Keeney Auto & Diesel, LLC

423-401-0588 🔧 8307 Dayton Pike

Who Am I?

Just Another Somebody

I often find that I'm not what people expect and I don't fit well into the boxes they try to force me into. I am an individual with a very unique automotive background that spans from passenger cars to heavy duty over-the-road trucking to motorcycles and ranges from design engineering to service & repair. The career path I have chosen provides me with tremendous knowledge and experience that enables my success in circumnavigating technical obstacles through both interpersonal and interdepartmental engagement.

I have spent time in several different auto repair shops and have been subjected to a gamut of both effective and inferior car repair & business practices, more so the latter. As my experience and attentiveness grew, so did my vexation with the various poor business practices that seem to plague all repair facilities. Since even the most prestigious, and nationally recognized, shops were unable to meet my standards, I decided to venture it on my own.

Throughout my career, I have also interfaced with innumerable individuals who perform only to a level of "good enough". Over the years, my disdain for "good enough" behavior has grown emphatically.

My motivation and drive is both unapologetically, and unwaveringly, directed towards that pinnacle balance of customer and company success and growth.

Why does any of that stuff matter and how is it in any way relevant to you, the customer? When you take my experience and tailor it with my motivation, my drive, and my integrity, you get someone who doesn't fit into a box. Opening Keeney Auto & Diesel, LLC was one of the most intimidating steps I have taken. Nonetheless, it is time for the service and repair bar to be raised, and since no one else seems to be doing it, I will.

To most, I'm nobody. To some, I'm a frustrating nonconformer. To you, I'm just a small business owner intent on building a business of integrity and accountability. To me, I'm just a dude chasing his dreams, but, I am also the change I want to see in the world; I am Keeney.

The Business

Just Another Somebody

I could go on for days with regard to the shortcomings of auto repair facilities or how frustrating it can be to deal with them. The lack of customer communication, transparency, accountability, and general integrity is sometimes nothing short of staggering.

I've been in your shoes. When my formal automotive education began in 2004, I was frequently at the mercy of car repair facilities that possessed the expensive tools and equipment required to perform various services. Despite my attempts to provide ample information, build rapport, and document very specific requests concerning the repair process, these repair facilities would continually operate autonomously as if I never existed. That is, until it came time to pay the bill, then somehow I was the only person on planet earth that they wanted to speak to.

I will never forget the time I brought my car in to have it diagnosed and nothing more. At the time, I was looking for every ounce of experience I could find. So when my car exhibited an issue that I was unable to diagnose, I requested the repair facility to diagnose it and allow me to perform the repair on my own. This would have benefited me in 2 ways. First, I wouldn't have to pay the extra labor cost of repair. Second, I would get the highly sought after experience of working on my own vehicle and seeing the result firsthand. When the repair facility called me to tell me that my car was fixed and ready to go, I felt as if all the wind had been stolen from my sails, and my wallet.

Why does my story matter? Over the years, I have experienced innumerable occasions of repair facilities verbalizing one thing and then executing something completely different. I have watched customers give specific requests that repair facilities completely ignore. These insufferable experiences have driven me to position of unparalleled customer transparency. This isn't just about fixing cars anymore; this about being a respectable human being with real consideration given to the customer base.

There has never been a market, let alone a flooded one, of accountable automotive repair businesses, until now. This is my business.

KEENEY RESUMÉ

College graduation hat on top of stack of books

Career History

Keeney Auto & Diesel LLC

[2023 - present]

Founder, Owner, & Operator

Keeney Industries LLC

[2018 - 2023]

Founder, Owner, & Operator

Stellantis (formerly FCA US LLC; formerly Chrysler Group LLC): Transmission Calibration Engineer

[2021 - 2023]

Developed and validated powertrain calibrations and control algorithms for HD automatic transmission applications.
Set and managed shift scheduling in all environments and in all vehicle drive modes.
Generated and maintain calibration DVP&Rs.
Orchestrated calibration testing, product integration testing, and Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) testing for calibration changes in both dynamometer and in-vehicle environments.
Supported cross-functional software development teams.
Bolstered development of new requirements for future control system strategies.
Collaborated with Engine Calibration, Controls Software, suppliers and Systems Engineering to deliver robust, reliable calibrations.
Applied problem-solving skills to develop solutions to optimize the customer driving experience.

Stellantis (formerly FCA US LLC; formerly Chrysler Group LLC): Diesel Calibration Engineer

[2018 - 2021]

Championed the calibration of all SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) hardware controls, environmental temperature controls, fuel economy estimation controls, end-of-line functions, routines, and controls on the FCA 3.0L Gen3 Eco-Diesel engine.
Expertly steered the design, document, and validation of all DVPs (Design Verification Plans) and AECDs (Auxiliary Emission Control Devices) for these controls.
Utilized analysis tools to develop full system models for evaluating various systems.
Proactively identified and solved complex problems impacting operations management and business direction.
Brought about substantial operational improvements by reworking policies and enhancing enforcement.

Stellantis (formerly FCA US LLC; formerly Chrysler Group LLC): Diesel Calibration Quality Engineer

[2015 - 2018]

Proactively identified and solved complex problems impacting operations management and business direction.
Amplified the overall product robustness through triage and root-causing engine related malfunctions including, DTC occurrences, drivability issues, unanticipated calibration software behavior, and correlated hardware failures.
Drove continuous improvement for vehicle performance metrics while maintaining OBD regulatory compliance.
Eradicated inefficient legacy workflows by optimizing multiple calibration processes for Engineering and Quality test fleets.
Streamlined interdepartmental operations for issue management and resolution.
Synchronized calibration releases and resolution of associated issues.
Harmonized data acquisition strategies for the increased cyber security protocols on vehicle CAN networks.
Calibrated tester and end-of-line functions, routines, and controls.

Stellantis (formerly FCA US LLC; formerly Chrysler Group LLC): Reliability Quality Engineer

[2012 - 2015]

Upgraded vehicle durability/reliability & reduced warranty.
Governed technical onboarding, development, integration, and validation of new supplier hardware and software data acquisition tools for FCA (Control-Tec).
Designed data acquisition lists, tailored triggers, and event based diagnostic data.
Collaborated cross-functionally with Engineering & Service to proactively identify necessary running changes/updates in vehicle software or even hardware.
Performed root cause analysis for detected faults and developed corrective actions.
Instituted customer duty cycles to support the design of real-world vehicle test schedules.
Presented post data collection analysis to various Engineering teams thus fortifying product decisions and direction.

The Farmington Garage: Farmington, MI

[2017 - 2018]

Master Technician & Advanced Diagnostic Specialist

Sears Auto Center: Novi, MI

[2016 - 2017]

Master Technician

Greg's Truck Service: Goreville, IL

[2009 - 2010]

Diesel Technician

Curry Ice And Coal: Springfield, IL

[2007 - 2008]

Diesel Technician

Sears Auto Center: Springfield, IL

[2006 - 2007]

Service Technician

Certifications & Credentials

Engineering

Kepner Tregoe; Reactive Green Belt Engineering Certification

ASE Certifications

A1 (Engine Repair)
A2 (Automatic Transmission/Transaxle)
A3 (Manual Drive Train & Axles)
A4 (Suspension & Steering)
A5 (Brakes)
A6 (Electrical/Electronic Systems)
A7 (Heating & Air Conditioning)
A8 (Engine Performance)
A9 (Light Vehicle Diesel Engines)
L1 (Advanced Engine Performance Specialist Certification)
L2 (Advanced Electronic Diesel Engine Diagnosis)
L3 (Advanced Light Duty/Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
T1 (Heavy Duty Gasoline Engines)
T2 (Heavy Duty Diesel Engines)

United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)

Clean Air Act Section 609 Licensed: See also --> Link 1 and Link 2
MACS CFC-12 Certified Mechanic

Michigan Department of State Mechanic Certifications - Automobile & Light Truck

Engine Repair
Automatic Transmissions
Manual Transmissions, Front and Rear Drive Axles
Front End, Suspension and Steering Systems
Brakes and Braking Systems
Electrical Systems
Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
Engine Tune-up/Performance

Michigan Department of State Mechanic Certifications - Heavy Duty Truck

Engine Repair - Gasoline
Engine Repair - Diesel
Drive Train
Brakes and Braking Systems
Suspension and Steering Systems
Electrical Systems

Michigan Department of State Mechanic Certifications - Other

Pre-1973 Vehicles
Collision-Related Mechanic Repair
Motorcycle
Recreational Trailer
BAIID Installer (Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices)

Other

Class A CDL (with Air-Brake)
Class M
EFILive & Flash-Scan Calibration

Education

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

[2008 - 2011]

Bachelor of Science: Automotive Engineering Technology

Lincoln Land Community College

[2006 - 2008]

Associate of Science: Automotive Technology

Capital Area Career Center

[2004 - 2006]

Certificate of Completion: Automotive Technology