Here are the mechanics behind the voices you hear on the show every week. With over 90 years of combined experience in automotive service, the Miller family has seen and repaired just about every conceivable automotive problem you can imagine.
John Miller, host of "The Car Counselor" on Talk Radio 950 KPRC AM, was born in Staten Island, New York, grew up in Arizona, and arrived in Texas at age 13. As a teenager he learned to work on cars out of necessity, he couldn't afford a car that would keep running without constant repair. Fresh out of Mount Carmel High School at 17 he went to work for his girlfriend's dad to help out for a few days in his shop. His love affair with cars has long outlasted his romance with the boss's daughter.
John preferred to work at independent repair shops, shunning the dealerships that isolated the technicians to the rear shop away from customers. He liked to deal directly with his clients and learn about their car problems first hand. His burning desire was to eventually have his own shop.
In 1986 John, and his wife Janice, took the plunge and Freedom Automotive was born. Beginning in a rented 2400 square foot building on South Main in Stafford, their philosophy was, "Work like everything depended on you, and pray like everything depended on God." With each passing year the business became more successful, attributable to quality work and customer trust. In 1990 they bought out a friends Body Shop, and the next year purchased a 14,000 foot building in Stafford to consolidate the two operations under one roof. In the early 90's two of their sons joined the family business, both starting as clean-up help, After learning the trade they eventually took over management duties. These two sons now manage the Spring and Tyler shops with the help of their wives.
In the 80's John went back to school and received a degree in Automotive Technology from Lee College Baytown. He has completed courses in business management from the Automotive Management Institute. He also holds certifications for Paint and Body Repair by the I-CAR (Inter-industry Conference for Auto Collision Repair) He holds an ASE Master Certification, and an ASE Advanced Engine Performance Certification.
He has twice served on NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation) Review Committees, for San Jacinto College and Westbury High School. He has also served as both a local and state officer for the Automotive Service Association. (ASA)
John & Janice have 9 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Jim Miller is a native Houstonian who grew up in an auto repair shop. As a kid he played on the lifts, raising his little brother into the air and leaving him there. He could ride a mechanics creeper better than a lot of kids rode skate boards.
While in high school he and his father, John, built his first car, a 1068 Camaro convertible. Starting with a rusted out old clunker they rebuilt the body and drive train, re-upholstered, and re-topped it together ending up with teenagers dream car.
He graduated from La Porte High School and has accumulated hundreds of hours of technical training in auto technology.
Jim is currently a ASE Certified Master Technician and manages the daily operations of the family business, Freedom Automotive Service's in Stafford Texas. He is a regular contributor to Focus Magazine, writing articles on the basics of car ownership and maintenance.
He is married to Beckie, another native Texan, and has three children, Bradley, Johnathan and Staci.
