Learn More About Old Town Auto Service in Eureka, CA

Meet the Owners, Steve & Lacee Cunningham

Steve Cunningham began his automotive career as a teenager working in his parent’s auto repair shop, then known as Old Town Brake & Front End. He started at the bottom cleaning shop floors and tools, and worked his way up to become a highly trained and certified technician. Starting from the age of 21, he managed his parents’ shop until opening his own auto repair shop, Eureka Brake & Automotive, in 1988 at the age of 24. Steve is no stranger to hard work and perseverance.

Steve and Lacee were married in 1990, and not long after, the shop was busy enough that Lacee was needed fulltime in the business. Over the years, the couple has created an incredible partnership in the automotive industry while raising a family of their own. Taking their parents’ lead, they too have balanced managing a successful business and busy family. Today, the Cunninghams continue to hone their skills in all aspects of business, management, and maintaining a great team at home and work.

The couple’s interest in helping others to find their career paths has led them to become involved with a number of organizations. Steve has served as department advisor for the Eureka High School automotive department and as a board member for the College of the Redwoods Automotive Department.

Lacee is a member of www.WECAREadvisory.org, a women’s advisory council dedicated to educating women and men on career opportunities in the automotive industry. Steve and Lacee have a passion for providing quality service and repairs for the Eureka community, as well as creating career opportunities for those who want them.

Currently, Steve & Lacee run both Old Town Auto Service and Eureka Brake & Automotive, and they are educating their daughters in the business of auto repair. The family plans to provide Eureka drivers with excellence in auto repair and service for many years to come.

Larry Tipton, Master Technician

Larry has worked as an auto repair technician for 35 years, joining Old Town Auto Service in 1999. His interest in cars started in high school by taking HROP automotive classes, which led him to continue his education at Arizona Automotive Institute. Today, Larry has completed the necessary course work and service hours to become a fully certified ASE Master Technician. Putting his education and experience to work, he built a 400 c.i.d. engine and transmission for his 1970 Pontiac GTO, which took a 13.90 time in the quarter. Well done, Larry.

In his free time, Larry enjoys building competition rifles and collecting tarantulas, a hobby he shares with his son, Michael, who works fulltime and attends nursing school at College of the Redwoods.

Chris Mills, Master Technician

Spending time with his dad a family friend as they restored a 1940 Chevy truck from start to finish, Chris Mills got the bug at nine years old. A project like that takes dedication and patience, he appreciated—even at a young age—the effort that went into creating perfection. The truck won many awards at various car shows, giving Chris a huge sense of pride in workmanship and quality. Today, he still experiences great joy in producing quality work.

Chris has been working in the automotive industry for 36 years with special factory training in Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, GM, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Volkswagen, and Audi. He is also a Master Certified Cadillac tech, a Master Certified Subaru tech, a Master ASE certified technician, and is certified by SET (Special Electronics Training).

Chris enjoys learning and applying what he has learned in his work and personal life. He is very active, enjoying golf, fishing, fitness, and reading, as well as volunteering as a coach for local youths in golf and baseball. It’s very rewarding for him to help children grow in the direction of pursuing a happy and healthy life through sports. Chris is also a Master Mason, and a member in good standing of the Masonic Lodge for the past 20 years.

Bryon Reardon, Service Advisor

Our service advisor, Bryon Reardon, was born and raised in Eureka, California and graduated from Eureka High School in 1982. After high school, he took a variety of classes at College of the Redwoods, including aviation classes (later to acquire his pilot’s license). Investigating his career options, Bryon decided to join the Marine Corp, where he could not only serve his country, but also learn additional skills. He became a large vehicle mechanic, working on military vehicles of many makes and models, which propelled him into the automotive industry when he finished his service.

Bryon started with Old Town Auto Service as an automotive technician more than 25 years ago. He has always been a dedicated employee, and has always demonstrated genuine care for customers and the vehicles he works on. Now as a service advisor, he enjoys talking to people about their vehicles and assisting them in making decisions regarding vehicle maintenance and repairs.

Outside of work, Bryon enjoys spending time with his wife, Tracey, and daughter, Hannah. He is an avid hunter and hiker, and spends his weekends making fishing lures for his online fishing lure business.