The Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) of the American Trucking Associations awarded its highest honor – the Silver Spark Plug Award – to five trucking industry professionals during the Council's 2006 Fall Meeting last month in Austin, Texas.

The 2006 TMC Silver Spark Plug recipients are: Brent Hilton, director of maintenance for Maverick Transportation, North Little Rock, Ark.; Mark Kachmarsky, chief project manager for Mack Trucks Inc., Allentown, Pa.; Steph Sabo, maintenance manager for Norrenberns Truck Service, Nashville, Ill; Ron Szapacs, maintenance specialist for Air Products & Chemicals Inc., Allentown, Pa., and Jack Sukala, president, J. JEB Products, Westville, N.J.
These recipients were awarded the Silver Spark Plug for their outstanding contributions to the improvement of equipment, maintenance, industry-related technology and management practices.
Hilton, a TMC member since 1995, has been active within TMC's Study Groups and Task Forces. He has served as chairman of the S.7 Trailers, Bodies and Material Handling Study Group and managed the development of several TMC Recommended Practices (RPs) during his tenure, including RPs from two cargo securement Task Forces he chaired while S.7 chairman. He is currently serving on TMC's Board of Directors as Chairman of Study Groups.
Kachmarsky, a TMC member since 1989, has served on various Task Forces within S.1 Electric, S.4 Cab and Controls, and S.11 Vehicle Energy Conservation Study Groups. He has contributed to the development of several TMC Recommended Practices and has served as a panelist on TMC mini-technical sessions.
Sabo, a TMC member since 1999, serves on TMC's Board as a Director at Large. From 2001-2006, he was Chairman of the S.5 Fleet Maintenance Management Study Group. Prior to that, he was S.5 First Vice Chairman. He has helped develop and update several TMC Recommended Practices through S.5. He is noted for his concern over growing vehicle complexity as he is a strong advocate for technicians.
Sukala, a TMC member since 1981, is a TMC Recognized Associate and in 2004-2005 served on the Board as an Associate Director at Large. He has served as Task Force secretary and as a Study Group secretary. He has chaired several Task Forces with the S.5 Fleet Maintenance Management Study Group and Future Truck Committee. In the mid-1990s, Sukala led the effort to develop TMC's Future Technician Recruitment Video, "What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life," and TMC's Technician Recruitment Process Manual. Sukala's father received TMC's Silver Spark Plug award in 1984, making this the first time a father and son have been so honored.
Szapacs, a TMC member since 1994, brought his technical experience to TMC from a former life in the pits at NASCAR. He has been active within TMC's S.3 Engines Study Group as Task Force member, Vice Chairman and ChairmanSzapacs serves with distinction on American Trucking Associations' Technical Advisory Group.
TMC is North America's premier technical society for truck equipment, information technology and logistics professionals. Find out more about TMC at tmc.truckline.com.