Our Team
Howard Mackert
Howard loves everything about cars. Since his teens he's enjoyed knowing why engines do what they do and how to make them purr.
Howard combines a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Southern Utah University with hundreds of hours of advanced training in the automotive field. He has 15 separate Auto Service Excellence certifications.
For years Howard put his expertise to work for others, as shop manager at a dealership and then 16 years with GM managing a factory service center and as a field engineer (regional trouble shooter for the Northwest and Alaska).
In 2001 he opened Mackert Automotive. When he's not managing his team of dedicated people, he's helping customers understand the complexities of what's going on under the hood, and conducting regular quality checks to be sure Mackert Automotive continues to delight its loyal customers.
Howard is a member of the Auto Service Association of Washington and USA, Rotary International, the Chamber of Commerce of Gig Harbor and is President of the Gig Harbor Cruiser's Car Club.
When Howard isn't attending car shows and races of all kinds, you're likely to find him playing golf, squash at the Y, or cheering on the Huskies.
He and his wife Rhonda (a gifted piano composer and performer) met in the mountains of Colorado in the late '80's. Customers often ask about the lovely music they hear playing in the shop - yes, that's Rhonda. Brought to you by her biggest fan!
Ben G.
Ben joined the Mackert Automotive team in February, 2008, and is now the General Manager. Ben knows...really knows...how vehicles operate. He has a talent for quickly diagnosing why a vehicle is doing what it's doing and exactly what it'll take to get it back on track.
Being the General Manager calls on Ben to wear several hats at Mackert Automotive, from working with the team of technicians to computers to coordinating parts orders to prioritizing the work efforts. He stays up-to-date in his field with regular automotive continuing education classes and seminars, earning him over 40 technical certificates, including Bosch Electronics.
Evenings and weekends you'll find Ben mountain biking, snapping incredible photos or enjoying his extensive music collection - from jazz to classical and just about everything in between.
Ben grew up in the Midwest, moving to the Puget Sound area in his late teens. He and his wife are active in their community and church where you'll often find them volunteering together.
Arlene P.
While Office Manager is Arlene's official title here at Mackert Automotive, it doesn't begin to convey the contribution she makes. When she joined the team in August, 2009 it quickly became apparent that she had a myriad of talents. Arlene puts these talents to use every day, from handling the books for the business to keeping track of all kinds of records and inventory.
Arlene's background includes a BA in Medical Technology from the University of California at San Jose and experience working at Chicago Title, Cost Plus Pharmacy and Rideout Hospital in California.
In her free time you'll find Arlene active in The C. S. Lewis Fellows Program and enjoying reading, primarily Christian non-fiction.
Lukas H.
Lukas joined the Mackert Automotive team in July of 2012. He is currently running things in the back as our Shop Foreman. He manages our team of technicians, so that your repairs are done right and finished on time.
Lukas is definitely a car guy! In his spare time you'll find him working on older European cars or going to local car shows with friends.