The Raise a Hood Team

As the founder, and son of a mechanic, he envisioned ways of using technology to enable service to less costly and more costumer centric. A former Ford engineer with engineering degrees from U of MN and Purdue, he‘s passionate to what technology can bring to improve the lives of everyday Americans in automotive. In his free time enjoys teaching students on the race track, or an occasional motorcycle adventure ride.

As the founder of GUS AI, he has over 40 years of technological innovation, product dev and business strategy focusing on AI/ML, neural networks, and signal processing. Patrick also serves as a member of the board for several startups, is a college professor and a director of non-profit initiatives in STEM learning in early education programs. More impressive, he drives and awesome Jeep JK Rubicon as his daily driver.

Dave has led or co-led seven startups, including three successful exits. With a Master’s in Computer Science from MIT and an MBA from Harvard, he brings a rare blend of deep technical expertise and strategic insight. He has a talent for translating complex technology into lasting value for customers and businesses. On weekends, you might find him enjoying his ’91 Nissan 300ZX.

Howard has invested his lifetime redefining what trust looks like in the auto repair world, turning Community Tire Pros into a symbol of integrity and community care. As a shop owner, mentor, and industry leader, he’s championed transparency, education, and customer-first service. Today, he helps great shops get the recognition they deserve. When he’s not supporting local causes, you will likely find him in his 1961 Corvette.

Faisal Zafar brings over 25 years of experience in software development, technology leadership, AI innovation, and digital transformation. Leading development, he develops scalable, intelligent solutions that propel Raise a Hood’s continued growth and innovation. His focus is on using emerging technologies to create smarter, more efficient digital experiences for customers and automotive businesses.

Cathy Droz has spent over 40 years in the automotive world, paving the way for women in an industry that wasn’t always built with them in mind. As the founder of HER Certified®, she helps businesses create better experiences for female customers through certification, consulting, speaking and a touch of humor. She’s also test-driven more than 700 vehicles, just another day at the office!

Dave has invested more than 35 years at the intersection of technology and business strategy, helping companies unlock growth through data, innovation and customer insight. Whether he’s launching startups or guiding Fortune 500 brands, Dave brings clarity, pragmatism and a relentless focus on results. In his spare time you will most likely find him spending quality time with his family.

40+ years of building and running high-performing auto repair businesses, earned him a reputation for integrity, quality, and straight talk. Once a shop owner and industry advocate, he knows what it takes to keep both customers and technicians coming back. As an ASE certified mechanic he bridges the gap between AI and real-world repair. Steve loves travel and eclectic dining, he's also a Jets fan, but don't hold that against him.

With more than 20 years championing workforce development and technical education, he has trained over 10,000 mechanics. Caleb bridges the gap between training and real-world opportunity; as a leader in Technical Education, he’s worked across industry and government to align skills with demand. The son of a mechanic, a former Ford hotline engineer and Chrysler factory trainer, cars are his lifelong passion.