Gran Prix Imports - Gran Prix Imports Expert Staff

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GPI Staff

Gran Prix Imports Expert Staff

Mike Warn - President

Mike Warn Began his career in 1970 when he started his own automotive company involved with auto parts and accessories, before moving to the family company, Warn Industries in 1971. Mike worked in from Sales and Marketing before eventually taking over as Chairman of the Board and CEO in 1986. In 1990, Mike was named the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC)'s Automotive Division's Quality Leader of the Year. He sold his interest in Warn Industries in 2000 and currently maintains a majority ownership in other businesses in the Pacific Northwest.

Mike is currently involved in sponsoring and managing both oval and road racing activities. He is a former Oregon Region C-Sport Racing Champion, and is also a fully certified airline transport pilot with check rights in multi-engine jet, helicopters, and float planes.

Jim Warn - Business Manager

Business Manager for GPI was born in Seattle, WA and raised in Portland, OR. He started working at GPI in 2007 after completing his college degree at Washington State University in Pullman, WA. He graduated with a Business Administration degree in 2006. He is our vendor relations go to guy; he has been overseeing the service and parts department and most recently was the Project Manager for the new Lamborghini Portland showroom remodel. He has inherited his father’s passion for cars and is currently also racing in the NASCAR Camping World Grand National West Series where he is running for rookie of the year honors.

Erik Clover - Exotic Sales

Erik’s eight-year automotive sales career has been spent entirely in the exotic and luxury car marketplace, including Ferrari, Maserati, Panoz and Spyker. "I can’t think of any automotive activity more exciting than exotic sales and service,” Erik says. “I do it because I love and appreciate these vehicles, as well as the people who drive them. There is no better way for me to spend a workday than being surrounded by exotic cars and the people who buy and own these vehicles.”

Joe Hermes - Sales

Joe is one of those special automotive sales experts who has as many years of sales experience behind a desk as behind the wheel. A Mercedes-certified sales professional, Joe is also an accomplished road racer. He is a competitor in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) local races, and has competed successfully for many years at the national level. He is also an accredited member of the Screen Actors Guild for his work behind the wheel in numerous commercial projects. In addition, Joe has more than 10 years of expertise working as a product tester involved in research and development activities for many new vehicles.

Jay Bernard - Service Manager

Jay Bernard comes to us from Texas where he recently sold his Italian motorcycle dealership (Ducati and Aprilia). Previously to his 10+ years as an expert in the motorcycle business, he has also owned and operated a NAPA Auto Parts store in New Hampshire for 10 years where he is originally from. Jay has been a long time fan or European cars and was a longtime PCA member with the Boston club starting back in 1986.

With over 25+ years of experience with European 2 and 4 wheel vehicles Jay's expertise is a welcomed addition to the Gran Prix Team.

Joel Tandberg - Parts Manager

Joel Tandberg has been in the aftermarket performance industry for almost a decade and has been involved in everything from R&D on BMW turbo kits to fabricating rally race cars. Joel was previously in the United States Navy as a special warfare intelligence specialist and considers working with highly tuned and exotic cars a relaxing change of pace and has been working with some of the best in the industry. He is constantly looking for the highest quality parts and is an expert in finding just about anything. Come by and let Joel help you select the best equipment suited for your vehicle, whether it involves increasing performance, upgrading your car audio/video, GPS navigation, or wheels and tires.

Jeremy Hill - Parts

Jeremy Hill comes to us with an array of experience in many different fields. He has experience working within the School District and City of Wilsonville environments, He enjoys working with the public and helping people when needed. He lives in Wilsonville with Cheryl and has 2 kids, Zack and Ashlee. He has been around some type of the automotive industry all of his life. Jeremy is looking forward in helping you find the right parts for your project and making sure that you recieve them in a timely manner.

Joe Leggs - Exotic Service

Don’t let Joe’s low-key demeanor fool you. Not only is he Porsche Master Technician, Joe also has wide expertise with many exotic brands, including Ferrari and Lamborghini. He learned his way around a service shop working as jack-of-all-trades with Alan Johnson Racing, where he eventually became involved in building race engines for both street and competition. He also was part of Symbolic Motor Cars’ Racing crew, traveling in the U.S. and Europe in support of Tour Auto Races. With more than 12 years of experience working as an exotic cars expert, including six years as a factory- trained Porsche Technician, Joe has the knowledge to help guide you through any service needs you may have with your daily driver or that luxury vehicle you drive only on special occasions.

Roman Kralik - European Service

Roman is an extremely well-versed mechanic. His knowledge and 18 years of experience as a Certified Master Technician for German and other European vehicles makes him a valuable member of our service team. As a Master Mechanic, Roman has extensive training and knowledge and is an expert in electronics and fabrication. He is known around the shop for being extremely organized and meticulous in his work. In his spare time, Roman enjoys modifying and improving his motorcycle.

Patrick Nelson - Detail Department

Pat is the most meticulous, if not downright obsessed, detailer we’ve ever come across. With about 10 years experience in car detailing, Pat has gained the trust of exotic car owners to be the guy who "brings the car to better than new condition." If you need to have your exotic vehicle or daily driver spruced up cosmetically, give Pat a try--you may never let anyone else touch your car again.

Cindi Harris - Marketing/Events

Reaching out to our customers with great ideas for fun, service and sales specials is what keeps Cindi busy at GPI. She’s the person who puts on the many great customer events we hold throughout the year, whether it’s a day at the track, our Fathers Day Car Show, an automotive unveiling or celebration, or just helping the many car clubs that hold events and meetings at GPI. She’s also responsible for our monthly customer newsletter. Give Cindi a call with any ideas you may have. You’ll find out that she never met a good idea for “car fun” that she didn’t like.

Katie Sherwood - Office Manager

Katie Sherwood has been with Gran Prix Imports since it's inception back in February of 2005. Her job here at Gran Prix Imports is (EVERYTHING!)...Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Titling, Payroll...organizing office clutter and overall she's a can-do kind of gal. She comes to us with 20 years of Auto experience both in American made cars and exotics with Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo. Katie was born in Brussels, Belgium and has lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Quebec and Oregon...which Katie feels is by far the best place to live. Katie is married to Jim Sherwood, they live in Mollala and together they have 4 children, 2 in college, Taylor and Noell and 2 at home, Shelby and Connor. Katie enjoys golfing, biking and not more than 30 minutes of guitar hero (because her fingers cramp up).

Jennifer Verbeck - Receptionist

Jennifer Verbeck is our Showroom Hostess and Events Assistant here at GPI and she's fitting in just great. She is super friendly and can't wait to meet everyone, so be sure and introduce yourself next time your in the store. Jennifer recently graduated from Portland State University and also recently just moved to Wilsonville, (she loves her 5 minute commute to work!). Be sure to ask her about our Boutique as she will be able to dress you up in the latest Lamborghini and GPI gear as well.

Ali Tarzaban - IT Director

Ali Tarzaban is our IT Manager, Webmaster, Internet Salesman, Staff Photographer...and so much more. He really is a man of many talents. He has been with GPI since the start up..over 3 years ago now and was with Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo where he was a Freelance Internet Marketing Consultant. It was at that job that he had his real first hand exposure to exotics and has been in love with them ever since. Ali was raised in United Arab Emirates in Dubai and later move to Washington State to attend the University of Washington, where he studied Business Information Systems. He's always looking for feedback on how to improve the website so be sure to let him know.