Pep Boys celebrated Automotive Service Professionals Week by announcing its Top Techs, the winners of its annual technician of the year award. The company recognizes automotive technicians annually in each of its business regions who demonstrate performance excellence, a commitment to continuous training and mentorship, exemplary customer service, and an enthusiastic approach to their work.
This year, Pep Boys celebrated five technicians: William Bowles, a master technician in Fort Worth, Texas; Ernesto Delaisla, a master technician in Clovis, California; Jason Kirby, an area diagnostic specialist in Orlando, Florida; Bryan Lamparter, a master technician in Charlotte, North Carolina; and Amir Pagán, a technician in Humacao, Puerto Rico.
“Our technicians are the lifeblood of our service business, and our Top Techs are the best of the best,” said Brian Kaner, CEO – Service. “They bring both the skills and the passion that help us live out our promise to go further so our customers can go farther.”
The Top Techs were selected based on multiple factors, including ASE certifications, strong productivity and performance metrics, mentorship, living the Pep Boys values, and positive representation of the company. The respective stores of each ‘Top Tech’ will now have the distinction of being home to one of the company’s most outstanding technicians.
National Automotive Service Professionals Week is celebrated during the week of June 7, to remind people about the automotive technicians who keep the country’s vehicles on the road every day. The week will end with Automotive Service Professionals Day to say thank you to the nation’s technicians. Throughout the week, Pep Boys shares stories about its Top Techs on PepBoys.com and its social media channels.
Pep Boys is part of Icahn Automotive Group, and presented its Top Tech awards as the company continues its “Race to 2026” initiative, a commitment to help fill the industry-wide technician talent gap, which is projected to be 46,000 in six years. The “Race to 2026” program includes initiatives to attract workers to the skilled trades, while supporting Icahn Automotive’s own employee network through Top Tech and similar recognition programs, as well as a scholarship program, tuition assistance, apprenticeships, and additional company-sponsored training and certifications.
