Document MMgMGjnVDeb2Y5VZL1EgN8v3M

4IMM> c.1987 NAPA/ASE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR Gregory McConiga Named C. Gregory McConiga (left). Ft. Wayne, IN, co-owner of20th Century Automotive is the 1987NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year based on his ASE certification, par ticipation in NAPA programs and promo tions, ethical business practices, and civic/community involvement. C. Gregory McConiga (center, kneeling), the 1987NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year, strongly supports ASE certifica tion. His shop, 20th Century Automotive is completely staffed by technicians who have earned their Master Certification in the Automotive Program. C. Gregory McConiga has been named the 1987 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year. Selected by a panel of editors from leading automotive repair magazines, McConiga was nominated by Bill Protsman, owner of NAPA AUTO PARTS/JC Automotive in New Haven, IN, and picked to represent his geographic area by the Fort Wayne Distribution Center. McConiga was chosen as the winner of the NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year competition based on a number of cri teria, such as ASE certification, partici pation and support of specialized train ing clinics, merchandising and sales pro motion efforts, membership in profes sional organizations, ethical business practioes and civic/community involvement. A co-owner of 20th Century Automo tive, a repair shop in Fort Wayne, IN, McConiga is a strong believer in train ing and keeping up-to-date on the latest changes in automotive technology. In fact, he requires all seven of his techni cians to attend every available training clinic offered in the Fort Wayne area. In addition, McConiga and his staff regularly attend training schools spon sored by NAPA manufacturers and other automotive aftermarket sources. 26 Training is such an important part of McConiga's professional and business philosophy that, under his influence, 20th Century Automotive is complete ly staffed by technicians who have earned their ASE Master Certification. McConiga, himself, is an ASE Cer tified Master Automotive and a Cer tified Master Heavy Duty Truck Tech nician. Additionally, he has been recer tified twice in all eight categories of the ASE automotive section -- engine re pair, automatic transmission/transaxle, manual drive train and axles, front end, brakes, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning and engine perfor mance. McConiga has also been recer tified in the six areas of the ASE heavy duty section -- gasoline engines, diesel engines, drive train, brakes, suspension and steering and electrical systems -- as well as receiving a Doctor of Motors certificate in heavy duty gas and diesel engines from NAPA Engine Parts' training program. In addition to keeping himself and his staff as up-to-date as possible, McConiga also believes in offering his expertise to the community in the form of free training clinics. McConiga holds regular training sessions at a company- owned facility to help motorists get a better understanding of basic automo tive technology. Topics covered at these sessions include carburetion systems, emissions control components, under standing fuel injection and basic air conditioning maintenance tips. He has also taught, part-time, at the Interna tional Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) Technical Institute and the Indiana Vocational and Technical College. McConiga was recognized as the 1987 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year at NAPA's recent annual meeting held in Atlanta, Georgia. Wayne Waterfield, vice president and general manager of Parts Craft, presented McConiga with a commemorative plaque recognizing his achievement and said, "to win the NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year award is a great testament to your skill and ability, both as a technician and as a businessman." In addition to the commemorative plaque, McConiga also received over $15,000 worth of prizes, including $5,000 in products contributed by NAPA Hand Tools, Balkamp, NAPA Lifting Equipment and NAPA Special ty Tools. McConiga also received a 1987 Chevrolet S-10 pickup, worth over $10,000, from NAPA.