World Class Wednesday: Victor Avila: Learning Under Pressure

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 Victor Avila — an ASE World Class Assistant Fleet Manager for the City of Raleigh's Fleet Management Operations Division in Raleigh, North Carolina — 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. 

Avila: I have spent over 30 years in the automotive field, specializing in strategic diagnosis and performing complex repairs of all types of vehicles and equipment. I started my career attending automotive classes in high school while also working after school at Benicia Lube and Oil. The Shop Owner, Fred Saraiva, was one of my mentors and helped me learn all aspects of vehicle maintenance and about giving the customer a great experience while their car was in the shop.

 I then joined the Army to become a heavy vehicle mechanic. I performed that role while in the service, working on Humvees, LMTVs, CAT equipment, and more. My final tour in the service was as a sergeant leading a maintenance shop at the Suwon Air Force Base in Korea, where we maintained vehicles carrying Patriot missiles. While I was in Korea, I was recruited to serve as a technician at a Chevrolet dealership in Wake Forest, NC. I became a Certified Chevrolet Technician. When the dealership started the first Kia Dealership in North Carolina, I jumped on it and worked on Kias, which led me to become a Kia Master Technician and ASE Master Automobile Technician in 2005.

After almost 10 years at the dealership, I went over to the City of Raleigh to work as a Heavy Truck/Equipment Technician. I worked on dump trucks, tractors, and many specialized vehicles such as SWAT tactical trucks and sewer flush trucks.

Working on such a variety of types of equipment and technical challenges allowed me to become an ASE Master Medium/ Heavy Truck technician in 2013.

 I then shifted my role from technician to Supervisor to Superintendent, then to my current role as an Assistant Fleet Manager. Throughout this time, I have continued learning and honing my skills and achieved World Class status at age 43 in 2023.

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

Avila: One of the most memorable repairs was diagnosing and replacing a seized engine on a Humvee in the field during my service in the Army. Executing a full engine swap in a field environment- under intense pressure and with limited resources—was a masterclass in adaptability. It shaped my understanding of team dynamics and the critical importance of resourcefulness when the right tools aren't always at your fingertips. We were able to get that Humvee back in service in less than a day!

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

Avila: Beyond my passion for custom vehicle builds, I am an avid woodworker and carpenter. A few years ago, I designed and built my 24’ x 36’ two-story detached garage. This was a collaborative effort with friends and neighbors that involved everything from framing walls to installing a two-post lift.

My technical background and ASE certifications provide a unique edge in the woodshop. The same precision required for automotive electrical schematics allows me to expertly interpret blueprints and navigate complex electrical codes.  

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

Avila: I’m most excited about ADAS and how these systems will improve driver safety. These systems are very advanced and include cameras, radar, sonar, and more. It’s amazing to think that these systems are using so many inputs to make decisions on how to move or stop the vehicle in milliseconds. This technology moves and evolves so quickly.

The thing that concerns me is how the technicians are going to be able to diagnose these systems. I’m hoping for service information and training to be easily accessible so that technicians can adapt and maintain these complex systems effectively. I’m also hoping engineers factor in serviceability as they design and manufacture these systems.

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

Avila: ASE certification has been a vital catalyst for my professional growth. It has allowed my resume to rise to the top. Other than performing diagnosis and repairs on vehicles, my preparation process- studying service manuals, watching videos on AVI( Automotive Video Innovations) or YouTube, going to ASTA (Automotive Service and Tire Alliance) events, and collaborating with our skilled technicians- ensures I am constantly evolving.

In this industry, these certifications serve as a gold standard, providing verified proof of expertise that sets a professional apart. Leading by example by having the World-Class Technician Distinction, I use my journey to advocate for technical excellence and inspire our team to reach their highest potential