PHOENIX — New York state technician Zachery Ward was named the 2019 Mitchell 1 / Snap-on Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Technician of the Future during the recent ASE fall Board of Governors meeting and annual technician awards in Phoenix.
Mr. Ward, of Massena, N.Y., received $1,000 in cash, a one-year subscription to ProDemand auto repair software from Mitchell 1, along with airfare and hotel accommodations to attend the event.
Mr. Ward attended BOCES Seaway Tech in Norwood, N.Y., in high school, then earned a two-year degree in automotive technology from the State University of New York in Morrisville. He is enrolled in classes to obtain a master's degree in technology, with the goal of teaching automotive classes.
According to San Diego-based Mitchell Repair Information Services Co. (Mitchel 1), a supplier of repair information solutions to shops for more than a century, Mr. Ward has worked as an automotive technician at Parkway Dodge, Ram Chrysler,Jeep since May 2019.
Nick DiVerde, senior marketing director, Mitchell 1, said Mr. Ward's "accomplishments have demonstrated his commitment to excelling in his chosen field and we know he will be successful in his future endeavors."
Mr. Ward said he decided he wanted to become an automotive tech because he has always liked working with his hands. Attending BOCES during high school helped him decide how to turn that in to a career.
To qualify for the Mitchell 1 / Snap-on ASE Technician of the Future award, contestants must be ASE certified, must have registered as a student and have the highest cumulative test scores on the A4, A5, A6 and A8 tests.
Mr. Ward was one of 53 technicians honored by the ASE at the Phoenix meeting.
For more information about Mitchell 1, visit mitchell1.com.