Torrance Area Auto Repair

Paul Dice - Service Manager

ASE Master technician / Ase certified consultant

Paul has been with Walt’s Auto Service for over 23 years and counting. Once when Paul was working on a truck at Walt’s, he saw bright little eyes peeking back at him inside a fender well; it was a little black kitten. When he fished it out of the fender and bathed it, he discovered that Yukon is, in fact, a white and orange kitty and is a happy family member of the Dice family. Paul’s favorite food is Sushi, and he believes that stock cars are the best modification because they can be fixed without breaking. He loves making customers’ days and enjoys surprising them by using the nicknames of customers’ cars when they come into the shop. Paul loves model railroading and is the current vice president of engineering in the Belmont Shore Model Railroad Club in San Pedro in the angel’s gate park. The BSMRC has been around for 50 years and is said to have the most extensive N-scale layout on the entire west coast. His favorite pastime is keeping these trains running, and we think that is so cool! Check out their website at https://belmontshorerr.com/ for more information.

Angel Santillano - Service Advisor

Angel Santillano is a vital asset to our Walt’s team. His passion for helping customers shines through every time they reach out with a problem. Angel’s love for cars sparked early, around 6 or 7, fueled by the Fast and Furious series and the passionate car community.

When he’s not at Walt’s, Angel indulges in his love for tacos, often spotted at the taco truck on Slauson Ave. and Avalon Ave. His car journey began with a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM GT, and now, he drives a 2019 Honda Civic, affectionately named ‘Civica.’ And if you’re ever around Angel’s Civic, listen out for its impressive bass-heavy sound system.

The familial atmosphere at Walt’s is what Angel treasures most, describing the team as more of a family than just colleagues.

Welcome to the team, Angel, where your commitment and passion elevate our service!

Pearl Nicassio - Ambassador

Pearl loves community and spends her free time hosting gatherings. Bringing people together is her specialty. Pearl attends Bible studies at a bible college and participates in both Catholic and Christian churches; she loves fellowship! She seeks out inspiration through continuing education and studies, bringing communities closer together through Booster club meetings and family. Pearl enjoys get-togethers celebrating family, friends, and classmates. Eating healthy is a big part of Pearl's life; whole foods such as pineapple, strawberries, fruits, and vegetables make her feel amazing! She enjoys cooking everything, especially vegetables seared to perfection, and she gives praise daily for the gift of food.

Pearl has always loved cars. When she met the team at Walt's, she felt so comfortable with their trustworthiness that she asked to represent them as their ambassador. "So many people talk nicely about Walt's - Walt's give us peace of mind and feel good with someone you can trust. Many of us want a car that is turn-key and works. As a widow whose husband loved cars and attended car shows. If you see Pearl at a community event, be sure to say hello!

Hector Martinez - ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN

Hector Martinez loves working on cars here at Walt's, both because he loves the people and family-oriented work environment as well as tackling different projects every day. His passion is pulling engines apart and putting them back together, especially high-performance engines. Hector loves all Mexican food and especially loves tamales and pozoles, yum! When he is not at work, he can usually be found reading books, articles, and magazines on custom cars. Hector first fell in love with cars at the age of 18, loves the look of lowered trucks and SUVs, and is a true Chevy fan.

Tom WycKOff - ASE-Certified Automotive Technician

Meet Tom, our latest addition to the team at Walt's. Passionate about engines and speed, Tom's enthusiasm for professionalism and teamwork seamlessly aligns with our company. From his very first job at just 13, working at his dad's bike shop and maintaining bikes while racing BMX, Tom's work ethic and enthusiasm for mechanics have never waned. His commitment to hard work at Walt's shines through, making him a valuable member of our team.

Tom's passion extends to the racetrack, where he's involved in dirt bike racing. Growing up, he was sponsored as a BMX racer by a number of brands like Delamo Motorsports, NGK, and AXO Sports. He's also looking forward to sharing his love for speed with his son, who already has a dirtbike of his own. Away from the racetrack and garage, Tom loves to indulge in a perfectly broiled or BBQ'd rib-eye steak, accompanied by green beans and mashed potatoes. A true classic!

Tom's fascination with cars began in high school, where automotive courses fueled his passion. From working on dragsters to maintaining exotics like the Lamborghini Hurricane and Koenigsegg Agera, Tom lives and breathes speed. His favorite modification? Performance enhancements, of course. Tom's knowledge doesn't stop at engines; he's also trained in welding and battery technology. These skills add a unique dimension to his role here at Walt's. When asked about about his time at Walt's, he says working with a team that's as welcoming, friendly, and professional as the team at Walt's makes it easy to go to work everyday.