Service Manager
Park Place Lexus, Plano

Steve was finishing up a six-year stint in the Army as a humvee mechanic when he started the automotive technology program at Eastfield College. While attending classes in the college’s nationally affiliated Toyota Technical Education Network (T-TEN) program, he was offered a full-time position with Park Place Lexus and began working there as a trainee helper. Since June 2005, he has served as the dealership’s service manager, supervising about 130 advisors and technicians.

“My community college education gave me a lot of knowledge about the basics and how things function and work. I can explain to clients what’s wrong with their car and why. That’s a big, big edge. At (Eastfield), I received the groundwork of the information I needed to succeed in my job. Without that, I would just be an average guy in the shop turning a wrench. Education gave me a way to see my potential.”

Steve Westphal also sits on Eastfield College’s T-Ten board to help the automotive industry develop and retain more highly skilled technicians. He’d also like to finish the associate degree plan he started but left unfinished to pursue his career.