CARQUEST and MACS Announce the Winner of Mobile A/C and Heat Transfer Technician of the Year Competition

Robert Jacobs

Watch the 2008 Highlight Video

Robert Jacobs of Van Wert, Ohio is the winner of the CARQUEST/MACS Worldwide Mobile A/C and Heat Transfer Technician competition. The new champion has been performing mobile air conditioning repairs since 1976.  He is ASE Master Truck certified, MACS certified, and has a Universal Certification for section 608 (commercial refrigeration).  Currently, Robert is a curriculum developer for Navistar Defense.

The first runner-up is Chris Marker of Lima, Ohio. Chris spent the first 13 years of his automotive career working in Dodge dealerships in a variety of roles.  Chris has a Bachelor’s Degree in Specialized Studies and has been teaching at the University of Northwestern Ohio for the past four years.  Currently, he is developing curriculum for the Toyota T-Ten education at the university.

Second runner–up is Tony Harter of Indianapolis, Indiana. Tony’s automotive career began in 1984 after graduating from ITT Tech with a degree in Auto Service Technology.  For the past 18 years, Tony has worked for Bridgestone/Firestone.  While there, he earned Master ASE with L1 and X1 status.  Currently, he is the Indianapolis District Technical Trainer.
 
The winners were announced Thursday, February 5th during the CARQUEST Keynote Luncheon at the MACS 2009 Convention and Trade Show, New Frontiers in Mobile A/C Service at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, TX.

“CARQUEST is pleased to have teamed with MACS for the third annual Mobile A/C and Heat Transfer Technician of the Year Competition.  We look forward to continuing this beneficial partnership and the competition in the years to come,” commented Dave Poplin, assistant merchandising manager for CARQUEST.

“The annual CARQUEST/MACS Mobile A/C and Heat Transfer Technician of the Year Competition is a wonderful way to showcase the special skills needed to diagnose service and repair mobile A/C and engine cooling systems. MACS is grateful to CARQUEST for their continued support of our industry,” remarked Elvis L. Hoffpauir, MACS president and chief operating officer.

The 2008 competition started with over 300 technicians from across North America registering to take the challenging Level 1 online, multiple choice test.  The top 9 competitors were invited to an all expense paid weekend to Hendrick Motorsports in Charlotte, NC to compete in another round of demanding written and hands-on diagnostic tests.

To learn more about MACS Worldwide and the upcoming 30th Annual Convention and Trade Show, to be held January 19-21, 2010 at the Rio Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV.  Visit MACS’ website at www.macsw.org

Tom Massey Wins 2nd Annual CARQUEST/MACS A/C Technician of the Year

Tom Massey Auto Air and More, Las Vegas, NV

On Saturday, November 17, 2007 CARQUEST and MACS hosted the 2nd Annual Air Conditioning and Heat Transfer Technician of the Year event at Hendrick Motorsports in Charlotte, NC. Ten of the best A/C technicians in the United States and Canada won the right to attend and compete. The weekend was packed with hands-on and written testing, hospitality events and a behind the scenes tour of Hendrick Motorsports.  The winner and first runner ups were announced on Thursday, January 31st, at the CARQUEST Keynote Luncheon during the 2008 MACS Convention in Orlando, Florida. 

Tom Massey, Auto Air and More, Las Vegas, Nevada, was named the 2nd Annual CARQUEST/MACS A/C Technician of the Year.  Tom registered and took the online Level 1 test, then competed against 9 other semi-finalists to become the champion.  Tom’s prizes included a DENSO MovinCool portable shop air conditioner, a cutting edge notebook computer, and a CARQUEST Direct Hit one-year subscription.  He also gets the chance to wave the green flag at the 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series CARQUEST 300 in Charlotte, NC. 

The first runner up was Douglas Andrews, Jr., Doug’s Automotive, Miami, Florida.  Doug won over $2,000 of tools and equipment for his shop.

The second runner up was Tom Gieryic, Gieryic’s Citgo, Albany, Georgia.  Tom won an SPX Refrigerant Identifier and a one year subscription to iATN Professional Technician forum.

In addition to these exciting prizes, all three finalists won an all expenses paid trip for two to the 2008 MACS Convention in Orlando, Florida.  All of the competitors had a great time and are looking forward to competing again next year!

Section 609 Certification