Service technician celebrates 30 years working at Nissan dealership

As Gary Willett accepted the congratulations of his co-workers, he could look back over a career that mirrors the history of Nissan in Southern Nevada.

Beginning his service technician career in 1971 in his Vermont hometown, Willet moved to Las Vegas in 1979. Thirty years ago, the Vermont native started his Vegas automotive career as a service technician at Jack Biegger Nissan, which then became Sahara West, then Nissan West, and finally Desert Nissan, the name the dealership has today.

Accolades gathered during his long service include being honored last year as Nissan's ASE Master Tech for North America for 2009. Desert Nissan's Service Manager, Brian Haffey, recently paid tribute to Willett's commitment, abilities and contribution to the dealership's success.

When Desert Nissan General Manager Joe Triola asked Willett if he could describe what it was that kept him as a Nissan tech for 30 years, longer than some of his co-workers have been alive, Willett replied, "It's close to home," to the amusement of his gathered peers.