Auto Value has declared Jake Fehr of Winkler, Manitoba the 2024 Auto Value Technician of the Year.

Fehr is an accomplished technician at Chad’s Auto Repair, an Auto Value Certified Service Center and customer of Piston Ring Service and Supply. Fehr was named the winner during Auto Value’s Technician of the Year program in Detroit, MI this July.

“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to be here and the generosity of everyone involved. This has been a phenomenal experience and want to thank the team at Piston Ring Service for their support.” said Jake Fehr. “This is such a strong and important program because not only does it honor current professionals, but it sets an example and encourages young talented folks to come join our industry.”

Sixteen top technicians from across the United States and Canada traveled to Detroit to participate in the 2024 Auto Value Technician of the Year finalist competition. Sponsored by DRiV and Garage Gurus, the annual competition included a custom Automotive Service Excellence examination as well as a series of Garage Gurus’ hands-on skills tests.

“With over 3700 Certified Service Centers within the Auto Value network, becoming a technician of the year finalist is no easy task,” said JC Washbish, President at the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. “The goal of this program is to recognize top technician talent within the industry, bring honor to the trades, and highlight the skills required to be a top tech. This year’s competition did not disappoint. We had a wonderful group of Auto Value technicians! We’d like to thank DRiV and Garage Gurus for their continued support of this fantastic event.”

The technician finalists were treated to a variety of entertainment and experiences in Metro Detroit including a day at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, a tour of the Ford Rouge Factory, racing at the Champion® Motor Speedway in the M1 Concourse and the luxury of a suite at Comerica Park for a Detroit Tigers’ game.

“For Auto Value to once again partner with Garage Gurus on the technician of the year event is fantastic. The opportunity for our team to interact with top technicians from the certified service center network while representing our Champion, Fel-Pro, Moog, Monroe, Walker, Wagner and Garage Gurus brands is special,” said Mike Hinderer, Technical Product Specialist Field Manager with Garage Gurus. “To the professional technicians in the industry, we are here, we see you and we support you.”

DRiV and Garage Gurus have been the host sponsor of the Auto Value Technician of the Year event since 2019.

“Our team at DRiV is very proud of our continued sponsorship and support of the Auto Value and Technician of the Year program,” says Tony Genna, Vice President North America Sales at DRiV. “Hosting these extremely talented technicians from across North America is really something special and we are always appreciative of our time together. A program like this is important for our industry and no one does it better than the team at Auto Value.”

The 2024 Technician of the Year Finalists include:

• Scott Anderson; Canyon Meadows Auto Repair; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Central Auto Parts
• Sean Blakeley; First Choice Automotive Repair; Killeen, TX; 4M Parts Warehouse
• Rafael Borja; Robertson Automotive; Tyler, Tx; ABC Auto Parts
• Avery Breneman; Avery Auto; Blackfoot, ID; National Performance Warehouse
• Jeremiah Clark; Clarks Auto Repair and Service; Pleasureville, KY; Moog Louisville Warehouse
• Bim Gill; Gills Service Center; Harpersville, AL; National Performance Warehouse
• Michael Golda; Kerners Auto Service; Shelby Township, MI; Auto-Wares Group of Companies
• Jake Fehr; Chad’s Auto Repair Shop; Winkler, Manitoba, Canada; Piston Ring Service
• John Kincaid; Grainger Automotive; Bean Station, TN; Hahn Automotive Warehouse
• Brandon Osman; Square Deal Garage; Pinole, CA; Trimon, Inc.
• Mike Powers; Joe’s Garage; North Little Rock, AR; Parts Warehouse, Inc.
• Ryan Radtke; Village Mobil; Waunakee, WI; Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc.
• Matthew Reitmeier; Travel Care Regina Ltd; Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; Auto Electric Service
• Rob Richardson; Maclane’s Automotive; Downingtown, PA; Eastern Warehouse Distributor, LLC
• Stephen “Chris” Scott; Accelerated Auto Service; Bennington, NE; The Merrill Company
• Doug Smith; Telle Tire and Automotive; St. Louis, MO; All Car Automotive Warehouse, Inc.