World Class Wednesday: Donald Henderson: A well-rounded career

Earning the title of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) World-Class Technician is no small accomplishment. To be recognized as World-Class, these individuals have obtained ASE certification in 22 specialty areas: A1-A8 (automotive), T1-T8 (medium/heavy truck), B2-B5 (collision repair), and L1-L2 (advanced).  

Not only is achieving certification in these areas impressive, becoming World-Class is no small feat. As of 2025, only 2,000 technicians have achieved World Class status.  

In this Q&A, Motor Age sat down with Donald Henderson — an ASE World Class technician and automotive expert witness currently serving as a consultant with Lillo Engineering— to learn more about his journey in the automotive industry and how gaining World-Class status has helped advance his career. 

Motor Age: Please introduce yourself and tell us about your experience in the automotive industry. 

Henderson: My technical foundation was established early in life at Leo and Son Garage, a family-owned business founded in 1949 by my father and grandfather. Immersed in the shop environment from a young age, I developed practical competencies across mechanical systems, diagnostics, and repair workflows. This early exposure cultivated both technical intuition and a disciplined work ethic—key attributes that would define my career trajectory.

I’ve had a 35+ year career as a full-time automotive professional. I’ve held virtually every position within a repair facility, from janitorial duties to shop foreman and manager.

Despite my success in leadership roles, I ultimately returned to full-time diagnostics and repair. This aligned with my core professional interest: solving complex vehicle concerns.

I achieved World Class status in 2025. I am also on track to achieve ASE President’s Club recognition by December 2026.

Motor Age: What's the most memorable repair you've ever completed?   

Henderson: My reputation is anchored in advanced diagnostics—particularly in resolving intermittent or previously misdiagnosed vehicle issues. Among my most rewarding experiences are cases where vehicles have cycled through multiple repair facilities without resolution, only for me to isolate and correct the root cause through structured testing and data analysis.

In addition to diagnostics, I have also spent years building and completing custom vehicle projects, including customer hot rods. These projects provided a unique blend of creativity and technical execution, allowing me to engineer, test, and deliver fully realized builds while maintaining professional rigor.

Motor Age: Tell us one thing about you that we can't guess from your certifications.  

Henderson: Beyond the repair bay, I have participated in motorsports at a competitive level. I worked with the Gruzen Racing team in the Nostalgic Dragster NE1 class and was offered the opportunity to pursue an NHRA competition license.

During my licensing pass, I achieved 187 mph in 7.76 seconds—an experience I would describe as both technically demanding and personally unforgettable.

Motor Age: What automotive technology trend are you most excited about/ most concerned about?     

Henderson: I believe electrification is the defining trend in the automotive industry. While electric and hybrid platforms represent the future, battery technology remains the primary limiting factor. From my viewpoint, significant advancements in energy density and weight reduction will accelerate the transition away from internal combustion engines.

Motor Age: How has ASE certification helped advance your career?  

Henderson: ASE certification — particularly my World Class designation — is instrumental in advancing my career into expert witness and consulting work. I have consistently advocated for certification among technicians I have managed, emphasizing its role in professional mobility and credibility within the industry.