Our Team
The People Behind the Work
A team built on experience, integrity & craftsmanship
Dedicated professionals committed to earning your trust with every repair
Behind every repair is a team of dedicated professionals who share a commitment to integrity, craftsmanship, and customer service. Each member of our staff plays an essential role in delivering the Shade Tree Garage experience.
Art Bruhn
Owner / President
Art Bruhn provides leadership and direction for the business, ensuring Shade Tree Garage continues its long tradition of honesty, excellence, and customer trust. Art is an active volunteer fire fighter serving over 28 years in Morris Plains, NJ. Art is a current councilman serving his 8th year on the governing body also in Morris Plains. Art participates in the Elite Group, which is a peer review process that helps automotive repair shops stay on the leading edge of business and industry issues. He is a member of the the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the Mechanic's Education Association as well as the BMW, Porsche and Volvo Car Clubs of New Jersey.
Jim Ambrosi
Auto Technician
Jim Ambrosi returned to Shade Tree Garage after a 15-year break. Jim grew up in a family business specializing in small engine repairs, and began working in the automotive industry in 1978. Jim came to Shade Tree in 1992, during which time he became a Bosch and ASE Master Technician. He worked here until 2000. Then, he and his wife relocated to San Diego, CA, for the weather. While there, Jim worked in an independent European repair shop. In 2015, they moved back to NJ. We are happy to welcome Jim back to the Shade Tree family. He has a wealth of knowledge concentrating heavily on BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. Jim has always loved repairing anything mechanical, from lawn mowers to automobiles.
Brian Garcia
Auto Technician
Brian Garcia started with us while he was still attending Morristown High School and the Morris County Vocational Tech Auto Body Collision program. Brian graduated in June of 2019, and joined Shade Tree Garage full time. He is a licensed NJ Motor Vehicle Inspector. He has 5 years’ experience with us. Brian loves to work on his own car on his off time. He enjoys football and snowboarding. And a fun little fact -- Brian also plays the guitar.
Niall Doherty
Auto Technician
Niall Doherty joined Shade Tree Garage in September of 2021. He graduated from Mendham High School in 2021. He has a wealth of knowledge concentrating heavily on BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. Niall is constantly educating himself on the latest technology in engine performance. He is a wonderful addition to our staff. On the weekend, you might find Niall on a golf course in your area.
Ken DeGraw
Auto Technician
Ken DeGraw is new to Shade Tree Garage, Ken has over 40 years of experience as an auto technician. He owned his own business for 11 years and worked at Moro’s for 21 years until they closed. Married for 23 years and a father of three, Ken is an avid freshwater fisherman and bowler who loves most sports. Ken is also our team welder. There is nothing that Ken cannot make the perfect welding bead on any type of metal.
Julisa Umanzor
Service Consultant
Julisa Umanzor joined the Shade Tree Garage team in September 2022, as a Service Consultant. She is a Morristown native and graduated Morristown High School in 2017. After graduating, she worked as a Sales Consultant for State Farm Insurance. Julisa has always loved cars, so when the employment opportunity presented itself, she jumped. She has been a very positive addition to the Shade Tree family. Julisa is attending the “Elite Master Program for Automotive Service Consultants.” The course consists of in-person training located in San Diego, and then there is continuous training remotely for 6 months. Included in her many beautiful qualities, is her attention to detail. Julisa is proficient in both English and Spanish. She also loves her cat, Boa Constrictor and reading.
Matt Tavares
Auto Technician
Matt Tavares is a first generation from Portugal. Matt is fluent is Portuguese and Spanish. Matt is a graduate of Hillsborough High School and holds the school record for shot put and discus throwing. Matt attended Somerset County Vocational school where he studied automotive repair. Matt competed in the Skills USA competition at Somerset County VoTech and finished in 3rd place for heavy duty diesel. Matt joined Shade Tree Garage in August 2023 and lives in Hillsborough NJ. Matt has the greatest work ethic and is always willing to stay late and help a fellow technician to get a vehicle ready for a customer when promised. Matt enjoys the challenge of a diesel engine, timing chain in a Euro car or any type of machine with a combustion engine. He is the true definition of a technician. In his spare time, he likes to fish, play video games and outdoor work.
Jose Matos
Auto Technician
Jose Matos was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. Jose has worked at Shade Tree Garage for 18 years and there is no job too difficult. Whether it’s replacing a heater core on a Jeep Grand Cherokee or a timing chain on an Audi A6 Jose can get your car running like new again.
Phil Eng
Auto Technician (Summer Part-Time)
Phil Eng is currently a full-time instructor at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School. Phil teaches an automotive-diesel class and was selected as the 2021-2022 educator of the year! Phil is a caring, engaging, and generous instructor, who continually goes above and beyond his job duties to assist students and community members alike. Phil worked as a master technician at Shade Tree Garage full-time prior to changing his profession to teacher. Phil does come back every summer to help us out in the busy summer season.
Keyri Escobar
Service Consultant
Keyri Escobar Joined the Shade Tree Garage team in April of 2025 as a service consultant. She was born and raised in Morristown and graduated from Morristown High school in 2016. After graduation she worked as a certified medical assistant. Most of Keyri's family members work in the automotive business and was excited to join the shade tree garage team. She Just graduated in November from the " Elite masters Program for automotive service consultants The course consists of in-person training located in Denver Colorado and then there was continuous training remotely for 6 months. She is a hardworking single mom with 2 girls and a cat. She enjoys playing video games and reading on her free time.
Maria O'Farrell
Service Advisor
Maria O'Farrell joined Shade Tree Garage as an intern in the summer of 2025 and continued assisting the team throughout the school year during breaks and available hours. Maria is a student at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School and will graduate in June 2026. Through the automotive program, she has completed coursework and ASE certifications in Brakes, Suspension and Steering, Heating and Air Conditioning, Electrical/Electronic Systems, and Engine Performance.
Maria has always enjoyed working with her hands and has a strong interest in both light-duty and heavy-duty diesel vehicles, from pickup trucks to tractor-trailers. She is especially passionate about Ford trucks and Power Stroke diesel engines and enjoys learning about their design, performance, and repair. She competed in the 2024-2025 SkillsUSA Heavy Duty Diesel Competition at Universal Technical Institute (UTI), where she further developed her technical skills and passion for the industry.
In addition to her automotive achievements, Maria serves as the Varsity Captain of her high school softball team and has been recognized as both Student of the Month and a Stellar Student for her academic accomplishments. Outside of work and school, she loves animals, enjoys western horseback riding, and spending time with her pet bunny, Marilyn Bunroe. Maria is excited to continue growing her automotive knowledge and contributing to the Shade Tree Garage team.
