December 2022 Technician of Influence Winners

APPRENTICE TECHNICIAN

Caslyn was a high school senior who was part of a walk-through at Cornhusker International Trucks. Walking through the door, she was quiet but had a great attitude, and you could tell this profession was in her blood. We brought her into the dealership on an internship program, and she has been taking every opportunity to learn new tasks. Previous knowledge on the automotive side helped make for a smooth transition into the diesel industry. Caslyn has been very dedicated to learning the diesel trade. She is working four days a week and juggling a full-time school schedule as she pursues her associate degree in diesel technology. She has been a great liaison for the dealership and has helped to recruit other technicians. Caslyn has gained the trust of her mentor and has been the go-to for a wide array of service and maintenance repairs. She puts the customer and the equipment first, and many drivers have complimented her and appreciated the care she took in looking over their equipment. Starting with service and PDI work, Caslyn has built a foundation to become a good technician. She has asked questions to better herself on the job and has taken full advantage of every learning opportunity from senior techs. Her dedication to training and her retention of the information she has been given have helped her to improve her efficiency every month.

Being a car enthusiast, Caslyn purchased her car and made the repairs to make it roadworthy again. This passion helped spark her interest in our field.

SERVICE TECHNICIAN

David completed all of Navistar's training in his first 90 days at Truck Sales & Services. Within his first year, he completed all Allison online and hands-on training. He also completed all Cummins online training in the first year. David not only researches his jobs after hours on his own time, but if another tech is struggling with a job, David will also search for the answer for that job on his own time. He will then come in the next day and advise his fellow tech on the information he found and help them to get the job completed. David goes the extra mile with his fellow techs as well as with customers.

David helps everyone around him. I have heard him tell the other techs we either succeed together or fail together. David worked for 22 years as a mechanic for the railroad, working on train engines. He has come in here and amazed everyone. He is becoming a leader in the shop and I foresee him becoming a shop foreman in the next couple of years.

David has gotten very good at doing the QLS recalibrations. He can finish them in anywhere from .7 to .9 hours, and Cummins normally pays 1 hour. David also does very well on time because for anything he struggles with, he goes home and looks up information, including wiring diagrams, diagnostics, and any other information that will get the truck back on the road.

David is a father and stepfather to five kids for whom he also goes the extra mile to make them productive members of society and the future working class of America.

LEAD TECHNICIAN

Kevin has been an employee here at Waters Truck & Tractor for 20 years. He has been dedicated to learning every aspect of the Navistar brand and has remained positive through all the ups and downs in the industry.

Kevin has always kept his training 100% without being told or asked to do it. He wants to ensure the jobs he performs are done correctly to keep the customers' trucks and buses on the road. He is the go-to person for all other techs and has never minded helping out. His focus has always been to meet customers' expectations, whether it be a job he is personally working on or any job in the shop.

We are in a small town but draw work from customers up to 150 miles away who bring their work here, which means they pass other dealerships to come to us. The interactions Kevin has with customers give them the trust they need to know they have their truck or bus at the right place to get repaired. He has come to me on a Monday morning after a weekend at home and said: "I thought all weekend at home on this difficult job I have and figured out the issue." That shows Kevin's dedication to Navistar, Waters, and most importantly the customers to get them back on the road. Kevin takes more pride in every job he does than anyone I have ever seen, and that separates him from most.

After having a rough childhood, Kevin came to Waters looking for a job. He was open when we spoke about his past, not knowing anything about repair work, and wanted to better himself. He wanted to be in a place where he could have a future. He started work here and has excelled not only as a top technician but also as a great leader and role model for younger techs.

LEAD TECHNICIAN

Rich graduated from the Des Moines Area Community College's diesel program and began his career with the International Altoona branch at Trivista Companies in March of 1982. Rich's work ethic, leadership, and most importantly computer skills elevated him to Working Foreman in the late 1990s. Rich has succeeded in that role for 20+ years. He handles technical calls from mechanics at all 90 of the State of Iowa DOT shops plus a majority of the local county and city shops. Rich annually provides on-site training to municipal mechanics covering new models, engines, fuel systems, aftertreatment systems, and best practices for preventive maintenance. The 40 years of continuous sales of severe service trucks, service, and parts to these municipalities is a direct result of Rich's efforts to provide support after the sale. Rich effortlessly switches from working on his assigned repair to guiding mechanics inside and outside of the shop. Rich reminds us that taking care of the customer comes first and the business will follow. Rich has a kind heart and a contagious smile, and he treats his friends like family.