Document 15e3BK0ge9zGpyGQ4ev71Rz6X

Herman L. Hoppe Named 1985 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year 24 Herman L. "Bud" Hoppe of Tallahassee, Florida has been named as the 1985 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year. Chosen by a panel of mechanic and dealer trade magazine edi tors, Hoppe was nominated by Auto Supply Inc., North, a NAPA store in Tallahassee, Florida and was selected to represent his area by the Jacksonville Distribution Center. Hoppe was selected as the national winner based on certifica tion standards of the National Institute for Automotive Service Ex cellence (ASE), his merchandising and sales promotion ideas, his participation in and support of specialized training clinics, member ship in professional organizations and community involvement. Always interested in mechanical technology, Hoppe began help ing his father build race cars for use around the Baltimore, Maryland area when he was only six years old. While serving in the Air Force, Hoppe worked on B17 and B29 bombers. In fact, he is still certified to work on aircraft engines. Prior to joining Auto Engineering Cor poration in 1982, Hoppe worked as a mechanic in his father's shop and for a Chevrolet dealership. A long-time supporter of ASE certification, Hoppe is currently a certified technician in all ASE automotive categories as well as heavy-duty trucks and automotive body repair. He attends all NAPA technical clinics held in his area and has taken specialized GM and Chrysler training clinics on new technology as well as a variety of major manufacturer clinics on specialty components. In his all-out support of automotive excellence, Hoppe has taught automotive mechanics at the Hialeah Adult Education Center in Tallahassee and serves on a state-wide committee to promote training in Florida's vo-tech schools and community colleges. He also was a key figure in helping Florida legislators design the Motor Vehicle Repair Act of 1981. Hoppe is past president of the Florida Automotive Service Councils. To further strengthen his skills as a mechanic, Hoppe has taken automotive business management training courses to help the operation at Auto Engineering run more productively. He has also contributed ideas to help the company run more efficiently. Hoppe designed a key control system enabling the shop to keep customers' cars locked while not in the service area, preventing theft and losses. He also perfected a time-keeping program on extended repair jobs which inven tories only actual work time, thereby assuring that customers are not billed for storage or downtime. Hoppe takes a strong position on promoting the shop operations as well. "One of our strategies is to tie in with NAPA's Fall and Spring Car Care Days Sales by offering semi-annual free diagnostic ser vices after regular business hours," he says. In the ASE award ceremony (held at NAPA's recent Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia) Hoppe was cited as having impeccable credentials. "Your dedication to the growth of automotive votechnical programs for future technicians is enthusiastic and your commitment to the motoring public serves as a model for us all," said Wayne Waterfield, Vice President and General Manager of NAPA Engine/Chassis Parts, as he presented Hoppe with his award. In addition to a handsome plaque, Hoppe received the following prizes: $1,000 worth of equipment from NAPA Lifting Equipment. $1,000 worth of test equipment from NAPA Balkamp. A chest and roller cabinet from NAPA Tool Boxes. $500 worth of tools from NAPA Hand Tools. $250 worth of tools from NAPA Specialty Tools.