Meet the leaders behind American Transmission and the people helping guide the company forward through experience, integrity, and a commitment to quality automotive service.
Darin Damron
Vice President of Operations
Darin Damron is the Vice President of Operations for American Transmission, the Southeast’s largest transmission remanufacturer. In this role, he oversees operational strategy, production performance, and team development while helping drive growth and innovation across the organization.
Darin remains deeply engaged in the regional business community. He serves on the board of the Transportation & Logistics Council for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce as the Immediate Past President after previously leading the council as President. He also serves on the board of the Southern Automotive Service Association (SASA), a regional affiliate of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the nation’s largest automotive service and repair organization.
Beyond his professional leadership, Darin is committed to faith, mentorship, and community service. He serves as the Life Group Director at his church, where he helps develop leaders and foster discipleship within the congregation. He has also been involved in jail ministry for over ten years, serving inmates across St. Johns, Putnam, and Duval counties.
A proud father of five, Darin and his wife, Kaci, have one son and four daughters. He remains actively involved in advancing the automotive industry, serving on advisory committees for several technical colleges across the Southeast and supporting organizations such as Florida Foundations, IGONC, and the Automotive Management Institute (AMI).
Darin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of North Alabama — “Roar Lions!” His leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that before you can lead others well, you must first lead yourself well—because everyone deserves the best leader possible.
Pat Ayers
Site Manager
Pat serves as the Site Manager at American Transmission, where he oversees the daily operations of the shop and works alongside every department to ensure quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. With more than 50 years in the automotive industry, Pat brings an incredible depth of experience and knowledge to the team.
Pat began his career in his hometown working in small independent repair shops, specializing first in starters and alternators before discovering his passion for transmissions. A few years later, he relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where he worked for Cottman Transmissions before joining American Transmission. More than 40 years later, he still proudly calls American Transmission home.
Throughout his career, Pat has completed extensive industry training through ATSG, ATRA, and ASE. His commitment to the transmission industry led to an invitation to serve on the Board of Directors for the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA), where he proudly served for five years, concluding his term in June 2026.
One of the things Pat enjoys most about his role is the variety each day brings. Whether he’s solving technical challenges, mentoring associates, or helping customers, no two days are ever the same. He believes American Transmission stands apart because of its worldwide reach and the vast experience of its builders, who regularly encounter transmission issues that many smaller shops never have the opportunity to diagnose or repair.
As a leader, Pat believes in giving associates the opportunity to learn, grow, and build confidence through hands-on experience. One of his greatest rewards is watching team members develop new skills and confidently contribute during meetings and technical discussions.
Customers know they can count on Pat. He has built a reputation for being accessible and committed to helping others, making himself available whenever needed to assist with technical questions or customer concerns.
Originally born at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Pat was brought home to Melbourne, Florida, when he was just six hours old. Today, he lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Amy, of 38 years. Together they have two sons, three grandchildren, two German Shepherds, and a Chihuahua named Sophie. Outside of work, Pat enjoys relaxing with his family and taking the dogs for rides around the neighborhood in his John Deere Gator.
Something that surprises many people is that Pat grew up singing gospel music with his family at revival meetings.
His favorite vehicle is a 1967 Mercury Cougar XR7—the very first car he ever owned.
Pat believes one of the most important qualities a person can possess is a strong work ethic. He takes pride in being dependable and believes showing up every day is one of the greatest ways to serve both customers and teammates.
One piece of advice has stayed with him throughout his life. His grandfather, whom he affectionately called “DanDan,” would always tell him:
“Learn one new thing every day.”
More than five decades later, that simple advice continues to guide the way Pat approaches his work, his leadership, and his passion for the automotive industry.
Warren Frie
Vice President of Sales
Warren Frie brings 29 years of automotive industry experience to American Transmission, including 25 years as the owner and operator of a successful family-owned transmission shop. His hands-on experience and customer-first approach provide a unique understanding of the challenges repair facilities face every day. Warren is committed to building lasting partnerships and delivering dependable powertrain solutions with exceptional service and integrity.
Request a quote from our team
© 2026 All Rights Reserved | American Transmission
Only for New Members