Our Staff
The Staff at Morin Brothers is as varied as any other modern business, however we have one thing in common: a commitment to maintain the highest standards of workmanship and service possible. As our Mission Statement indicates, this includes on-going, continuous education, taking advantage of all the resources available to us, including classes at Cuesta College, Cal Poly, classes provided through our suppliers, tool manufacturers, independent educators, trade journals, etc. Our goal is to stay current on all new and upcoming technology, as well as hone our skills on current technology.
Michael Morin, Owner
Michael is the owner and sole proprietor. He has made his living as a mechanic, technician and shop owner in San Luis Obispo since 1973 when he went to work for Pacific Motor Imports, a Fiat, SAAB, and Citroen dealer located where Valley Mazda is now. After brief visits to Britannica Motors (now XK's Unlimited) and The Bus Stop (now European Auto Service) he and his brother Pete opened Morin Brothers Foreign Automotive on McMillan Ave in 1981. Pete went on to pursue a career in music (Blue Note Music in the Creamery on Higuera) in 1991and is now semi-retired. Michael is a National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence "Master Automobile Technician", holds a California Smog License, is a member of the Society of Automotive Technicians (a sub group of SAE), and is a member of the online iATN - international Automotive Technician Network. Running the business is a full time job for Michael, but if he "had his druthers" he would ride bicycles and fix old Fiats and Alfa Romeo's for fun. Michael is married to Kathleen. They live and play in Atascadero with Lennie and Gerti, the Diagnostic Duo
Kathleen Wafer
Kathleen is our resident financial expert and official bean counter, as well Jesse and Michael's back-up on the phones and in the office. Kathleen has had her own bookkeeping practice in Santa Monica, and sold securities and aided customers with financial planning for Great Western Bank (now Washington Mutual). Kathleen has also done care management for seniors. Kathleen and Michael were introduced to one another by Michael's brother Pete. Kathleen has a son, Jacob, and a daughter, Jeanene. Michael talked Kathleen into doing her first Century bicycle ride (the Wildflower Century, SLOBC) in April of 1996, and she married him in spite of it.
Frieda, the Diagnostic Dog 1999-2006
Freida was our official greeter and ambassador of goodwill. She assisted us in all our chores, and was especially good at lending a hand with the occasional thorny automotive problem by fetching the ball, begging for biscuits, and searching for "the red dot". She was a pound pup and has been with us since February of '99. Rumor has it that she was a "Beagle - Greyhound" cross (can you picture it?).
