FedEx Freight’s Eric Vos repeats as SuperTech champ

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Updated Sep 22, 2016
Vos, far right, is congratulated by TMC SuperTech Chairman George Arrants. Joining them was TMC Chairman Doug White, far left, and Winston Minchew, Chairman of PTDC and training manager for Old Dominion.Vos, far right, is congratulated by TMC SuperTech Chairman George Arrants. Joining them was TMC Chairman Doug White, far left, and Winston Minchew, Chairman of PTDC and training manager for Old Dominion.

A trend is developing at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) National Technician Skills Competition, TMC SuperTech.

For the fourth time in dozen years, a technician has repeated as the event’s Grand Champion.

Eric Vos of FedEx Freight was the repeat winner this year, taking home top honors Wednesday from TMC’s fall meeting in Raleigh, N.C.

Vos joins co-worker Mark McLean, Jr. (2013, 2014), Jeffrey Schlecht (2010, 2011) of Omaha Truck Center and Bryan Lewis (2007, 2008) of Wal-Mart as multiple winners of the nation’s top technician.

Here’s a look at some of the TMC SuperTech competition from this week:

“Wow. I want to thank everyone from TMC once again for putting on a great competition. The factory guys and all of the vendors, the support team and the judges. Without you this would not a possible,” said Vos. “I’d like to also thank my support group from FedEx, my wife and our two kids … and thank you all for being here.”

After not winning a station en route to his first title last year Vos dominated the competition at this year’s event, winning station titles for RP manual, CSA compliance, Electrical 1, Wheel End 2, Fifth Wheel, PMI, Starting & Charging, Steering & Suspension.

In addition to Vos, TMC also announced Wednesday that Matthew Adams of Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Oklahoma City, had won Velociti’s TMCFutureTech National Student Technician Skills Competition, and Scott Davidson of TravelCenters of America had won the first-ever trailer technician competition at TMCSuperTech.

McLean and fellow FedEx technician Stephen Weaver, finished second and third respectively, and in the TMC FutureTech competition Daniel Hanna from Forsyth Technical Community College finished second and Clancy Johnson from Utah Valley University finished third.

“All our winners: Eric, Matthew and Scott, demonstrated tremendous skill and knowledge in a field that is growing evermore complex,” says Carl Kirk, ATA vice president of maintenance, information technology and logistics and TMC executive director. “Congratulations to all of them, and the winning team from FedEx Freight, for their hard earned victories.”

Vos and McLean also helped FedEx repeat as the team champion.

“For 12 years, TMCSuperTech has provided an opportunity to recognize the outstanding work of our industry’s technicians and this year was no different,” says ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “I’d like to congratulate Eric on being named Grand Champion, and recognize all of this year’s competitors for their professionalism and dedication.”

TMC SuperTech station winners:

ASE written test (traditional): Christopher Tate, Mohawk Truck

ASE written test (trailers): Richard Holt, Tyson Foods

Lighting: Joe Calaway, Wal-Mart

Fasteners: Mark McLean, FedEx Freight

RP Manual: Eric Vos, FedEx Freight

Electrical Diagrams: Sergio Mingo, H-E-B Grocery

CSA Compliance: Eric Vos, FedEx Freight

Electrical 1: Eric Vos, FedEx Freight

Safety & Environmental: Glenroy Schad, XPO Logistics

Wheel End: Michael Gavrielides, TravelCenters of America

Torque: Terry Podralski, WW Williams

Precision Measuring: Richard Davis, Hogan Truck Leasing

Coolants & DEF: Joseph Catlin, Mohawk Truck

CNG Safety: Mike Paitz, Truck Center Companies

Hydraulics: Robert Gonzalez, Ryder Systems

Trailer Lighting: David Thrower, Old Dominion

Brakes: Mark McLean, FedEx Freight

Wheel End 2: Eric Vos, FedEx Freight

Fifth Wheel: Eric Vos, FedEx Freight

Electrical 2: Darrell Dugan, Wal-Mart

Tire & Wheel: Daniel Howell, Wal-Mart

Liftgates: Doug Nichols, FedEx Freight

PMI: Eric Vos, FedEx Freight

HVAC: Stephen Weaver, FedEx Freight

Drivetrain: Christopher Tate, Mohawk Truck

Starting & Charging: Eric Vos, FedEx Freight

Service Information: Michael Gavrielides, TravelCenters of America

Vehicle Control Systems: Glenroy Schad, XPO Logistics

Steering & Suspension: Eric Vos, FedEx Freight

Engine (electronics): David Thrower, Old Dominion

Engine (hardware): Robert Gonzalez, Ryder Systems