Our Team
Matt (Owner)
First car owned: A 1959 Chevy Parkwood station wagon, featuring a big block Chevy motor and a 2 speed power glide transmission. It was a very unremarkable car, but it only cost me $300. After that I bought a 1967 Volvo 122S wagon, on which I learned how to rebuild the engine and retune S.U. carburetors. I loved that Volvo!
Favorite things to do outside of work: Hiking in the woods with Vicky and our dog, Shima. Boating is my absolute favorite thing. In the past we have sailed all around the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, and Desolation Sound and I hope to do more of that soon! I like tinkering around the house, fixing and building things.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: Being part of a great team! I enjoy brainstorming with the technicians on troublesome problems.
School / work background: I took my brother’s motorcycle apart when I was 6 years old (he was very angry, and no I did not put it back together). I attended Rogue Community College, Grants Pass, OR. At 16, I started a pole peeling business and a car repair business, in Southern Oregon. Three years later I got a job as a millwright, within 2 weeks of working there I became the lead millwright on the night shift. I moved to Whidbey Island in 1979 and became a partner at the Shell Station in Clinton, as the mechanic. A friend and I opened Sound Motors, an auto repair shop at Bailey’s Corner, in 1981. After that I worked as the lawn mower mechanic for the Useless Bay Golf Club for a couple of years. My next big adventure was opening Matt’s Import Haven in 1986!
Vicky (Owner)
First car owned: I inherited my Mom’s 1976 2-door Dodge Dart Swinger (dark green). I drove that car everywhere! I set off for college in it with my plug-in 8 track tape player. The poor thing rusted out from under me (the hazards of living on the East Coast). It served me well!
Favorite things to do outside of work: We now have our first grandchild, Emil, who live up in Vancouver BC. I LOVE spending time with him and watching him grow. I also thoroughly enjoy taking walks and hikes with Matt and our dog, Shima. My favorite hobbies are traveling, boating, reading, and cooking.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: I get to come to work every weekday and spend 8+ hours with a great group of people, my work family. I respect their individual talents and knowledge. It’s super awesome how we can put all those skills together and provide a great service to our customers. We have a lot of fun and work hard! I like how I am always learning new things about people and cars, even after 20+ years on the job. I love building relationships with our community.
School / work background: I grew up on the East Coast (NY/NJ area). After attending Skidmore College and working in NYC as the Editorial Director of a small medical publishing company, I moved out to Whidbey Island in 1990 (it’s a long story…). I met and married Matt and we have 2 wonderful children (Dinah & Quinn), of whom I am very proud. And now we have our first grandson, Emil! Can’t wait to see what the next 34 years of marriage brings!
Forrest (Service Manager)
First car owned: A 1980 Dodge St. Regis, it was an ex Washington State patrol car. I bought it when my Dad was out of town, as I knew he wouldn’t approve. It took me all over and lasted a little over a year, I think!
Favorite things to do outside of work: Spend time with my family. I like hiking, camping, fishing, yardwork – just about anything outside really.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: I work with a great group of passionate people!
School / work background: I went to college to study Law Enforcement, but didn’t finish. I wasn’t quite ready to grow up and be serious just yet. I started working in the automotive field in 1995. I’ve always had a passion for things mechanical.
Mark (Senior Technician)
First car owned: 1977 Datsun 280Z, dark metallic blue. This once modified beater still showed signs of its glory days with shiny paint in between the dents and scratches. It had no carpet and holes in the floor. Sadly I got rid of this car shortly after purchasing it. My appreciation of the car grew after I got rid of her.
Favorite things to do outside of work: Boating with my son Matias (7 years old). If you know me or work with me then I have probably talked your ear off about my boat. Any chance to get her in the water year round I will quickly take. Exploring the Puget Sound and fishing are my favorite off work past times.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: I love Matt’s stories about working at the sawmill. It's great being so close to my house so I can quickly get my boat in the water on work days.
School / work background: I spent K-12 on Whidbey Island, so it was very important as an 18 year old to move away after graduation. I got my first technician job at a GM dealership after moving to Olympia. I also attended the South Puget Sound Community College Automotive Technology program. After my son Matias was born I made the decision to move back to Whidbey Island. So glad to be living back on Whidbey, it’s a great place to have a boat!
Alex (Senior Technician)
First car owned: When I turned 16, my family helped me buy my first car. It was a silver 2004 Hyundai Sonata that I put 50,000 miles on in the first 2 years. I drove that car across the state 4 times until it needed a major repair that put it out of service at 200,000 miles. I repaired it in my mom’s small garage with a new cylinder head after saving all of my paychecks to buy the parts I needed. I bought it for $2,000 and sold it for $1,450. I loved that car!
Favorite things to do outside of work: I like to do projects around the house with my fiancé Annie. We take our dogs Bear and Darwin on walks, the beach, and about everywhere else we go. A large hobby of mine is electronics, small and large, either repairing them, installing them, or modifying them. Some of my time also goes into my Subaru WRX whether it be tuning, repairing, or just driving it -- it’s my pride and joy! Most of all I love spending time with Annie and starting our own life adventures, not to mention spending time with both of our families.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: Working with my coworkers and my bosses. To me, they make all the difference in the world. To work as a “family” and to get to know one another personally and professionally is just amazing. I learn something new every single day!
School / work background: I attended the South Whidbey School District until my sophomore year in high school. I transferred into the Running Start program and began as a freshman at Cascadia College, where we shared facilities and faculty with the University of Washington Bothell campus. I transferred from there to Everett Community College after a year to pursue an Associates Degree in Pre-Nursing, but found that my love for the automotive industry was much bigger than practicing any sort of medicine. Before working at Matt’s I was a dishwasher at Gordon’s On Blueberry Hill for almost 3 years, which was also my very first job.
David (Facilities Manager)
First car owned: A 1972 Toyota Hilux pickup truck.
Favorite things to do outside of work: I am an artist; painting (easel to mural), sculpture (mostly multidimensional box constructions), woodworking, and graphic work. I also continue to work on the house I built in 1996 and in our 10 acres of forest. To see my work you can go to davidiles.com.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: I clean the shop by myself. I like how quiet it is when I am there and the paycheck I receive from my work.
School / work background: I graduated from Evergreen State College in 1982. I spent 5 years working on a flower farm, 12 years as a caregiver for a quadriplegic, 6 years as an early learning teacher working with toddlers, and 5 years as part of a two-person portable sawmill business. I have worked for Matt’s Import Haven for 8 years now. I have been lucky enough to be able to work these jobs part-time so as to pursue my artwork as my prime occupation.
Jason (Technician)
First car owned: My first car was a 1987 Honda Civic, which was gray in color. It was a 5 speed manual hatchback.
Favorite things to do outside of work: When not at work I like to spend quality time with my family. I also enjoy gardening and watching UFC.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: My fellow co-workers are a great group of people. I also have the opportunity for growth as a technician.
School / work background: I attended South Whidbey and Woodinville high schools.
Mike (Service Advisor)
First car owned: My first two cars that I owned briefly were an Oldsmobile and a Buick from the 1980s. My first car that I had for a length of time and to this day my favorite car I have owned is a Geo Storm (1993 I believe). Fun little 5 speed that would get me through snowy roads when trucks would be stuck on the side of the road.
Favorite things to do outside of work: My favorite activities when outside of work include spending time with my wife, I enjoy cooking, gardening, woodworking, and playing music.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: Best thing about working at Matt’s is being able to help the community stay mobile and having the reputation people trust to complete services with honesty and integrity. The entire staff gets along well and works together to achieve the best care for the customers.
School / work background: My education stopped at a high school diploma. I graduated Mt Si High School in 2004. First 2 years out of school I built concrete foundations for new homes. After that I had worked as a Maintenance Technician with varying roles and responsibilities for 10 years. Then I spent 7 years in the Auto Glass industry starting as an Install Technician and moving into the Quality Manager/Technician Trainer role. I have been with Matt’s since February of 2024.
Zander (Lube Technician)
First car owned: I found a 1996 Mazda Miata in someone's yard in Freeland. I gave them 500$ for it and then I basically rebuilt the entire car. It is an ongoing project. I drive the Miata daily but it is also my racecar.
Favorite things to do outside of work: Going to Evergreen Speedway to race in Auto X. I've been into racing for about 2 years. I enjoy working on my plethora of project cars. My newest project is a 1986 Jaguar XJS, with a Corvette L98 motor swap.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: Living 5 minutes from work! The great work environment and working on cars every day.
School / work background: I attended South Whidbey Schools from K-12. I also attended Sno-Isle Skill Center studying Computers Servers and Networking during high school.
Sophie (Parts Manager / Service Advisor)
First car owned: My first car was a 2007 Toyota Camry, named Freddie. My uncle got the car for me and my sisters, it was the first car for all three of us.
Favorite things to do outside of work: I am passionate about traveling. I hope to see most of the world in my lifetime. My other interests are making art, reading, hiking, and baking.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: I really like being able to help people and I have wonderful co-workers.
School / work background: I attended Seattle Waldorf High School.
Victoria (Service Advisor)
First car owned: A 1996 VW Jetta that my dad helped me buy at auction. I didn’t know a thing about it except that it was glittery purple, and that was good enough for me. I drove that Jetta until all of the power windows stopped working and the car would no longer reverse.
Favorite things to do outside of work: I love belly dancing, cooking, and reading. I’m also a huge movie fan (horror, comedy, action - or, my favorite, a blend of all 3!) and love hanging out with my spouse and our two cats at home.
Favorite things about working at Matt’s Import Haven: The whole team cares! We all share a commitment to doing excellent work and providing superb service. I really appreciate working with a team that has a shared goal of success and an ongoing desire to innovate, improve, and impress. Our customers are unquestionably awesome, too!
School / work background: I’ve been working since I finished high school (many moons ago). I have a long, long history of working in customer service roles, in both public and private sector environments. I enjoy getting to know people and helping them to solve their problems!