Over the years, DiDonato has worked as a technician in body shops, an instructor for Chief Automotive Systems, Inc. and in the automobile insurance industry. DiDonato brings his extensive experience to the classroom at the Torrance, California, training center.

When he’s not teaching, DiDonato cooks, makes his own wine, and enjoys gardening, remodeling—and, of course, working on cars.

Professional Background

• Has a degree in automotive collision technology
• Began his automotive career as a body man and painter from 1981-1989
• ASE-certified Master Collision Repair & Refinish Technician (B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, A4); certified in numerous areas of I-CAR
• Taught heavy collision repair and managed the North American Department, including R&D, at Chief Automotive Technologies for 12 years
• Worked in a high-end shop as a production manager and trainer for 3 years
• Worked as a material damage adjuster, trainer and auto body repair fraud investigator for 3 years for the Automobile Club of Southern California
• Joined Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., in 2006 as a Collision Training Administrator
• Automotive collision technology instructor at Cypress College since 1993

Students attending class at Toyota’s training center in Jacksonville, Florida, will take CR&R courses with adjunct instructor Dan Hodges. Hodges has had a long career in the collision repair industry. He’s worked in dealer-affiliated collision centers and independent collision centers, and has even owned his own shop. Hodges has worked as a collision repair technician in shops and also as a manager, so he understands different aspects of the business. He knows the challenges that managers face as well as the issues that technicians can run into.

"I am a technician at heart still," Hodges explains. "I know that if you can’t have fun, you can’t learn. My approach is to help technicians be comfortable in my class so that they can get the most out of the training."

Hodges says that in all his years in the collision repair industry, he sees CR&R training as providing something unique to students. It gives them the manufacturer’s recommendation on how to repair Toyota’s cars the right way. When they leave class, they know Toyota’s recommendation for how to conduct repairs, and they also know where to find important resources they need to work on Toyota vehicles.

Professional Background

• Over 30 years of experience in the collision repair industry
• Worked as a collision repair technician and as a shop manager
• Experience in both dealer-affiliated collision centers and independent collision centers
• Owned and managed his own independent collision repair shop
• ASE-certified Master Collision Repair & Refinish Technician (B2, B3, B4, B5, & B6)

Mendoza is a trainer at the Torrance, California, campus and the Assistant Manager of the Toyota Collision Repair Training Department. Earlier in his career, Mendoza worked as a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician and as an Automotive Service Technician at various manufacturer dealerships.

Mendoza has a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology degree from California State University Fullerton, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Automotive Field Service Operations from Weber State University and an associate’s degree in High Performance Automotive Technology.

Mendoza’s teaching approach is to make sure that everyone in the classroom gets a concept before moving on to the next topic so that no one gets left behind. When asked what he likes most about being in the classroom, Mendoza says he enjoys the mentoring aspect. Training empowers students and helps them have more control over their future and further their careers.

Professional Background

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Automotive Field Service Operations from Weber State University
• Associate’s degree in High Performance Automotive Technology
• Master’s degree in Instructional Design and Technology at California State University, Fullerton
• 15 years of experience as an automotive service technician for various OEM manufacturers
• L1 Advanced Engine Performance Specialist certified since 2000
• Master ASE Technician certified since 2000
• Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician Certification

James Meyer started his career in the industry sanding and detailing for a backyard repairman at the age of 12. He began working professionally at a local body shop while still in high school. He eventually moved on to establish his own auto body repair business and then landed a position as a technical instructor. Meyer has been an instructor at Toyota’s training facility in West Caldwell, New Jersey, since 1998.

When he’s not training, Meyer pursues his passion for classic muscle cars. He also enjoys time on the Saint Lawrence River in New York, where he spends many summer weekends fishing and relaxing.

Professional Background

• More than 40 years in the collision repair industry, beginning at a New Jersey shop in 1972, and establishing his own business four years later
• Taught collision repair training at Bergen County Technical Schools of New Jersey for more than 13 years
• Certified by the State of New Jersey Department of Education to teach Collision Repair & Refinish and Auto Mechanics
• ASE-certified Master Collision Repair Technician (B2, B3, B4) including ASE certification in damage analysis and estimating (B6), suspension and steering, brakes, electrical/electronic systems, and heating and air conditioning (A4, A5, A6, A7)
• Member of I-CAR Education Foundation’s Collision Repair Instructors Network, Society of Collision Repair Specialists, and the Automotive Service Association

Diaz comes to the training program with over 35 years of experience as a body tech working in various shops. His specialty is heavy collision work. Diaz also taught automotive technology at Contra Costa College and taught I-CAR training for three years. In addition, he worked for VeriFacts, visiting and inspecting their facilities and repairs and then making recommendations.

With a teaching credential from the University of California, Berkeley, Diaz is at home in the classroom. He knows that there are many different types of learners, and he shapes his lessons so that they have elements that reach visual, kinetic, auditory and hands-on learners. One huge advantage of Toyota training is that half of the day is spent in a classroom setting and half of the day is spent practicing collision repair and refinish techniques in a hands-on environment.

All of this experience makes Diaz a valuable instructor. He understands the automotive repair industry from the viewpoint of a technician and trainer, and from the viewpoint of the insurance industry.

Professional Background

• Teaching credential from UC Berkeley
• Taught automotive technology at Contra Costa College
• ASE master technician
• Worked for VeriFacts for three years
• Taught I-CAR for three years