About Us
Customer States… Podcast, hosted by Jake Rycus, Mike Sera, Ali Paul, and Eric Montenegro, is a hilariously entertaining and sometimes informative podcast about everything in the automotive industry; from difficult cars and customers, warranty policy and procedures, shop drama, and everything in between. With many years of collective experience and a wide range of viewpoints from a Service Writer, Senior Master Technician, Warranty Administrator, and Kevin, we touch all the bases and cover all the subjects that you want to know, need to know, or didn’t even know existed. So, sit back, relax, and crack a cold one with us on this weekly podcast that is sure to be your new favorite obsession.
Mike Sera
Although coming from a racing background, Mike Sera has been working for Ford Motor Company as a Transmission Technician for close to 14 years now and has achieved the highest level of certification through Ford as a Senior Master Technician. Mike is also the Shop Foreman at his dealership and oversees many other duties. Mike got his passion for fast cars from his dad at an early age and has never taken his foot off the gas pedal since. When not spending his life at the shop or producing and editing Customer States… episodes, Mike enjoys off-roading and camping, shooting, and playing drums.
Jake Rycus
Jake Rycus’s love for cars started when he was watching his dad and Uncle working and rebuilding American muscle when he was 6 years old and helping fix his dad’s 1973 Cuda’. Since then, his love for the automotive field continued to grow, and now he is a Service Advisor for 3+ years at a local dealer. What happens in this field behind the scenes usually never gets talked about or brought to light, so that’s when the idea of Customer States… came to life after getting together with Mike, Kevin & Ali. When he is not dealing with “Debbie” (check out episode #1), he is a Master Scuba Diver, Voice Over enthusiast, and enjoys shooting & playing video games.
Ali Paul
Ali Paul is a full-time warranty administrator and now a part-time podcaster with Customer States… She was born and raised in southern California, except for the about 6 months she spent in Idaho, but hey, that’s a whole different story. She really enjoys her role with the Customer States… family and hopes that all the venting, rage, and joking around about working in the dealer-facing automotive industry brings all the wrenchers, paper-pushers and wrencher secretaries (service writers, sorry Jake!) together for a couple of laughs. She also LOVES hearing from listeners out there. Nothing beats that!
