The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced the recipient of a scholarship worth almost $1,300, created to help a young service repair professional enhance his technical skills by attending the Young Technicians Symposium at this year’s NACE | CARS Expo & Conference.

ASA’s board of directors created the scholarship and financed it out of their own pockets to cover plane fare, expenses and a night out for the recipient at the expo, which takes place July 23-25 at Detroit’s Cobo Center. The recipient also will receive SuperPass credentials, training materials and a special hotel room rate.

According to Donny Seyfer, ASA chairman, the winner of this year’s scholarship is 23-year-old Artur Bercan, who works at Larson’s Quality Automotive Service in Peabody, Massachusetts. Bercan recently earned his National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master certification after successfully completing 10 ASE courses. He’s also an active member of the EssexTech Automotive Technology Advisory Council and attended Automechanika 2015 in Chicago and VisionKC in 2014 and 2015.

“Artur works at a great shop,” Seyfer says, explaining the selection committee’s decision. “He’s an impressive young guy. I’ve had the pleasure of having him in classes I’ve taught in Massachusetts. He asks great questions and is engaged in his own learning. He became an ASE Master tech at a very young age. All of these things made us feel that he was a great choice.”

Artur’s supervisor at the shop, owner Diane Larson, agrees. “He’s so very deserving of this scholarship,” she says. “Since he joined Larson’s at the age of 20, we’ve found him to excel in every aspect of his work, becoming a top drivability and problem-solving technician. He’s also a dedicated team player, always eager to take on any challenge to improve his skills and take any training that’s offered to him.”

Bercan, though a native of Brazil, has lived most of his life in the United States. He says this will be his first trip to Detroit and that he looks forward to attending NACE | CARS to meet other young techs and industry professionals.

“I feel honored to be selected,” he says. “It will help further improve my abilities and my career opportunities. Eventually, I plan to have my own shop. My family has always supported my career path, ever since I dedicated myself to it in high school. They’re happy I’ve received this scholarship, and I’m thankful for this opportunity. Meeting new people who share the same interests and goals is always great.”