Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper have named Mark Calzia of M.C. Tire & Automotive in Moline, Illinois, the 2020 Technician of the Year.
Calzia achieved the highest score on a custom ASE exam given to U.S. finalists during the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year finalist trip in San Antonio.
M.C Tire & Automotive is a Bumper to Bumper Certified Service Center and customer of IWI Motor Parts.
“Mark is a great customer and better yet, a great person. This is an outstanding achievement by a great individual,” said TJ Faley, president of IWI Motor Parts. “Mark spends endless hours going to training classes and does everything he can to stay at the top of his trade. Mark shows us all what it takes to be a professional. He is a great asset to the Quad Cities. He is always ready to lend a helping hand when somebody is struggling on a complicated repair. The IWI family is excited and proud of Mark’s accomplishment.”
Calzia was one of 18 U.S. finalists. In March, he and the other finalists and their guests traveled to San Antonio for a weekend of camaraderie and fun to celebrate their accomplishments and crown the winner. The group was joined by Canadian Technician of the Year Jason Meilleur of River Park Automotive (a Piston Ring Service Supply CSC) in Winnipeg, Canada, and Mexican Technician of the Year Luis Alfredo Calles Rivas of Mecatec Express (a customer of Almex Refacciones) in Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Calzia’s score of 94 out of 100 possible points earned him the title, $2,500 and a trip to the ASE Awards Ceremony in Clearwater, Florida, this November to represent all of Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Certified Service Center locations and technicians.
Finalists were selected by their Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper suppliers based on several criteria, including ASE certification, status as a Certified Service Center, training, personal biographies and letters of recommendation.
“Every single one of these technicians are winners by virtue of being selected as a finalist from among nearly 3,800 service center locations that employ over 10,000 techs,” said JC Washbish, vice president of sales and marketing for Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper. “Their presence on this trip proves that they have distinguished themselves from their peers through education and training and that they’ve had a positive impact on their customers’ lives. A special congratulations to Mark, Jason and Luis, who are all excellent representatives of the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper brands.”
The 2020 U.S. Technician of the Year finalists were:
- Casey Gray of Gray Matter Garage in Alvarado, Texas
- Rafael Borja of Robertson Automotive in Tyler, Texas
- Kim Mertz of Len’s Auto Repair in Overland, Missouri
- Todd Bachler of Clegg Auto American Fork in American Fork, Utah
- Michael Shanley of Exhaust Plus in West Salem, Wisconsin
- Ed Kiekover of OK Tire Store East in Zeeland, Michigan
- Andrew Rauch of Mastertek in Saint Charles, Illinois
- Paul McPherson of McPherson Automotive in Du Quoin, Illinois
- Joe Dimino of Spanial’s Service Center in Hatfield, Pennsylvania
- AJ Curtsinger of CC Auto Service in Harrodsburg, Kentucky
- Mark Calzia of M.C. Tire & Automotive in Moline, Illinois
- Pat Lindell of MVP Auto Center in Milan, Illinois
- Phil Clark of American Brake Center in Louisville, Kentucky
- Aaron Lucier of RG Automotive Inc. in Halifax, Massachusetts
- Chris Broom of Broom Auto in Ruston, Louisiana
- Ted Curran of Monkey Wrenches Inc. in Brentwood, California
- Jeremy McDaniel of Brannon Auto Parts in Hartford, Alabama
- Andy Ma of Gustafson Brothers in Huntington Beach, California
The training program is supported by the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, program group headquarters for Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.
