Lake Mills Auto Repair

Meet The Team

We pride ourselves on our commitment to quality service. Here are the people working for you every day to repair your vehicle.

Tara Topel, Owner Since 2003

• Background in Communications: Public Relations at UW-Whitewater
• First Vehicle: 1988 ½ Ford Escort (Candy Apple Red)
• Favorite Vehicle: 1965 Ford Shelby Cobra 427
• Hobbies: Volleyball; Bike Riding; Scrapbooking; Spending time with Family;
• Family: Daughter, Mallory; Son, Christian; 3 dogs: Harlow, Scout, & Ruger
• Interesting Fact: Matt Kenseth stepped on my foot at a Race Banquet in 1994

Eric: Service Specialist/Shop Enforcer

• 7 years Automotive Experience
• First Vehicle: 1992 Mazda B2200
• Favorite Vehicle: 1985 Chevy 454 Big Block (given to him by his Father-In-Law)
• Hobbies: Destruction Races with Ball & Chain Racing; Truck Pulling
• Skills & Certifications: ASE HD General Certification
  • Shop Enforcer/Service Advisor
  • Well-rounded in the automotive field including in-depth understanding of technology and system operations
  • Good with people
• Eric has 2 Golden Doodles named Duramax & Teddy; Married wife Karla on 7/23/2016; Expecting first child 1/19; Coached wrestling at Lakeside Lutheran High School

Andrew: Lead Technician/Master Technician

• Experience: 20 years
• 1st vehicle: 89 Chevy Cavalier
• Favorite Vehicle: 71 Chevy K5 Blazer
• Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, camping, anything Outdoors, racing
• Skills & Certifications: ASE Certified, Scan Tool Dynamics, Hybrid Systems, Toyota Engine Management, Ford Engine Management, Push Start Ignition systems, Duramax Diesel Systems
• Interesting Fun Fact: Grew up in Nebraska

Rosa: Accounting Mastermind

• Experience: 5 years
• First Vehicle: 1996 Chevy Lumina
• Favorite Vehicle: Lincoln MKX
• Hobbies: Reading, learning, listening to live music, spending time with family and friends, going to the dog park, practicing yoga
• Skills & Certifications: Associates Degree - Business Management
• Interesting Fun Fact: I worked as a medical assistant in family practice and women's health for 10 years. I had no experience in the auto, towing or dispatching fields when I began working for Dan and Tara in 2014. Working with the Topel family has inspired me to pursue a degree in business management. I'm really funny.

Debbie: Office Support Specialist

• Experience: 1 year
• First Vehicle: Buick Skylark
• Favorite Vehicle: Volkswagen Bug
• Hobbies: Pontooning, reading, spending time with family and friends!
• Skills & Certifications: Cosmetology license
• Interesting Fun Fact: I hate clowns!

Sean: Technician Apprentice

• Experience: 1 year
• First Vehicle: Honda Accord
• Favorite Vehicle: Chevy Camaro
• Hobbies: Fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, movies, riding horses, hanging out with friends and family, learning new skills and more
• Skills & Certifications: Push button start diagnostic and more to come; Oil Changes; Inspections; Brakes; Suspension; Exhaust
• Interesting Fun Fact: I like medieval things. I should've been born during the middle ages.

Lily

• Experience: 6 months as a Shop Assistant at Topel’s Towing and Repair
• First Vehicle: 2004 Nissan Altima
• Favorite Vehicle: Porsche 911 Spyder
• Hobbies: Hunting, hiking, downhill skiing, and Automotive Racing!
• Skills and Certifications: ASE General Maintenance and Light Repair Certification
• Interesting Fun Fact: I got to ride in a 1935 Indycar around Road America!

Sam: Master Technician

• Experience: 17 years in the Automotive industry with a focus on Honda and MINI
• First Vehicle: 1981 Jeep Scrambler CJ8
• Favorite Vehicle: 65 Shelby Cobra Fastback
• Hobbies: Spoon Carving
• Skills and Certifications: ASE Mastertech, Honda Master Tech, MINI Level 1 Tech, A/C Certification
• Interesting Fun Fact: I once spent two weeks at a Buddhist Center in Etwall England.