From Car Lot to Motor Trend: The Journey of an Editor-in-Chief Who Lives and Breathes Automotive

Profile of a veteran editor-in-chief who transformed a passion for cars into a distinguished career in automotive journalism, from childhood to Motor Trend.

How It All Began

I am a veteran editor-in-chief whose life revolves around cars. My story begins in ordinary days around car dealerships, where I would spend time examining the vehicles and reading the brochures about them, always curious about performance, specifications, and what the magazines promised to ask about each model.

My father, an immigrant from Hong Kong, shaped my path. The family moved from St. Louis, Missouri, to Camarillo, California, in the early 1970s. Along that journey, we experienced cars that remain etched in memory: a 1973 Super Beetle, a 1976 Volvo 240, a 1977 Caprice Classic station wagon, and a 1984 VW Vanagon. He taught me to love powerful sports cars and sedans, and I stored every detail for adulthood.

I remember sitting in the trunk of my father's 1981 Mazda RX-7, listening to him explain, for the umpteenth time, what made the rotary engine so special. I also recall the sound of the turbo diesel in the Mercedes-Benz 300D, that desire to accelerate that only grows with time.

First Steps, First Passion

I grew up in a family that gradually led me onto the roads of automotive life. At 15 years and 6 months old, I got my driver's license perfectly, driving the MINA — practically my mother's Van: a 1991 Toyota Previa. As a reward, I was given the keys to my brother's 1986 Celica GT-S. Three months later, with six speeding violations, I was removed from the family insurance policy and started driving a 1983 Toyota 4x4 Hilux, which accompanied me through college and much of my university years.

At USC, where I studied biological sciences with a minor in business, cars were present even outside the pages. I worked at the Daily Trojan newspaper and then decided to take a different route than my parents imagined, opting for freelance photography. It was at this point that I began to understand that my perspective could tell stories beyond the streets — stories about what moved the automotive world.

From Photography to Editing: The Explosive Path

After a difficult period, I started working for a tuning magazine in Orange County, covering the scene long before it became mainstream. I went from staff photographer to editor-in-chief in just three years. During this phase, I bought a 1989 Nissan 240SX as my faithful road partner, and to transport equipment, I acquired a 1985 Toyota Land Cruiser (FJ60).

I never stopped there. The vehicle and curiosity led me to a more traditional automotive magazine, where I took on the position of editor-in-chief of Sport Compact Car shortly after turning 30. Creative direction at the time came from a famous editorial director: Angus MacKenzie. Under his leadership, I learned to demand the best on every page and to transform passion into quality content.

Arrival at Motor Trend

In 2007, Angus invited me to join the Motor Trend team as senior editor. It was the turning point that consolidated my trajectory in the industry, allowing me to combine years of experience with a forward-looking vision for automotive journalism. Since then, I have closely followed the evolution of the sector and continue to be driven by the passion that began in childhood, amidst the squabbles over the documentation of my first car dreams.

Conclusion

Between car lots, magazines, cameras, and chroniclers who tell stories about engines, my journey shows how curiosity can take someone from the passenger seat to the top of one of the industry's biggest publications. On every page, I strive to keep alive the essence of someone who grew up surrounded by cars and continues to learn from every vehicle that crosses my path.

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