Indy student, CarMax tech top winners in Techs Rock Awards

PHOENIX — Misael Rodriguez of Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis and Dustin Thomas of CarMax have been named grand prizes winners for the sixth annual Techs Rock Awards, hosted by the TechForce Foundation.

The pair were honored Thursday in a ceremony at Mecum Glendale 2024 in Glendale, Arizona.

Rodriguez, the future tech winner, and Thomas, the working tech winner, each received a trip to Glendale, where they met industry leaders at the TechForce National Partner Summit. They also receive a NAPA Carlyle toolbox stocked with Carlyle tools valued at $8,000 each and a week-long rental of an electric vehicle.

The eight runners-up will receive a $500 AutoZone gift card and a Gearwrench modular tool set, valued at up to $1,000.

TechForce's Techs Rock Awards program honors student and professional technicians' dedication to their craft and to motivating others to pursue technical education and careers. An panel of celebrity judges reviewed hundreds of nominations to select 10 finalists representing categories including automotive and motorsports, aviation, motorcycle and marine, collision, restoration and welding, diesel and emerging technologies.

Rodriguez and Thomas were selected by popular vote. More than 10,000 votes were cast.

TechForce CEO Jennifer Maher said the winners' "commitment to the technician profession inspires others, and their success is a testament to the opportunities afforded by professional technician careers. Join TechForce in congratulating all of the Techs Rock Awards honorees who keep America moving and help our communities thrive."

Rodriguez, a first-generation Mexican-American, is an 11th-grade automotive technology student at Ben Davis High School and Area 31 Career Center in Indianapolis.

"I felt the calling to be a technician at age 13 when my uncle and I replaced the starter solenoid on my dad's truck," he said. "I will always remember the feeling I got when the truck started because we fixed it."

Rodriguez said he competes for SkillsUSA Auto Maintenance Light and Repair in a group of four, and he is the only first-year student in his group. He is in the running for SkillsUSA Indiana State Officer and is on a team competing for the organization's community service award by providing no-cost auto services.

"Winning the Grand Prize is a milestone achieved with the help of friends, family, community and God," Rodriguez said. "This award will help me with tools and motivate me to continue what I love. I want this opportunity to motivate more students and technicians not to give up and see that anything can be achieved. No matter what race, age, or gender you are, anything is possible with commitment and dedication. My goal is to become a leader, help others, and help my community and peers grow and prosper."

Thomas is an automotive technician with CarMax in San Antonio.

"After seeing from friends how unique and cool the automotive world could be, I was hooked… I worked at a small shop for two years after completing my associates (degree) in automotive technology in 2015, and later continued my growth by accepting a position with CarMax."

Thomas has his A1-A8 and L1 ASE advanced certifications, which allowed him to be promoted to CarMax's highest level of technician positions. He has worked with high school auto tech students and volunteered to support youth as far as 2-plus hours from his home.

"I'm just amazed and so happy for this opportunity I've been given," Thomas said. "I wouldn't be where I am today without my family, friends and incredible work family at CarMax. CarMax has allowed me tremendous growth in the past 6.5 years, and I'm grateful to be recognized and supported by my leadership."

See a full list of honorees at techforce.org/TechsRock.