OUR TEAM OF AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTS

Mathew Berger

Service Advisor

Mathew joined the automotive industry after a career rooted in hospitality, fine food, and boutique wine. COVID offered a natural reset, and having grown up under a Porsche Club of America banner in a family that loved both show and race cars, he felt drawn to combine his hospitality background with a lifelong passion for all things mechanical.


He began his automotive career with a local independent repair group before moving into specialty dealerships focused on European brands. Along the way, Mathew also worked with an exotic sports car specialist, gaining experience with some of the finest marques in the world - including Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren, and more.

Mathew is excited to continue growing within the European automotive space and brings a strong commitment to attentive, transparent, and high-quality service - values that align closely with what we strive for at Black Canyon Performance.

Outside of work, Mathew enjoys spending time in the Colorado mountains, cooking with his partner, and hanging out with their cats.

Jason Paul

Automotive Technician

Jason is an auto mechanic with 20 years of experience specializing in German vehicles. Born and raised in Colorado, he attended school in Arizona for Volkswagen technical training. Upon graduation, he returned to Colorado to begin his automotive career.
In 2011, Jason completed his Volkswagen master technician requirements and has spent the years since refining his skills. His experience across both dealership environments and private shops has expanded his mechanical expertise beyond Volkswagen to include other German brands, as well as domestic and additional foreign vehicles.


Outside of work, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters, and dogs. Throughout the year, he plays in adult hockey leagues, and during the warmer months, he spends a significant amount of time maintaining his gardens. When he’s not on the ice or pruning his roses, Jason enjoys exploring new restaurants, breweries, and the many festivals and events Colorado has to offer.

Derek Fitzsimmons

Service Technician

Derek is a service technician with over seven years of experience in the automotive industry. After attending technical school in Colorado, he began his career at a Volkswagen dealership, where he spent five years developing his skills — including two years apprenticing under a master technician. He later moved into independent German automotive shops, broadening his expertise across a wider range of foreign and domestic vehicles.

A job well done is Derek’s highest priority. He takes pride in working hard and giving every vehicle his full attention to detail, no matter the size or complexity of the repair. For Derek, working on vehicles is more than just a career — it’s a lifestyle that extends beyond the shop and into his everyday life.

His passion has always centered around German cars. An avid Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche enthusiast, his dedication to these vehicles is evident both in the quality of his work and in his own garage.


Outside of work, Derek enjoys spending time with his wife, family, and friends at car meets, sporting events, and out on the mountain biking trails. As a proud Colorado native, he is a devoted fan of the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Broncos, and Colorado Rapids. On weekends without a game to watch, he can usually be found in the mountains, biking as much as possible.

Matt Gannon

Automotive Technician

Matt is an Automotive Technician specializing in European vehicles, bringing over two decades of combined dealership and performance shop experience to every repair. He is passionate about delivering high-quality workmanship and genuinely enjoys working on cars. Matt takes pride in finding the right solution for every vehicle that comes through the shop.



With a strong dedication to repair quality and continuous learning, he is always eager to expand his knowledge and stay current with evolving automotive technology, including advanced diagnostics. Outside of work, Matt can often be found working on his own car projects or exploring the Colorado mountains.

CHRIS MCNEAL

Owner

Chris McNeal is the owner of Black Canyon Performance European Auto Service and a long-time European car enthusiast, starting back in his early teenage years. He learned professional mechanics with his grandfather at a young age and practiced on European cars throughout his teens with that knowledge base.

As a former IT professional, he transitioned to professional European car repair in 2012. Serving as a technician at several Colorado European car performance and race shops, he vastly expanded his knowledge of European car repair, maintenance, performance, and racing. Today, his passion lies in providing an exceptional end product, an enjoyable workplace, and an unmatched customer experience.

JACE STOUT

Co-Founder

Originally from Southern Oregon, Jace moved to Colorado after high school to attend automotive school — and has called it home ever since. He makes it a point to take full advantage of everything Colorado has to offer, from exploring 4x4 trails to mountain biking and camping.



Jace’s interest in cars turned into a true obsession when he purchased his first Audi Avant at just 18 years old. From that moment on, he knew European vehicles would be his passion. He appreciates the way they look, drive, and feel, and believes nothing compares to the fit, finish, and attention to detail they offer. He enjoys driving, working on, and modifying them, but what he values most about working in the automotive industry is engaging with clients and building long-term relationships with them and their vehicles.

THEA HOVET

Past Staff

CARLOS ALONSO

Past Staff

PIOTR SLABIAK (CORK POP)

Past Staff