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On the Job with Automotive Services

The Bulletin spoke with Dave Kesty, lead automotive and equipment mechanic at Automotive Services.

What do people think you do?
“They often think that we only take care of the cars, trucks and vans used by Sacramento State employees.”

What do you really do?
“We do work with the cars, trucks and vans on campus, but we also maintain all the emergency generators for each building on campus. We work with agricultural type equipment, including back-hoes, trenchers and riding lawnmowers. We implement the vehicle inspection program as it is set forth by the Chancellor’s office. We have to ensure all the vehicles and generators pass their air quality inspections. We also maintain over 75 electric vehicles. We always have something to do.”

Describe your office.
“We’re in the Facilities Services lot. The inside of the auto garage looks like an average car repair shop, but we also have a lot of paperwork surrounding us such as purchase orders and receipts.”

What surprises people?
“The diversity of the work we do always surprises people. They think we just fix car engines, but we do much more. We also do a lot of work on the computer. We order parts, maintain logs and inventory, and work with programs for fixing vehicles.”

What is your biggest challenge?
“Keeping up with the changes in electrical vehicles, as well as the changes in laws and regulations concerning air quality standards and regulations.”

What do you get asked the most?
“When will the vehicle be ready?”
“How do the electric carts work?”