WIX Filters and Counterman magazine named James Davison of Eastern Warehouse Distributors the 2018 Counter Professional of the Year.
The Counter Professional of the Year award, sponsored by WIX Filters and presented during the AWDA conference in Las Vegas, annually recognizes an automotive an aftermarket parts professional who exceeds expectations, continually pursues advanced training, is a supreme parts professional and is an ambassador for the aftermarket.
“WIX continues to honor individuals who consistently go above and beyond to provide outstanding customer service in their local markets,” said Jennifer Gibson, brand manager for WIX Filters. “James demonstrates that commitment to helping his customers and employees, and we’re so excited to recognize him and his family in Las Vegas.”
As a former technician, Davison understands the function of each part, and he can talk the talk with his professional customers. Although he has a passion for old cars, he also stays up-to-date on the latest vehicle technology.
“Knowing my customers rely on me gets me up each morning, motivated to do my best,” said Davison. “You have to love your job. If you don’t like your job, you’re probably not doing your job 100 percent, and you’re not making it any easier for any of your employees or your customers.”
As part of the Counter Professional of the Year award, Davison and his wife received an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas for AAPEX 2018. Counterman presented the award to Davison at the WIX Filters and Babcox Media Night of Excellence at the Venetian Resort.
WIX and Babcox Media also named Bill Hill from Mighty Auto Pro, located in Medina, Ohio, as the fifth annual WIX Driving Performance Award winner.
“Mighty Auto Pro sets a standard all shops should strive to reach, excelling at customer service while offering top-notch vehicle repair,” said Gibson. “We’re excited to present the award to a shop that’s truly raising the bar in both of those business-building categories.”
Mighty Auto Pro rewards its technicians for keeping their ASE certifications current with raises for every two ASE tests passed. In addition, every vehicle that enters the bays at Mighty Auto Pro undergoes a 67-point inspection, whether it’s the vehicle’s first visit or its 10th.
Hill co-authored a book on customer service: “Whatever Happened to Outstanding Customer Service?” and his staff embraces his belief in superior customer service.
“Receiving this award is an honor. It means my beliefs, the beliefs I instill in my employees, the culture that we’ve developed over the years, the relationships that we’ve built with our clients over the years, are being recognized,” said Hill. “Everyone who works for us does everything they can possibly do to take care of our clients. From the start to finish, a transaction at Mighty Auto Pro is all about the customer.”
As part of the Driving Performance of the Year award, Hill also received an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas for AAPEX 2018 and was recognized at the Night of Excellence event.
WIX, in conjunction with Babcox Media’s Tomorrow’s Tech magazine, named Bullard-Havens Technical High School as the 2018 School of the Year.
Based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Bullard-Havens Technical High School is the 11th recipient of the annual program, naming it the best technical training school in the country. WIX and O’Reilly Auto Parts are title sponsors of the national award in conjunction with Tomorrow’s Tech, a Babcox Media publication dedicated to automotive students.
“This year, the drive and dedication of Bullard-Havens Technical High School stood out among the competition,” said Gibson. “This is a school that’s passionate about providing a well-rounded technical education for its students. Through internship opportunities and state-of-the-art equipment for learning, students graduate from Bullard-Havens ready to begin a successful career in the industry.”
As the 2018 School of the Year, Bullard-Havens Technical High School received:
- $5,000 donation to the school’s automotive technology program from WIX Filters
- Merchandise from O’Reilly and WIX Filters
- Travel for the school’s instructor and a guest to Las Vegas to attend Babcox Media’s recognition dinner at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX)
“It is so awesome for the school and our students to achieve recognition out of the entire nation for our automotive technology program,” said Roxanne Amiot, automotive department head and instructor at Bullard-Havens Technical High School. “This award shows that all our hard work in difficult times is so important. Thanks to Babcox, WIX and O’Reilly for recognizing our program throughout the years and promoting our auto trade and tech education.”
The School of the Year program is open to all high schools and post-secondary schools with a subscription to Tomorrow’s Tech magazine. Of the 221 entries for this year’s contest, 91 were from different high schools, technical schools and colleges in four regions of the United States. The top 20 schools were asked to submit a video highlighting their technical programs and judges selected four finalists, or one from each region, from the video entries.
“A strong technical training program is incredibly valuable not only to the students but also the industry as a whole, which is why we are thrilled to once again sponsor this competition,” said Jim Merle, publisher of Tomorrow’s Tech. “In previous years, we have been impressed by the submissions for the competition and this year was no exception. Bullard-Havens Technical High School showed an exceptional automotive program and opportunities for their students.”
This year’s three runners-up are: Satellite High School, Satellite Beach, Florida; North Kansas City Schools – Career and Technical Education Center, Kansas City, Missouri; and Bonneville High School, Ogden, Utah. Each runner-up will receive a professional automotive tool set and $250 gift card from O’Reilly Auto Parts.
WIX Filters and Babcox Media presented the award Monday night during the Night of Excellence at the Venetian Resort.
