SAN DIEGO — The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) recognized 47 automotive techs — including 11 from the tire and/or independent automotive service trades — as the best in their profession at the group's recent fall board of governors meeting in San Diego.
ASE President and CEO Tim Zilke cited the recipients' "enthusiasm and professionalism" as a "testament to the high quality individuals wearing the ASE Blue Seal…."
The technicians honored represented 36 companies and 11 institutions. The ASE has been recognizing the top ASE technicians for more than 40 years.
Among those honored as ASE Master Automobile Technicians were six technicians by TBC Corp. and techs from Bridgestone Retail Operations, Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack, Pronto Smart Choice, SpeeDee Oil Change and TechNet Professionals.
The six technicians honored by TBC included four at the firm's company-owned locations — John Hughes, Merchant's Tire & Auto Centers, Midlothian, Va.; Bomar Acworth, National Tire & Battery Southeast, Acworth Ga.; Steve Dzoedzoc. National Tire & Battery West, Oswego, Ill.; and Brian Woodstock, Tire Kingdom, Jupiter, Fla.
TBC also honored technicians working at Big O Tires and Midas International franchises: Sean Murphy, Big O, Gilbert, Ariz.; and Christopher Bradley, Midas, Westmont, Ill.
Bridgestone recognized Jonathan Fisher, who works at the firm's Firestone Complete Auto Care location in Camp Hill, Pa.
Pep Boys' honoree is Antonio Carrillo, who works in Hutto, Texas.
Pronto Smart Choice — a marketing/training program of National Pronto Association — honored Kevin Fraser, who works at S&R Auto and Tire in Estherville, Iowa.
SpeeDee Oil Change — now owned by Grease Monkey International — honored Patrick Sacco, who works at a SpeeDee franchise in Marrero, La.
TECHNET Professional — a CarQuest program — honored Steven Neiffer, a technician at Bergren, Transmission & Auto Care
Other aftermarket honorees of note include:
- Michael Aubrey, RepairPal, Spartan Auto Care Center, West Springfield, Mass.
- Steven Sellers, Snap-on – Automobile, Eldon's Automotive Service, Columbus, Ind.
- Steven Remus, Snap-on – Truck, Southeastern Freight Lines, Riverview, Fla.
The association held the awards ceremony at the Marriott Mission Valley in San Diego. The honorees are recognized based on being top scorers on the ASE Certification Tests along with on-the-job excellence, community service and other factors.
For the complete list of winners, go to the ASE's website.