Instructor Biography - Tom Finnerran

About the Instructor

Tom Finnerran

Tom Finneran 


Intro – Biographical Information


































































    EXPERIENCE AS AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN / DIAGNOSTIC SPECIALIST / BUSINESS OWNER


  • Experience as a Ford Dealership Certified Technician


  • 35 years as owner-technician Finneran’s Automotive Service


  • Finneran’s Automotive Service was a AAA Approved Repair Facility as well as a

  • ACDelco Delco-Tech Direct Connect Approved Repair Facility and a

  • State of California Official Smog, Brake & Lamp Inspection Station



EDUCATION - CERTIFICATIONS


  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Workforce -- UNLV


  • Associate of Arts Degree in Automotive Technology – San Bernardino Community College - CA


  • ASE Certified Master Technician with L1 in Advanced Diagnostics 


  • SAE Certificate Of Competency in Advanced HEV Diagnostics


  • Class “A” California Licensed Emissions Inspection & Repair Technician 1968-1998


  • MACS – Mobile Air Conditioning Society Section 609 Certified Recovery-Recycling Technician


  • ASE Hybrid Vehicle L3 Certification 



TEACHING EXPERIENCE


  • Community College of Southern Nevada – 2002 to  2012


  • Mohave Community College – Arizona – 2012 to 2013


  • Advanced Training Institute – Nevada  -- 2013 to 2015


  • Professional Automotive Training – Nevada – 2015 to Present


  • Delphi Technologies – USA – 2017 to Present

 


When I was active as a shop owner and technician, I was awarded the ASA’s (Automotive Service Association’s) “2002 Technician of the Year” award; concurrently I was recognized for having the highest ASE test scores in the nation. I was awarded as a Pacific region finalist in the first ACDelco “Technician of the Millennium” contest, one of only forty regional finalists in the nation. There were thirty two hundred contestants entered nationally.


I also have experience as a driver, fabricator and engine builder in NASCAR and open competition style race cars.  As a result of this experience, I have gained a good understanding of vehicle dynamics. I’ve competed at tracks throughout California, Nevada and Arizona over the course of some twenty five years, winning several feature events and two track championships. 


My teaching philosophy is simple.  I believe any technical educational program should be relevant, convenient, and work hand-in-hand with the industry it serves.  The student outcomes should provide them with knowledge that is deeper than what will be required for them to successfully complete their job on a daily basis.  I believe the successful automotive technician for the future will require a much deeper knowledge in electronics than his predecessors.  Finally, all courses offered should help technicians to be more successful and productive.