I’m Donovan Nearing, the owner and operator of Don’s Automotive Shop. I was born in the motor-city, Detroit, MI.
There my father has worked for Ford for over 50 years. He is still currently at a steel mill where F-Series line of Ford trucks are made. He began my life of cars when I was young.
My mother taught me integrity and the meaning of, “do the right thing”. Before my siblings and I were allowed to play on Saturday, we had to do our chores. She would walk around the house inspecting our jobs with a white glove. Rubbing ledges and picture frames looking for dust and dirt. If things were not to her liking, we had to do the job again until the result were exceptional.
My parents taught me how to work hard and play hard, but more importantly the quality of not cutting corners. I appreciate the discipline they instilled in us when we were young, and the life it has allowed us. Once, realizing where my heart was I never looked back. Whether the problem is big or small I am excited to tackle the task to see how I can learn and grow from it. I have been dirty and busting knuckles ever since. We are genuine car people, not interested in getting rich off of our customers, but the challenge of the job. We just want to help, and as mom would say, “do the right thing”. This is why we opened Don’s Automotive Shop with the help of friends, family, and loyal customers.
As a token of my thanks, I can genuinely say, “Don’s Automotive Shop is here for you”.
Robert Johnston born on March 1, 1969 in San Bernardino, Ca.
I spent my younger years with my grandfather learning to working on cars in his garage. Together we built a 1972 Chevelle and a 1967 Datsun pick-up and have been underneath a hood ever since. I worked in several restaurants before deciding to make change.
After 18 years in California moved to Arizona to attend Universal Technical Institute and begin my career in the automotive industry. I worked my way up from a handyman at my local gas station, to a lead alignment tech at Firestone, to a brake and tire tech at Sears, To Exxon as a general technician, to Area 52 working with custom automobiles, to a general manager at Tony’s Auto Repair. After 32 years in the automotive industry I am now at home at Don’s Automotive Shop as a senior technician. I am a proud father to Kaori, Miaro, Cheyenne, and Cloe, my beautiful daughters. I have two dogs, Rocco and Co-co, a snake and a bearded dragon.
I drive a lowered 1992 GMC Sierra 1500 OBS I have owned for 8 years and still enjoy it as much as the day I bought her. I also have a 1959 VW Baja that is my current passion project, and am looking forward to getting back on the road.
