VIP’s Bemis named AAPEX Technician of Year

LAS VEGAS — Johnathan Bemis, lead master technician with VIP Tires & Service in New England, has been named the AAPEX Technician of the Year.

Bemis has been a technician for 12 years and holds at least 26 ASE certifications and stays up to date with the latest trends and advancements through hands-on and classroom training, as well as online training. He invests time with young people coming into the  nd helps train the next generation of automotive technicians, the award organizers said.

“Not being one to crave the limelight and attention, it was hard for me to want to complete the essay and put my name in the ring,” Bemis said.

“However, now that I have won, I'm looking forward to this entire experience and am very excited to be part of the VIP team while in Vegas. A big thank you to my wife and family for always pushing and supporting me to achieve new career highs, and to AAPEX and VIP Tires and Service for this entire experience.”

The winners of the Service and Repair Awards were announced during the AAPEX 2024 Keynote Session in Las Vegas. The awards recognize and elevate the essential services provided by shop owners, service advisers and technicians who keep the motoring public on the road, organizers said.

The AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year was presented to Jeff and Shari Pheasant of A Master Mechanic in Sparks, Nev. The two have been shop owners for 20 years and have 14 employees. They demonstrate an exceptional commitment to team mentoring, training, customer satisfaction and fostering a positive work environment, the award presenters said.

“Our goal every day is to provide a place for our team to come to be inspired, to do the work they love to do and do it well. To be honored for what makes us thrive as a team is one of the biggest honors we can be given,” Shari Pheasant said.

“We love owning and operating an automotive maintenance and repair shop in Nevada, providing customers, and friends, with a safe, running, dependable vehicle that they love to drive. We love our industry and want to be a good example, leading the way to the successful future of many and supporting our people through development and healthy camaraderie at our shop,” Jeff Pheasant added.

The AAPEX Service Adviser of the Year was presented to Samantha Schearer-Higdon of Schearer’s Sales & Service Inc., Allentown, Pa.

She has been a service adviser for six years and goes above and beyond when interacting with customers to ensure a positive outcome and makes it a priority to mentor new team members and stay up-to-date with the latest trends through training, the award presenters said.

“I am so grateful to be chosen as the 2024 AAPEX Service Adviser of the Year. I've learned so much over the years from my mentors: My father (Tom Schearer, the owner of Schearer's Sales & Service Inc.), Rick White of 180BIZ, Mike Austin (service manager at Schearer's)  and many, many coaches and instructors in the industry while attending conferences and training events,” Schearer-Higdon said.

“I look forward to continuing to share my knowledge with others in the future and continuing to advance the automotive aftermarket industry as a whole by changing the way we, as service advisors, interact and build relationships with our clients, helping them care for and maintain their vehicles. I can't wait to see what the future holds for myself, as well as the rest of our industry!”