From Apprentice to Master: A Journey of Growth and Service

In 2018, a young technician walked into Lisa Camarillo's office at Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad with a simple question: Tell me more about this T-TEN program I've heard about. That conversation set Dylan Solano on a path he never could have predicted, one that would take him from apprentice to certified Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician to his current role as shop foreman, all before turning 30.

The Unexpected Path

Dylan had already fallen in love with automotive work at a local shop in town. He enjoyed the environment and the people he worked with. But he wanted more. He wanted to further his education in automotive technology, and he had heard Toyota offered something special through their dealership partnership program.

The T-TEN program, which stands for Toyota Technical Education Network, is a two year program specifically for Toyota automotive education. The nearest training facility was at San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico. The program structure was intensive: two months at the dealership getting on the job credit, then two months at the training facility on campus. Back and forth for two complete years from 2018 to 2020.

While going through the program, Dylan gained multiple certifications. Toyota heavily encourages ASE certifications, so he achieved four or five of those during the program. After graduating in 2020, he eventually achieved all eight ASE certifications to earn ASE Master status. From there, he continued climbing the Toyota certification ladder to Toyota Master, and finally to Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician, one of the highest technical certifications Toyota offers.

Learning from the Best

Throughout his journey, Dylan worked under the supervision of Ron Hicks, who was shop foreman at the time. Ron saw something special in Dylan from the beginning, grooming him for leadership and giving him increasing responsibility. Ron would tell Dylan he was going to move up, that he was going to do bigger jobs, that eventually this would be his realm.

That encouragement and mentorship proved prophetic. When Ron moved from shop foreman to service manager, Dylan moved up from team lead to shop foreman. The transition happened organically, built on years of demonstrated excellence and leadership potential. Dylan never saw the path he was going to take until he was already on it, moving forward one step at a time.

Looking back on that journey, Dylan reflects on how unexpected it all was:

"Going from an apprentice to where I am now was quite the journey. I honestly never saw the path that I was gonna take to get here happening, until, you know, until it happened. One thing at a time."

Building a Team Culture

As shop foreman, Dylan now leads the service team at Phil Long Toyota, and he's passionate about the culture they've built together. The team works well together, which matters tremendously when you're spending nine or ten hours a day in the shop. You might as well have fun doing it and be around people you genuinely enjoy.

Dylan can say without hesitation that they're blessed as a team. The camaraderie and mutual respect create an environment where people want to come to work. It's not just about turning wrenches and diagnosing problems. It's about doing excellent work alongside people you trust and appreciate.

That positive team culture translates directly to customer service. When the technicians enjoy being there and support each other, customers feel that energy. It shows up in the quality of work, the attention to detail, and the willingness to go the extra mile to solve problems and ensure customer satisfaction.

Serving a Wide Radius

Dylan was born and raised in Trinidad. He's lived there his entire life, which gives him a unique perspective on what it means to serve the community through the dealership. Being able to service the community he's part of, the one he grew up in, is genuinely meaningful to him.

Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad is the only Toyota dealership within about a 90 to 100 mile radius. That means they service all of Southern Colorado, much of the San Luis Valley, Northern New Mexico, and Eastern Colorado. It's a huge geographic area and a significant responsibility.

The team takes that responsibility seriously. Customers drive long distances to bring their vehicles to Phil Long Toyota, and they deserve excellent service that makes the trip worthwhile. Dylan and his team work to ensure every customer, whether they're from Trinidad or traveling from an hour and a half away, receives the same high-quality care.

More Than a Dealership

Phil Long Toyota isn't just another business in Trinidad. It's a pillar of the community, deeply woven into the fabric of the town. Dylan observes that you can't go many places in Trinidad without seeing something Phil Long Toyota is part of. The dealership sponsors events downtown, supports local businesses, and participates in community activities throughout the year.

As Dylan puts it, they're so much more than just a car dealership offering services to customers. The commitment to community goes beyond the transactional nature of buying, servicing, and maintaining vehicles. It's about being present, being supportive, and being invested in Trinidad's success.

Dylan's perspective on this is clear:

"We are Trinidad is so true because we are so much more than just a car dealership. You can't go many places here without eventually seeing something Phil Long Toyota related. That's not at the car dealership, we're, you know, downtown sponsoring various events, businesses, things throughout the year."

The President's Award

One measure of the service department's excellence is the recognition they've received from Toyota. Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad is a four time winner of the Toyota President's Award, one of the highest honors Toyota bestows on dealerships. The award recognizes exceptional performance in sales, customer satisfaction, and overall operations.

Dylan and his team take tremendous pride in that recognition. But they take even more pride in what the award represents: consistently excellent service to their community and the surrounding areas. The President's Award validates their approach and their commitment, but the real reward is the relationships they build with customers and the trust the community places in them.

Customers are everything to the team. Whether it's a routine oil change or a complex diagnostic challenge, whether the vehicle is a Toyota or any other make or model, the commitment to excellence remains the same. They're happy to service any vehicle for any customer, bringing the same expertise and care to every job.

The Toyota Difference

What makes Toyota dealerships special, and Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad in particular, is the investment in technician education and development. The T-TEN program that launched Dylan's career is just one example of how Toyota supports the growth of automotive professionals.

Toyota doesn't just sell vehicles and move on. They create comprehensive training programs, encourage ongoing certification, and build partnerships with colleges to ensure technicians have access to cutting edge education. That investment in people translates to better service for customers and more fulfilling careers for technicians like Dylan.

The progression from apprentice to journeyman to master to master diagnostic technician isn't just about acquiring skills. It's about joining a tradition of excellence, becoming part of a network of professionals who hold themselves to the highest standards, and committing to continuous learning in an industry that's constantly evolving.

A Career Built on Foundation

Dylan's story illustrates what's possible when natural talent meets opportunity and mentorship. He had the aptitude and the work ethic. Phil Long Toyota provided the T-TEN program and the on the job training. Ron Hicks provided the mentorship and leadership development. Together, those elements created a path from apprentice to shop foreman in just a few short years.

But the journey isn't over. Dylan continues to learn, continues to grow, and continues to develop his leadership skills. The automotive industry keeps evolving with new technologies, new diagnostic tools, and new challenges. Master Diagnostic Technicians stay at the forefront of those changes, ensuring they can handle whatever comes through the service bay doors.

The Trinidad Connection

For Dylan, working at Phil Long Toyota isn't just a job. It's serving the place he calls home. Every customer isn't just a transaction but a neighbor, a community member, someone who deserves the best service he and his team can provide. That personal connection to Trinidad drives the commitment to excellence that defines the service department.

When customers bring their vehicles in, they're not just getting mechanical work. They're getting the expertise of a certified Master Diagnostic Technician and a team that genuinely cares about quality. They're getting service from people who live in the community, shop at the same stores, attend the same events, and have the same investment in Trinidad's success.

The four President's Awards on the wall represent thousands of individual interactions, countless hours of training and hard work, and an unwavering commitment to doing things right. But more than that, they represent Dylan's journey from an 18 year old apprentice with questions about a training program to a leader responsible for maintaining the standard of excellence that makes those awards possible.

Looking Forward

As Dylan continues in his role as shop foreman, he carries forward the lessons Ron Hicks taught him and the values instilled through years of rigorous training and certification. He's building the next generation of technicians, just as Ron built him. He's maintaining the culture of excellence and teamwork that makes Phil Long Toyota of Trinidad special.

The service department welcomes any vehicle, any make, any model. They're equipped to handle routine maintenance and complex diagnostics. They have the training, the tools, and most importantly, the commitment to serve their community with excellence.

Dylan Solano's journey from apprentice to shop foreman happened one step at a time, one certification at a time, one day of excellent work at a time. It's a testament to what's possible when dealerships invest in their people, when mentors take time to develop the next generation, and when young professionals commit to continuous learning and growth.

And in Trinidad, Colorado, that journey continues, serving the community one vehicle at a time.

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  1. Phil Long Toyota - Trinidad

    105 E Cedar St
    Trinidad, CO 81082

    • Sales: (855)-427-7806
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