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Author: Professional Technician Staff

  • educator who built college’s program named ASE’s Instructor of the Year

    educator who built college’s program named ASE’s Instructor of the Year

    Ken Kunz, an automotive teacher at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois, was honored as the 2025 ASE Education Foundation Instructor of the Year at the ASE Instructor Training Conference held this week in St. Louis.

    Kunz built the Automotive Technology Program at Waubonsee Community College from the ground up and the program has grown over his 30-year tenure into a well-respected, high-demand automotive program, the ASE said in a statement. He has built a solid foundation of industry partners that is mutually beneficial to students and employers in the area. He has mentored countless students over the years, more than a dozen of whom are now automotive instructors in district high school programs, as well as faculty and staff colleagues at Waubonsee, according to the ASE.

    “Ken makes every student feel like they belong to our program, and he instills pride in them for being a part of it,” said Alyson Gaspar, CTE services manager at Waubonsee who nominated Kunz for the award. “He pushes every student to be the best version of themselves that they can be and takes every opportunity to try something new. Ken has poured his blood, sweat and tears into this program and no one is more deserving of this recognition. His legacy will be felt for years to come in the new building that will unofficially be referred to as the K-TEC.”

    An ASE Master Technician, Kunz has served as an active Evaluation Team Leader (ETL) for the ASE Education Foundation, helping schools become accredited. He has also been involved in state and national standards and curriculum reviews, assists with SkillsUSA and FFA and places his students in local automotive, truck, collision repair and parts businesses.

    As the ASE Education Foundation Instructor of the Year, Kunz received an expenses-paid trip to attend the ASE Instructor Training Conference where his award was announced during the opening session. He will also be recognized at the annual ASE Service Professionals Recognition Awards banquet held on Nov. 19 during the ASE board of directors meeting in Savannah, Georgia.

    “Each year we have an exceptional group of candidates nominated for the Instructor of the Year award and this year was no exception,” said Mike Coley, ASE Education Foundation president. “Not only did Ken stand out as an exceptional instructor, but he is also committed to helping his students outside of the classroom to help them excel in careers as automotive service professionals. We congratulate Ken on this prestigious honor and thank him for all he does on behalf of his automotive students.”

  • AAA honors Best in Repair and Service Providers of Excellence Winners

    AAA honors Best in Repair and Service Providers of Excellence Winners

    AAA recently announced the winners of its Service Providers of Excellence and the Best in Auto Repair awards for 2025.

    These awards recognize the top AAA Service Providers and AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across the country. A panel of AAA experts reviewed nominations for both awards.

    These outstanding partners have consistently achieved high member satisfaction, provided excellent service, and made significant contributions to their communities, according to a statement from AAA.

    Service Providers of Excellence 
    Gold Winners 
    Falcon Towing Gardena, California 
    Angelo’s Towing & Recovery Kirby, Texas  
    Excell Road Service Wheeling, Illinois
    Riverside Auto & Towing Chauncey, Ohio  
    Silver Winners  
    Golden Bear Towing, Inc. Chino, CA 
    Hooked On Towing Ontario, California  
    Bayside Roadside Services Los Angeles, California  
    RBS Towing Ramona, California   
    Bronze Winners  
    DeFalco’s Instant Towing, Inc. Chatham, New Jersey  
    I-10 Towing and Recovery  Montclair, California   
    C&D Towing  El Cajon, Connecticut   
    Montana City Towing Montana City, Montana

    Best in Auto Repair 

    Gold Winners 
    Faulkner Subaru Harrisburg Harrisburg, Pennsylvania   
    DeFalco’s Automotive & TowingSurfside Beach, South Carolina  
    Roy Foster’s Automotive Reno, Nevada  
    Cloverdale Automotive & TiresCloverdale, California
    Silver Winners  
    Hansen Motor Company Brigham City, Utah  
    DeBoer’s Auto North Hamburg, New Jersey
    Xpertech Auto Repair  Englewood, Florida  
    Fortier’s Auto Sales & ServiceFall River, Massachusetts 
    Bronze Winners  
    Nick Chevrolet Inc.Tarentum, Pennsylvania
    Leon’s Car Care Center Eureka, California  
    Stroup’s Garage Inc Yeager Town, Pennsylvania 
    Brown’s Tire, Towing, and Auto Care Center, Inc. Shepherdstown, West Virginia  
  • Great Dane opens new facility in Massachusetts

    Great Dane opens new facility in Massachusetts

    Northeast Great Dane, a Fleet Services by Cox Automotive company, recently held a grand opening of its newest trailer sales and service facility in Sutton, Massachusetts, which is about eight miles south of Worcester. The new shop expands the company’s footprint in the Northeast and underscores its commitment to providing best-in-class support to fleets across New England, according to a statement. from the company.

    The grand opening event, held July 17, welcomed customers, vendor partners, technicians, and Fleet Services leaders to tour the new facility. Built in close partnership with teams across Cox Automotive, the shop broke ground two years ago and is designed to reflect the organization’s ongoing focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and technician experience.

    The shop employs 10 technicians with expertise in heavy-duty trailer repair and maintenance, custom fabrication, and trailer upfitting, including liftgate installations, with plans to expand to 15 technicians by 2026.

    “We’re making a major statement by opening this new shop,” said Gerry Newcomb, associate vice president of operations, Fleet Services by Cox Automotive. “It shows our commitment to having a strong presence in the New England market, and we pride ourselves on the deep partnerships we’ve built with our customers. The trucking industry is a relationship business, and even as the industry evolves, that will remain constant. I’m incredibly proud of the teamwork that brought this facility to life.”

    The Sutton location builds on Fleet Services’ technician-first infrastructure and customer-focused operations, following the recent launch of their new Parts Distribution Center in Doraville, Georgia. Featuring an efficiently designed floor plan, retail store, full-line parts warehouse, and 180-foot-long drive-through bays, the facility speeds up turnaround times and delivers a true one-stop shop for trailer sales, rentals, parts, and service, according to the company.

    “You could see the pride on the technicians’ faces when they first walked in,” said Kurt Gustafson, general manager, Fleet Services by Cox Automotive. “This is their new home, and they were excited. We set out to build a place that technicians are proud to work in—and that customers can count on for dependable, high-quality service.”

    The shop’s opening is part of a broader initiative by Fleet Services to continue to modernize and scale its nationwide service network. With the Sutton location now open, the company continues its mission to support the evolving needs of commercial vehicle customers with cutting-edge facilities and talented teams.

  • This summer’s group of interns arrive at PACCAR Technical Center

    This summer’s group of interns arrive at PACCAR Technical Center

    The 2025 Summer Interns recently arrived at the PACCAR Technical Center. Over the next few months, the interns will be contributing to projects across the Technical Center while gaining valuable hands-on experience.

    “We cannot wait to see all they will accomplish this summer,” said PACCAR on social media.

    Situated in Mount Vernon, Washington the 375 acre site provides test and development for PACCAR divisions, including Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF trucks.

    PACCAR’s webiste says:

    “PACCAR’s Technical Centers in Europe and North America are equipped with state-of-the-art product development and validation capabilities and staffed with experts in powertrain and vehicle development. The advanced engineering tools in the technical centers are utilized to innovate and accelerate the launch of new products.

    “New 3-D prototype machines were introduced in 2013 to accelerate the design process from concept to production. Digitally controlled, proprietary hydraulic road simulators enhance product validation by replicating millions of road miles in weeks, instead of years. Sophisticated computer simulations and advanced analysis of engine and vehicle control systems operate on powerful supercomputers to optimize vehicle efficiency.

    “PACCAR’s Technical Centers partner with government agencies and academic institutions to evaluate future vehicle technologies. The technical centers leverage these partnerships to identify innovative designs that will further improve the industry-leading performance and fuel efficiency of Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF trucks.”

  • Whiteford Kenworth opens in Rossford, Ohio; Lima location coming soon

    Whiteford Kenworth opens in Rossford, Ohio; Lima location coming soon

    Whiteford Kenworth recently held a ribbon cutting for its newest location in Rossford, Ohio.

    Located at the crossroads of Interstate 75 and Interstate 80/90, this will be the company’s 11th dealership, and creates 60 new jobs.

    An open house is planned for Friday, Aug. 1.

    The 78,000 sq ft facility features:

    • 29 high‑capacity service bays
    • 27,000 sq ft parts warehouse
    • showroom with three new Kenworth trucks and two antique trucks
    • driver lounge with showers and laundry facilities
    • solar canopy powering 58 MWh of clean energy annually

    Whiteford is also celebrating its 50th anniversary as a Kenworth dealer.

    Another new location in Lima, Ohio is set to open next month.

    Whiteford originally opened in 1929.

  • TN college changes to off-road diesel; becomes Kubota TECH campus

    TN college changes to off-road diesel; becomes Kubota TECH campus

    The Tennessee College of Applied Technology will transition its Diesel Powered Equipment Technology program to Off-Road Diesel Technology and become an official Kubota TECH campus to meet the needs of the geographical populations it serves at its Dickson campus.

    The Off-Road Diesel Technology (ODT) program will focus on tractors, equipment, and even diesel-powered lawn mowers. Additionally, students enrolled in the ODT program will have the opportunity to gain Kubota TECH certifications before graduating with their diplomas, making them more marketable upon graduation.

    Those additional Kubota TECH certifications through NC3 include Product Delivery Inspection (PDI) and Assembly; Maintenance Procedures; Engines; Electrical; Preventative Maintenance Inspection; Hydraulics; and Brakes, Steering, Suspension (BSS).

    TCAT Dickson President Laura Travis is pleased about the new offering at the main campus.

    “We are thrilled to bring the Off-Road Diesel Technology program to our community,” Travis said. “The program gives students the chance to gain real-world skills and earn industry credentials that lead to good careers. It’s an exciting opportunity to help individuals build strong futures while meeting the growing demand for skilled technicians.”

    As an official Kubota TECH campus, Kubota delivered three new pieces of equipment to TCAT Dickson including a tractor, side-by-side, and lawn mower for students to use as learning tools. Later this year the campus should receive a skid steer and could potentially receive a mini excavator for additional training opportunities. Kubota will continue to replace those pieces of equipment, so students are always exposed to the newest technology.

    Recent graduates of the diesel program praised the opportunity to work on Kubota equipment and earn certifications from the company.

    Owen White, a recent graduate of the diesel program said, “I liked having the Kubota equipment here to work on. It’s good to have something to look at while you are learning about it.”

    “The Kubota TECH part is great. They have good hydraulic knowledge. There is a lot of hydraulics on this equipment. Everything is starting to run off HST (Hydro Static Transmission). You can take this knowledge and apply it to other areas,” recent graduate Jathan Hicks said.

    White and Hicks were two of a group of five students to be the firsts to complete Kubota TECH certifications on TCAT Dickson’s campus.

    “Having these extra certifications from Kubota TECH gives these students more ammunition and more opportunities in the workforce,” Diesel Instructor Tommy Yarbrough said.

    Students who earn the Kubota TECH certifications will have the opportunity to complete Kubota Universities Registered Level training program which ultimately introduces them to the Kubota Advanced and Master Level Technician Pathway.

    That benefit for graduates of the program will also greatly impact Kubota dealerships who will have access to contact and hire individuals from the database who are trained and ready to meet their workforce needs from day one without having to spend extra time completing on-the-job training.

    “Our programs are nimble to the community needs,” Dr. Levi Mayer, Vice President of Academics and Compliance at TCAT Dickson said. “We see a greater need for Off-Road Diesel Technology at our Dickson campus. Our Clarksville campus will continue to maintain the Diesel Powered Equipment Technology program,” Mayer added. The primary focus of the Clarksville program will continue to be large commercial semi-trucks, large recreational vehicles, and specialty commercial vehicles like waste disposal and fire trucks.

    For additional information on the new Off-Road Diesel Technology and Kubota TECH certifications available at the main campus in Dickson, or existing Diesel Powered Equipment Technology program offered at the Clarksville location, visit tcatdickson.edu.

  • Florida college adds diesel tech program; partners with county

    Florida college adds diesel tech program; partners with county

    A Florida college is adding a new program to train diesel technicians beginning this fall.

    A ribbon cutting to celebrate Santa Fe College’s new Diesel Service Technology program will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 11, at the Alachua County Public Works building, 5620 NW 120 Lane, off U.S Hwy 441, just north of Gainesville.

    Classes begin Aug. 25.

    Santa Fe College said in announcing the program it wasresponding to employer demand for trained professionals and is partnering with Alachua County and CareerSource North Central Florida to support and promote the program.

    Housed at Alachua County’s fleet operations facility, students will have dedicated training space while studying alongside the trained mechanics who take care of the county’s extensive diesel fleet.

    Diesel Service Technology is a two-year certificate program combining classroom instruction with hands-on experience using industry standard tools and equipment to prepare students for jobs in today’s fast-paced transportation and heavy equipment industries.

    Students don’t need a high school diploma to apply for the program, according to the college.

    For details visit the program here.

  • RDO Truck Center technician wins Nebraska SuperTech title again

    RDO Truck Center technician wins Nebraska SuperTech title again

    RDO Truck Center’s Alan Anderson won the 2025 Nebraska SuperTech competition. It was Anderson’s second year in a row to take home to top title.

    Anderson will go on to represent Nebraska at the National SuperTech competition, hosted by the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council, Sept. 14–18 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

    Douglas Beck of Truck Center Companies placed second and received the First Time Attendee Award, and Isaac Bittner from Southeast Community College took third.

    In the student division, Isaac Bittner claimed top honors, followed by Schuyler Eatherton of Central Community College in second, and Jon Grovijohn of Metropolitan Community College in third.

    Hosted by the Nebraska Trucking Association’s Technology & Maintenance Council, the event took place on July 17 at Central Community College in Hastings. It was the 17th year of the statewide competition.

    This year’s contest brought together 16 professional technicians and three student competitors for a full day of hands-on challenges and technical problem-solving. The annual competition showcases the vital work of diesel service professionals through a mix of diagnostics, inspections, and technical problem-solving. Competitors completed 10 hands-on stations and a qualifying ASE-style written test in June to earn their spot in the live event.

    Each station was designed to mirror real-world challenges faced in the shop. From electrical issues to power steering diagnostics, competitors were pushed to apply both theory and hands-on experience.

    Each station winner also received a $100 cash prize, adding an extra layer of recognition for technical excellence.

    The 10 station winners were:

    • Electrical – Colin Magdanz, Truck Center Companies
    • Precision Measurement – Alan Anderson, RDO Truck Centers
    • Vehicle Inspection (supported by Sgt. Huhman and Trooper Adams of the Nebraska State Patrol) – Colin Magdanz, Truck Center Companies
    • Drive Train – Colin Magdanz, Truck Center Companies
    • Shop Safety – Schuyler Eatherton, Central Community College
    • Advanced Electrical – Alan Anderson, RDO Truck Centers
    • Opt Idle – Steven Weber, Crete Carrier Corporation
    • Power Steering – Alan Anderson, RDO Truck Centers
    • Transmission – Isaac Bittner, Southeast Community College
    • Wheel End – Isaac Bittner, Southeast Community College

    Central Community College in Hastings has hosted the Nebraska SuperTech competition many times. The event is organized each year by Jerry Wessel of the Nebraska Trucking Association (NTA), in collaboration with the NTA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC). The trucking association gave special thanks go to Bill McKay, TMC chair, for his key role in developing hands-on stations that reflect real-world challenges technicians face on the job.

  • Belden’s opens ninth texas location in San Antonio; acquires iowa shop

    Belden’s opens ninth texas location in San Antonio; acquires iowa shop

    GreatWater360 Auto Care recently announce the opening of its newest Belden’s Automotive & Tires location in San Antonio, Texas.

    The company said this milestone marks a strategic expansion in the company’s presence across Texas and brings the total number of Belden’s locations to nine.

    GreatWater said its growth traditionally involves investing in existing locations and teams, but this new facility highlights GreatWater’s ability to create successful growth through different paths with multiple ground-up locations opened in SanAntonio under the Belden’s name.

    “This is a slightly different approach for us, but we are always open to building a site in the right market, under the right brand,” said Jim Dykstra, CEO at GreatWater 360 Auto Care. “While we typically invest in existing high-performing shops with teams and clientele in place, we also know how to launch a new facility with the same success. That confidence comes from the market opportunity, the team, and the reputation a brand like Belden’s has in their community.”

    Belden’s Automotive & Tires has been a respected name in the San Antonio area for over 45 years, known for customer-centric service, technical expertise, and a team-first culture. The Potranco location will carry forward those values while offering customers a state-of-the-art facility, advanced diagnostics, and the same high-quality service delivered by certified technicians, according to the company.

    “The Potranco team may be in a brand-new building, but that team has long been a part of the Belden’s family—they’re people who care deeply about their work, their customers, and their community. The shop is set up for success.” said Dykstra.

    In addition, GreatWater 360 Auto Care recently acquired Cars, Trucks & Vans, a full-service shop in Davenport, Iowa. This acquisition strengthens GreatWater’s presence in the Iowa market and underscores its commitment to supporting high-integrity, locally rooted repair businesses.

    A local staple in the community for over 25 years, Cars, Trucks & Vans has served Davenport drivers with dependable repair, maintenance, and diagnostic services. Known for its straightforward approach, friendly service and strong community focus, the shop will continue operating under its well-established name, with its existing team in place—now supported by the resources and training that come with joining the GreatWater network.

    This acquisition marks GreatWater’s fourth location in Iowa and continued growth across eight states. With every new location, the company said it reinforces its unique approach: invest in existing shops that customers know and trust while equipping them with upgraded tools, training, and operational support.

  • Texas State Technical College adds Diesel power technologies center

    Texas State Technical College adds Diesel power technologies center

    The Texas State Technical College’s new Diesel Power Technologies building at the Marshall campus will welcome students this fall.

    The $14.5 million facility includes 21,720 square feet of space and has over $2.6 million worth of training equipment. Several industry partners including HOLT CAT and Bagley Tractor & Equipment, contributed equipment to the facility.

    “When I looked at the information published by the (Texas Higher Education) Coordinating Board, our school produces between 40% and 50% of all the diesel technicians in Texas,” said TSTC Chancellor Mike Reeser. “It’s no surprise that the legislature said they were going to bet on those who have already brought the game.”

    TSTC offers:

    • Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck Specialization (Associate of Applied Science)
    • Diesel Equipment Technology – Off Highway Specialization (Associate of Applied Science)
    • Diesel Equipment Technology – Off Highway Specialization (Associate of Applied Science)
    • Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck (Certificate of Completion)
    • Diesel Equipment Technology – Off Highway Specialization (Certificate of Completion)
    • Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck (Certificate of Completion)
    • Diesel Equipment Technology – Off Highway Equipment Specialization (Certificate of Completion)
    • John Deere Technology (Associate of Applied Science)
    • John Deere Technology (Certificate of Completion)

    It also has programs for automotive and aviation technicians.

    Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.