45 professionals recognized at 2016 ASE awards banquet
45 automotive professionals were recognized on November 16, 2016, at the Fall Board of Governors meeting of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) held at the Embassy Suites in Concord, North Carolina. The annual awards banquet spotlights top scorers on the ASE certification tests. 34 different companies from both OEM and Aftermarket segments sponsored the individual technician recognition awards in the Auto, Truck, Collision and Parts categories, along with awards for automotive instructors. In addition to looking for top scores on ASE tests, award sponsors examined on-the-job excellence, community service and other factors when selecting honorees.
“ASE has recognized the best of the best in our industry for more than 40 years, and this year we honored 45 outstanding individuals from all across the nation,” said Tim Zilke, ASE President and CEO. “We couldn’t do this without the support of our many award sponsors, whose ranks include some of the best-known names in the industry. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in the talented individuals receiving these awards each year. The enthusiasm and professionalism displayed by all of our award winners is a testament to the high quality individuals wearing the ASE Blue Seal, and we are proud to have them as part of the ASE family,” Zilke concluded.
Award Title Winner Employer
Autozone/ASE Master Automobile Matthew Morrison Clark Tires
Technician of the Year
Axalta Coating Systems/ASE Andrew Perazzo S&L Collision Center, Inc.
Refinish Technician of the Year
Big O Tires/ASE Master Automobile Gary Wilson Big O Tires
Technician of the Year
BodyShop Business/ASE Master Eldon Owens J&J Autobody
Collision Repair & Refinish Technician of the Year
Bosch/ASE Master Automobile Aaron Kaurala Curt's Service
Technician of the Year
Bridgestone Retail Operations/ Derek Sorenson Firestone Tire & Service
ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year Center
Bryl Shoemaker/ASE Industry Marlo Miranda Forsyth Central High
Education Alliance Instructor of the Year School
Cengage Learning/ASE Master Bryan Mitchell First Transit
Automobile Technician of the Year
Chrysler/ASE Master Automobile Robert Olson Gesswein Motors, Inc.
Technician of the Year
Chrysler/ASE Master Collision Stephan Lacrose Goss Dodge Chrysler
Repair & Refinish Technician of the Year
Delco Remy/ASE Master M/H Truck Patrick Dennis First Transit
Electrical/Electronic Systems Technician
of the Year
Freightliner/Western Star/ASE William Engler Transwest Trucks
Master M/H Truck Technician of the Year
Gates Tools for Schools/ASE Daniel Rowland Victor Valley
Instructor of the Year Community College
GM/ASE Master Automobile Woodrow Robinson Pahrump Valley Auto
Technician of the Year Plaza
GM/ASE Parts Consultant Larry Ellet Cole Automotive Group
of the Year
GM/ASE Service Consultant Craig Head Gjovik Chevrolet, Buick,
of the Year GMC
USAF/ASE Master Automobile TSgt. Nicholas Sevaaetasi United States Air Force
Technician of the Year (Sponsored
by GM)
Honda/ASE Master Automobile Jaime Pimenta Boch Honda
Technican of the Year
Acura/ASE Master Automobile Robert Duchmann Hopkins Acura
Technician of the Year
I-CAR Platinum/ASE Master Tony Harrison Bob Moore Collision
Automobile Technician of the Year Center
Merchant's Tire & Auto Centers/ Jason Trimble Merchant's Tire & Auto
ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year Center
Midas International/ASE Master Joshua Kemmerer Midas
Automobile Technician of the Year
Mitchell1/ASE Technician Koda Colbert Wilsonville Toyota
of the Future
Motor Age Training/ASE Master Eric Taffs Placer Motors
Automobile Technician of the Year
National Tire and Batter/ASE Master Terry Ueckert National Tire & Battery Automobile Technician of the Year
Navistar/ASE Master M/H Truck Gregory Shimanek Southwest International
Technician of the Year Trucks
Navistar/ASE Master School Bus Dennis Gillispie Sun State International
Technician of the Year Trucks
Nissan/ASE Master Automobile Patrick Doyle Riverhead Automall
Technician of the Year
Infiniti/ASE Master Automobile David Stapinski Bennett Infinit
Technician of the Year
Pep Boys/ASE Master Automobile Robert Daigle Pep Boys Technician of the Year
PPG/ASE Master Refinish Sean Newman M&M Collision
Technician of the Year
Pronto Smart Choice/ASE Master John Long Auto-Spec
Automobile Technician of the Year
RepairPal/ASE Master Automobile Gary Sharits Christian Brothers
Technician of the Year Automotive
Snap-on/ASE Master Automobile Scott Lawson 1st Choice Auto
Technician of the Year Service
Snap-on/ASE Master Collision Geoffrey Gwisdala Heritage Collision
Repair & Refinish Technician of the Year Repairs, Inc.
Snap-on/ASE Master M/H Truck Craig Bekkala Bekkala's Diesel
Technician of the Year Repair
SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service/ David Winger SpeeDee Oil Change
ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year & Auto Service
Subaru/ASE Master Automobile John Johnson Placer Motors
Technician of the Year
TECHNET Professional/ASE Master Robert Crawford R&N Motor Company
Automobile Technician of the Year
Tire Kingdom/ASE Master Automobile Shawn Lemons Tire Kingdom
Technician of the Year
Toyota/ASE Master Automobile Ryan Coberly Stadium Toyota
Technician of the Year
Toyota/ASE Master Collision Repair Anthony Long Downeast Autobody
& Refinish Technician of the Year
Lexus/ASE Master Automobile Joseph Domer Safro Lexus North
Technician of the Year Shore
Volvo/ASE Master Automobile Thomas Constantino Kundert Volvo of
Technician of the Year Hasbrouk Heights
Walmart/ASE Master M/H Truck Joseph Calaway Walmart
Technician of the Year Transportation