Wisconsin Technician Takes Top Honors At Navistar Rodeo

During Navistar's Service-Technician Rodeo held last week in Schaumburg, Ill., Jason Kleman of Mid-State Truck Service in Plover, Wis., took top honors.

The competition featured the top 11 service technicians from International dealerships across North America, who tested their skills. Competition stations simulate service areas for air conditioning, brakes, drive train, electrical and MaxxForce engines.

"Jason Kleman demonstrated the highest skills and abilities among the top 11 Diamond certified techs competing in the event," said Vaughn Allen, vice president, product and customer support, Navistar.

The technicians went head-to-head in a hands-on test of their technical skill and speed. Throughout the day, they navigated their way through vehicle issues at 12 stations, where they diagnosed and fixed problems.

Technicians involved in the competition were either Automotive Service Excellence certified or Canadian-provincial certified in addition to Diamond-certified, Navistar's official certification program for its service technicians. Participants were selected from an overall group of the top 400 technicians at International dealerships. From there, the group was narrowed through online testing with the highest-scoring technicians in each region of the U.S. and Canada being selected for the rodeo.

"Those participating in this competition have completed all the required and optional training and are at the top of their game," said John Pfennig, service education manager, Navistar.

Technicians from the following dealerships competed in the rodeo:

* East Coast International Trucks, Inc. (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia)
* Mid-State Truck Service Inc. (Plover, Wis.)
* Roberts Truck Center of Albuquerque (Albuquerque, N.M.)
* Lee-Smith Inc. (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
* Rush International (Twin Falls, Idaho)
* Archer Truck Center (Welland, Ontario)
* Mid-State Truck Service Inc. (Marshfield, Wis.)
* Truck King International Sales and Service (Bronx, N.Y.)
* IRL International Truck Center (Vernon, British Columbia)
* Garage Lague (Carignan, Quebec)
* Gibbs International Inc. (Fresno, Calif.)