Want to meet the tech experts behind all the advice, installation videos and repair tips we share? Check out our crew. With over 100 years of combined on-the-job experience, our ASE certified techs, product specialists and engineers have one goal – to make the installation process as seamless as possible for today’s technicians and engine builders.
Jerry DeGelder
AKA “Tech Guy”
Years of Experience: 30
ASE Certified Technician
Jerry DeGelder’s connection with cars started alongside his dad, working on the family vehicle. He’s been ASE certified for nearly 25 years and has an associate’s degree in automotive technology. With a childhood dream of teaching, Jerry went through the training needed to become an automotive industry technical trainer in 1995. He plays an active role on Dayco’s technical team, conducting in-person training sessions and fielding calls from technicians looking for specific parts or solutions to mechanical issues.
Jerry Reeves
AKA “Engineering Nerd”
Years of Experience: 23
Mechanical Engineer, Former State of Michigan Certified Technician, Weekend Road Racer
An industry veteran, Jerry Reeves has more than two decades of program management and product launch experience. Passionate about all things automotive and powersports, Jerry earned a mechanical engineering degree from Kettering University after taking two years of automotive repair in high school – going from working on cars and parts to designing them. He’s been state certified in front end, suspension and steering systems, engine tune up and performance, engine repair and brakes and braking systems. He has a weakness for cool cars, with a modified Nova, Challenger and Corvette currently in the stable, as well as a motorcycle that he races. One of his best memories was participating in the 2,300-mile Hot Rod Power Tour with his sons.
Jon Crawford
AKA “Performance Champ”
Years of Experience: 15
Mechanical Engineer, Weekend Road Racer
As an automotive, motorcycle, snowmobile and ATV enthusiast, it’s no surprise that Jon Crawford is an operations and tech expert for Dayco. Tinkering on vintage Corvettes and small engines since he was 8, Jon has 15 years of automotive aftermarket experience. He earned his mechanical engineering degree from University of Toledo and has scored multiple national championships in motorcycle amateur road racing. Never one to pass up an opportunity to fix something under the hood, his favorite memory was restoring his late father’s 1973 Corvette and driving it to the Woodward Dream Cruise.
Chad Suffel
AKA “Ironman”
Years of Experience: 15
Former Package Engineer, Avid DIYer, Current Product Manager
Chad Suffel has been getting fired up about cars since he was young. It all began alongside his dad wrenching on an LS1 Camaro, and grew stronger as he headed to college, where he graduated with a B.S. in packaging from MSU. A true hot rodder, DIY tuner and avid motorcyclist, Chad has not only gotten his hands dirty on a number of machines at Dayco, he also leads the development of new tensioners, pulleys, water pumps and timing chain kits. If you’re trying to track him down, check outside – he’s either in the garage tinkering on his motorcycle, or off running, swimming or biking absurdly long distances, as he is a regular Ironman participant.
Hassan Mourad
AKA “Diagnostic Doctor”
Years of Experience: 19
State of Michigan Certified Master Technician
Hassan Mourad’s fascination with cars began his freshman year of high school thanks to a very passionate auto tech teacher. As a state of Michigan master tech and a product evaluation expert for Dayco, he’s well versed in solving diagnostic issues and benchmarking new products, plus he’s a regular in the Dayco TechKnow series timing chain kit installation videos. If Hassan’s not at work or under the hood wrenching on the next project car, you may find him at the track, participating in amateur racing days.