Meet AERA’s newest tech specialist, Andy Kennedy. Andy started his engine machine shop career at an AERA member shop, Grindstaff Engines, Inc. in Independence, Missouri. He was with Grindstaff for 15 years where his path led him through the duties of engine disassembly and cleaning, then into engine machining where he spent a good deal of time grinding cranks and building engines.
Moving back to the Springfield-area of Missouri, Andy went to work for Diesel Exchange where his primary focus was on heavy-duty head and block machining. He spent the next six years assigned to the position of team leader of their engine machining division.
Before joining the crew at AERA, Andy was machine shop team leader at Schultz Tractor and Machine for over 14 years. His duties ranged from customer communications and sales to machine and assembly. He has spent most of his professional career as an agricultural and industrial diesel guy, but he also has gas engine experience. Andy was a late model dirt racer in Missouri for 18 years. That desire spilled over into building performance and race engines, which is quite fitting considering Andy lives near the Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri.
Andy can be reached directly at: andy@aera.org or 888-326-2372, ext. 220.