Corporate Team

The Certified Transmission Operations team remanufactures over 50,000 transmissions per year for all of our 14 regional stores, nationwide warehouses, and national distribution networks. Our team consists of over 400 employees across its remanufacturing facilities in Omaha, Nebraska and Fort Dodge, Iowa. Certified Transmission also is proud to have 171 Technicians that have the A2 Automatic Transmission Certification through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence(ASE) and 50 ASE Certified Master Technicians. The precision and training of our skilled technicians provides the highest quality transmissions available, all of which are remanufactured to the latest OE specifications and backed by our industry-leading warranty protection. Our unparalleled quality is another way our team is committed to putting our customer first and to getting “The Job Done Right...At The Right Price”.

Picture of Peter Fink
Peter started Certified Transmission back in 1979 at the young age of 19. He had his tools, $1000, a two-bay gas station, and strong determination. Peter always had a vision for Certified Transmission to be larger than just your normal repair shop. He set out opening more locations and eventually added a centralized rebuilding facility. Over the last 30+ years Peter has grown his company to be the largest remanufacturer in the Midwest and now employs over 400 team members. Peter and his wife, Carolyn (since 1986) have three children: Amanda, Peter Jr., and Alex. Peter enjoys spending time with his family, snowmobiling, going to concerts, and attending sporting events.
Picture of Luke Heppner
Bio being updated
Picture of Jim Audet
Jim Audet has spent 30 of his 36 year career in the auto industry with Certified Transmission.
Picture of Rick VanRoy
Rick joined the Certified Transmission team in March, 2008. His accomplishments include an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology as a graduate of Southeast Community College in Milford, NE, as well as earning the Ford Senior Master and ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Master Technician certifications, which he keeps current. As our Client Services Manager, Rick now oversees the wholesale sales, inventory and warranty operations, and our shipping department.
Picture of Amanda Fink
Amanda started working with Certified Transmission in 2007 as wholesale account representative. After a couple years she became a service adviser and floating manager, and now she is the Area Manager for all the Omaha, Lincoln and Council Bluffs retail transmission shops. She helps maintain the integrity and quality of work that our retail locations provide to our many customers. Working closely with customers is something that she greatly enjoys. Amanda has her Bachelor's degree in Business. Amanda has two children, James who is 4 and Josie who is 3. She enjoys yoga, reading, and cooking in her free time.
Picture of Joe Mitchell
Joe came to Certified Transmission with an extensive back ground in sales. Joe had also owned his own automotive repair shop. Joe has been with Certified Transmission for over ten years and has been instrumental in all areas from customer service to sales training for the company. Joe and his wife Deb have seven children and fifteen grandchildren. The enjoy spending time with family, riding their Harley, watching movies and reading.
Picture of Jeff Kantor
Bio being updated
Picture of Tim Reekers
Bio being updated
Picture of Jeff Stuck
Jeff entered the workforce right out of high school and tested the waters in construction and general auto repair before joining Certified Transmission in 1990. He started at Certified as a machine operator/welder. At this time the torque converter department was in its infancy but with growth comes opportunity. As the converter department grew, Jeff took on additional responsibility, being named manager in 1997. Jeff has also served on the Torque Converter Rebuilders Associations Board of Directors since 2007 and previously served as President of the Association.
Picture of Bill Dunbar
Bill started at Certified Transmission in 1989 as a transmission rebuilder. After rebuilding transmissions for a few years he wanted to do something different so he started working in the retail stores, first as a shop foreman, then as a diagnostician and then a store manager. Bill was the manager of the retail store in Millard before moving to the Omaha remanufacturing plant as the plant manager in 1993. In 1993, the Omaha plant was a lot smaller than it is now and Bill's main duties revolved around the production of the units. As things have grown, Bill's daily duties revolved around the entire plant operation and the processes and protocols of each department. Since production is in his blood, that is where most of his attention was focused prior to becoming the Parts Manager for Certified Transmission. Bill is involved with APICS (The Association of Operations Management) and has earned their CPIM & CSCP certifications.
Picture of Doug Nebel
Doug started with Certified in Dec 2016. He as a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska Lincoln and over 25+ years' experience in manufacturing processes and operations. Doug has worked in a variety of manufacturing environments from electronics, where he built Medical equipment, components for Dept. of Defense contractors, and even turn signals for Harley's . He also worked in the Ag industry making grain handling equipment like augers, unloads and dryers. Doug has also sat on the Industry Advisory Committee for Metropolitan Community College's welding department and has his Lean Manufacturing Certification from the Nebraska Business Development Center at University of Nebraska Omaha.
Picture of Ben Johnson
Bio being updated
Picture of David King
Bio being updated
Picture of Alex Fink
Bio being updated
Picture of Preston Johnson
Bio being updated
Picture of Randy Rowley
Bio being updated
Picture of PJ Fink
PJ Fink has officially been working at Certified Transmission for the past four years but has been part of the auto industry his whole life. He is ASE certified. His favorite car is a 1964 Daytona Coupe, but likes pretty much anything made by Chevy or Dodge.
Picture of Jody Carnahan
Jody began his automotive career selling auto parts at a local parts store at the age of fifteen. He rebuilt his first transmission when he was sixteen. Joining Certified Transmission in 1986, and helped develop our first dyno department. He has held various technical positions throughout his career, including diagnostician and builder duties, as well as several retail store management positions. Jody's current role is working as a technical consultant for our warranty department, holding certifications from both ASE and ATRA. Outside of work, Jody enjoys life with his wife of 30+ years, Sarah, and is the father of two boys. His hobbies include rebuilding street rods, riding Harleys, hunting, and bowling.
Picture of David Shadlow
I have worked at Certified Transmission since 1990. I have two great children and I enjoy playing cards and spending time with my family. My hobbies are wood working, working on cars and surfing the internet.
Picture of Rich Baker
Rich began his career at Certified Transmission in 1999 after many years in the automotive industry. He soon joined the wholesale division as a Customer Service Representative and experienced the department's extensive growth. Rich works with some of Certified Transmission's larger distributors. He has developed methods to help clients correctly identify the specific transmission needed for an application, even when vehicle accessibility is not readily available. Rich's hobbies include reading history books and watching hockey and football games.
Picture of Brian Salisbury
Brian has been providing quality customer service in the auto industry for 25 years and with Certified Transmission for almost three years. His hobbies include golfing, auto shows and auctions. His favorite type of car is a Corvette and he enjoys travelling to places like Las Vegas, Hawaii and California.
Picture of Ed Forenberry
Ed joined Certified Transmission in May 2007 as Assistant Manager of the dyno department where he remained until June 2010, when he won an opening on the sales staff as Stock Order/Core Return manager. In the time since, Certified Transmission has experienced explosive growth and Ed's primary focus has been continuous improvement in moving product to our customer, and managing account credits. Ed holds both an Associate in Applied Science (Aerospace), and a BA in Business. Of the two, he views the experience of complying with rigid quality management standards required by the aerospace industry most valuable when it comes to managing wholesale transmission distribution across numerous stocking locations.
Picture of Jess Garrison
  • Jess Garrison
  • National Sales Manager
Picture of Scott Shaeffer
I have been in the service end of the automotive industry since 1978 working in new car dealerships and have been at Certified Transmission since 1998 in the wholesale division as a outside sales representative. I am responsible for the entire states of Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and parts of Kansas and Missouri. As far as hobbies I collect palm trees and have well over 100.
Picture of Rodney Schmidt
  • Rodney Schmidt
  • Area Sales Representative
Picture of Matt Brunker
I got my start in the automotive industry back in 1998. I have worked in multiple capacities since then from turning wrench’s to regional management in aftermarket parts. I am currently responsible for sales in the Colorado and Southern Wyoming markets. My hobby is racing, here in Colorado I race in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series.
Picture of Tom Hall
I have been the webmaster for Peter Fink, the owner of Certified Transmission, for several years. In fact, a great amount of my professional success in doing websites for transmission and general repair shops is attributed to my relationship with Peter and Certified Transmission. In addition to doing the website for Certified Transmission, I also maintain websites for several Certified Transmission distributors to include Waterloo Transmissions, Freeway Transmissions, Express Transmissions, and Western Transmission.