The top heavy-duty truck technicians from Ryder System Inc. recently gathered at the Mack Customer Center in Allentown, Pa., for the 2015 Ryder Top Technician (Top Tech) Recognition Program. The program, which is designed to identify, recognize and reward high-performing truck maintenance technicians, features the top eight performers from Ryder’s team of more than 5,000 U.S.- and Canada-based technicians.

“We were honored to host the Ryder Top Tech Recognition Program at the Mack Customer Center,” said John Walsh, Mack Trucks vice president of marketing. “Like Mack, Ryder understands the value of investing in and recognizing their people, and the critical role their technicians play in their customers’ success.”

The Mack Customer Center offers a memorable experience for customers and fans of Mack Trucks. A product showroom and a performance test track for customers are located at the Center, as is the Mack Trucks Historical Museum, a separate, not-for-profit corporation that showcases 115-plus years of Mack history. The Center also is home to one of five U.S.-based Mack Trucks Academy locations, where Mack-trained instructors deliver custom-designed training for service technicians.

“Mack is a valued partner of the Ryder team,” said Melvin Kirk, Ryder senior vice president and chief information officer. “The Mack Customer Center showcases the company’s rich history of technical excellence — a great tie-in to our Top Technician Competition, which is focused on celebrating the best of the best technicians both at Ryder and within the industry.”

The Top Tech competition began with three rounds of increasingly challenging written and hands-on tests measuring technical training qualifications, outstanding customer service performance and quality workmanship. Eight finalists were then selected to travel to the Mack Customer Center for the final series of 10 rigorous hands-on skill tests, covering everything from vehicle electronics to preventive maintenance and air conditioning.

After tallying the results, Stephen Radford of Charlotte, N.C., earned the title of “2015 Top Technician,” plus a cash prize and the keys to a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette. Darek Mowinski and Christopher Barnett were named the second and third place winners respectively, with each receiving a cash prize. The other finalists were:

• David Berdovich of Harvey, Ill.

• Kenneth Bilyea of London, Ontario, Canada

• Trevor Cox of Bensenville, Ill.

• Derick Hebert of London, Ontario, Canada

• Francis Smerek of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Fresh off their success from Top Tech, all eight finalists will join 2014’s Top Tech winner Frederick (Rick) Morra to represent Team Ryder at the 2015 TMC SuperTech National Technician Skills Competition, beginning Sept. 21 in Orlando, Fla.

This story also appears on Truck and Trailer Guide.

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