Our Crew

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Tom Nielsen President

Tom Nielsen is one of the Co-owners of Cordray’s Continental. Tom has over 20 years of experience in running an RV shop along with many years in Diesel Engine Performance. Tom also specializes in Customer Service and education and prides himself in making sure his customers purchase the right products to fit their needs and makes sure they know how to use the products they buy. Tom is well versed in Welding and Auto Body repair too and spends a lot of time using his skills installing custom diesel exhaust and installing all the diesel goodies customers buy.

Mike Thorpe Vice President

Mike Thorpe is the other co-owner. Mike has worked for Cordray’s Continental since 1987 and has over 38 years’ experience in Auto and Truck repair. Mike specializes in rebuilding and setting up Differentials, rebuilding Import and Domestic Manual Transmissions, and rebuilding Manual and Electronic shift Transfer Cases. Mike is our lead Transmission Service Writer and he prides himself on being able to figure out almost any problem with a transmission, differential or transfer case.

Wes Kramer Head Auto Technician

Wes is an ASE Certified Master Technician who got his start at a small independent Auto Shop in Corvallis in 2006. There he worked his way through college at LBCC where he graduated with his Associate’s Degree in Automotive Technology. Wes is a big car enthusiast, and enjoys working on anything with an engine, but tends to favor classic American cars. Wes enjoys spending his weekend time with his family when he’s not riding ATV’s at the coast, or taking his mud truck to different racing events.

Matt Cawrse Head Auto Technician

Born and raised in the Willamette Valley. Matt attended the LBCC Automotive and Machine Tool programs and has worked in the auto industry for over 12 years. Matt enjoys diagnostics and is always looking to advance his knowledge and learn new skills; He earned his ASE master certification over 10 years ago. Matt takes pride in the details and strives to give customers the very best! Matt enjoys tinkering with electronics, ham radio, old tractors, and building things in his shop.

Stewart Smith Head Builder

Stewart Smith is our head Auto Transmission rebuilder at Cordray’s Continental. He has been working for us since 1981 and has been rebuilding transmissions for over 45 years. Stewart is well versed in both Import and Domestic Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles. Stewart specializes in rebuilding Heavy Duty Automatic Transmissions for the Duramax, PowerStroke, and Cummins powered trucks. Stewart takes great pride in the quality of work he does, and the most rewarding part of his job is hearing from customers about how happy they are with his work.

Andrew Rieke Head Builder

Andrew has always had a love for cars. He did four years of automotive in high school where he was the top automotive student. He continued his education at LBCC where he graduated with an associate’s degree in automotive technology and nearly had a degree in welding as well. Before he graduated college he was the co-owner of a mobile mechanic business out of Corvallis which he ran for two years until he began working for Phil’s Transmission in Corvallis. Before coming to work for us in 2020, he’s worked for Phil’s for the past 8 years. He started off doing R+R, diagnosing and general auto repair, he quickly worked his way up to become the lead technician/transmission re-builder. Andrew loves problem-solving and believes no vehicle is unfixable! He is very passionate about everything Mopar and in his spare time you can find him rebuilding anything from R/C cars to computers.

Brandon Hays Diesel Technician

Brandon has been working for Cordray’s Continental since 2017, and is our Head Diesel Technician and fabricator. Brandon’s interest in Diesel Mechanics started at a young age and grew into a passion as he got older. Brandon is well versed in all aspects of metal fabrication and is an expert welder. Brandon prides himself on his ability to diagnose problems with customers Diesel-powered trucks, and fix them correctly the first time. In his spare time, Brandon loves to spend his time outdoors hunting and fishing along with riding his dirt bike!

Mike Allen Auto Technician

Mike Allen has been working as an Auto Technician for Cordray’s Continental since 2012. Mike’s interest in auto mechanics began at the age of 5. As he grew up, his father took the time to teach him the basics and after High School, Mike went to college and got his degree in Automotive Technology. He began his career at a shop in Corvallis in 2004 and worked there until he decided to come to work for Cordray’s Continental. His hobbies are hunting and restoring old Chevy’s with his Father and friends.

Mitch Weis Auto Technician

In 2013, Mitch earned his Associates Degree in Automotive Technology, and he put it to use coming to work with us. Mitch has been working for us since 2015 as an Auto Technician. Mitch, always wanting to better himself, jumps at the chance to take any classes that will help better his skills as a technician, and he has many awards and certificates for the classes and training he has done. A very proud father of 6, Mitch is very committed to his family and he loves doing everything with them!

Pat Rogers-Wagstaff Office Manager

Pat has been a bookkeeper for over 36 years, beginning in the early 80’s after going to collage at LBCC. She began working at AA Towing dispatching tow trucks and doing the books for Loren Wagener. After the Wagener family sold AA Towing, she went to work for Steve Wagener at Continental Transmission in 1989. Pat is our Shop Mom, Chauffeur, Service Writer and of course, our bookkeeper. We could not function without her!

Jeremy Thorpe Lube Tech/Safety

Jeremy is one of our newest employees. His duties are making sure the shop, especially the work areas, are clean and safe for the techs to work on vehicles in. He also is in charge of the recycling program here at Cordray’s where we recycle used oil, cardboard, steel, aluminum, and other items to keep them out of the landfill. Jeremy also is a lube tech, doing on vehicle inspections while changing your Oil and Filter. In his spare time, Jeremy enjoys playing video games, hanging out with his friends, and riding ATV’s at the dunes.