When Alberto Vela looks back on his journey to owning A-Plus Transmissions in Weslaco, Texas, it’s clear that his path wasn’t just about mastering transmissions – it was about perseverance, community, and heart. Today, Alberto runs his shop with a simple goal – to inspire others in the industry to push forward, no matter the obstacles.
Alberto’s passion for transmissions was sparked long before he moved to America. As a young boy growing up in Mexico, he and his father faced a frustrating situation, their truck’s transmission failed. The mechanic repairing it invited Alberto to lend a hand. “I was just a kid, but I remember thinking, ‘This is kind of fun,’” Alberto recalls. That small moment stuck with him, planting the first seeds of a lifelong career.
When Alberto came to the United States as a teenager, life wasn’t easy. He dropped out of high school, unsure of what the future would hold. But life has a way of offering unexpected opportunities. A friend’s father owned a transmission shop and asked Alberto if he wanted to help out. His first job was washing greasy, grimy transmission parts. The first transmission he worked on was a 350, and even though it wasn’t glamorous work, Alberto loved it. “There was something about being in that shop,” he says. “It felt like I belonged.”
Alberto dove into learning everything he could about transmissions, moving from cleaning parts to mastering R&R. However, life threw him a curveball. While servicing a Crown Victoria, Alberto made a crucial mistake – he didn’t secure the car properly on the jack, and it fell on him. He was hospitalized with a skull fracture. “That accident scared me,” he admits. “I wondered, ‘Is this even worth it?’” He stepped away from the industry, working as a waiter and then in construction, but the passion with transmissions never left him.
It wasn’t long before Alberto found his way back to the automotive world. He landed a job at AAMCO, where he met Allan Nurenberg, a mentor who would change his life. Allan not only helped Alberto develop his skills but also supported him through personal challenges, even helping him with his green card process. “Allan believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” Alberto says. “His belief in me made all the difference.”
At AAMCO, Alberto began investing in his future, buying tools for rebuilding transmissions. His coworkers teased him – after all, he was “just an R&R tech.” But Alberto had his eyes on the bigger picture. He was preparing for his future. “I knew where I wanted to go,” he says.
However, Alberto’s future was threatened once again with another close call when he dropped a transmission on his hand, causing severe tendon damage. It was a tough setback, requiring surgeries and months of recovery. Nevertheless, Alberto’s determination never hesitated. His coworkers, who once teased him, grew to admire his resilience. Alberto recalls, “They learned that I wasn’t a quitter, no matter what.”
In 1999, Alberto took his skills to the next level. With the help of Bob Riley at ATRA, he earned his certification in transmission rebuilding, scoring a perfect 100. “That moment was huge for me,” he shares. “It reminded me that hard work always pays off.”
As Alberto’s expertise grew, so did his frustration with the way many shops operate. He says, “I was jumping from job to job, and I kept thinking, ‘I could do this better.’” In 2009, with just $500 and a toolbox, he decided to take the leap and open his own shop, and A-Plus Transmissions was born. “I remember the first transmission I built in my shop – a little A4LD,” he reminisced. “The profit from that job paid my first month’s rent. It felt like a sign that I was on the right track.”
Running a shop wasn’t easy in the beginning. There were slow days – sometimes too many. Alberto laughs as he remembers sitting outside the shop, feeding rice to the birds during those quiet times. “My friends would call and ask what I was up to, and I’d say, ‘Oh, just feeding the birds,’” he jokes. “But I never let those slow days discourage me. I knew they wouldn’t last forever.”
Alberto’s hard work did pay off. Today, A-Plus Transmissions is known for its expertise in CVT rebuilds and for tackling the kinds of transmission problems other shops won’t touch. “The first CVT I rebuilt was for a Saturn Vue,” he says. “It was a challenge, but I love solving puzzles like that.”
What sets Alberto apart isn’t just his technical skill, it’s his heart for the industry. He’s passionate about mentoring the next generation of technicians, sharing lessons he’s learned the hard way. He asserts, “I tell them, ‘Be careful with your eyes – safety comes first. And start investing in your tools early. You’re not just building transmissions; you’re building your future.”
Alberto’s dedication to mentorship extends to his family, where his passion for helping others has taken root in the next generation. His daughters, Cristina and Linda, currently work alongside him at A-Plus Transmissions, gaining firsthand experience in the family business. Cristina excels as a service advisor, bridging the gap between customers and the technical team, while Linda manages the office, ensuring the operation runs smoothly. Despite their demanding roles, both daughters are also pursuing college degrees, balancing academics with their commitment to the shop.
Alberto’s pride in his daughters is evident when he talks about their futures. “It makes me proud to see them stepping into this world,” he says. “They’re learning the value of hard work and perseverance, just like I did. I want to show them, and others that with determination, anything is possible.”
Alberto is also preparing the next generation of skilled transmission technicians. His team of young apprentices is learning not just the technical aspects of the trade but also the importance of professionalism, safety, and customer care. Alberto takes his role as a mentor seriously, ensuring these aspiring technicians are equipped with both the knowledge and the tools they’ll need to succeed. He explained, “It’s not just about fixing transmissions, it’s about building careers and showing these young people that they can achieve great things.”
Being featured in Gears Magazine is a dream come true for Alberto, not because it highlights his success, but because it gives him a platform to inspire others. He observed, “This industry can be tough. There will be setbacks, but you can’t let them stop you. Learn from them and keep going. I want to be an encouragement to others, showing them that no matter where you start, you can build something amazing.”
Alberto’s journey from a young boy in Mexico helping rebuild his father’s truck to the owner of a respected transmission shop is proof of his resilient spirit and the power of mentorship. Through his work at A-Plus Transmissions, he’s not just fixing vehicles, he’s building a legacy of hope and inspiration for the automotive community. The road isn’t always easy, but with the right tools, the right people, and a lot of heart, you can make it.
It is with a heavy heart to share that A-Plus’ lead technician, Ricardo Villasana, passed away on December 14, 2024, during the production of this Shop Profile article. Our hearts and prayers go out to Ricardo’s family and friends. Ricardo loved this industry and was a proud member of the A-Plus team.
