Meet Our TGIF Body Shop Team
Behind the Excellence: Our Skilled Team
Meet the Passionate Professionals Driving TGIF Body Shop's Success
At TGIF Body Shop, we believe that the heart of our excellence lies in the strength and dedication of our team. Comprised of industry-leading professionals with a passion for automotive perfection, our team brings together decades of experience, advanced technical expertise, and a shared commitment to delivering unparalleled service. From the precision of our technicians to the warmth of our customer service, every member plays a vital role in ensuring that every vehicle we touch is restored to its prime condition, and every customer experience is nothing short of exceptional. Join us in celebrating the individuals whose hard work and dedication make TGIF Body Shop the premier choice for collision repair and auto body services in Fremont and beyond.
Our Team
Kathy Mello
CEO
Kathy has been involved since the inception of TGIF. As the wife of Founder Rich Mello and mother of four, she worked for many years behind the scenes. In 1996 she became full time in various roles as the company grew. She handles marketing as well as overseeing the administrative portion of the business. Today her priority is seeking new industry information to bring back to the staff in order to keep abreast of the rapid changes in business practices and in technology in order to ensure the utmost safety of the people entrusted to us. Kathygained much of her knowledge of the industry with a master’s degree from The Automotive Management Institute, and by attending The Collision Industry Conferences and other industry related seminars.
Kathy has served two terms as President of the California Autobody Association, a Board Member on the East Bay Chapter, and has Co-founded Women’s Industry Network (a nonprofit promoting and sustaining women in the collision industry). She has also served as a Board member on The Alameda County Workforce Development Board for 12 years and is a current member of the youth committee.
She was presented with the Excellence in Community Service Award by the National Auto Body Council in 2016 and was named a Most Influential Woman in 2019. Her passion is to see more people benefit from a career in this viable industry.
Jason Cocco
Partner
Jason grew up around TGIF Body Shop, and has been involved in some capacity, even as a young child. He is one of only three family members on staff. As a second-generation leader, he got most of his experience while being mentored by his father, Rich Mello and has taken a lot of industry, management, and technical education throughout the years. Although Jason never worked as a technician, he has great understanding and a deep appreciation for the role that they play. He is required to continue with many of those classes to keep current with the ever changing and complex technology.
Jason loves helping customers and is challenged with relinquishing those duties to evolve from the role of customer service to being the spearhead of the company. His passion and caring for our valuable and knowledgeable staff is appreciated by those who are working with him. His current focus is to continue to empower each staff member to be their best on behalf of our guests, to keep them informed, and above all, to perform a safe repair.
Anthony Watkins
The Front Line
Anthony is the only other family member employed by TGIF besides Jason and Kathy. After attending a year at college, he came home to help when his grandfather became ill. As a third generation staff member, he is learning many complex diagnosis processes and is deemed great at helping customers through the collision repair and claims process. He continues his education and practices in the areas of production process and Blueprinting. Although his commitment to his role arose of circumstances, he has grown to love this industry. His sense of humor keeps us upbeat on a daily basis. He finds relaxation in the game of golf and is consistent in following sports.
Jackie Mulhearn
Behind the Scenes
Jackie Mulhearn had been a dedicated staff member with TGIF for two decades. She has served in Accounting, as well as handling HR duties, and payroll. She contributes towards keeping good relationships with our vendors and manages cash flow. Her ability to juggle many tasks has been a definite contribution to the longevity of the company.
She is well liked and respected by all of her coworkers and her sense of humor lends itself to the upbeat atmosphere that we prefer to retain.
Her upbeat personality has created many long term friendships which keeps her social life full. Her hobbies are gardening, traveling, exercise, trying new recipes, and playing Bunco.
Scott Ingraham
Auto Body Technician
Scott is a second generation and very long term employee. His father, Gary, was the first to be employed by TGIF during the 1980’s and worked with us until his retirement 35 years later. Scott has even surpassed his father’s talents as a technician due to what is required in this more complex environment. His continued training and talent in the areas of welding, suspension, and frame repairs yields his ability for the more complex repairs. He also excels as a mentor training new technicians who are sorely needed in this industry. He has an annual abundant vegetable garden and his greatest joy is his family, his wife, and two baby girls.
Jimmy Hernandez
Auto Body Technician
Jimmy is a technician with a wide array of skill sets. He has vast experience in fabrication, working on exotics, and has a rich knowledge of skill in the more complex areas of frame and suspension repair. His many years of experience and his methodical approach, along with his positive outlook are qualities which are invaluable to the TGIF team. As the patriarch of his large family, he and his wife spend a lot of time supporting them and enjoying their grandchildren. He is also proficient in completing many home improvements to the family home.
Paul Spencer
Body Tech
Paul is the newest TGIF team member. He has done many things in his career including having his own business. The enthusiasm he exudes is refreshing as he works in the complex job as a body technician. He will continue to train in the latest and greatest technology that continues to present itself. His hobby is as a billiards player and we hear that he is pretty good. Welcome Paul Spencer.
Paul Ureno
Detailer
Paul aspires to be a firefighter and was looking for a part time job while also playing college baseball. Paul excels at the final stage before delivery to our customer with his detailing skills. His cooperative demeanor and willingness to assist with other tasks when needed are a plus.
With what little spare time he has, he enjoys spending time at church and also socializing with his friends.
Aaron Bermillo
Painter
Aaron began with TGIF as a prepper after attending classes in high school. He has developed into a stellar painter and is a tram player who adapts well to any given situation. In his years with TGIF since 2017 he has honed his paint skills to perfection and together with Paul, they provide a beautiful and long lasting finish on all of their jobs. He is an awesome team player. Aaron is also a very good artist, enjoys the outdoors and is a family focused.
Paul Pachote
Painter
Paul has been a painter with TGIF since 2007. He studied basic skills at Mission Valley ROP in high school and got continued experience with a few body shops. He has adapted to, and has perfected use of five different paint line changes over the years. Paul is meticulous, consistent, and pays attention to details. He has been through thick and thin as a loyal employee of TGIF. He and his coworker, Aaron, continue to learn the new techniques being introduced by manufacturers. In his free time he is attentive to his original family, and he and his wife, a school principal, spend countless hours to support their daughter’s love and passion of horses.
Martin Uribe
Part Coordinator
Martin joined team TGIF in December 2023 and has shown himself to be dedicated to supporting our technicians with proactive measures to quality control and to organize new parts coming in. This is important because the parts department is “the hub of the wheel”. Without the proper parts the repair cannot move. Martin’s previous life was in construction, and he made the move into automotive by working for a large national company where he gained his organizational skills. He is a dedicated single parent of a precious daughter and in what little free time he has, he enjoys the outdoors, recreational activities that he can share with his daughter, and spending time in ministry
Jose Bautista
Auto Body Technician
Jose came to us by recommendation of a friend from his car club. He is definitely passionate about his love of cars and is committed to continuing his training in Body Repair, as he has for the last few years. As a hands on dad of three little ones, he is serious about achieving journeyman status and has been patient while he waited for his training program to pick up after the Covid shut down. In the meantime, he has completed 19 I-Car classes this year and has acquired a lot of skill sets towards proper repair. His life is busy.
TGIF Body Shop: The Trusted Choice
Our team’s unparalleled expertise, commitment to quality, and dedication to customer satisfaction are what set us apart. We invite you to experience the difference that our passionate professionals can make in your auto body repair and maintenance needs. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and let us show you why TGIF Body Shop is the trusted choice for drivers in Fremont and the surrounding communities.