West Seattle Auto Repair

Todd Ainsworth

Todd Ainsworth began his professional career as a technician in 1986. As an ASE Master Tech and Authorized Emissions Specialist for over 30 years, Todd has taken great pride in the automotive repair industry and his career as a professional technician. Todd has been substitute-teaching at South Seattle College’s Automotive Technology Program for several years, is a member of the school’s Technical Advisory Committee and has hosted several local community classes on auto care. As a member of the Northwest Auto Care Alliance, Todd is now serving on the board of directors as Secretary and is a member of the Education Committee and the Independent Technicians Automotive Committee, which oversees the only certified apprenticeship program for independent auto repair shops in Washington State. Todd and Chris started their first business together – West Seattle Autoworks – in 2010 after working together for several years and completed the purchase of Swedish Automotive in 2018. Todd has lived almost all of his life in West Seattle and is grateful that he and Chris can own their business and live in West Seattle. Todd enjoys playing music, hiking and camping and spending time with his wife in their two classic Pontiacs.

Soren

Soren is our Parts and Facilities Manager, a West Seattle native and life-long resident! After graduating from Sealth HS, Soren completed the Autobody Program at South Seattle College and also worked part time at Swedish Automotive performing maintenance tasks. Soren put his education to work for a transportation company as the lead body and paint tech and also performed many other duties that included the opportunity to work at the 2010 Olympics! Later that same year, Soren re-joined Swedish Automotive full-time when the current location’s construction was completed and we needed someone with Soren’s attention to detail to keep our award-winning facility in great condition! Soren keeps busy in his off-time by working on a number of automotive projects including a classic Chevy El Camino restoration, fishing and boating, spending time with his family and sharing his large Hot Wheels collection with his niece.

Sean

Sean May is our Lead Service Advisor and started working on cars as a teenager with his dad. Together, they worked on several projects including Mercedes, Peugeot, Volvo and Porsche. Sean pursued his AA at Highline Community College and his BA at Central WA University. Sean started his automotive career working for Volkswagen learning maintenance and repair. Sean’s family resides mostly in CA, except his father – who is also in the automotive industry – lives in Issaquah. Sean enjoys live music, playing D&D with a group of friends and spending time with his dad.

Sean D.

Sean Daugherty is one of our Service Advisors and is originally from Portland, OR, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in business from George Fox University. Sean has over 7 years of experience in the automotive industry, working for both Audi and Subaru dealers. After moving to West Seattle with his family in 2013, he has enjoyed coaching his kids’ sports teams, rooting for the Seahawks (Go Hawks!) and cooking for both his family and his co-workers – especially, his famous “Boilermaker Chili” (which we request often, here at the shop!). As an enthusiast, Sean spends some of his free time tinkering with “Brutus” - his 2013 Audi A6 – but his favorite car he has owned was a 2003 Nissan 350Z named “Gizmo”

Ben

Ben Shipley moved to the Northwest from Texas when he was 6 and has always been interested in all things mechanical, from bicycles and motorcycles when he was younger to cars and trucks and engines as he got older. Ben continues to build performance engines and hot rods – for both on and off-road use! Ben graduated from the Automotive Technology program at South Seattle College with an Associate’s degree and is working on his Master Certification. Ben joined us here at Swedish Automotive in 2016 and he is married with three young children at home, on Vashon Is. where he enjoys the outdoors, farming and smoking meats.

McLean

McLean joined us as a student intern in 2020, but now has completed school at Shoreline Community College and has completed his first-year iTAC apprenticeship to earn his GST certification and is a full time technician. He first got interested in vintage muscle cars, but the puzzle-solving nature of diagnosis quickly hooked him and he knew he wanted a career in automotive repair.  McLean also enjoys keeping aquatic plants and tropical fish.

Rob

Rob Cropley began his career after completing his schooling at Renton Voc/Tech (now, Renton Technical College) and has 27 years as a professional Technician with Master Level certifications in several areas. As a Seattle native and life-long resident, Rob has attended Seahawks games since he was 3 years old and his father has been a season ticket holder since 1976. Recently, Rob and his father have going to one “away” game per year and also take Rob’s son along for a 3 generation road game! Recent years have included trips to Philadelphia, Chicago and Cincinnati. Go Hawks!

Ryan

Ryan Langford has been in the auto repair industry for over 25 years and began his career as a trained motorcycle technician. He made the change to auto repair and has enjoyed it much better. An avid motorcycle rider – both on and off-road, Ryan also enjoys many types of electronics as a hobby, gaming, hiking and loves reading and cats.

Evan

Evan Works joined Swedish Automotive in 2021 and has been in the automotive industry for 4 years. Evan first got interested in the industry thanks to this automotive technology instructor in high school. His teacher inspired him to continue his education and attended Montana State University Northern for their automotive program.

Evan enjoys video games and go-karts in his free time and is constantly learning new things, along with raising his 18 month old, 100 lb. Black Lab, Nyla!

Reggie

Reggie Brandon joined our team in 2021 and has been in the auto repair industry for 15 years. Reggie has a wide range of experience and got interested in the industry at a very young age and has always liked cars. Reggie is driven to constantly be improving and learning all he can – striving to be the best!

An avid reader, Reggie also enjoys exercise and spending time with friends.

Jewel

Jewel joins the Swedish Automotive team as a high school student in 2022 and is enrolled in the automotive program at one of our local schools. Jewel is very motivated by the engineering of today's automobiles and is a member of the All-City Band. When not in school or here at Swedish Automotive, you may find her riding her bike or enjoying some sushi or a bowl of pho!