Our Staff

Rick Koebernick
Co-Owner – Business Development

Rick graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1988 with a degree in business marketing and earned a certificate in Business Administration from the University of Illinois, Chicago.  His intentions were to not go into the family business, but no matter where he went he always ended up back at Dakota K.  He has since decided that he was destined to be here and has taken on business development.  He feels lucky in that Dakota K has some really awesome customers and enjoys talking with them when they come in for service. Rick was married in 1988 to his wife, Kari.  They have two children, Bailey and Tyler (twins), who are now in college. Their family loves Disney.  They have been to Disney World at least 20 times, the Disney Cruise, and Disney Land.  If anyone wants tips for a Disney vacation, just see Rick.

Steve Koebernick
Co-Owner  Technical Operations Manager – ASE Master Technician – L1 Advanced Engine Diagnostics

Steve started out at Dakota K by helping his dad in the shop and pumping gasoline. He finished high school early, went to technical school and has worked for Dakota K most of his adult life.  He graduated Wyoming Tech in 1981, Service Electronic Training in 1989, and has a certificate in Business Administration from the University of Illinois, Chicago.  He’s married to Karen, and they have two children, Jason and Kim.

Steve is a master of difficult automotive technical problems. We count on him to solve many of the diagnostic intermittent and emissions problems our customers bring to us daily. He is a great guy and someone you can count on!

Burt Ziskind
Service Advisor

Burt has worked for us since June 2008 and is a graduate of the University of Missouri. He is great with our customers and is well known in the community.

Burt is a Graduate of the University of Missouri At St Louis in 1976. He owned his own business for 22 years and came to work for us in 2008 after shutting it down.  Burt is a great fit into our organization.  He seems to know everyone and has a great personality for working with our clients. Burt is married and has three grown children, Lauren, Alexandra, and Aaron.  Ellen, his wife of 28 years, and he enjoy taking drives together in their 1994 Ford Mustang GT Convertible. Burt is a huge dog lover.  He enjoys taking his two dogs, Murphy and Marley for walks.  Anytime a customer brings their dog into the shop, Burt goes out of his way to go say hello to them and give them a scratch behind the ears.

Doug Shafron
ASE Certified Technician

Doug graduated from Lincoln Technical University in 1997.  He is an ASE certified technician.  He joined our team in 2009 and is a very reliable technician.  One of his obsessions is tools.  He loves buying new tools all the time.  The other technicians love this too, because whenever they need a special use tool, Doug usually has it. Doug enjoys spending time with Katie, his daughter.  He spends his free time Fishing, hunting & camping. Doug is a great guy!

John (Red) Hilton
ASE Certified Technician

John (Red) Hilton – Red graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute in 1994.  He became a member of the Dakota K team in 2008.  He is a highly motivated conscientious employee.  He is ASE certified and working on getting his L1 Master Tech certification. JJ and Paul are his sons.  Red enjoys spending time with them and participating with them in Cub Scouts. Red also has a dog, Rex.
During his free time he enjoys fishing and hunting.

Robert Kroczak
ASE Certified Technician

Robert has been with us since January 2000 and has been a great addition to our staff. He graduated from Bielawa Tech and is a really good technician  that gives careful attention to the details. When he is asked to check over a vehicle – our customers can be sure that they have been informed about any problem the vehicle has and problems that they need to be aware of for the near future. For us, it is great to have this pleasant, fun fellow to work with.  He’s married, and he and his wife Bozena have three children, Paulina, Jessica, and Paul.

ASE Certifications: Engine Repair, Manual Drive Train & Axels, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating & Air Conditioning, Engine Performance

Recent Continuing Education Clinics: Electronic Transmission Diagnostics, Advanced On-Board Diagnostics, Enhanced Ford On-Board Diagnostics,  Coil-on-Plug Ignition System, Understanding Oscilloscope, On-Board Diagnostics II, Vantage Multi Meter, Ford Special Topics – Fuel Injection, Enhanced Emissions Certification Training – 40 hours, Arsenal Diagnostics – Manna, OBDII Diagnostics – Mueller, How to fix an OBDII failure – Illinois EPA

Scott Pietschman
ASE Master Technician

Scott is a graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute.  He started working for us in 2006 and has become an integral part of our team.  He is an ASE L1 Advanced Master Technician  and a very capable, thorough worker. He has 2 children, Dayton and Jori, and enjoys spending time with them. Scott loves watching top fuel drag racing and working on a pit crew for 410 outlaw sprint car racing.  His son Dayton became an honorary pit crew member last year.

Scott graduated from Lincoln Tech on a scholarship. He also studied at Ohio Technical Institute under Bill Fulton.  He loves bowling, ATVs, and music.

ASE Certifications: Engine Repair, Manual Drive Train & Axles, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Steering & Suspension, Heating & Air Conditioning, Engine Performance, Automatic Transmissions

Recent Continuing Education Clinics: Advanced Diagnostics, Driveability, OBD II, IM 240, Silver Bullet Diagnostics

Damien Paar
ASE Certified Technician

Damien is a graduate of Universal Technical Institute.  He graduated in 2003 with a concentration in Volkswagen and Audi.  He received a Volkswagen Electrical Specialist certification while working for Volkswagen and has since expanded into several European car lines.  He is also an ASE Master Certified Technician.
Started working for us in 2011 and is a strong member of our team. Damien by nature is a certified ‘Car Geek’.  He loves reading up on the latest technologies to keep up with all the new stuff coming out on the market. He loves spending free time with his daughter, Alanya, and girlfriend, Bobbi.

Nick Zyskowski
Apprentice Technician

 

Nick is currently attending Triton College working on his automotive repair degree.  He started working for us in 2009 and has become a very reliable apprentice.  He spends a lot of time working with Robert and Scott which has helped him grow as a future technician.  He has a love hate relationship with his 2002 Ford F250 Diesel pickup.  When he got it, it needed a lot of work and he has been slowly restoring it back to health. Nick also has a Love for the outdoors.  He enjoys camping, fishing, and hiking.

Tony
Apprentice Technician

Gia Miller
Service Advisor

Come visit us at Dakota K Auto Repair and Tire Center for all of your automobile repair and maintenance needs. Call today to schedule an appointment. (847) 398-4645