27  dealership technicians were hailed as Mopar “Top Tech” winners at Meadow Brook Hall in Rochester, Michigan, on January 10.

Pietro Gorlier, global head of parts and service ( Mopar ), helped to honor the top techs, chosen from a pool of 25,000. The program has, for three years, recognized the best technicians in categories such as Fixed First Visit (FFV) scores.


“Customer satisfaction and retention will continue to be key drivers of our business, regardless of vehicle or make,” said Gorlier.

Winners get a tool kit including a Snap-on four-drawer roll tool cart, 1/2-inch Snap-on cordless impact wrench, and 3/8–inch Snap-on cordless impact wrench.

Each quarter, the program also honors 1,000 technicians: 75 Platinum, 100 Gold, 200 Silver, and 625 Bronze level. Only the top group, though, take an all-inclusive two-day trip to Metro Detroit, with the awards banquet, tour of the CTC, visit to the Warren Truck  Plant, and attendance at the industry preview of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The top 27 come from 15 states:
  • Arizona — Jeff Murray – AutoNation
  • Arizona — Karl Wuepper – Chapman
  • California — Andrew Spinks – San Diego
  • California — Thomas Perry – Tuttle-Click’s
  • California — Wayne Mumford – Fresno
  • Florida — Cesar Silva – Arrigo
  • Florida — Walter Petrucci – Titusville
  • Georgia — Charles Frankum – Five Star
  • Illinois — Robert Sawicki – Napleton’s Northwestern
  • Kansas — William Ostmeyer – John Hoffer Chrysler Jeep
  • Massachussets — Eric Pastagal – Kelly Jeep Chrysler
  • Michigan — Gene Palmreuter – Schaefer & Bierlein
  • Michigan — Kelvin Lapham – Wayland
  • Michigan — Robert Paul – Suburban
  • Minnesota — Mark Purrier – Maday Motors
  • Minnesota — Steve Decknatel – A.M. Maus & Son
  • New Mexico — Edward Shaw – Melloy Dodge
  • New York — Al Lorentsen – Riverhead Dodge Ram
  • New York — Steve Tribotte – Cortese
  • Oklahoma — Robert Wert – David Stanley Dodge
  • Pennsylvania — Eric Hartman – Beaver County
  • Pennsylvania — Jeremy Sanner – Rotolo’s
  • Pennsylvania — Ted Ashenfalder – Dotta Auto Sales
  • Texas — Hector Zavala – Team
  • Texas — Woody Odell – Star
  • Wisconsin — Chuck Fischer – Reed Chrysler Sales
  • Wisconsin — Kevin Buska – Palmen