Meet Our Team
Nichole Bennecoff
Owner
Nichole joined the family business in 2006 and became the sole owner in 2018. She is fueled by the:
• Desire to create an impeccable client experience
• Belief that we accomplish more by growing as a team
• Responsibility to use our resources to be a positive force in the community
In her free time, Nichole loves time at the beach with friends/family and puppy (Tsuki), reading motivational and fiction books, and playing games or cards.
James
Store Leader
James grew up immersed in the automotive industry, with his family owning a dealership for over 40 years. He began working there as a teenager, gaining hands-on experience early on. To further his expertise, James completed the NCM Associates Service Management courses. Outside of work, he loves spending time outdoors.
Whether he's on his boat, swimming, ORV trail riding, snowmobiling, or traveling, he enjoys being active and adventurous along with his two corgis, Kevin and Steve.
Nate
Service Manager
In 2017, Nate joined Empower Automotive as a Service Advisor. His passion for industry influence, valued training, and colleague camaraderie have driven him toward his position as Assistant General Manager.
Nate fully embraces Northern Michigan’s outdoors and spends leisure time hunting turkey, deer, duck and more! Along with his wife, he also enjoys fishing expeditions to stock up on Northern Michigan’s offerings.
Courtney
Client Communications
Courtney has worked in a variety of fields—from nannying to tax prep to veterinary care—but her focus has always been people. Though new to the automotive world, she brings an upbeat, friendly presence and a passion for helping others.
Outside of work: She loves animals, even without her own, and enjoys spending time outside, catching up on true crime, and hanging out with friends and family.
Breana
Service Advisor
Bree joined Empower Automotive in 2020, having experience and training from Subaru of America. She loves working at Empower Automotive, noting that she has the “BEST clients and coworkers”, a home away from home.
Bree finds joy in spending time with her husband, daughter, son, and dogs. When Bree is not cheering on her son (motocross, wrestling, and football), she likes to unwind through crafting and creating.
Sabrinna
Marketing Coordinator
Since 2011 Sabrinna has taken on a variety of roles and is now tapping into her creativity as a marketing coordinator. She loves the growth mentality and the supportive team environment at Empower Automotive.
Sabrinna loves the outdoors! You can find her hiking, SUP boarding, biking, and camping. Her Favorite memories are spent with family, friends, and her poodles Bianca and Iris.
John
Estimator/Parts Specialist
John has owned many Subarus throughout his life, using them for years as delivery vehicles. This led to his interest in Subaru repair and joining Empower Automotive felt like a natural fit. At work, John enjoys verifying the needed parts and building accurate estimates for our clients.
Beyond work, he’s all about hiking, camping, family time, and hanging out with his energetic cats.
Hernan
Shop Foreman/Master Technician
Since 2018, Hernan’s capabilities have steadily expanded through the training Empower Automotive has provided. The collaborative spirit at Empower Automotive resonates with Hernan.
Hernan channels his creativity away from work by building computer systems tailored for gaming. Recently, he’s taken up fishing and is always on the hunt for the perfect spot!
Adam
Technician
Adam has been dedicated to expanding his mechanical knowledge, starting his career in college and then 11-years as a Navy flight mechanic. He joined Empower Automotive in 2022 where he loves the culture, professionalism, and high level of client care and support.
Apart from work, Adam cherishes family time and enjoys the outdoors, especially in the warmer seasons. The natural beauty and the abundance of recreation make Traverse City a home run for him!
Andrew
Master Technician
Andrew's interest in the automotive industry began early, with a childhood love for taking things apart and reassembling them. As he grew, this passion evolved into working on cars, and through dedication, he became a master-certified technician.
In his free time, Andrew enjoys camping, fishing, disc golfing, and spending time with his wife, their two dogs, four cats, and three horses. His ideal weekend? Hitting the drag strip with his ’88 Camaro for some racing fun.
Shylow
Technician
Shylow joined our team through a partnership with Northwest Education Services Career Tech School to Work Program. He has been a student of the Auto Repair program for the past two years and has earned credits while using the knowledge he acquired under the guidance of our experienced technicians. A true car enthusiast, Shylow grew up helping his dad fix cars and visiting car shows. When he's not working on cars, you'll find him fishing, hanging out with friends, or cruising around on his motorcycle.
Ben
Master technician
Ben's interest in the automotive world began when he was a teenager, driven by a fascination with how things work. This passion led him to become a skilled technician. With years of experience and continuous learning, Ben has developed a Outside of work, Ben enjoys an active lifestyle. He loves camping, riding motorcycles, fishing, and shooting sports.
Family and friends are central to his life, and he cherishes time spent with them. Ben is also a devoted dog owner, who share his adventures with his two American Pitbulls, Atlas and Lady. Whether at work or in his personal life, Ben's dedication and enthusiasm make him a valued member of our team.
Tanner
Master Technician
Tanner grew up working with his dad on vehicles and playing racing games. After high school, he naturally gravitated toward the industry.
He gained experience with multiple brands early on and became efficient with engine replacements during his time at Hyundai.
Outside of work, Tanner enjoys camping in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, playing video games, and working on his project car. He and his fiancee share a love for animals and have rescued two cats- Lucy and Beezy
Austin
Shop Assistant
Austin's passion for automotive work began while helping his father, a skilled technician who loved restoring classic cars. He is continuously expanding his knowledge and training in the field.
Outside of work, Austin enjoys outdoor activities, from beach days in the summer to skiing and snowboarding in the winter. He also enjoys spending time with his Husky-German Shepherd mix, Bronx.
Christian
Service Advisor
Christian started in the automotive industry at 18 when he landed his first job changing oil. His passion for cars and helping people has kept him in the industry.
Outside of work, Christian enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, fishing, painting, and drawing. He also appreciates a good movie and hanging out with his cat Frieren.
