Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Journey
PART 16
by Ray Warner
A Journeys End
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It was nearly two years ago when GEARS Managing Editor Rodger Bland and Senior Editor Paul
Morton talked about the feasibility of initiating a series of articles written by an ATRA member who was
transitioning from technician to shop owner. To them, the risk was significant. They didnt want to initiate a series, only to have our writer abandon the effort mid-way. They also recognized the risk involved
in detailing what could be a shop that, for any number of reasons, did not succeed. They agreed that
the series would detail either success or failure what was important was trying to capture the information and decision-making process that led to either one.
They were fortunate enough to meet with Ray Warner, who was in the beginning stages of breaking away from a family-owned transmission business to one of his own. Ray definitely seemed to have
the necessary drive to succeed, but was quick to recognize he didnt have all the answers or at that
point, even know some of the questions. At no small risk to himself, Ray offered to write articles for
each issue of GEARS that focused on issues related to developing a new transmission business the
good as well as the bad.
Ray also had to agree to another very important aspect of creating an article for final production:
the editorial process. Editors are assigned the responsibility of making a submitted article easy to read,
and conform to (most of) the rules set forth in the Kings English. This must always be balanced against
the writers style and personality; GEARS doesnt want cookie-cutter articles that all share the same
voice.
Much to Rays credit, he not only understood this, he never allowed the editorial process to
become personal and stymie his effort. Another very important element in this process was that Ray
was always very honest in describing the events he experienced even when it did not cast him or his
decisions in the best light.
The result of this endeavor, we believe, is an interesting and honest documentation of the process
involved when a good technician decides to become a good shop owner. Heartfelt thanks go out to Ray
Warner for his outstanding effort and accomplishments both in his business endeavor, and in his
debut as an author. The effort in the latter category, by the way, brought Ray international recognition:
The 2003 Silver Medallion from the International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA).
Heartfelt thanks go out to Ray for his effort and product, and our best wishes for the continued
success of Diablo Transmissions. GEARS
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