that fix things! Upon graduation, Brandon used his training while working in companies that manufactured machine valves and parts for oil filters. But with more and more automation in the trade, the craft of tool- making eventually became obsolete.

A lifelong student, Brandon was awarded a scholarship to train in automotive technology. He worked at independent and dealer-owned shops in Dunn, NC, eventually making his way to Wilmington to join the team of Automotive Technicians at Atlantic Car Care. “When it comes to equipment and diagnostics, this shop is more advanced than some dealerships”, enthuses Brandon about his new work environment. Although he’s already a strong technician, Brandon plans to work toward additional automotive certifications such as the NC Vehicle Safety Inspections Certification. Even in his spare time, Brandon likes tinkering with cars. He is currently rebuilding a 1995 Ford Thunderbird with a 1998 Mustang Cobra engine.