The Owners:

Nate and Lauren are excited to continue to deliver the exceptional service and customer care that has been the foundation of DSOA.

From 2019-2026, Nate was an Assistant Professor in the UAA Auto & Diesel Technology (ADT) Program. His team brought in over $500,000 in new funding and support for the program. This allowed them to increase student enrollment, upgrade student experiences and bring the ADT Program to the forefront of technical schools in the nation. UAA ADT is now the Alaskan training hub for Caterpillar, Cummins, GM and many other major brands. This industry support has allowed the program to grow and provide much needed training and education to Alaskans. In fact, four of Nate's students work at DSOA!

With mentorship from Darrin Marshall (UAA ADT), Nate created the “UAA Auto & Diesel Expo” in 2023. This event was envisioned to bring together the community, education and industry in a way that highlights the opportunities for Alaskans and inspires creativity in the trades. This event has quickly grown to become one of the largest industry events in the state.

Nate is a Marine Corps Scout Sniper Veteran which has guided his operating principles and practices. You can view his LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-berry-7311b872/

Lauren was born and raised in Georgia and Texas but has made Alaska her home since 2011. After earning degrees from Texas A&M (Wildlife and Fisheries Science) and Georgia Southern (Biology), she pursued her doctorate at UAF in Marine Biology and earned her PhD in 2016. She worked for the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island for 13 years as the Ecosystem Conservation Office Director

where she established and directed programs for food security, marine mammal research and management, fisheries, environmental monitoring, and created long standing ties with Indigenous Peoples across the Arctic. Her work focuses on community engagement, implementation of Indigenous Knowledge systems, and improving scientific research and policy. In 2025, she opened her own consulting business that continues to support Arctic research at state, federal, and international levels through her consulting.

Lauren is bookkeeping and running the business finances, along with assisting in office and shop management. Her attention to detail and director-level experience keep the shop running smoothly! You can view her LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-divine-berry-765a22116/

They have 3 children. Brynn (19), Bash (6) and Amelia (4).