DENVER, Colo. – Gates Corp. has announced that Scot Manna, an automotive professional in Des Plaines, Ill., was named the Gates/ASE Master Automobile and L1 Technician of the Year for 2009.

Each year, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) teams with original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket industry sponsors to recognize and honor outstanding technicians working in the auto, truck and collision categories. Award winners are selected based on their ASE certification test scores, on-the-job excellence, community service and other factors. Manna and 32 other technicians were honored by ASE at a special ceremony last week in New Orleans.

"I’m very pleased and excited to be recognized by Gates Corp. and ASE as one of the top technicians in the automotive industry," said Manna. "I’d like to express my gratitude to ASE, Gates Corp. and the many talented and dedicated automobile technicians with whom I’ve had the privilege to work and train over the years for this distinction."

Manna began his automotive career during high school while working for his father and uncle who co-owned a Standard Oil gasoline station. He opened his first shop with his brother in 1980 in Skokie, Ill., a two-bay repair facility. In 1993, Manna purchased his current location in Des Plaines. Today, Manna’s shop is a four-bay full-service repair facility specializing in emissions and hi-tech diagnostic service and repair. He also owns Top Tech Training and conducts aftermarket training and seminars on emissions diagnostics for the Illinois EPA emissions outreach program.

"Gates is proud to join ASE in recognizing Scot Manna for his outstanding contributions to the automotive repair industry," said Bobby Bassett, manager of training for North America. "Scot’s merits, professionalism and commitment have helped him become one of the most accomplished and respected technicians in the automobile industry."