Charles Ofria has been active in the automotive industry for over 40 years. During the 70’s he was owner-operator of Ofria Automotive, a thriving auto repair shop in Brooklyn, NY. During that time he became involved with auto mechanic training when he set up courses to help prepare mechanics to take the then new  A.S.E. (Automotive Service Excellence) mechanic certification exams.

He also co-founded the Educational Institute at G.A.S.D.A. Ltd.(Gasoline and Automotive Service Dealers Association) which provided classes for it’s members on topics such as electronic ignitions, diagnostic oscilloscope patterns, emission controls and wheel alignment.

During the late 70’s and the 80’s, he owned and operated Technicare Automotive Equipment Co. selling hi-tech diagnostic and wheel alignment equipment. Technicare also housed a school for automotive technician training where Mr. Ofria, along with other instructors, presented seminars in areas of interest to technicians. Thousands of technicians from all over the New York metropolitan area attended these courses.

When the personal computer appeared, Mr. Ofria saw an opportunity to bring the computer’s unique power and capability to the automotive repair shop. In 1983 he founded SmartTrac Computer Systems, Inc. in order to bring one of the first, fully integrated shop management programs called "The Shop Manager" to life. He also developed ground-breaking software for Home Automation and trade association management.  In the '90's, he gave computer seminars that helped bring people into the computer age and introduced them to the Internet. His popular seminar series entitled Computers for Dinosaurs^tm was directed to people who know little or nothing about computers and were even intimidated by them.

SmartTrac currently sells management systems for repair shops and also administers a number of popular web sites. One site, The Family Car, is directed to the general public and helps people solve their automotive problems. Through SmartTrac, Charles Ofria also creates and hosts web sites for companies and industry groups in the alternative health field as well as the auto repair industry.

Mr. Ofria is currently very active as an automotive journalist where he brings his diverse knowledge of the automotive industry to bear in articles and new car road test reviews that he writes for The Family Car website.  Mr. Ofria is also an accomplished photographer and is responsible for most of the photos that you see on The Family Car