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Big-Time Boxes: Dave Jodat

Nov. 14, 2008
Our readers offer a proud look at their awesome tool storage systems.

Owner:
Dave Jodat
Dodge City
Milwaukee

Dave Jodat, a technician at Dodge City in Milwaukee has been competing to have the biggest toolbox with other techs in his shop.

He learned from the best. Last month’s featured Big-Time Box featured Mike Mirsberger, a tech at the same location. Mirsberger mentored Jodat when he first started turning wrenches at the dealership eight years ago.

Jodat owns a red Matco Tools Big Horn edition box with an overhead cabinet, two side storage units and a matching tool cart which holds most of his specialty tools.

Along with a laptop, Jodat also hooked up a Playstation 2 video game console, equipped with racing and hunting games.

If he’s not taking advantage of his gaming system, Jodat plays movies on his PS2 while he works on vehicles.

With so much storage for tools, Jodat decided to add even more extras to his setup, making it feel more like home.

“I’ve got a fridge. I’ve got a George Foreman grill that I pull out once in awhile,” said Jodat. “I don’t have a pizza oven though,” he said, referring to Mirsberger’s setup.

Jodat's favorite part of his toolbox isn’t even attached; it's the matching Matco Tools moveable cart.

“I work out of this thing all day long,” said Jodat. “I could wheel that thing around to any part of the shop.”

The moveable cart houses most of his specialty tools, which he uses often.

Jodat is one of 14 other techs that work at Dodge City. He has been a tech since 2000.

“I started here when I was 17,” said Jodat. “I’ve been off like a racehorse ever since.”

About the Author

Erica Schueller | Media Relations Manager | Navistar

Erica Schueller is the Media Relations Manager for Navistar.

Before joining Navistar, Schueller served as Editorial Director of the Endeavor Commercial Vehicle Group. The commercial vehicle group includes the following brands: American Trucker, Bulk Transporter, Fleet Maintenance, FleetOwner, Refrigerated Transporter, and Trailer/Body Builders brands.

An award-winning journalist, Schueller has reported and written about the vehicle maintenance and repair industry her entire career. She has received accolades for her reporting and editing in the commercial and automotive vehicle fields by the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA), the International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC), the Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) Azbee Awards.

Schueller has received recognition among her publishing industry peers as a recipient of the 2014 Folio Top Women in Media Rising Stars award, acknowledging her accomplishments of digital content management and assistance with improving the print and digital products in the Vehicle Repair Group. She was also named one Women in Trucking’s 2018 Top Women in Transportation to Watch.

She is an active member of a number of industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC),  the Auto Care Association's Young Auto Care Networking Group, GenNext, and Women in Trucking.

In December 2018, Schueller graduated at the top of her class from the Waukesha County Technical College's 10-week professional truck driving program, earning her Class A commercial driver's license (CDL).  

She has worked in the vehicle repair and maintenance industry since 2008.

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