Spotlight on Technician Excellence and Industry Trends

“TMC’s Fall Meeting and technician competitions are an important chance to highlight the professionalism and dedication of our industry’s technicians and explore the latest trends in keeping America’s trucks moving,” shared Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “Focusing on proper maintenance and repair skills is critical to safety and operational efficiency. Since TMC excels in this area, the Council’s fall meeting promises to be a tremendously valuable event.”

Event Theme and Highlights

This year’s event theme, Ensuring Trucking’s Future Success, focuses on safety, innovation, and operational efficiency. Attendees can expect a mix of educational sessions, task force meetings, and technical and management sessions, alongside the highly anticipated multi-track professional and student technician competitions.

TMCSuperTech and TMCFutureTech Competitions

The week’s activities kick off with TMCSuperTech 2025, where more than 120 technicians will compete across three categories in a two-day competition for powertrain and trailer technicians. Day 1 will feature the qualifying rounds, with the finalists advancing to Day 2. Additionally, TMCFutureTech will host competitions for post-secondary student technicians, providing a platform to test and honor emerging talent in the industry.

“For nearly seven decades, TMC has worked to raise professional and technical standards for the trucking industry,” said Robert Braswell, TMC executive director. “This fall meeting is an important part of that—not just to test the nation’s best technicians—but to provide an opportunity to discuss and learn about the latest advances in truck technology through task forces and educational sessions.”

The competitions serve as a showcase for the unmatched skill and knowledge that trucking industry technicians demonstrate daily, making it the only industry-wide competition dedicated to celebrating technician professionalism, according to an ATA press release.

A Look to the Future of Trucking

“We’re excited to be focusing on maintenance and technician excellence, which is so critical to ensuring trucking’s future success,” said Radu Mihai, TMC general chairman and treasurer, and corporate fleet manager at BURNCO Rock Products. “It is an essential topic as we address today’s pressing technical challenges and work together to advance truck technology.”

Join Us

Don’t miss out on this invaluable opportunity to network, learn, and celebrate excellence in trucking. To learn more about TMC’s 2025 Fall Meeting or to register, click here.

Source: The Trucker

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This award, regarded as the council’s highest honor, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated unparalleled commitment to professional excellence, innovation, and leadership in the field of commercial vehicle maintenance.

Source: TMC General Chairman Amanda Schuier honors Jack Vander Giessen of Cummins-Meritor. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

“Now we come to a very special moment during our town hall meeting, our Silver Spark Plug presentations,” said TMC General Chairman Amanda Schuier. “TMC veterans know that the Silver Spark Plug is the council’s highest honor, and it is not bestowed lightly.”

To qualify for this notable recognition, recipients must be current or associate members of TMC, exhibit at least five years of distinguished service, and display exemplary leadership, peer recognition, and innovation within the industry. Here are the 2025 recipients.

Jack Vander Giessen – Cummins-Meritor

“Our first Silver Spark Plug joined TMC as a member in 1985,” shared Schuier. “I heard from the Silver Spark Plug Committee that they couldn’t believe that he didn’t have this award already. Please join me in congratulating our newest Silver Spark Plug, Jack Vander Giessen of Cummins-Meritor.”

Vander Giessen has been deeply involved with the S.6 Chassis and Brake Systems Study Group, where he chaired multiple task forces on electric vehicle towing, chassis, and brake innovations. Alongside serving as second vice chairman of the group, he has also contributed as a task force secretary and technical session moderator.

Andrew Krum – Virginia Tech Transportation Institute

“Our next Silver Spark Plug recipient has been a TMC member since 2017,” Schuier noted, adding, “It is said of him [that] he brings a dedication and passion to his role that is unmatched by any other study group secretary in my personal experience. Please join me in congratulating our newest Silver Spark Plug, Andrew Krum, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.”

Krum has been the secretary of the S.4 Cab and Controls Study Group since 2017, during which time he also earned the Study Group Secretary Award in 2020. Krum’s contributions include organizing sessions on emerging technologies, such as next-generation collision avoidance systems, further solidifying his role as a key industry leader.

Bryan Lewis – ASE

“Our next Silver Spark Plug recipient has been a member of the Technology and Maintenance Council since 2005,” said Schuier. “It is said of him [that] he has been a great diplomat for the industry. Please join me in congratulating our newest Silver Spark Plug, Bryan Lewis, ASE.”

A prominent advocate for TMC activities, Lewis has played a pivotal role as judge chairman for the TMCSuperTech National Technician Skills Competition, where he also earned the title of Grand Champion twice, in 2007 and 2008. Over the years, his commitment to advancing technician engagement has been evident through his speaking engagements, meetings, and panel discussions.

Joey Young – Publix Supermarkets

“Our next Silver Spark Plug winner has been with TMC since 2015,” continued Schuier. “He is a longtime supporter of the TMCSuperTech competition, including providing equipment, personnel and contestants. And in my opinion, his company makes the best key lime pie in Florida. It is said of him [that] he is willing to contribute his time and expertise anywhere it is needed. He is a pleasure to work with and is a great ambassador for TMC. Please join me in congratulating our newest Silver Spark Plug, Joey Young, with Publix Supermarkets.”

Young’s contributions stand out through his involvement with the S.6 Chassis and Brake Systems Study Group, where he served as chairman from 2019 to 2024. He also extended his expertise to other areas, such as the S.3 Study Group, as second vice chairman from 2013 to 2016.

Mark Kennedy – Knight-Swift Transportation

“Our final Silver Spark Plug winner has been with TMC since 2017,” said Schuier. “He is a graduate of the inaugural class of the TMC Leaders of Tomorrow program, class of 2019, along with the OGs. It is said of him [that] he always shares his vast knowledge with TMC. Please join me in congratulating our newest Silver Spark Plug, and my friend, Mark Kennedy, with Knight-Swift Transportation.”

Kennedy led the S.4 Cab and Controls Study Group as chairman from 2017 to 2024, organizing a series of educational and technical sessions. His areas of focus include the evolution of auxiliary power units, as well as chairing the TMC RP 430 update task force, demonstrating his dedication to advancing the industry.

Recognizing Excellence in Maintenance Leadership

The Silver Spark Plug Award not only acknowledges the outstanding achievements of these recipients but also underscores the critical importance of leadership, collaboration, and innovation in ensuring the success of commercial vehicle maintenance.

Source: Transport Topics

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