Meet Our Team

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.

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.

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, son, and dogs. When Bree is not cheering on her son (motorcross, wrestling, and football), she likes to unwind through crafting and creating.

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.

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!

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.

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'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.