meet our team

Steve Hicks

Steve Hicks is a Master Automotive Technician and has been working with Bernhard Auto Works for five years. In his early years, he followed his fathers lead and helped work on vehicles, small engines, and anything really that didn’t work or needed repairs. In fact most of the toys he owned ended up being taken apart in perfect working condition and at times didn’t work so well when put back together. Following high school, Steve began work as an environmental driller that was involved in a wide range of projects including monitoring well installation at fuel stations to complete remediation projects. This led to employment at a sanitation company for a number of years repairing all equipment. This required a large amount of training in electrical, hydraulic, and air systems. He left the sanitation company and worked for a heavy truck dealer repairing and maintaining customer vehicles. Leaving the dealer, Steve found himself coming full circle and entering the drilling field again and this time as the full time technician repairing and maintaining all equipment at many locations across multiple states. Steve has had many hours of training hands on and virtual in all areas of vehicle systems from cars, trucks, heavy equipment, light duty equipment, heavy truck, and just about anything mechanical. He enjoys spending time learning about the latest and greatest in automotive and really enjoys aircraft. Overall, Steve has approximately 18 years of experience in maintenance and repair. Steve enjoys spending time with his family and pets. They find themselves performing home repairs and lawn maintenance. They camp often or as many call it glamping with the camper. Steve enjoys fishing and hunting and spends a lot of time outdoors. A few of his favorite activities is bicycling and kayaking with his family.

Clint Cowger

Clinton Cowger, Age 33. Moved to Columbia in 2009 From Olney IL, I knew it would be a different lifestyle but was Well Worth the Venture. I have always been Interested in the Automotive Field ever Since I was a Teenager, watching my Grandpa and Uncle Build Their Dirt Track Cars, sitting out in the Garage Hearing the Tools Clank, Smelling the Race Fuel and Hearing the V8s Start up Shaking the Garage, knocking Dust off the Rafters Just to Stand at the Sidelines and watch them Race by getting Hit By Dirt at the race track. When Not Working I am Usually Working on my Evo, Welding Something up or looking for the next Project to start on. I Enjoy Atv Riding and Paintballing whenever I pull myself from Zeus Which is Few n Far Between.

I like to think Outside the Box when it comes to Problems and Solutions, and I think that is what has Attracted me to be A Service Consultant. I Like to Investigate Problems and I Enjoy talking to People and Hopefully be able to come up with a proper Solution to their Individual needs. I Tend to Break the Norm when it comes to Treating people like Human Beings and Understand life has its way sometimes. My Goal is to Ensure Our Customers are More Knowledgeable with their Vehicle or General Vehicle Operations When leaving than they did when coming in.

I Believe in Transparency, Honesty and Kindness. I Look Forward to Listening to Customers, understanding their Concerns, guiding them to a Proper End Result and Taking Care of all of their Automotive Needs with Open Ears, A Smile and Most Importantly a Thank You with a Handshake to top it off.

ron huch

Ron is our customer service specialist and has a been a team member at Bernhard Auto Works for almost two decades. Ron has a background in accounting with over 50 years of experience. Ron believes in good customer service and has enjoyed working with figures all his life. In Ron’s spare time he has built an airplane, rebuild cars, and enjoys camping, boating and traveling with his wife and Shih Tzu dog. One hobby Ron has had all his life is motorcycles. He is also a lover of all types of pets. Ron and his wife June have had a dog or car all of their years of marriage. Ron is also a lifelong resident of Columbia.

cj heeg

Christopher “CJ” Heeg Is an ASE Certified Master Technician and has been a team member at Bernhard Auto Works for 5 years. CJ attended Ranken Technical College and earned his associates degree in the High-Performance Engine and Tuning curriculum. CJ is a graduate of Columbia High School. CJ has been working on cars for as long has he can remember. CJ lives in Columbia with his parents, Laura and Chris. CJ also lives with his pet Dobermans Tanna, as well as two cats Kalli and Clark. CJ loves riding his motorcycle with friends and driving anything loud and fast. CJ also loves learning about aviation. CJ states, “Waking up and going in is easy. The whole crew has full intentions of doing the job 100% and taking care of not only our customers, but other team members as well.”

ken fulton

Ken, ownership partner and store manager, uses his more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry to keep things on track at Bernhard Auto Works. Ken is an ASE Master Tech, with an associate degree in automotive repair from Ranken Technical School, and was a General Motors, Saab and Isuzu Master Tech. He worked in dealership repair for 24 years and joined our team in 2014. Ken grew up in Belleville, Illinois, and moved to Columbia in 1999. He currently lives on a small farm with his wife Vicky; their two children, Makenzie and Matthew; and their 5 horses, 2 cats and dog named Joey. In what spare time he has, Ken works on cars, with horses and with Joey on farm maintenance. Ken also served for several years as Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop 357.

zeus cowger

Feel Free To Pet Zeus and say Hello he is always by my side or under my Feet.

Zeus is a Loving 6yr Old Mini Australian Shepard. Zeus is still Waiting for The ASE Program to Start an Official Shop Dog Certification so he can enroll. Zeus has Close to 6yrs Experience Greeting Customers At the Door and Brightening their Day. He is more than happy to show you his Wiggle Butt. Fair Warning, That means he wants a Rub in Return. Zeus Absolutely Adores Kids and Loves to say Hellooo to any that comes in.

When Zeus is Not working at the shop, he is typically looking for squirrels, Catching flies, Chasing the RC car or being Clint's Shadow. He Enjoys The Outdoors, Walking the Woods and Smelling the Flowers. He is not a Fan of the Rain or Bath Time. He makes Sure to Follow the Gutters next to the house when it rains and is Quick to Avoid any Puddles that he Comes across.

Zeus Appreciates Everyone that Comes in and says hello to him-As this is the most Socializing that he has with people.

matthew fulton

Matthew has worked part-time at the shop for three years while attending high school and has recently transitioned to a full-time role after graduation. He has been familiar with the shop since 2014 when his dad joined the team. Matthew lives in Columbia with his parents, Vicky and Kenny. He also has a lively household with five horses, two cats, and two dogs. Much of his time is spent riding horses, working around the farm, and hanging out with friends. His favorite aspect of working at the shop is the enjoyable atmosphere created by his coworkers.

shelby bernhard

Shelby is the shop’s director of canine marketing and has her own TicTok channel. Shelby keeps Dave and rest of the staff in line, especially during lunch break. Shelby makes sure the break room is clean of all leftover food as well as protecting the basement offices from any intruders, invited or not.

Shelby enjoys creating new content for her TikTok channel and our cutest team member. She also enjoys playing with other dogs and being given treats from our parts delivery drivers. Shelby would love to meet all of our customers, as long as they bring treats along.

Mariah Metter

Mariah Metter is an automotive technician at Bernhard Auto Works. She takes pride in her work and believes in learning something new every day. She is a certified in ASE A4 Steering and Suspension and is dedicated to growing her skills in this area. She was adopted by her mother‘s foster parents, a unique experience that has strengthened her belief in the importance of family. She cherishes the time she spends with her wife. Outside of work, she enjoys playing the guitar, fishing, skateboarding, and traveling. She also enjoys watching Grey’s Anatomy and Pimp My Ride. She bites her nails and occasionally does needlepoint; these quirks are part of who she is. Every day she strives to work hard, learn more, and value the people and that shape her life.

Dylan Smith

Dylan Smith is the newest hire at Bernhard Auto Works, coming into the company as an entry-level lube tech. He is highly motivated to learn and apply as much knowledge as he can while obtaining his ASE certifications and eventually achieving the highly prized status of Master Technician.

He took advantage of high school opportunities that allowed him two years of auto service through the Career Center of Southern Illinois. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, camping, kayaking, and generally anything outdoors. He also enjoys playing bass guitar and lifting weights. He is looking forward to taking care of customer vehicles with the respect and work ethic instilled in him by his father, Steve!

Jarod Hoffman

Jarod Hoffman is an automotive technician with 6 years of experience in the automotive industry. Jarod is a Ranken Technical College graduate of 2021 from the Heavy Duty Diesel Program. Jarod lives with his parents, Scott and Diane.

He also lives with his brother Jacob and three dogs and one cat. Much of his free time is spent building diesel trucks with his brother and drag racing. Jarod‘s favorite part about being an employee at Bernhard Auto Works is the very enjoyable environment with his coworkers.

Ryan Worley

Ryan Worley is a Service Advisor with Bernhard Autoworks and has 2 Years of being an advisor and 1.5 years of working with General Motors Training advisors. Ryan specializes in being a service advisor by connecting with customers and advising customers on how to take great care of their vehicles.

Ryan has 2 ASE Certification classes coming up for the advisor role. His favorite things to do in his free time are ride his four-wheeler, work on his house, work on his truck and hang out with friends. A big accomplishment was buying and remodeling his first house at 21 years old.

Dave Bernhard

Dave is the majority partner in Bernhard Auto Works and spends most of his time at work getting in the way of production and being a general nuisance to all team members.

Dave has an engineering degree from Missouri University of Science and Technology and purchased Columbia Firestone in 2013. Dave was born in south St Louis County and moved to Columbia in 1995. Dave was very involved in the community in his younger days as a former president and board member of the Columbia Khoury League, former president and board member of the Maple Grove Civic Association, former soccer coordinator and athletic director at Immaculate Conception School, former softball and soccer head coach, and was a founding member of the Columbia Athletic Association.

Dave spent 11 years as a member of the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Committee and Dave currently is the Housing Corporation Chairman for his fraternity at Missouri S&T. Dave is a current member of the local chapter of Rotary Club. Dave recently completed his Brewing Science Certificate from St. Louis University and enjoys home brewing.

Dave has been a member of the Automotive Training Institute for several years and is engaged in the ATI Apprenticeship program as a mentor shop. Dave is currently president of the ATI Technical Training Program Advisory Board.

Dave has been married to his lovely wife Linda for 29 years and has two daughters, Ally and Lauren. Dave lives in Columbia with his wife Linda and daughter Lauren. Linda is owner of Landco Construction, a successful commercial interior finish general contractor. Lauren is a pre-school teacher at Assumption School in South County and completed her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Development at Maryville University. Ally lives in St. Louis with her husband Austin and is a Nurse Practitioner in the Cardiac Surgery Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St Louis. Austin is an Assistant Superintendent with Drury Development and pursuing his Professional Engineering License. 

Dave and Linda have one Goldendoodle, Maggie, and two Bernadoodles, Shelby and Riley. Shelby also frequents the shop and would love to say hi!