CEO/Head Mechanic/Muscle Car Guru/Race Car Driver - Rich DeFrancisco
We all believe that Rich was born with a wrench in his hand. As the owner of the company, we can proudly say that Rich's expertise and passion for automotive mechanics have been integral to the success of our business. He began his career 30 years ago with BMW in Atlanta, GA, where he worked his way up to become a BMW Master Technician and eventually a trainer with BMW North America. As an instructor at the BMW North America Technician school, he shared his knowledge with up and coming technicians, mastering the ins and outs of BMW's.
After making his way back down to Tennessee, Rich worked for a few local dealerships before joining EAG, and eventually purchasing the company with his wife, Cyndi. Since then, they have built a team of talented technicians who have helped us become Knoxville's leading European automotive shop. We are grateful for his leadership and dedication to excellence, and we are committed to maintaining the same level of quality and expertise that he has instilled in our team.
COO/HR Manager - Cyndi DeFrancisco
Despite never envisioning herself in the automotive industry, Cyndi has embraced her role as owner and operator of our shop. With an extensive background in finance, including banking, mortgage brokering, and real estate brokering, as well as experience in industrial supply with Grainger Industrial Supply, Cyndi brings a unique skill set to the table. Her knowledge of parts and schematics, industrial safety, supply chain management, and general business operations has been invaluable in running the front end of our business.
Overall, her diverse professional background and willingness to learn have made her a valuable asset to our team, and we are grateful to have her as a part of our company.
Service Advisor - Collin Ashin
Collin became a part of our team in September 2021 and has quickly established himself as a valuable addition. As an experienced service advisor, he has fit in perfectly with our team. Collin is a genuine car enthusiast, and he enjoys discussing the maintenance and repair needs of our customers' vehicles. During his interview, he mentioned that it had always been his dream to work for European Auto Garage, which truly exemplifies his passion for the industry. We are thrilled to have him on our team, and we're confident that you'll appreciate his expertise and enthusiasm as much as we do.
Service Advisor - Josh Hutson
With over a decade of experience in the automotive world, Josh brings a calm, knowledgeable presence to the service counter. Before joining our team, he worked at a CDJR dealership, but it didn’t take long for him to realize that his true passion isn’t turning wrenches—it’s building relationships. Josh excels at helping customers understand the ins and outs of maintenance and repair, making a sometimes stressful experience feel easy and straightforward. He’s married with two energetic (and sweet) young boys, and when he's not at the shop, you'll find him outdoors or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen. He jokes that at 39, he’s basically an old man—but we think he’s just getting started.
Service Advisor - Rowan Hamilton
Rowan is a car enthusiast through and through—when she’s not helping customers at the front counter, she’s likely out driving her lowered ’95 Miata (complete with a short shifter and a little camber for style, of course). She lives and breathes car culture, even spending weekends at shows and festivals selling performance parts and gear. Rowan is a proud graduate of L&M High School in Knoxville and comes from a STEM background, bringing a smart, technical mindset to her role here at the shop. Her passion for driving and deep connection to the car community make her a natural fit with our team and a favorite among customers looking for someone who truly gets it.
Shop Concierge - Jack Draper
We're excited to introduce Jack, our all-around Customer Service Associate who truly does it all at European Auto Garage. Whether he’s stepping up front as a customer-facing advisor, shuttling customers, picking up parts, or making sure our shop facilities are running smoothly, Jack is always ready to jump in where needed. His versatility and willingness to handle both front- and back-of-the-house responsibilities make him an invaluable part of our team. Jack’s love for cars and strong work ethic shine through in everything he does.
Service & Parts Manager - Jeremy Garrett
Jeremy is an experienced parts manager with over 20 years of experience from the local BMW dealership and a couple other independent shops. That's why he may sound and look familiar. He is a very valuable asset and a key member of our team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in sourcing and managing parts for a variety of European vehicles. With a passion for cars and a deep understanding of the automotive industry, Jeremy is dedicated to ensuring that EAG clients receive the highest quality parts for their vehicles. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys track days with the guys, camping and most of all—spending time with his family.
Mechanic - Eric Helton
In 2015, Eric became a valuable addition to our team as a certified MINI Master technician. He has proven to be a great help to many local MINI owners in keeping their cars running smoothly. However, his expertise extends beyond MINI, with extensive knowledge in BMW and even domestic cars like Corvettes. While we typically do not work on domestic cars, Eric and Andrew have a soft spot for Corvettes, making exceptions. As a true car enthusiast, Eric named his beloved German Dachshunds after his favorite car brands - MINI and Bimmer. He recently became a new father to a son named Maverick, continuing his tradition of unique names. Catch Eric at Cars and Coffee with his infectious and one-of-a-kind laugh.
Lead Mechanic - Alex Robinson
Alex is a valued member of our team and has been with us since he was a young boy. Rich hired him to clean the shop as soon as he was old enough to drive, and he has grown up with EAG, working in various roles such as Facilities Manager, Quality Control, Detailing, and now as our 5th and lead mechanic. Alex is highly skilled in mechanics, and has honed his expertise in VW/Audi, attending multiple factory training sessions. He is now our go-to "VW/Audi Guy." When he's not at work, you can find him supporting his friends at the track or driving his BMW around the circle.
Mechanic - Mike Murdough
Mike joined our team a few summers ago, all the way from New Hampshire, after responding to our job ad. We are thrilled to have him on board, as he brings a can-do attitude and cheerful energy to our already fun team. With his previous experience working on vehicles prone to rust, Mike is delighted to work on Knoxville's rust-free cars. He is a valuable addition to the team and we are grateful to have him.
Lead Mechanic - Chris Cannon
We knew we had to hire Chris the minute he spoke with us about a position with EAG. Even though we thought we were full, we kicked Rich out of the shop and gave Chris his bays. He is an exceptional addition to our team, bringing over ten years of experience as a mechanic and seven years of BMW expertise as a certified Master Technician. Since joining us in the summer of 2021, he has proven to be a tremendous asset to our team. Chris has an impressive range of skills and knowledge when it comes to BMW vehicles and is capable of replacing an engine with his eyes closed (well, almost). He loves showing off his vintage cars and his contagious smile at Cars and Coffee. We are fortunate to have him on our team.
Mechanic - Matthew Toolen
Matt was born and raised in New Jersey, where he got his start working at a local Volkswagen dealership for three years before making the move to Knoxville to join our team. We were so excited to bring him on that we waited for his relocation—and it was well worth it.
At the shop, Matt specializes in the Audi and Volkswagen brands, making him one of our go-to VAG technicians. At home, he's a proud husband and dad to two young boys and three energetic dogs—one of which literally walked into the shop one day and found his forever home with Matt's family.
When he's not under the hood, you’ll likely find him exploring East Tennessee's many parks with his crew. And while he drives a Silverado, his heart (and talent) is firmly in the Audi/Volkswagen world.
Mechanic - Zack Sifford
Zack is a proud Tennessee native, born and raised in Maryville, and a graduate of MHS. He spent a few years in the "other big T"—Texas—before returning home to his roots. With a diverse background that ranges from truck driving to turning wrenches, Zack brings a well-rounded skill set to our team. Having worked on all makes and models, he’s got the flexibility and know-how needed for the wide variety of European cars we service here.
When he's not in the shop, Zack is busy being a girl dad—three daughters (God help him!) keep him on his toes.
Mechanic - Jason Buzard
Originally from Jamestown, New York, Jason built his career working at a large BMW dealership in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he spent over a decade honing his skills and earning his BMW Master Technician Certification. His expertise and deep knowledge of European vehicles make him an invaluable part of the EAG team, where he has been a trusted technician for several years.
When he’s not in the shop, Jason enjoys his weekends at home with his two Labradors and his wife. An avid griller and barbecue enthusiast, he loves perfecting his craft on the smoker almost as much as he does under the hood of a BMW. Jason’s dedication, experience, and passion for both his work and his downtime make him a true asset to our team and our customers.
In Loving Memory-Mechanic, Mike Love
Introducing the man, the myth, and the legend—Mike Love! Hailing from the motor city, Mike brings his passion for cars to the team at European Auto Garage. With over 5 years of experience under his belt working on all makes and models of European cars, Mike is a true wizard under the hood and a great addition to our team. When he's not in the garage, you can find him tearing up the track in his BMW 135i, leaving the competition in his dust (or smoke). And if you happen to spot him at an East Tennessee Drift event, be sure to give him some love—and maybe even ask for an autograph!