Author: Professional Technician Staff

TOPDON seals sponsorship deal with ASE

TOPDON US reports it has finalized a new sponsorship agreement with the ASE Education Foundation as part of the New Jersey company’s commitment to support the education and training of tomorrow’s automotive workforce.

Through its TOP-UP Academic Initiative, TOPDON has donated more than $300,000 in products and cash to organizations that support automotive technician education and training.

Finalized in August, TOPDON’s yearlong sponsorship with the ASE Education Foundation will provide TOPDON with opportunities to share career, educational and technical information to ASE accredited programs. Additionally, it allows TOPDON to participate in the foundation’s live webinar series, as well as being included on the website, collateral material and in newsletters.

“ASE offers one of the most respected certifications an automotive repair professional can earn,” said Chad Schnitz, vice president of TOPDON US. “It is both a benchmark for the automotive workforce and a representative of each technician’s dedication to their automotive craft. The demand for qualified technicians has never been higher, and we’re proud to sponsor the ASE Education Foundation and share in their effort to ensure a higher standard of quality across the automotive industry.”

TOPDON’s TOP-UP program was created as a global initiative and introduced in the U.S. in 2022. The U.S. program supports community colleges and trade schools, as well as programs at higher learning institutions dedicated to building up the automotive trade workforce.

Founded in 2017 and based in Rockaway, New Jersey, TOPDON US is a provider of entry-level, mid-level, and advanced tools and solutions for professional technicians, as well as DIY enthusiasts.

“We’re thrilled to have TOPDON’s support as we seek to fulfill our mission to prepare the next generation of automotive professionals,” said Mike Coley, President of the ASE Education Foundation. “TOPDON continues to demonstrate its commitment to developing industry-leading automotive tools and their team has also been actively training and educating technicians across the country. This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to advancing excellence, innovation, and career opportunities in automotive service.”

September 25, 2025
Bendix: ‘Technicians are the backbone of trucking’
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems salutes all professional technicians during this the sixth annual National Technician Appreciation Week, now through Saturday.

Sponsored by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and its Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), this year’s observance follows the ATA TMC fall meeting and the TMCSuperTech National Technician Skills Competitions – held Sept. 14-18 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“Technicians are the backbone of trucking,” said Nicole Oreskovic, Bendix vice president of sales and marketing. “They’re working at all hours, in every condition, helping to make sure vehicles and drivers can do their jobs safely. Vehicles not properly and regularly maintained contribute to increased downtime, the ripple effects of which reach every part of daily life. The responsibilities technicians handle are demanding and central to the industry, and their contributions merit acknowledgment year-round.”

Bendix once again served as a sponsor of the TMCSuperTech competitions, supporting two skill stations focused on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and brakes, respectively – where technicians demonstrated their knowledge through written exams and hands-on challenges.

Sponsors of this unique program help fund the TMC’s ongoing efforts to burnish the image of professional technicians and attract new talent to the field through scholarships, outreach, and high-visibility programs. Bendix’s continued involvement underscores its commitment to supporting the professionals who keep commercial vehicles operating safely and reliably.

In addition to its sponsorship role, Bendix said it has built a decades-long record of providing education and support to technicians. As new technologies reshape commercial vehicles and expand the skills technicians need, Bendix delivers resources that help vehicle operators and their maintenance teams stay prepared.

Its in-person Brake School is one of the industry’s longest-running training programs, blending hands-on sessions with virtual instruction to offer practical tools and up-to-date knowledge. Available 24/7 since its launch more than a decade ago, the Bendix On-Line Brake School consists of more than 120 courses covering braking and active vehicle safety systems, with options to customize learning plans for fleets and track technician progress.

Additional resources include:

· On-site demonstrations and troubleshooting education – Direct instruction from Bendix experts to help technicians address on-the-ground challenges.

· B2Bendix.com Document Library – Service data sheets, operating manuals, product training documents, installation instructions, and more.
- Knowledge Dock– Blogs, podcasts, and Tech Tips for ongoing insights.
· Bendix Tech Team (1-800-AIR-BRAKE) – An expert group providing real-time technical support, training guidance, and product troubleshooting. The team forms the heart of Bendix’s education programs, along with the company’s field-tested sales and service professionals and veteran field technical support team.

“At Bendix, we build safety systems and support the people who maintain them,” Oreskovic said. “Technicians help make the difference between technology on paper and safety on the road. Our role is to provide the resources that help them do that job with confidence.”
September 24, 2025
Next Generation in Trucking announces winners of inaugural NEXT Top Talent Award for Technicians

The Next Generation in Trucking Association (NGT) today announces the winners and finalists of the inaugural 2025 NEXT Top Talent Award, a first-of-its-kind recognition program honoring CDL drivers and diesel technicians under 30, which the. association says “are redefining what it means to be a professional in our industry.”

These rising stars exemplify dedication to safety, professionalism, and purpose, and their stories prove that the future of trucking is already here, and it’s full of promise, NGT said in its announcement.

The grand champion diesel technician is Joe Reed of the Kenan Advantage Group

“From his start as a technician to his role today as shop foreman, Joe’s leadership, mentorship, and drive for excellence have elevated his team and strengthened operations. We’re proud to celebrate his well-deserved recognition!,” NGT said.

Reed began his career as a technician and has steadily worked his way up to become shop foreman for KAG Energy in North Canton, Ohio. His leadership has transformed the shop, improving its appearance, operational performance, and team morale, accordin g to the NGTA. The organization said Reed leads by example and holds himself to high standards while motivating his team to grow alongside him.

NGTA said Reed has strengthened KAG’s terminal operations by keeping trucks on the road and maximizing load revenue. He actively collaborates with corporate fleet leaders, and his hunger for learning has positioned him for even greater opportunities in leadership, such as terminal manager or regional maintenance manager roles.

“Joe’s mentorship has raised the performance of other team members, and several technicians have expressed interest in advancing their careers because of Joe’s example,” said the NGTA. “He exemplifies what it means to lead with humility, skill, and a vision for the future.”

2025 NEXT Top Talent diesel technician winners include:

· Adam Wheaton – Old Dominion Freight Line

· Angel Alcala – Old Dominion Freight Line

· Austin Randler – KL Harring Transportation, LLC

· Ayden Standridge – Boyd Cat

· Bradley Mackey – Waste Management

· Caleb Varner – Logisticize

· Carlos Lopez – FedEx Freight

· Corey Coots – Usher Transport, Inc.

· David M Carter – Horizon Freight Lines, Inc.

· Dylan Gallagher – Old Dominion Freight Line

· Jackie Clark – Gordon Food Service

· Joe Brilowski – Koch NaitonaLease

· Joseph Weeks – Waste Management

· Kameron Pugh – Ralph Moyle, Inc.

· Kyle T. Applebee – Hoffman Transportation

· Matthew Becker – Old Dominion Freight Line

· Riley Sullivan – Advantage Truck Group

· Ryan Frisk – Waste Management

· Thomas Cornell – Koch Trucking

“The NEXT Top Talent Award allows us to highlight their achievements and elevate the importance of building career pathways for Gen Z,” said Lindsey Trent, President and Co-Founder of NGT.

The NEXT Top Talent Award is co-sponsored by Fullbay and Project 61.

September 23, 2025
National Technician Appreciation Week has arrived

National Technician Appreciation Week is under way!

To recognize the outstanding professional technicians that keep the trucking industry rolling, the American Trucking Associations in a conjoined effort with ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) created the event which runs through Saturday.

The celebration of technicians comes after last week’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

The purpose of the week is to provide an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and commitment of the professional technicians of the trucking industry. Across America, professional technicians play one of the most demanding and important roles in trucking. This week will not only acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of these dedicated professionals, but also help attract prospective talent to one of the most in-demand careers in the trucking industry.

Professional technicians are the people that keep trucks moving. To recognize these important men and women, NTAW highlights one of the most demanding and challenging roles in the transportation industry. NTAW will provide an opportunity to celebrate the hard work and commitment of professional technicians. Professional technicians perform one of the most demanding and critical roles in trucking. Considering things like uptime, fuel economy and overall vehicle performance, maintenance technicians are a vital part of a fleet’s overall safety. This week will not only acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of these dedicated professionals, but also help attract prospective talent to one of the most in-demand careers in the industry.

September 22, 2025
12 students receive Technology & Maintenance Council scholarships

The American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council awarded 12 students from across the country scholarships to pursue careers as commercial vehicle technicians or engineers.

The awards were made during the council’s annual gathering this week in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“Finding innovative solutions to our industry’s ongoing technician shortage is a priority for TMC, and the Council is pleased to be able to partner with WyoTech, Western Technical College, Lincoln Tech, University of Northwest Ohio, and SAE International to bring these scholarship opportunities to fruition,” said TMC Executive Director Robert Braswell. “These initiatives provide greater choice for deserving scholarship-seeking students looking to prepare for a career as a commercial vehicle technician.”

Christopher Alexander of Westhampton, Massachusetts; Shawn Hazen of Cedar Springs, Michigan; and Gustavo Lopez of Lexington, Kentucky, each received a TMC/Lincoln Tech/NADC Diesel Truck Technician Scholarship. The scholarship covers half the tuition for a 1,200- to 1,560-hour training program at one of six Lincoln Technical Institute/Lincoln College of Technology schools across the country.

Kenneth Marroquin-Reyes of Purcellville, Viriginia, was named the 2025 TMC/University of Northwest Ohio Scholar, which consists of an award for tuition in the amount of up to $20,000.

The TMC/WyoTech Diesel Truck Technician Scholarship, which consists of a partial scholarship of up to $5,000 each, was awarded to Peter Eisenbacher of Woodburn, Oregon; David Loza of Lovington, New Mexico; Gabriel Montoya of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Julio Vasquez of Roswell, New Mexico.

Brian Cano of El Paso, Texas, and Julian Amparan of El Paso, Texas, were each awarded the 2025 TEC/Western Tech Scholarship, covering 50% of the tuition to pursue a degree in diesel mechanics and diesel technology at Western Tech.

TMC also announced that Kevin Shen of Olympia, Washington, and Carter Worm of Ahmeek, Michigan, were awarded the TMC/SAE Donald D. Dawson Technical Scholarship, consisting of three $1,500 scholarships, which can be renewed for three years and used for tuition or any other incidental school expenses while pursuing an undergraduate degree in automotive engineering.

The scholarships are managed by the council’s Technician and Educator Committee in partnership with several technical schools, industry vendors, and allied organizations.

A complete list of scholarship rules is featured on the application and can be found on TMC’s website. Completed scholarship application packages for 2026 must be received by the TMC office by April 15, 2026, and winners will be notified by May 15, 2026.

September 18, 2025
Work at a great shop? Then nominate it for award at Vision expo

The search is on for the best service facility at which to work.

The Best Places to Work award will be presented at the Vision Hi-Tech Training and Expo March 5-8 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Kansas City, Kansas and hosted by the Midwest Auto Care Alliance.

The award celebrates automotive service facilities that set the standard for workplace culture—offering training opportunities, fostering work-life balance, embracing technology, and providing outstanding employee benefits.

Think your shop deserves the title? Apply here.

Know a shop that stands out as an incredible workplace? Nominate them here.

The expo will include more than 120 courses and feature over 140 exhibitors.

New this year will be awards for the Technician of the Year and Service Advisor of the Year.

September 17, 2025

FedEx freight’s Matthew Sloan wins TMCSuper Tech Competition

Matthew Sloan, a FedEx Freight technician from Jacksonville, Florida, was crowned TMCSuperTech 2025 Grand Champion at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council’s National Technicians Skills Competitions.

The competition was held as part of the Technology & Maintenance Council’s gathering in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“Being named Grand Champion at TMC’s National Technician Skills Competitions is a tremendous honor,” said TMC Executive Director Robert Braswell. “Matthew demonstrated the kinds of skills, technical knowledge, and professionalism we have come to expect from our members. Congratulations to him and to all our competitors who displayed extraordinary talent during this competition.”

FedEx Freight’s Kelby Bentley — himself a TMCSuperTech Grand Champion in 2019 — placed second, and Hogan Truck Leasing’s Carl Diehl placed third. FedEx Freight won the team competition with John Blanchet and Philip Barlow.

Tully McKinley of Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, North Caroilina won the TMCFutureTech National Student Technician Skills Competition. Madison Boone, also of Forsyth Technical Community College, was second, and Bennett Fischer, WyoTech, of Laramie, Wyomin placing third.

Here’s the complete list of finishers in the TMCSuper Tech competition:

NO	FIRST	LAST	Company	STATE CHAMP	RANK
62	Matthew	Sloan	FedEx Freight		1
55	Kelby	Bentley	FedEx Freight		2
13	Carl	Diehl	Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc.		3
9	Brian	Peters	Salem Leasing Corp.	NORTH CAROLINA	4
59	Lucas	Coyle	TravelCenters of America	INDIANA	5
36	Jamie	Smith	FedEx Freight		6
76	Nicholas	Bryant	FedEx Freight		7
80	Philip	Barlow	FedEx Freight		8
49	John	Blanchet	FedEx Freight		9
86	Steven	Layton	TravelCenters of America		10
69	Mitchell	Buelow	FedEx Freight		11
42	Jessica	McAllister	Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc.		12
20	Cory	Westfall	FedEx Freight		13
56	Kevin	DaCosta	Publix Super Markets, Inc.		14
71	Michael	Krause	Clarke Power Services, Inc.	MISSOURI	15
66	Michael	Kerfoot	Cox Automotive		16
91	Terry	Podralski	W. W. Williams	OHIO	17
14	Jeramiah	Carter	Averitt Express, Inc.		18
75	Nicholas	Brown	FedEx Freight		19
32	Ian	Matje	Iron Buffalo		20
92	Tyler	Young	FedEx Freight		21
24	Toby	De Voy	TravelCenters of America	OKLAHOMA	22
4	Aven	Blozan	Iron Buffalo	COLORADO	23
7	Benjamin	Kirtley	J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.	ARKANSAS	24
60	Lukas	Grincevicius	Iron Buffalo		25
26	Adam	Dixon	TravelCenters of America		26
28	Garrett	Deziel	TravelCenters of America		27
19	Corey	Tegeler	Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.	TEXAS	28
35	Jameson	Haney	Cox Automotive		29
61	Lucas	Noyes	Blaine Brothers		30
46	Josh	Keiser	Clarke Power Services, Inc.		31
44	John	Kidd	TravelCenters of America		32
10	Robert	Maxcy	PepsiCo, Inc.		33
12	Brian	Climes	Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc.		34
41	Jacob	Grayson	Ruan		35
5	Alan	Anderson	RDO Truck Center	NEBRAKSA	36
93	Walter	Whitley	Red Classic Transportation Services LLC		37
37	Jason	Miller	Cox Automotive		38
57	Jonah	Kisser	W. W. Williams		39
94	William	Liles	PepsiCo, Inc.		40
83	Ross	Stungurys	Carolina International Trucks, Inc.	SOUTH CAROLINA	41
18	Clyde	Weathers	Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc.		42
2	Andrew	Williams	Lakeside International Trucks	WISCONSIN	43
25	Dillon	Grimes	Cox Automotive		44
8	Bobby	Key	Shamrock Environmental		45
67	Michael	Perkins	PepsiCo, Inc.		46
73	Nathaniel	Hinman	Publix Super Markets, Inc.		47
27	David	Pittman	Amerit Fleet Solutions		48
82	Phillip	Rorrer	Ruan		49
17	James	Claypool	Blaine Brothers		50
3	Alan	Snyder	Cox Automotive		51
11	Brendan	Johnston	PepsiCo, Inc.		52
48	John	Masarick	Wiers International/Wiers Fleet Partners		53
16	Christopher	Gerrald	TravelCenters of America		54
29	Jeremy	Colf	Regional International Corp.	NEW YORK	55
31	Christopher	Ferguson	TravelCenters of America		56
84	Rudy	Montenegro	TravelCenters of America		57
64	Mohammad	Algaghbeir	TravelCenters of America		58
50	Jordan	Spaid	PepsiCo, Inc.		59
22	David	Logalbo	Cox Automotive		60
65	Michael	Castro	Publix Super Markets, Inc.		61
72	Erin	Murphy	Saia, Inc.		62
1	Adam	Teesdale	Saia, Inc.		63
70	Grant	Mitchell	Clean Harbors Environmental Svcs. Inc.		64
90	Todd	Mareno	Cox Automotive		65
33	Jackson	Rice	Clarke Power Services, Inc.		66
45	Jesus	Rodriquez	Ruan		67
47	John	Matthews	Smithfield Transportation		68
81	Richard	Deyoung	Tesla, Inc.		69
58	Leonardo	Mendez-Ortiz	Saia, Inc.		70
53	Justin	Parson	Messer North America, Inc.		71
77	Nicholas	Wheeler	Whited Peterbilt	MAINE	72
21	Martin	Cote	Clean Harbors Environmental Svcs. Inc.		73
6	Bruce	Marshall	Amerit Fleet Solutions		74
34	James	Wilburn	Messer North America, Inc.		75
63	Matthew	Degennaro	Saia, Inc.		76
23	DJ	Edwards	W. W. Williams		77
43	Jimmy	Eichelberger	Tyson Foods		78
87	Shawn	Vaughn	W. W. Williams		79
88	Thomas	Jackson	Tesla, Inc.		80
15	Collin	Hawkinson	Amerit Fleet Solutions		81
79	David	Pena	Best Specialized		82
78	Oscar	Brousset	FleetPro, Inc.	MARYLAND	83
54	James	Vaughn	W. W. Williams		84
40	Josh	Paisie	Amerit Fleet Solutions		85
89	Thomas	Norwood	W. W. Williams		86
74	Eric	Neuenschwander	Clean Harbors Environmental Svcs. Inc.		87
38	Jaziel	Espinoza	Iron Buffalo		88
30	Michael	Griffith	Saia, Inc.		89
51	Joshua	Green	Red Classic Transportation Services LLC		90
68	Mike	McBride	Messer North America, Inc.		91
39	Jonathan	Carter	Saia, Inc.		92
52	Jordan	Schloesser	Amerit Fleet Solutions		93
95	Zachary	Nikorak	Cox Automotive		94

September 17, 2025

Sun Auto & Tire makes acquisitions in North Carolina and Arkansas

Sun Auto Tire & Service recently announced a pair of acquisitions in Arkansas and North Carolina, which the company said are strategic additions aimed at strengthening its network targeting two existing markets.

Sun Auto acquired Jackson Auto Worx in Winston-Salem North Carolina and Hindsman & Son Tire and Service in Russellville, Arkansas. Ters of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1976 by Lee Jackson, Sr. and Julian Stith, Jackson Auto Worx has been a trusted repair provider in Winston-Salem for nearly 50 years. Its addition to the Sun Auto Tire & Service Network strengthens the company’s foothold in the Piedmont Triad, linking the Piedmont Tire Service location in King with multiple Tire Max locations across the metro area. The acquisition further adds to Sun Auto’s presence in Central North Carolina, enabling operational efficiencies and expanding brand visibility across the Greensboro–Winston-Salem corridor, according to the company.

“For almost 50 years, Jackson Auto Worx has been part of Winston-Salem,” said Lee Jackson, Jr. “Joining Sun Auto ensures our customers will keep receiving the personal service they value, backed by the resources of a national network. We’re proud of what we’ve built and excited to see the next chapter under Sun Auto’s leadership.”

Sun Auto also acquired Hindsman & Son Tire and Service in Russellville, Arkansas. Established in 1987 by Tommy Hindsman, the company has been serving the Russellville community for nearly four decades. Under the leadership of Sam and Kellie Hindsman, the business has become a staple in the Arkansas River Valley.

By adding Russellville, Sun Auto strengthens its presence in Arkansas by filling a strategic gap between existing Plaza Tire Service locations throughout North Arkansas. This facility provides tire distribution capability, market visibility, and additional operating leverage—reinforcing Sun’s ability to serve guests seamlessly across the state while honoring the legacy of a respected family business.

“After nearly four decades of serving the River Valley community, deciding to sell was not easy,” said Sam and Kellie Hindsman. “But we believe Sun Auto is the right step forward for our family, our employees, and our loyal customers. We are deeply grateful for the trust and support our community has shown us, and we are confident that Sun Auto will continue to deliver the same exceptional service and care our guests expect.”

“Both acquisitions demonstrate how we continue to execute on our strategy of adding density in key markets where we already have strong brand presence,” said Chris Ripani, chief operating officer of Sun Auto Tire & Service. “By building scale in places like the Piedmont Triad and central Arkansas, we increase efficiency, unlock synergies across our network, and preserve the strong community relationships established by these local operators while providing even more value to guests of the Sun Auto Tire & Service Network.”

Sun Auto Tire & Service is a national network of more than 500 neighborhood tire and service shops.

September 17, 2025
TMCSuper Tech competition opens with more than 100 competitors

The American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council Sunday opened TMC’s 2025 Fall Meeting & National Technician Skills Competitions here at the Raleigh Convention Center.

The week kicks off with TMCSuperTech 2025. TMC’s Technician & Educator Committee is welcoming more than 100 techs to compete in one of two tracks in Raleigh — professional and student. TMCSuperTech 2025 will feature tracks for professional vehicle technicians. TMCFutureTech will test post-secondary graduate students. The competitions showcase the high degree of skill and knowledge shown everyday by trucking industry technicians. It is trucking’s only industry-wide competition dedicated to honoring technician professionalism.

“Skilled technicians, like the ones competing at TMCSuperTech, keep our industry moving,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “TMC’s leadership sets important standards at a time when the technology in our trucks has grown increasingly complex, and the Fall Meeting provides a great opportunity to chart the course for trucking at this critical juncture.”

This year’s theme is “Ensuring Trucking’s Future Success” and features TMC’s customary slate of educational sessions, task force meetings, technical sessions, and management sessions. Additionally, the event will include the council’s multi-track professional and student technician competitions.

“For nearly seven decades, TMC has worked to raise professional and technical standards for the trucking industry,” said TMC Executive Director Robert Braswell. “This fall meeting is an important part of that mission – not just to test the nation’s best technicians – but to have the opportunity to discuss and learn about the latest advances in truck technology in our myriad task forces and educational sessions.”

September 14, 2025
Digital display failure causes Kenworth recall

The failure of a key component in several models of Kenworth trucks has led to a major recall.

PACCAR Incorporated recwently announced it is recalling some 14,000 2024-2026 Kenworth T680, T880, and W990 trucks, according to the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 15-inch digital display may fail to display warning lights or vehicle speed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, “Controls and Displays” and 121, “Air Brake Systems.”

Dealers will update the vehicle display software, free of charge.

PACCAR has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification, according to the NHTSA. Owners may contact Kenworth’s customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR’s number for this recall is 25PACG.

September 12, 2025