Chris Bishop of Grand Rapids, Minn. is literally one in a million. Bishop, ASE Master Automobile Technician and manager of Bishop’s Performance, his family-owned business, was the lucky technician to take the one millionth ASE computer-based test, which happened to be the Heating and Air Conditioning (A7) test. In doing so, he won a $500 tool certificate as part of ASE’s Million Test promotion.
“We’ve been watching for our one millionth test taker since mid-September,” said Tim Zilke, ASE president and CEO. “We’re pleased to present Chris with a $500 tool certificate for holding the singular honor of taking that one-millionth test in our computer-based format. It was also interesting to note that, in passing that A7 test, Chris achieved Master Automobile Technician Status.”
Bishop has been ASE certified since 1995 and attended Brainerd Technical College to become an automotive technician. Upon graduation, he returned to the family transmission and auto repair shop, Bishop’s Performance. Chris and his father, Dave, still work together, with Chris managing Bishop’s Performance, a NAPA AutoCare Center offering general automotive and specialty transmission services. An avid drag racer, Chris started racing at age 15 with a 1977 Chevrolet Impala, which he ran in local bracket races. He eventually traded in the Impala for a faster 1979 Chevrolet Malibu, which he raced in super gas tracks all across the Midwest. He currently races a 2005 Davis Corvette Roadster in Super Gas and a 1982 Darin Erickson Camaro in Super Street.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence was established in 1972 as a non-profit organization to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and parts specialists. Today, more than 300,000 ASE-certified professionals work in dealerships, independent shops, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit the Web site at www.ase.com
