Persistence Pays Off for Monroeville Mechanic
by Zain Siddiqui
Zac “Church” Churchfield, 21, has detailed or cleaned cars for Pittsburgh East Nissan, on the William Penn Highway in Monroeville. Churchfield is from Monroeville and has worked his way up the ladder, receiving his license and becoming a certified inspector/mechanic.
“I really hated doing little but grueling tasks that no one else would do,” he said. “We had to cut the grass, pick weeds, deliver cars, pick up customers, and all sorts of tedious work.”
He has worked for Pittsburgh East Nissan for four years. He was named supervisor of “wash bay” during the summer of 2013. At the same time, he was helping his stepfather with a roofing job to earn extra cash.
“The roofing job was just something that could put money in my pocket for the future,” Churchfield said.
“Being a supervisor for the lowest area of the dealership, wash bay, it really didn’t pay that much,” Churchfield said. "Living with my girlfriend and her family was difficult, and I really needed my own place."
When Churchfield turned 20, he enrolled in a two-month course for his inspection certification.
Churchfield's girlfriend, Bree Parkinson, was please to see him pursue the certification.
“It was a better opportunity for him. Enrolling into school for his certification really helped him in so many ways,” Parkinson said.
Churchfield learned a lot comes with inspecting cars. All parts need to be intact and working properly. Brakes need to be checked, and the engine needs to be working properly.
“It’s a lot to remember and my final exam was difficult, but I passed and I’m thankful for working hard to achieve my goal of doing what I love,” Churchfield said.
When the program was up, he received his certification as a licensed inspector and started working in the express area of the dealership, where cars go in and out in an hour or less.
Steve Rehak, the store manager of Pittsburgh East Nissan, said he and the managers were excited when Churchfield passed the test. College students worked there and were about to leave for school.
“We had a job lined up for Zac right away,” Rehak said.
Within the first five months of becoming a certified inspector, Churchfield was living in his own place in Penn-Trafford, 20-minutes away from the dealership. He went from becoming one of the lowest workers in the building to one of the more well-known and respected.
“I love working in the fast-paced environment,” he said. “It keeps me busy and it makes time go faster. The guys I work with are a laugh and great to be around. Most important, I don’t have to do any of the annoying tasks anymore."
Zain Siddiqui is a California University of Pennsylvania English major. See his website here.
Zac “Church” Churchfield, 21, has detailed or cleaned cars for Pittsburgh East Nissan, on the William Penn Highway in Monroeville. Churchfield is from Monroeville and has worked his way up the ladder, receiving his license and becoming a certified inspector/mechanic.
“I really hated doing little but grueling tasks that no one else would do,” he said. “We had to cut the grass, pick weeds, deliver cars, pick up customers, and all sorts of tedious work.”
He has worked for Pittsburgh East Nissan for four years. He was named supervisor of “wash bay” during the summer of 2013. At the same time, he was helping his stepfather with a roofing job to earn extra cash.
“The roofing job was just something that could put money in my pocket for the future,” Churchfield said.
“Being a supervisor for the lowest area of the dealership, wash bay, it really didn’t pay that much,” Churchfield said. "Living with my girlfriend and her family was difficult, and I really needed my own place."
When Churchfield turned 20, he enrolled in a two-month course for his inspection certification.
Churchfield's girlfriend, Bree Parkinson, was please to see him pursue the certification.
“It was a better opportunity for him. Enrolling into school for his certification really helped him in so many ways,” Parkinson said.
Churchfield learned a lot comes with inspecting cars. All parts need to be intact and working properly. Brakes need to be checked, and the engine needs to be working properly.
“It’s a lot to remember and my final exam was difficult, but I passed and I’m thankful for working hard to achieve my goal of doing what I love,” Churchfield said.
When the program was up, he received his certification as a licensed inspector and started working in the express area of the dealership, where cars go in and out in an hour or less.
Steve Rehak, the store manager of Pittsburgh East Nissan, said he and the managers were excited when Churchfield passed the test. College students worked there and were about to leave for school.
“We had a job lined up for Zac right away,” Rehak said.
Within the first five months of becoming a certified inspector, Churchfield was living in his own place in Penn-Trafford, 20-minutes away from the dealership. He went from becoming one of the lowest workers in the building to one of the more well-known and respected.
“I love working in the fast-paced environment,” he said. “It keeps me busy and it makes time go faster. The guys I work with are a laugh and great to be around. Most important, I don’t have to do any of the annoying tasks anymore."
Zain Siddiqui is a California University of Pennsylvania English major. See his website here.