VIP Tires auto techs earn 'World Class' status

AUBURN, Maine — A pair of VIP Tires & Service auto technicians, Kenny Bridges and Brian Thibodeau, have earned World Class Technician status, signifying they have achieved Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification in 22 specialty areas.

World Class status is a distinction achieved by fewer than 0.2 percent of the nearly 900,000 auto technicians active in the U.S., VIP Tires said.

"We are extremely proud of Kenny and Brian," said VIP Tires President and CEO John Quirk. "Earning World Class Technician status is a big accomplishment requiring additional time and dedication outside of work given the demanding nature of the testing.

"These two individuals represent the best of the best for VIP, and we know that their high level of knowledge, skill and commitment will be an asset to our customers."

Mr. Bridges, service manager at VIP's Bangor, Maine, location, has been with the dealership since 2011. He has been pursuing this elite certification level for three years, VIP said.

Mr. Bridges has been a car enthusiast since his youth, which led him to attend the Universal Technical Institute in North Carolina. There he found a passion for race cars, VIP said, and became a driveline specialist building gears and transmissions. Today, he shares that interest with his young son.

Mr. Thibodeau has been a VIP associate for 21 years and has served in many roles. He is a service technician at VIP's Presque Isle, Maine, store.

Each of the 22 content specific exams, created and administered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, have 50 to 75 questions.

These tests cover automotive repair, collision repair and refinishing, medium/heavy-duty truck mechanical repair, advanced engine performance and electronic diesel engine diagnosis, VIP said.

Messrs. Bridges and Thibodeau will be recognized formally in early 2018 when the NIASE releases the full list of 2017 World Class Technicians.

"We believe in providing our customers with excellent service, and having highly skilled technicians is a critical part of that equation," Mr. Quirk added. "For that reason, we gladly support any technician voluntarily pursuing ASE certification and fund all the testing costs."

VIP operates 56 retail stores throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, with more than 400 automotive technicians. Collectively, VIP's service technicians have 950 ASE certifications, and 41 have earned Master Mechanic status.