O'Neill's Staff

Our Staff

Learn about how the O'Neill's Transmission staff bring excellence to every job we do!

Jody Wierenga

Jody started working on cars at age 16. Before specializing in transmission, he spent several years in full service repair shop. Like many auto techs, his interest in cars led him to build up several 4x4 trucks, and high performance cars.

Jody has been with us since May of 2003.

Married two children

Hobbies & interest: Coaching his kids softball team, and playing softball himself. Bike riding and general physical fitness. As a family they enjoy camping, and water parks.

Tony Helmholdt

Tony was raised in the Grand Rapids area. Attended Forest Hills schools. His mechanical education started with aircraft maintenance. Later he completed Autmotive tech training. He has an associates degree from GRCC, and is a Master ASE certified auto Tech.

Tony has three years of Ford dealership experience.

Tony has been with us since January of 2009.

Hobbies & interest: Building & racing electric motorcycles.

Herm Goldner

Herm has lived in and around the Grand Rapids & Lowell area most of his life. His life experience is quite broad. From farm work, long distance transportation, wholesale & retail parts stores, to automotive service advisor.

Tedd O'Neill

Tedd O’Neill. Born and raised in Grand Rapids. Tedd worked as a parts washer/janitor part time from an early age. He learned to fix transmissions at age 15 and started part time work in 1978. In 1984 Tedd received specialized transmission training through ATRA. Electronics courses at GRJC in 1986, and in 1988 wheel alignment training at Hunter Engineering. Tedd became partners with Pat in 1988. In 1998 Pat sold his shares back to the company making Tedd the sole owner of the business.

Married Wife Lisa in 1981.

Three children, Shaun, Craig, Shannon.

Hobbies & other interest: Tedd loves raising and training Golden Retrievers, astronomy, wood working, aviation, road, and mountain biking. Tedd also is Shorin Ryu karate instructor teaching from his home.

Craig O'Neill

Craig O'Neill was born and raised in Grand Rapids. Craig and Shaun would often come to the shop together at a young age to clean and earn some spending money. Craig learned to rebuild transmissions at age 14. He worked part time through High School. Craig decided to attend Cornerstone University majoring in missionary aviation. After completing his first year decided with his future wife to return to the family business and start their own family. Craig is continuing his education part time, and would eventually like to become a history teacher. Craig has managed the shop, worked as a rebuilder, alignment specialist, a transmission Removal and Installing specialist.

Married

Two children

Hobbies & interest. Craig loves history, motorcycles, aviation, biking, and spending time with his wife & children.

Shaun O'Neill

Shaun O'Neill is part of the third generation at O'Neills Transmission. He started as shop janitor and "cleaner of dads tools" and is now rebuilder and diagnostician. Shaun is an ASE MASTER certified technician and is also L1 certified which means adavanced powertrain performance specialist.

Shaun is the proud husband to Janice and father to two daughters Anna and Jessica. His hobbies include: camping, cooking cookies with his daughters, reading anything from techno-politcal-or scifi thrillers, and taking classes that contribute to the ever increasing technical nature of our automotive industry.

Quality Service Starts Here...