News

Classic Motor Museum Celebrates CMM ATAP Graduates and a Growing Pathway to Automotive Careers

Aug 25, 2026 | ,

ST. MICHAELS, Md. — August 2026 — The Classic Motor Museum recently celebrated an important milestone as Classic Motor Museum Automotive Technician Apprenticeship Program (CMM ATAP) apprentices Sam Fike, III and Brandon Kealy completed their apprenticeships and received State of Maryland Certificates of Completion of Apprenticeship.

Sam and Brandon each completed more than 6,000 hours of on-the-job training and 630 hours of related instruction over the course of their three-year apprenticeships. In addition to working with their employer partners, both graduates attended CMM ATAP’s classroom each week to complete an automotive curriculum, demonstrating the sustained commitment required to complete the program. Both also earned Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications and can continue pursuing additional ASE certifications as they advance in their automotive careers.

The graduation brought together family members, employers, board members, volunteers, community supporters and representatives from the State of Maryland to recognize the graduates’ accomplishments and the partnerships that make CMM ATAP possible.

Jackie Trieu, Interim Manager, Office of Apprenticeship, Division of Workforce Development & Adult Learning, Maryland Department of Labor, joined the celebration and congratulated the graduates and the Classic Motor Museum on reaching the milestone.

CMM ATAP Instructor Jim McCrea presented the certificates to Sam and Brandon. Sam completed his apprenticeship with employer partner Fike’s Automotive, while Brandon completed his apprenticeship with Bay Hundred Automotive.

The graduation also provided an opportunity to reflect on CMM ATAP’s beginnings. Board President Tad duPont and board member JoAnn McQuay shared how the program grew from the Classic Motor Museum’s early efforts to mentor young people in the community who had an interest in automobiles. Recognizing the need for a pathway for those interested in developing professional automotive skills, board members Janet Soderberg and McQuay researched apprenticeship opportunities through the State of Maryland. Their work helped transform the Museum’s mentoring efforts into the structured apprenticeship program that is now CMM ATAP.

Today, CMM ATAP combines related instruction, on-the-job training and mentorship with the support of local employers and community partners.

“CMM ATAP is possible because so many people believe in the value of investing in these students, in workforce development and in the future of the automotive profession,” said Natalie Stamerro, CMM ATAP Director. “Our employer partners, the Maryland Department of Labor, Talbot County Public Schools, our volunteers, donors and community supporters all have a part in making this program possible. This graduation celebrates that collective effort, but most importantly, it celebrates Sam and Brandon and the work and commitment that brought them to this milestone.”

The graduation represents more than the completion of an apprenticeship. It reflects CMM ATAP’s broader mission to help develop the next generation of skilled automotive technicians while providing individuals with a meaningful pathway into the profession.

Through partnerships with local automotive employers, the Maryland Department of Labor, Talbot County Public Schools, volunteers, donors and members of the community, CMM ATAP continues to connect aspiring technicians with education, hands-on experience, employment and mentorship as they build careers in the automotive industry.

About CMM ATAP

CMM ATAP is the Classic Motor Museum’s Automotive Technician Apprenticeship Program. Developed from the Museum’s early youth mentoring efforts, CMM ATAP provides a pathway for individuals interested in developing the skills and experience necessary for careers in the automotive field. The program brings together related instruction, on-the-job training, employer partnerships and community support to help develop the next generation of automotive technicians.

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PHOTOS

Photos are attached. Photos courtesy Cold Front Media.

Featured Photo – CMM ATAP Graduates with Maryland Department of Labor Representative
CMM ATAP graduates Brandon Kealy (left) and Sam Fike, III (right) display their State of Maryland Certificates of Completion of Apprenticeship with Jackie Trieu, Interim Manager, Office of Apprenticeship, Division of Workforce Development & Adult Learning, Maryland Department of Labor, during the CMM ATAP graduation celebration at the Classic Motor Museum in St. Michaels.

Photo 2 – JoAnn McQuay
Classic Motor Museum board member JoAnn McQuay shares the story of CMM ATAP’s beginnings during the graduation celebration. McQuay and fellow board member Janet Soderberg helped develop the apprenticeship program from the Museum’s earlier youth mentoring efforts.

Photo 2 – Tad DuPont
Tad duPont, President of the Classic Motor Museum Board of Directors, shares remarks during the CMM ATAP graduation celebration. duPont reflected on the Museum’s early efforts to mentor young people interested in automobiles and the beginnings of what would eventually become CMM ATAP.

Photo 3 – CMM ATAP Graduates with Instructor Jim McCrea
CMM ATAP graduates Sam Fike, III and Brandon Kealy with CMM ATAP Instructor Jim McCrea following the presentation of their State of Maryland Certificates of Completion of Apprenticeship. McCrea served as the graduates’ instructor as they worked through the related instruction component of their three-year apprenticeships.

 

Classic Motor Museum Apprentices Earn ASE Certifications Through Education and Hands-On Partnerships

Dec 1, 2025 | ,

St. Michaels, MD — December 1, 2025 — The Classic Motor Museum’s Automotive Technician Apprenticeship Program (ATAP) proudly celebrates the success of three student apprentices who have recently earned their Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications in multiple subject areas. ASE certification is a nationally recognized credential that represents the highest standard of professional competency in the automotive industry.

This achievement reflects not only the dedication of our apprentices but also the strength of our community. The Museum extends heartfelt thanks to our donors, members, and neighbors whose generous support has made this program possible.

We are especially grateful to our partner automotive shops — Fike’s Automotive, Bay Hundred Automotive, and All Cars Auto Care — for their valuable mentorship and hands-on training. Their guidance has provided apprentices with real world experience and the confidence needed to succeed.

“Our apprentices’ success demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community comes together to invest in its future,” said Jim McCrea, ATAP proctor. “By raising the competency of our students to ASE Certified Technicians, we are building a stronger foundation for local businesses and the next generation of skilled professionals.”

The Classic Motor Museum congratulates the following apprentices on their achievement:

  • Sam Fike, Fike’s Automotive
  • Mike Armstrong, All Cars Auto Care
  • Brandon Kealy, Bay Hundred Automotive

The Automotive Technician Apprenticeship Program accepts new students year round. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact the Museum to learn more about application requirements and program opportunities.

Through its apprenticeship program and educational initiatives, the Classic Motor Museum provides hands on learning opportunities that strengthen our local workforce. By honoring the past and supporting the next generation of technicians, the Museum serves as a vital resource for the community.

Photo Caption

Seated Front left:  Brandon Kealy,
Seated Back left:  Mike Armstrong, Standing:  ATAP proctor Jim McCrea, Seated Right:  Sam Fike – Courtesy of Classic Motor Museum

2025 Annual Appeal

Nov 20, 2025 | ,

November 2025

Dear Friends,

At the St. Michaels Classic Motor Museum, we are deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of support from our community that made the purchase of 906 S. Talbot Street a reality. This campaign’s success is a powerful testament to what we can achieve together — united in purpose, generous in spirit, and committed to a vision that will serve and benefit our community for generations to come.

Stay tuned for more information on the exciting plans in store for the use of this new community resource!

Today, we are asking you to imagine a young adult training in our Automotive Technician Apprenticeship Program — discovering a passion and building the hard and soft skills that set them on a course for a thriving future. Imagine a family visiting the Museum and being captivated by a motor vehicle and the stories it tells of the people, the events, and the cultural shifts that defined an era. Imagine countless residents of our community having a guaranteed place and time to come together and develop lifelong friendships and gain a sense of connection and belonging through their shared passion for classic motor vehicles. These are real examples of the positive impact you are making possible with your support for the Museum.

For this 2025 Annual Appeal, we are seeking your financial support to help us continue and expand the ways in which we serve as an important resource to our community.

Thank you for your partnership and for sharing our vision. With your generosity, we can continue to build a future that honors the past, recognizes the present and empowers the next generation.

Respectfully,

T. Coleman duPont II
President, Board of Directors

Renovation of 906 S. Talbot St

Jun 26, 2025 | , ,

Our Journey Continues – We Need Your Help!

The Classic Motor Museum of St. Michaels, Inc. has grown from humble origins in 2012, guided by a dedicated team and a dream.  More than 12 years on, this team has transformed an empty lot and a handful of classic cars into a unique museum and educational
complex.

To support our growth, the museum is renovating the property on 906 South Talbot Street. This property, once an eye-sore at the entrance to our charming town, will have a 50s-style service station look and play an integral role in both the Museum and our Automotive Technician Apprenticeship Program.

The property will provide “living classroom” space for our apprentices where they can get hands-on experience in the field. We are also upgrading the adjacent building to store our collection and earn revenue to help maintain the operating costs. This upgrade will enable us to easily move vehicles in and out of the barn on Marengo Street and support special exhibitions and events.

This new location, at the entrance to town, will provide higher exposure for the museum and further establish St. Michaels as a cultural and historical landmark on the Eastern Shore.

We have established a $2M funding campaign to renovate the buildings, property and establish an endowment to ensure it never falls into disrepair again. Become a part of this special project by making a donation here.