MAY 2024 TECHNICIAN OF INFLUENCE WINNERS
International® is pleased to announce the four winners of the Technician of Influence Award for the month of May. The individuals listed here have demonstrated their commitment to pursuing continuous improvement and delivering the highest level of customer service.
ROOKIES
These tech professionals have less than two years of experience at the dealership, have shown commitment to Uptime by being top producers, have gone the extra mile, and have proven they are responsible and trustworthy.
Service Technician
In our Carolina International Trucks shop, Joey Stansell is one heck of a technician and is a cut above the other rookies. He can retain just about everything he's taught after the first time and has gone from performing PM services to diagnostics in just a few months. Joey is also one of our go-to techs for warranty repairs. As a Master Certified Technician, Joey steps up for any job that comes his way. He works incredibly well with his close-knit team here at Carolina International Trucks and is on his way to becoming a lead tech. If someone needs help with something, he is always willing, even when he is elbows deep into a job. Joey, not having much knowledge about repair work in this industry when he started, quickly completed all of his training, and is both International and IC Bus Master Certified. He enjoys learning new things about International Trucks and putting his newfound knowledge to the test. This guy can be given a job without anyone worrying if the job will get done correctly, and he doesn't require constant supervision. He is an excellent example of what a technician should be.
Despite not having ample experience in this industry, Joey manages to stay right on the heels of our top producers. His quality of work is superb and rarely sees a comeback. He is a real down-to-earth, intelligent guy who is as reliable as they come. Joey is a family-oriented individual, and he treats his team here as his family. Also, he has a talent for cooking. When it's time for a cookout at the shop, Joey is the man on the grill!
Service Technician
Carlos is a hardworking and extremely reliable technician at Artex Truck Center. He has worked hard to become Master Certified and is constantly learning with training daily to get better at his job. He has become a leader to his peers based on his background. He will not hesitate to stay late to get a job done or to help a customer, no matter what the time of day. Carlos graduated from school and couldn't find a job that would let him come in without experience. We found out and hired him. He started with PMs, brakes, wheel seals, etc. with no comebacks. Since then, Carlos has been instrumental in helping the employees who are just starting. He will jump right in with the guys and show them the correct way to do the repair and how to find the manuals. No matter what he is doing, he will take the time to help others and still keep his efficiency at the top. He will keep an eye out as he is working and will stop if he sees a tech struggling. He is trustworthy and responsible. He makes sure that our young and upcoming guys have what they need.
Carlos has been a top earner for quite a while. Even when we give him something new, he does the work to check the manuals to make sure he is prepared. He even looks up jobs at home the day before, so he knows what to expect. Carlos has excelled with all the training provided by International. He has become an all-around technician and our A26 guy.
Carlos's story makes him special. When he couldn't get a job with an OEM, he went to work for a correctional facility. When I found out about it, we brought him in, and now he is a leader for our young men, a great guy. He just had a newborn, bought a house, and is now a Master Certified International Technician!
VETERANS
These tech professionals have two or more years of experience at the dealership, have shown commitment to Uptime by being top producers, have gone the extra mile, and have proven they are responsible and trustworthy.
Service Technician
Evan started his career with Lewis Motor Sales Inc. in 2018 as a high school co-op student and began his 310T apprenticeship as soon as he graduated. Fast forward to today, and at the age of 22, Evan has accomplished so much in his young career. In April Evan tested for his C of Q, passing on his first attempt and obtaining his Red Seal designation. Along the way, Evan has managed to become Master and Diamond Certified and has propelled himself into being recognized as one of our top engine technicians. This is not surprising considering that Evan comes from a family of highly respected International dealer technicians, service managers, and parts personnel that began with his grandfather John Werkhoven, Sr. back in 1958. The Werkhoven family has a combined 170 years at a International dealership and counting.
Evan has rebuilt several A26 engines, during which he has stayed past his scheduled shift and came in on his days off to complete the job and get the customer back on the road. Evan is the first to step up and give his fellow employees a helping hand. He has helped management by changing his shift to accommodate the need to have qualified staff available at night and on Saturdays.
Evan is a leader by example. He will be the first to put up his hand and volunteer for a new task.
There are many examples when Evan has observed a junior apprentice or mechanic struggle and got directly involved. He has helped them with finding wiring diagrams and diagnostic procedures.
Evan is still learning but management can trust that when Evan does an engine job, he has double-checked every specification and he has reviewed the processes. Management does not doubt that Evan is well on his way to being one of our top-producing technicians.
Evan is a clear example of a technician going the extra mile, fully licensed with a Red Seal designation, Diamond Certified, and the technician who management and fellow employees turn to when they need help, even at the age of 22.
Evan comes from a family that can boast three generations of dedicated International dealership employees. He is a proud Werkhoven and Lewis Motor is lucky to have him on our team.
Service Technician
Doug Tomko has been working on trucks his entire life, with over 35 years of experience in the industry. He is one of the best technicians we have at Beltway Companies. Doug is looked up to as a mentor in our shop as he has taken several of our current technicians under his wing when they started. Many technicians go to Doug when they need advice or help when working on jobs, as he is viewed as the shop foreman even though he has never been specifically given that role. Even managers and technicians from our other shops call and ask Doug questions when they have a complicated case. It's good to have technicians like that, and to me, that is an exact match for the definition of Technician of Influence! If a technician doesn't have a tool, Doug is the guy who does, and he lends it out without hesitation or lecture. He is truly a trusting and caring person. Doug often fills in at the office as a temporary advisor if we are short-handed or need extra staffing. He does a great job working with customers and helping us out.
Doug is always doing what needs to be done to get trucks out of our shop and back on the road. Whether it is staying late or fabricating parts at home for jobs that are in the shop so that he can get it done the next morning, Doug is always going the extra mile. One example I can particularly remember is a driver who was going to have to spend his holiday weekend in a hotel. Doug stayed after hours on that Friday to get the truck done so that the driver could head back home and make it there for Christmas. The driver truly appreciated this, and I can guarantee you that the driver will never forget that.
Doug always makes sure that he has his ASE certifications, International, and Cummins training completed. If something new comes out, he is usually one of the first to go in and complete it. And he lets us know also in case we were not aware. Doug is very efficient and productive when he performs repairs. It is rare not to see Doug listed at the top of the productivity and efficiency graphs. To me, it is impressive for someone to be able to keep their numbers that high while helping others and making sure they have what they need. Doug enjoys working on his farm and performing fabrication work in his shop at home.
