Meet the Elite Team
Bob Cooper
President
Bob Cooper has functioned as a business developer, owner and operator of some of the most successful auto repair shops in North America. Since then, he has become the founder and president of Elite, an international company that specializes in supporting those in the auto service industry. He has been nominated for entry into “Who’s Who in American Business,” he is a member of the prestigious National Speakers Association and he is one of the nation’s leading authorities on both personal and career success. In addition to lending his expertise to automotive industry training and coaching, he has also spoken worldwide to many Fortune 500 companies, private banking groups, school districts, the United States Army and to some of the wealthiest people on earth.
Mike Boden
Superstar!
Mike graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara, and here at Elite we are not only fortunate to have him on our team, but he is an integral part of our aggressive growth plans. Mike is responsible for the development of all of our web-based initiatives, as well as for leading our global expansion through technology-based enterprises. Not only is he bright, but he’s creative, he’s committed to customer service, and without question, he’s priceless to all of us! Mike was raised in Santa Rosa, California and now lives in sunny San Diego, California.
Jim Piraino
Superstar!
Jim has owned and operated one of the most successful auto repair facilities in North America! He was voted NAPA Technician of the Year in 2002 and he has sat on many of our industry advisory panels. As a business development coach, he has helped many of our customers take their businesses to amazing levels of success. Not only has he helped struggling shop owners become industry success stories, but he has helped many industry-leading shops owners take their businesses to record levels. There is no doubt about it; Jim Piraino truly is a Superstar when it comes to automotive industry training and coaching! Born and raised in New York, he spent most of his life in Southern California. Today he and his wife Lisa live in Loveland, Colorado where he is close by his two daughters and four wonderful grandchildren!
Jim Murphy
Superstar!
Jim has decades of experience in developing successful independent auto repair facilities and dealerships throughout all of North America! In addition to his "hands-on" experience, he has developed a reputation as being an industry-acclaimed facilitator and business-building coach, and is heralded as being second to none, industry-wide. Today Jim heads up our Elite Pro Service Program, which has been developed exclusively for the most successful shops in North America. Without question, Jim Murphy is an industry Superstar! Born and raised in Southern CA, today Jim and his wife Sherri live in beautiful Spokane, Washington in the summer, and spend winter in sunny and warm Phoenix, Arizona.
Michele Reyes
Superstar!
Without question, Michele is a superstar as well! She too is bright, she’s creative and she’s absolutely great with all our customers! As our Manager of Special Projects, Michele has many responsibilities that range from the event development, project management, special assignments and assuring customer satisfaction. There is no question that she is a superstar who we are very fortunate to have on our team. Michele, her husband Rick, her son Cooper and their dog Winston live in sunny Escondido, California.
Rudi Rudloff
Superstar!
Before joining Elite, Rudi owned and operated one of the most successful auto repair facilities in North America! Specializing in Mercedes Benz, he developed a base of clients, and a history of success, that would be the envy of any shop owner on earth. His methods of marketing, delivering extraordinary customer service, and generating profits, have made Rudi’s success the topic of interviews, and given him a reputation that is second to none. In addition to speaking English, Rudi also speaks fluent German and Spanish. Rudi provides consulting services to our Spanish speaking clients, and is also the friendly voice on many of our downloadable MP3 products that are in Spanish. Rudi's industry expertise has become so highly regarded, that he will be a key speaker at this year's PAACE Automechanika Mexico event; Mexico and Central America's most important automotive trade show. Rudi and his family live in San Diego, California.
Kirk Gray
Superstar!
Kirk Gray has an extraordinary background. Since graduating from the University of San Diego, Kirk has assembled quite an impressive record of success as a sales professional. He has worked with world class publishing companies, technology companies and global enterprises such as EDS; setting many sales records along the way. Today Kirk is responsible for our industry acclaimed Masters Program for Service Advisors, and is also the friendly voice you will hear on some of our audio programs. Kirk is an active trainer in many of our sales and business management courses as well. There are a number of things we find admirable in Kirk, including his dedication to our customers and his commitment to ethics. Kirk and his wonderful family live in La Mesa, California.
Joe Marconi
Superstar!
With over three decades of industry experience, Joe has accomplished what others could only dream to do. In addition to owning and operating one of America’s most successful auto repair shops, he is a graduate of the Automotive Management Institute, he has served on numerous industry panels, and he is the recipient of the coveted CARQUEST Excellence Award. He has also served on industry boards, he participated in the development of the ASE Engine Performance Certification test, he has authored a number of articles for national publication and he is a cofounder of AutoShopOwner.com. We are also pleased to say Joe serves as a consultant for the New York Board of Cooperative Educational Services. There is no question: Joe is an industry superstar, and we are honored to have him on our team as one of our Business Development Coaches. Joe and his wonderful family live in beautiful Patterson, New York.
Sherri Murphy
Superstar!
Sherri Murphy is an amazing asset! Not just to Elite, but to our entire industry! Sherri has many responsibilities that include qualifying applicants for our Pro Service, assisting through the enrollment process, and helping assure Pro Service remains the premier service for the most successful shop owners in North America. People that know her will tell you, she truly is a superstar! Sherri is married to Jim Murphy, and today they live in beautiful Spokane, Washington in the summer, and they spend the winter months in sunny Arizona. The two of them are a great team, and we are honored to have them working with us.
Karen Cooper
Superstar!
Karen is not only Bob’s wife, but she is also someone many of you are fortunate enough to know. In addition to being with Elite since the company’s inception, she is a Director of Elite Worldwide, Inc. as well as an officer of the company. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she and Bob now live in La Jolla, California.
Rob Withey
Superstar!
Rob is not only a remarkable asset to Elite, but he is also a director of Automatic Choice Europe Ltd, Europe’s leading supplier of automatic transmission parts. Rob is a superstar who came up through the ranks in the industry. Rob makes his home in England, and is a talented individual who we are thrilled to have on our team!
Fred Vendrig
Superstar!
As with our other Superstars, Fred truly is an incredible asset to Elite. He is also the co-owner of Automatic Choice Europe BV, Europe’s leading supplier of automatic transmission parts. Fred brings a wealth of experiences and industry knowledge to Elite, so we are very fortunate to have him on our team! Fred makes his home in the Netherlands.
The Rest of the Team
Superstars!
We also have agents, independent representatives, outside sales people and remarkable business partners, worldwide. Without question, they are all superstars too!
