 Las Vegas, Nev. (Nov. 6, 2003) — ACDelco, the high-quality replacement and service parts provider, concluded its third biennial Technician of the Millennium competition today with the presentation of a new Chevrolet Silverado SS truck to winner David Wiebe, Crestview Auto Service, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Wiebe beat out five United States finalists and two other Canadian finalists in what each contestant referred to as an incredibly challenging final competition. All eight finalists had advanced in the competition against 2,500 other technicians. An audience of nearly 5,000 attended the competition, which was held Oct. 24 at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
“The Technician of the Millennium III finals were a much bigger deal than I envisioned they would be when I entered the competition last fall, and the title is also a big deal,” Wiebe said. “I had a feeling of satisfaction I never dreamed of because I have wanted to be a technician since I was a kid, and feel I have become so much more.”
Scott Mackie, ACDelco general director, said the purpose of the Technician of the Millennium competition is to recognize and support the professionalism and expertise of ACDelco technicians. “The competition is a testimonial to the high caliber of technicians employed by Independent Service Centers that are enrolled in our Total Service Support Program,” Mackie said. “David Wiebe did a great job on Friday, and all eight contestants should be congratulated for making it this far. Each technician demonstrated an amazing ability to stay focused on the tasks at hand.”
All technicians were provided with identical tools, parts, computers and diagnostic equipment, which they used to diagnose and repair actual vehicles in a timed, hands-on skills demonstration.
The Technician of the Millennium III contest began in October 2002. Each participant answered a 100-question written test that covered all aspects of vehicle repair. The top-10-scoring technicians in each region advanced to the eight regional hands-on competitions, where they were judged on their ability to diagnose and repair vehicles.
Runner-up Charles (Lee) Murphy, Russel’s Automotive, Hampton, Ga., received the equivalent of a $5,000 gift certificate with the Exclusively YOURS® Rewards Card and a Dell notebook computer with Vetronix Techview® Pro Software. Second runner-up Curt Field, B and T Auto Repair, Butler, Pa., received the equivalent of a $2,500 gift certificate with the Exclusively YOURS® Rewards Card and a Midtronics Micro 500 XL tester. Other finalists include:
- Ricky Kelley, Buck’s Automotive, Inc., Tucson, Ariz.
- Scott Hager, Scott’s Auto Service, Troy, Mo.
- Edward Robertson, Davis Auto Care, Northville, Mich.
- Bruno Bellavance, Auto Diagno Centre Inc., Quebec, Quebec
- Jeffrey Taylor, Eccles Service Center, Dundas, Ontario
All eight finalists received an ACDelco-sponsored vacation for two, a Snap-on® Special Edition Technician of the Millennium III toolbox, a Vetronix MTS 5100 Engine Analyzer, a subscription to GM Service Information, an SPS Pro Reprogramming System, a Fluke 87 DVOM, SPX tool package and various other prizes and gifts.
“This competition was awesome and a huge boost to the image the public has of technicians. Now they can see the other side of the profession and that makes me happy,” Wiebe said. “In addition, it reinforces our image with our customers as having the ability to repair their vehicles right the first time using high-quality parts and up-to-date know-how to fix their cars and trucks quickly and accurately.”
“My advice to any technician who is considering entering the Technician of the Millennium competition in the future is to go for it,” Wiebe continued. “It is well worth it.”
ACDelco is a global leader in automotive replacement parts and services, offering products for virtually all vehicles. ACDelco is headquartered in Grand Blanc, Mich., and markets automotive replacement parts worldwide under its brand name.
Disclaimer: The Exclusively YOURS® Card is a limited use card which may be used only at select merchants that also accept American Express® Card. Exclusively YOURS® is a registered mark of Maritz Inc. The Exclusively YOURS® Card is part of a system and method covered by U.S. Patent Nos. 5,689,100 and 5,956,695.
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