Ross Schofield, President and Owner:

Ross began in the automotive business in 1969 at an Exxon Gas station in Wilmington, Delaware.  Driven by his love of skiing, he moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado where he lived from from 1973-1978 and owned his own automotive business.  Ross moved to Michigan in 1978 where he attended classes at Northwestern Michigan College in electrical engineering. When Ross realized that a degree in electrical engineering would lead him to an office job in a big city he switched gears and decided to follow his first loves, cars and working for himself.  In 1980 Ross opened Marathon Automotive at the corner of Four Mile and US 31 N in Traverse City and in 1992, after twelve years of consistent growth, Ross moved Marathon Automotive into its new facility on South Airport Road. The service area was designed with the employee in mind with lots of natural light, exceptional ventilation and is very energy efficient (well ahead of its time in 1994).

Most days Ross can be found at the shop managing the business and searching for better pricing on parts and tires to pass along to customers; except in late winter when his workdays are filled with flats fishing, downhill skiing, and roaming the world in search of dangerously named rum. Ross still maintains his ASE Master Technician status, most likely for airfare discounts.

Rob Michels, Service Advisor:

Rob has been a part of Marathon Automotive for almost all his life.  Rob is Ross and Sherry's son, and has been working at Marathon since he was thirteen when he rode his riding mower to work. He has worked on everything from dirt bikes to Audis and is our in-house four wheel drive and off-road expert.  Although Rob holds multiple ASE certifications, he has been working as one of our service writers for the last nine years.  While working with customers and technicians everyday, Rob is slowly taking over the day-to-day operations of the business.

David Bajema, IT and Building Maintenance Manager, Shuttle Driver:

David came to Marathon Automotive in 1995 after successfully operating his own Service Center for over ten years in Grand Rapids. He began working with us as an ASE Master Technician specializing in Ford and Chrysler vehicles.  After nearly thirty years of working on cars and trucks, Dave transitioned into service writing and four years later he transitioned into another career-- teaching in Northwestern Michigan College’s Automotive Technology Department.  David now splits his time between teaching at the college and performing as our in-house IT department and troubleshooter.

Mark Gomulinski, ASE Master Technician:

Mark graduated from Denver Automotive and Diesel College with an Associate’s Degree in Automotive Service.  He is a Volkswagen Master Technician and an Infiniti Top Ten Technician.  Mark also has extensive Acura, Audi, and Nissan factory training.  Mark has 30 years of service experience and is an ASE Master Technician with Advanced Level Specialist certification.  He is our Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep specialist, as well as one of our Subaru Gurus.  After nearly twenty years of dealership service in metro Detroit, Mark joined our team in 2000.

“Working at our well-equipped shop and having access to high tech tools allows me to do my job better and perform high quality work with a smooth running crew.”

Frank Jodoin, ASE Master Technician:

Way back when, Frank attended the Votech program for automotive service before joining one of Metropolitan Detroit’s premier Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche specialty repair shops.  While specializing in European Vehicles for over ten years, Frank earned Bosch’s Level 5 Certification—Bosch’s highest service recognition.  Frank has 34 years of automotive service experience and is also an ASE Master Technician with Advanced Level Specialist certification.  Frank left Metro Detroit and joined our team in 1994 where he specializes in servicing and repairing European and Asian vehicles.

“We’re treated like family, employees and customers both!”

Ron Martinson, Parts and Service Manager:

Ron is our Service Manager extraordinaire whose extreme dedication to providing excellent service has made him the backbone of our business for over twenty years. Except for those few vacation days he takes, every workday finds Ron here before we open until after we close. Ron holds ASE Certifications as Parts Specialist and Service Consultant and has been managing the flow of work at Marathon since 1986, when we were a two-stall service center.  He’s not only a star within our organization, he is recognized state-wide as the former General Director of the Michigan Automotive Service Association.   

“I work with the best in the automotive field; all of the Marathon employees care about all of our customers and take pride in their vehicles.  All of the employees think of the customer first.”


 
 

Dave Surowitz, Service Advisor:

Dave is our itinerant service adviser and greeter.  Dave began with Marathon in 1985, and since that time he has been with us off and on for about ten years.  In between his tenure at Marathon, Dave attended Graduate School and taught in the English Department at Marshall University and Northwestern Michigan College.  

“I’m fortunate to be able to work with truly dedicated colleagues and caring customers.  Working at Marathon consistently offers me the chance to build on these great relationships in the best imaginable environment.”

Dan Stanchik, ASE Master Technician:

Dan joined Marathon Automotive in 2001 after beginning his service career at a local independent repair shop.  Over the last nine years, Dan has progressed from performing oil changes and tire rotations to becoming a fully certified ASE Master Technician.  Dan’s self motivation is evident not only in his ASE Certifications, but his commitment to continual training and education.  In addition to his ASE work, he has earned over twenty AC Delco service certificates.
 
“Marathon upholds a long standing tradition of providing quality, efficient repairs, keeping in mind the customer’s best interest.”

Erinn Winfrey, Office Manager:

Erinn began her career at Marathon right out of high school, after earning her Job Title Certification in Accounting. She has dedicated the last twelve years to becoming the most proficient office manager in the business.  Erinn runs the office at Marathon, and if you’ve ever called us or stopped in, it’s likely that you’ve spoken with her.  Since 1998, Erinn not only handles the daily office management, she has also mastered the constantly trying job of making our dozen guys tow the mark.

“Marathon Automotive is my home away from home.  The team is my second family.  I love my job and our customers.  Some days are challenging being the only female among eleven males, but overall I love to work with all of them and they all take good care of me.  We all take pride in our work and value all of our customers.

Marty Goetz, ASE Master Technician and Service Consultant:

Marty has dedicated his entire working career to the automotive industry.  At 17 years old, he started as a mechanic’s apprentice at a local shop and realized he had found his niche.  He came to Marathon in 2011 to put his extensive knowledge of “all things auto” to use as a Service Writer.  Marty is certified as an ASE Master Technician and Service Consultant; he is a huge asset to our team.