ASE honors 48 technicians for top test scores

Dec. 9, 2021
'The enthusiasm and professionalism displayed by our award winners testifies to the high-quality of ASE Certified technicians and specialists,' says ASE president.

Forty-eight automotive professionals have been recognized by National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for their top scores on the ASE Certification Tests.

"ASE has recognized the best of the best in our industry for more than 40 years, and this year we honored 48 outstanding individuals from across the nation," said Tim Zilke, ASE president and CEO. "We couldn’t do this without the support of our award sponsors, who include some of the best-known names in the industry. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in the talented individuals receiving these awards. The enthusiasm and professionalism displayed by our award winners testifies to the high-quality of ASE Certified technicians and specialists. We are proud to have them as part of the ASE family."

Forty-one companies from both OEM and aftermarket segments sponsored individual technician recognition awards in the auto, truck, collision, bus, parts and service categories, along with awards for instructors. In addition to top scores on the ASE tests, award sponsors look for on-the-job excellence and community service when selecting honorees.

2021 ASE honorees

  • Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Jeff Weller, Henning MN, AutoFix LLC
  • Axalta Coating Systems/ASE Refinish Technician of the Year: Christopher Timmerman, Mobile AL, BMW of Mobile
  • Big O Tires/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Sam Campbell, Republic MO, Big O Tires
  • BodyShop Business/ASE Master Collision Repair & Refinish Technician of the Year: Ryan Schultz, St. Cloud MN, Peter's Body Shop
  • Bosch/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Patrick Williams, Vista CA, Star Motors Corp.
  • Bridgestone Retail Operations/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Russell Rhodes, Temple TX, Firestone Complete Auto Care
  • Byrl Shoemaker/ASE Education Foundation Instructor of the Year: Steven Bernasek, Mesa AZ, East Valley Institute of Technology
  • Car-O-Liner/ASE Master Collision Repair & Refinish Technician of the Year: Howard Johns, Lebanon IN, Protech Automotive Solutions
  • Cengage/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Mariano Rubio, Covina CA, Citrus College
  • Delco Remy/ASE M/H Truck Electrical/ Electronic Systems Technician of the Year: Andrew Matalis, Addison IL, Rush Truck Centers
  • First Student/ASE Master School Bus Technician of the Year: Jedidiah Gabriel, Clarence NY, First Student
  • First Transit/ASE Master Transit Bus Technician of the Year: Bryan Mitchell, Pittsford NY, First Transit
  • First Student Canada/ASE Master School Bus Technician of the Year: Jordan Trent, Kenora Ontario, First Student Canada
  • Freightliner/ASE Master M/H Truck Technician of the Year: Charles Wren, Niangia MO, Premier Truck Group
  • Gates/ASE Master Automobile + L1 Technician of the Year: Jonathan Ciero, Careywood ID, Silverlake Automotive
  • Gates Tools for Schools/ASE Instructor of the Year: Karl Eickhoff, Milford NE, Southeast Community College
  • GM/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Michael Carter, Highland MI, Champion Chevrolet
  • GM/ASE Parts Consultant of the Year: Eric Bolton, Ravenswood WV, Mark Porter Chevrolet Buick GMC
  • GM/ASE Service Consultant of the Year: Kenneth Nesbitt, Smyrna TN, Freeland Chevrolet
  • Honda/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Scott Thatcher, Lake Odessa MI, Fox Honda
  • Acura/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Steven Naegele, Coon Rapids MN, Luther Bloomington Acura-Subaru
  • I-CAR Platinum/ASE Master Collision Repair & Refinish Technician of the Year: Mike Ford, Overland Park KS, State Farm Insurance
  • Midas International/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Thomas Baldwin, St. Peters MO, Midas
  • Mitchell1/ASE Technician of the Future: Christopher Funk, Monticello IA, Holmes Transmission & Auto Repair
  • Motor Age Training/ASE Master Automobile + L1 Technician of the Year: Dennis Tuper, Norwood NY, SUNY Canton
  • NAPA/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Lynn Austin, Mankato MN, Austin's Auto Repair
  • Navistar/ASE Master M/H Truck Technician of the Year: Daniel Myers, Edgewood NM, Roberts Truck Center
  • Navistar/ASE Master School Bus Technician of the Year: Douglas Haas, Mt. Jackson VA, Highway Motors Inc.
  • NEXIQ/ASE Master M/H Truck Technician of the Year: John Gilliam, Mooresville IN, US Xpress
  • Nissan/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Patrick Frangos, Myrtle Beach SC, Coastal Nissan
  • Infiniti/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Mitchell Palm, Lawrence MA, Infiniti of Nashua
  • Pep Boys/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Robert DeAngelo Armstead, Marietta GA, Pep Boys
  • Pronto Smart Choice/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Timothy Suggs, Minneapolis MN, Turbo Tim's Anything Automotive
  • Snap-on/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Erich Beer, Prospect Heights IL, Formula Automotive
  • SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Nicholas Callahan, Modesto CA, SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service
  • Stellantis/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Robert Olson, Milbank SD, AutoMAXX
  • Stellantis/ASE Master Collision Repair & Refinish Technician of the Year: Robert Powell, Waterford PA, Humes Chrysler Jeep Dodge
  • Subaru/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Christopher Platzer, North Smithfield RI, Anchor Subaru
  • Subaru University/ASE Automobile Technician of the Year: Isaac Fish-Garza, Portland OR, Gresham Subaru
  • TBC Retail/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Scott Horst, Parkville MD, National Tire & Battery
  • TECHNET Professional/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Matthew Cranford, Zebulon NC, Autohaus Import Service
  • TECHNET Professional/ASE Service Consultant of the Year: Dan Levin, Erie CO, Pellman's Automotive Inc.
  • Toyota/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year Noah Marx Goleta CA Toyota of Santa Barbara
  • Toyota/ASE Master Collision Repair & Refinish Technician of the Year: Ceasar Sanchez, Margate FL, JM Lexus
  • Lexus/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: David Benkert, Cincinnati OH, Performance Lexus
  • TravelCenters of America/ASE Master M/H Truck Technician of the Year: Garret DeZiel, Ontario CA, Travel Centers-Petro
  • USAF/GM/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year: David Cameron, Bowie MD, Dept of Defense Air Force
  • ZF/ASE Aftermarket Master Automobile Technician of the Year: Gregory Weigart, Savannah MO Kruse's Auto Center.

Congratulations to all the honorees!

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