AAPEX 2024 announced the recipients of its prestigious annual Service and Repair Awards during the opening Keynote Session in Las Vegas Tuesday.

The awards recognize and elevate the essential services provided by shop owners, service advisors and technicians who keep the motoring public on the road.

AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year was presented to Jeff and Shari Pheasant, A Master Mechanic, Sparks, Nev.

The two have been shop owners for 20 years and have 14 employees. They demonstrate an exceptional commitment to team mentoring, training, customer satisfaction and fostering a positive work environment.

Our goal every day is to provide a place for our team to come to be inspired, to do the work they love to do and do it well. To be honored for what makes us thrive as a team is one of the biggest honors we can be given,” said Shari. 

“We love owning and operating an automotive maintenance and repair shop in Nevada, providing customers, and friends, with a safe, running, dependable vehicle that they love to drive. We love our industry and want to be a good example, leading the way to the successful future of many and supporting our people through development and healthy camaraderie at our shop,” added Jeff.

AAPEX Service Advisor of the Year was presented to Samantha Schearer-Higdon, Schearer’s Sales & Service, Inc., Allentown, Pa. A service advisor for six years, Schearer-Higdon goes above and beyond when interacting with customers to ensure a positive outcome, and makes it a priority to mentor new team members and stay up-to-date with the latest trends through training.

“I am so grateful to be chosen as the 2024 AAPEX Service Advisor of the Year. I’ve learned so much over the years from my mentors: My father (Tom Schearer, the owner of Schearer’s Sales & Service, Inc. and 2024 Ratchet + Wrench All-Star Winner), Rick White of 180BIZ, Mike Austin (My Road Dawg and the Service Manager at Schearer’s Sales & Service, Inc.), and many, many coaches and instructors in the industry while attending conferences and training events,” said Schearer-Higdon. “I look forward to continuing to share my knowledge with others in the future and continuing to advance the automotive aftermarket industry as a whole by changing the way we, as Service Advisors, interact and build relationships with our clients, helping them care for and maintain their vehicles. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for myself, as well as the rest of our industry!”

AAPEX Technician of the Year was presented to Johnathan Bemis, VIP Tires & Service, Bangor, Maine. Bemis has been a technician for 12 years and holds at least 26 ASE certifications.

As lead master technician, he stays up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements through hands-on and classroom training, as well as online training. He enjoys investing his time with young people coming into the business and helping train the next generation of automotive technicians.

“Not being one to crave the limelight and attention, it was hard for me to want to complete the essay and put my name in the ring,” said Bemis. “However, now that I have won, I’m looking forward to this entire experience and am very excited to be part of the VIP team while in Vegas! A big thank you to my wife and family for always pushing and supporting me to achieve new career highs, and to AAPEX and VIP Tires and Service for this entire experience.” 

AAPEX 2024 runs through Thursday, Nov. 7 at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum.