A Huntington Beach Auto
Service Tradition Since 1978
Ron Catt - Owner

NAPA and ASE Recognize Accomplishments of Catt's 21-Year Career

Designed to enhance the caliber of automotive technicians in the industry and raise the awareness of the importance of ASE certification, the NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year award symbolizes dedication, professionalism and superior technical excellence. Ron's accomplished career mirrors the NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year profile.

At age 10, Ron Catt received a minibike from his father. Like most young boys, Ron was extremely rough on the bike. Quickly tiring of the constant repairs it needed, Ron's father explained that if Ron wanted to continue the rough play, he'd need to learn how to fix the bike himself.

Repairing the minibike was Ron's first real test of mechanics. Fascinated with how the engine worked, he continually challenged himself to find solutions to its mechanical problems.

1996 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year

Ron Catt's ordinary boyhood interest in minibikes and motorcycle racing evolved into an extraordinary automotive-repair career, crowned with the honor of becoming the 1996 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year.

The owner of Ron Catt Automotive in Huntington Beach, Calif. (serviced by NAPA Los Angeles), competed against hundreds of applicants from across the country for the prestigious title and national recognition for achieving excellence in the automotive-repair field. He is the 15th outstanding technician awarded this honor since its inception in 1982. The award includes a prize package valued at nearly $25,000.

The Path to Success

By 16, Ron was enrolled in every shop class his high school offered, as well as working part-time at a local service station. By 18, he was an entry-level technician attending Goldenwest College. During college, Ron received his California State Smog License and Brake and Lamp Installer and Adjuster License. One year later, he opened his own automotive-repair business out of a three-bay service station.

As a young adult, Ron continued to demonstrate exceptional talent and confidence. At 24, he purchased his own service station, and just two years later, he established his current repair shop, Ron Catt Automotive.

Professional Image

To the casual onlooker, the space that would one day become Ron Catt Automotive, was nondescript, industrial building. Ron, however, was able to see past the bleak space and envision how it could look. He set out about creating what is now an impressive meticulously clean and organized 8,000-square-foot repair facility. "We pride ourselves in being one of the few shops around that is this well-maintained. Customers, especially women, routinely tell us how amazed they are that our shop is so clean. I wanted to break the old stereotype that all repair shops are dirty," said Ron.

The Ron Catt Automotive mission statement, "To provide our customers with products and service of long lasting quality, to develop and maintain relationships based on honesty and trust, and to set a standard of excellence and professionalism," is displayed prominently in the customer waiting area, and is an accurate reflection of how Ron operates his business.

Customers walking into the lobby of Ron Catt Automotive know instantly they are going to be well cared for," said Jim Pinkston, outside sales person of NAPA Westminster. "I think the technicians' credentials on display really help put customers at ease.

Keeping Pace with Technology

Hands-On Technicians

Mission as Technician of the Year

Exceptional Customer Service

Professional Associations
and Achievements

• American Automobile Association (AAA)
• Automotive Service Council (ASC)
• Better Business Bureau
• Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS)

Community Involvement

• American Cancer Society
• American Lung Association
• Boy Scouts of America
• Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
• Fountain Valley Police Department
• Huntington Beach Art Center
• Huntington Beach Fire Department
• Huntington Beach Mother's Club
• Huntington Beach Police Department
• Huntington Beach
  Search and Rescue
• Huntington Harbour Cancer League
• Marina High School Association
• Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), Orange County Chapter
• St. Bonaventure Church