Photo caption, from left to right: JC Washbish, vice president of sales & marketing, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance; Harrison Keyes, 2023 Technician of the Year, Jerry’s Automotive Service, customer of Auto-Wares Group of Companies; Kevin Reamer, cirector, DRiV; Mike Hinderer, technical product specialist field manager; DRiV

Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper recently named Harrison Keyes as the 2023 U.S. Technician of the Year. 

Keyes, owner of Jerry’s Automotive Service in Waukesha, Wisconsin, is a customer of the Auto-Wares Group of Companies. 

“This is such a humbling experience and a great honor. The automotive industry has been my entire life, my entire career,” Keyes said. “I can’t thank Auto-Wares and our sales rep enough for pushing me to compete. It feels amazing to receive this recognition. The technicians who came to Dearborn are the best of the best, and to be crowned the 2023 champion was unexpected. Thank you to Garage Gurus and DRiV for hosting us; this was awesome!”

Twelve top technicians from across the United States competed in Detroit, all vying to be crowned the 2023 Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year. Hosted by DRiV and Garage Gurus, the event included finalists from Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper warehouse distributors from across the United States who submitted their regional finalist to compete for the ultimate crown.

Keyes was declared the winner after scoring the highest cumulative score based on a custom ASE test and a timed hands-on skills test facilitated by Garage Gurus professional trainers.

Each finalist took a 90-minute, 100-question custom Automotive Service Excellence examination. For the first time in the history of the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year program, a hands-on mechanical element was introduced. Garage Gurus professionals administered a timed quick strut and outer tire-rod test that accounted for a portion of the technician’s overall score and also served as a qualifier for the USATNC competition.

While the custom ASE exam and hands-on skills testing were the competition criteria, the event also included a variety of other activities. The technicians and their guests enjoyed an afternoon of racing at Champion Motor Speedway in the M1 Concourse; toured the assembly line at the Ford Rouge Factory; experienced Greenfield Village; and concluded with an exclusive awards reception and dinner at the Henry Ford Museum.

In addition to the 12 Technician of the Year Finalists from the United States, the Auto Value Technician of the Year champions from Canada and Latin America were in attendance to celebrate their accomplishments with their U.S. peers. Nick Zeiger from Driven Automotive in Regina, Saskatchewan, and customer of Auto Electric, was named the Canadian champion. Mariana Meija of Mega Tecnicentro, and customer of EXA Auto Parts in Medellin, Columbia, was declared the Latin America champion.

With more than 3,500 Certified Service Centers within the Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper network, becoming a technician of the year finalist is no easy task.

“This program recognizes the lifetime work and achievements of our amazing technicians,” said JC Washbish, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. “These folks are truly professionals, and we are so proud that they represent Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper. Thank you to DRiV and Garage Gurus for hosting us. Their products and training are valued by our technicians who use them every day.”

“Our Garage Gurus sponsorship of the Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year program means a lot to us here at DRiV,” said Kevin Reamer, director of program groups with DRiV. “Hosting these top technicians from the U.S., Canada and Latin America, showing off the Garage Gurus training toolbox and assets, and spending time with professionals eager to showcase their expertise was invaluable. This is a partnership that elevates all of us and highlights the full distribution channel from product manufacturing and distribution to the service and repair facilities.”

The 2023 U.S. Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year finalists include:

• Jose Zuniga – Ricks Automotive, Cleburne, Texas (4M Parts Warehouse)
• Jason Scott – Advanced Automotive & Diesel, Paris, Texas (ABC Auto Parts)
• Dave Schreier – Cordells Automotive, Holmen, Wisconsin (Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc.)
• Harrison Keyes – Jerry’s Automotive Service, Waukesha, Wisconsin (Auto-Wares Group of Companies)
• Chris Potucek – CC Auto, Harrodsburg, Kentucky (Hahn Automotive Warehouse)
• Christopher Funk – Holmes Transmission & Auto Repair LLC, Monticello, Iowa (Arnold Motor Supply)
• Steven Perry – Bona Fide Auto Repair, Roseburg, Oregon (NPW Companies)
• Maclane Reese – Maclane’s Automotive, Downingtown, Pennsylvania (Eastern Warehouse Distributors)
• Ted Curran – Monkey Wrenches Inc., Brentwood, California (Trimon Inc.)
• Chris Broom – Broom Autom Ruston, Louisiana (Parts Warehouse Inc.)
• Phil Clark – Barnes Auto Service, Louisville, Kentucky (Moog Louisville Warehouse)
• Kim Mertz – Len’s Auto Repair, Cottleville, Missouri (All Car Automotive Warehouse Inc.)