BETHESDA, Md. – Of the more than 812,000 automotive technicians working in the United States, 22 outstanding individuals have qualified for the prestigious 2014 World Class Technician Award. The Auto Care Association and National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) work together to recognize these professional technicians who have tested and obtained ASE certification in 22 specialty areas during the 2013 test administrated by ASE.
The 2014 World Class Technicians are:
* Nicholas C. Atherton, Council Bluffs, Ind.
* Jared M. Avent, Lincoln, Calif.
* George E. Ayers, II, Mount Laurel, N.J.
* Freddie L. Castillo, Grapevine, Texas
* Mark W. Couvrette, Sacramento, Calif.
* Arnold E. Demann, Martin, Mich.
* James B. Fields, Winchester, Va.
* John S. Furtek, Mount Laurel, N.J.
* Franklin W. Harris, Nashville, Tenn.
* John R. Hubbard, Mount Laurel, N.J.
* Alberto L. Lopez, Lancaster, Calif.
* Andrew S. Meyer, West Chester, Ohio
* Joe R. Mitchell, Grapevine, Texas
* Troy A. Nolan, Houston, Texas
* Robert J. Palczewski, Bloomingdale, Ill.
* Gary L. Perttula, Sun City West, Ariz.
* Kenneth J. Placzek, Westmont, Ill.
* Kristopher L. Stevens, Haltom City, Texas
* James W. Trusley, Jr., Dallas, Ga.
* Chad E. Wade, Iowa City, Iowa
* Michael Whalen, Dixon, Calif.
* Matthew Z. Younger, Irving, Texas
“Recipients of the World Class Technician Award are truly the best of the best, and the Auto Care Association is proud to recognize these professionals with ASE,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “Passing 22 ASE tests is a monumental achievement requiring exceptional knowledge and skills.”
“This recognition partnership between the Auto Care Association and ASE represents one of the most significant achievement awards available to our ASE-certified professionals,” said Tim Zilke, president and CEO, ASE. “ASE is grateful for the support the Auto Care Association provides to our service professionals in recognizing these outstanding individuals each year, and we celebrate over a quarter century of this commitment to excellence with the Auto Care Association.”
Since the World Class Technician recognition was established 28 years ago, only 1,885 technicians have been honored. Recipients receive a special certificate signed by the presidents of ASE and the Auto Care Association, a logo medallion and embroidered shoulder insignia. Additionally, their name is perpetually inscribed in an honor book located in the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Mich.
This year, Cengage Learning, a leading educational content, software and services company for the academic, professional and library markets, and home to Chilton automotive repair information and the award-winning Delmar ASE Test Preparation series, will be awarding each technician with a gift card and one year of access to ChiltonPRO, an electronic automotive repair information system.
