Ryder System on Monday, Aug. 29, announced the winners of its 2011 Top Technician Recognition Program, an annual program designed to identify, recognize and reward the company’s top performing technicians. Technicians who are eligible to participate for the national award are selected from Ryder’s team of nearly 4,410 U.S.- and Canadian-based technicians and are measured on technical training qualifications, outstanding customer service performance and quality workmanship. After advancing through three increasingly demanding rounds of challenging written and hands-on tests, seven finalists competed for the top honors at Ryder’s National Top Technician competition in Charlotte, N.C.
The title of “2011 National Top Technician” was awarded to Michael Caylor of Aberdeen, Md., along with keys to a new GMC Denali pickup truck and a gift card. Caylor is a three-time National Top Tech winner and will be inducted into Ryder’s Top Technician Hall of Fame. Second Place winner, Timothy Peters, of Hickory, N.C. and third place winner, David Berdovich, of Harvey, Ill., each received cash awards. The national competition consisted of 10 rigorous hands-on skill tests, including vehicle electronics, preventive maintenance and air conditioning. Runners-up Robert Gonzalez, Aaron Morton, David Thompson and Jonathan Timmons also received a cash award.
“Ryder’s team of professional technicians continues to be a key component of our ability to help provide customers with safe and reliable transportation solutions,” says Ryder Robert Sanchez, president of Global Fleet Management Solutions. “We thank all of our technicians for their dedication and hard work, and congratulate our 2011 Top Tech winners.”
As a result of their success in the company’s internal recognition program, this year’s top seven finalists, joined by last year’s Top Technician champion, Michael Bogard, will represent Team Ryder and compete against the industry’s best technicians at the 2011 TMC SuperTech National Technician Skills Competition in Nashville, Tenn., beginning Sept. 19.
“Ryder takes great pride in its technicians and the quality of workmanship they provide to our customers,” says Dennis Cooke, Ryder senior vice president and chief of operations for Fleet Management Solutions. “These top-performing technicians have surpassed Ryder’s stringent operational and safety standards and have proven themselves to be among the nation’s most qualified technicians. I am honored that they are part of Team Ryder and proud to have them represent us at the 2011 TMC SuperTech.”
