About Express Auto Hail Repair
Express Auto Hail Repair is a family-owned and operated hail restoration company founded in 2020. From day one, our goal has been simple: operate with structure, treat people like family, and restore vehicles the right way.
We specialize exclusively in hail damage repair. That focus allows us to manage insurance claims efficiently, preserve factory finishes whenever possible, and deliver consistent, high-quality results.
Our company is built on process, discipline, and relationships. Many of our customers tell us they didn’t just fix their vehicle — they made a friend. We believe in knowing our clients, not just processing their claim.
Family
Owned Roots
Relationship
Driven Service
Specialized
Hail Masters
MEET OUR TEAM
Julian DeStephano
Owner & Founder
Julian is the founder of Express Auto Hail Repair, bringing a rare combination of financial discipline, corporate project management experience, and hands-on automotive operations to the hail repair industry.
He holds a degree in Accounting and previously worked in IT Project Management at Morgan Stanley, where he led complex initiatives requiring structure, precision, and accountability at scale.
His focus is building a company rooted in integrity, efficiency, and accountability. He is committed to maintaining strict workmanship standards and ensuring every customer understands the repair process from inspection to final delivery. Under his leadership, the company prioritizes transparency with both customers and insurance providers.
Julian met Heather while running a hail storm in Austin, Texas. What began as a professional connection quickly became a partnership in both life and business. Together, they have built a family-owned and operated company while raising two children side by side.
Outside of work, Julian prioritizes discipline and growth — eating healthy, working out, hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding, and continuously learning through documentaries and new ideas. That drive for improvement directly influences the culture at Express: stay sharp, stay structured, and always raise the standard.
Heather DeStephano
Claims & Customer Service Manager
Heather is the operational heartbeat of the customer experience. She graduated from Texas Tech with a Pharmacy degree and brings a detail-oriented, analytical approach to every process she touches.
Having lived in Germany for ten years during her adolescence, she speaks German and brings a global perspective to communication and organization. Before joining Express, Heather helped develop medical spa franchises nationally, giving her deep experience in structured growth and customer-focused operations.
Today, she ensures every customer feels informed, supported, and genuinely cared for from intake to delivery. Heather and Julian raise two children together and have built the company around family values — integrity, hospitality, and follow-through.
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Celia Marie
Claims Lead
Celia is known for her professionalism and kindness. With eight years of experience writing insurance estimates in both PDR and traditional collision repair, she understands the claim process from every angle.
She previously worked for Allstate and now brings that inside knowledge to advocate effectively for our customers. Her calm, respectful approach and deep estimating expertise help move claims forward smoothly and accurately.
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Thor Shoemaker
Sales & Operations Lead
Thor hails from Texas — and lives up to the name. Big in stature and even bigger in hospitality, he sets the tone in the field.
Thor oversees inspections, customer communication, and operational flow. He works hard, moves fast, and makes sure customers feel welcomed and valued from the first interaction. For Thor, it’s not just about closing a job — it’s about earning trust.
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Rich Garcia
Lead Technician
Rich is a pioneer in Paintless Dent Repair. He has been traveling the globe fixing hail-damaged vehicles since 1998, when the PDR industry was just taking shape.
Widely respected in the industry, Rich brings decades of precision, patience, and craftsmanship to every vehicle. He is known for tackling the toughest hail dents others walk away from — and for staying late to make sure the job is right. His pride in his work sets the technical standard for our entire shop.Rich is a pioneer in Paintless Dent Repair. He has been traveling the globe fixing hail-damaged vehicles since 1998, when the PDR industry was just taking shape.
Widely respected in the industry, Rich brings decades of precision, patience, and craftsmanship to every vehicle. He is known for tackling the toughest hail dents others walk away from — and for staying late to make sure the job is right. His pride in his work sets the technical standard for our entire shop.
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Isac Silva
Technician
Isac is originally from Brazil and speaks four languages, allowing him to connect easily with customers from all backgrounds. With a body shop foundation and five years of Paintless Dent Repair experience, he brings both technical skill and precision to every repair.
Known for his positive energy and genuine character, Isac has a smile that lights up a room. He’s a valued member of the Express Auto Hail Repair team and takes pride in delivering high-quality workmanship on every vehicle.
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Sergio
Parts & Glass Specialist
Sergio manages removal and installation (R&I) as well as glass replacement. Meticulous and detail-driven, he ensures that every component removed during the repair process is reinstalled properly and aligned precisely.
He continuously quality-checks both his own work and the team’s work throughout the process, ensuring vehicles leave looking as good — or better — than when they arrived.
