This past summer, eleven of America’s top technicians competed in Detroit, Michigan, to be named the 2022 Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year hosted by DRiV and Garage Gurus. Nominated by their local warehouse distributor, the technicians arrived in the Motor City to compete against each other by completing a custom ASE test. The technicians answered 100 questions in 90 minutes, vying for the ultimate title, trophy and awards ceremony to be held during the 2022 Aftermarket Jackpot Convention in Las Vegas.
Upon completing the ASE exam, technicians and their guest spent time enjoying Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum, witnessing Henry Ford’s assembly line at the Ford Rouge Factory Tour, and hitting Champion® Motor Speedway at the M1 Concourse.
“This trip has made me appreciate my affiliation with Auto Value and the Alliance on a higher level,” said Ross Colket, 2022 technician finalist and owner of Colket Technical in Lansdale, PA, customer of Eastern Warehouse Distributors. “I have already made plans with one of my technicians for him to run for 2023 Technician of the Year!”
Fellow finalist Phil Clark from Barnes Auto Service in Louisville, KY, agreed, “it was an honor to be recognized.” Clark is a customer of Moog Louisville Warehouse.
During a group dinner, the greatest surprise of the event was revealed – all eleven technician finalists and their guests are headed to Las Vegas. The 2022 Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year winner will be announced on stage Thursday, November 4th at the Jackpot Convention in Las Vegas during AAPEX.
“We really wanted to build the suspense of the moment and keeping the secret of the reveal was important,” said JC Washbish, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Alliance. “Our Technician of the Year finalists will lead more than 3,000 technicians and shop owners during the Jackpot Convention; and we couldn’t be more honored to have them represent us. Holding the Finalist Ceremony Dinner at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation was the most appropriate venue. We were surrounded by so much history while making history of our own with these wonderful technicians.
“A big thank you to DRiV and Garage Gurus. They were gracious hosts for this event. Our technicians use their products every day and having professionals from DRiV and Garage Gurus involved in the event helped showcase how much we value technicians,” added Washbish.
“At DRiV, we are so proud of our Garage Gurus sponsorship of the AutoValue / Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year program,” said Kevin Reamer, Director of Program Groups with DRiV. “It was a great time, testing the finalists from around the U.S. inside our Mobile Automotive Training Center, showing off many of our great Garage Gurus assets, and just as importantly, spending time celebrating with these Technician of the Year finalists; their expertise and passion for the business was so impressive. What a great group of people – I can’t wait to see who is the ‘best of the best’ in Las Vegas!”
Let’s meet the Technician of the Year Finalists:
I feel honored to be able to compete in the Technician of the Year competition.
How long have you been a technician?
25 years
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
I always knew, from a young age, I’d be a technician. Working with my grandfather and my dad, I started fixing cars. I love challenges.
Advice for younger technicians?
Get your hands into everything. Start at the bottom and work your way up. That’s the best way to become a well-rounded technician.
Favorite car?
1969 Chevrolet Camaro
It feels great. There are so many technicians in the country and I’m grateful to be recognized.
How long have you been a technician?
18 years
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
Every day is a new problem, I’m always going to learn something new.
Advice for younger technicians?
Never stop learning! It’s a rewarding career path, it’s a great feeling when you can be the one to solve the problem.
Favorite car?
1969 Chevrolet Camaro
It’s awesome! It’s an acknowledgment of what you’ve worked for and the hard work you’ve put in. I’m excited to be a three-peat finalist for Technician of the Year.
How long have you been a technician?
26 years
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
I enjoy fixing cars, I enjoy everyday being something different – no two days are the same. There’s nothing like the sense of accomplishment you get when you fix the vehicle and make the customer happy.
Advice for younger technicians?
It’s a great field if you like working with your hands and fixing things. It’s a fun career and everyday is a challenge.
Favorite car?
1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Convertible
It’s an honor to be recognized. One of the managers at Arnold Motor Supply approached me about this year’s competition. I asked “why me?” and he said “you’re the one who helps all the local shops when they have a problem they can’t fix.”
How long have you been a technician?
37 years
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
I like the fact that I’m involved with the public. We work on a diversity of vehicles – everything from ag to big truck to alignments. We keep everything moving.
Advice for younger technicians?
It’s a very lucrative career. I know it’s a lot to get started but you can do very well for yourself in this industry. The technology is ever-changing and training is so important.
Favorite car?
Chevrolet Camaro
It’s great to be a returning Technician of the Year finalist. It’s wonderful to connect with the other technicians and share stories.
How long have you been a technician?
28 years
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
Fixing a car! The greatest reward is knowing when the job is done that the problem is fixed.
Advice for younger technicians?
The more you know, the better off you are. Don’t ever turn down training – you might learn something that helps you the next week, next month or next year.
Favorite car?
1970 Plymouth Barracuda
It’s a surprising feeling. To know that you’ve been picked as one of 11 people to go up for a number one spot, you know you’ve accomplished something.
How long have you been a technician?
30 years
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
For me, I love my role as shop owner because I can flip between office work, to working in the shop, to working with customers. I’m not tied into one thing all day every day. My technicians know they can come to me for help and we work on things as a team.
Advice for younger technicians?
There are incredible opportunities. Pay rates continue to increase, technology and training are at the forefront. It’s an exciting career!
Favorite car?
1968 Chevrolet Camaro
I feel honored to be a Technician of the Year finalist.
How long have you been a technician?
13 years
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
I love dealing with people and I love the challenge that the automotive industry presents to me. I really enjoy the hard work that’s required and enjoy talking with our customers.
Advice for younger technicians?
Learn all you can. Use every opportunity and source of knowledge to use it to your advantage.
Favorite car?
1983 Chevrolet K10
It’s a great honor. It singles us out as the best in the business and that’s a tough thing to be.
How long have you been a technician?
45 years
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
It’s a rewarding business when you have a vehicle that’s tough to fix and you figure it out. A happy customer is the ultimate goal.
Advice for younger technicians?
Do it! It’s a challenging job but the reward at the end is great. You never have to look for a job if you’re qualified to fix a car.
Favorite car?
’57 Chevy
It’s feels very rewarding. We come from a large group of technicians who are fighting for this opportunity and I’m very happy to be a finalist.
How long have you been a technician?
Almost 25 years.
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
The environment that we work in. I’m the comradery with the guys in the shop. I love being able to fix anything that comes in the door, no matter what it is. If it comes in broken, it doesn’t leave until it’s fixed.
Advice for younger technicians?
Study the books on electronics – that’s where the future lies! And listen to experience from older technicians.
Favorite car?
Vintage Detroit Diesel Powered Seagrave Firetruck
It’s awesome. I’m honored I’m here and I hope I did well on the exam.
How long have you been a technician?
Almost 20 years.
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
Every day is different. I don’t know what’s coming through the door or what I have to work on that day, it’s a unique experience. The most rewarding part is when a car comes in on a flatbed and leaves driving out of the building.
Advice for younger technicians?
Keep training! It’s very important with everything evolving the way it is, technology changing – staying ahead of it will help greatly.
Favorite car?
1978 Ford Bronco
I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve worked nights, I’ve worked two jobs, and it’s great to be recognized.
How long have you been a technician?
32 years
What’s your favorite part of being a professional technician?
I love the variety of work I see every day. I love working with customers. I like the technology and electronics side of the industry.
Advice for younger technicians?
Learn everything you can about computer systems, even before you start working on cars. While in school, try to get as many scholarships as you can to purchase tools. Having the right tools for the job will help you advance faster.
Favorite car?
1965 Chevrolet Impala
