STRONGSVILLE, Ohio Richard Knieper was recently honored with the PPG/ASE Master Refinish Technician of the Year Award at ASE’s annual Board of Directors Industry Awards Dinner held in San Diego, Calif., last month. Bill Troyer, PPG Automotive Refinish manager of training, presented the award to Knieper. The award is given annually to the PPG collision center technician who receives the highest score on the ASE Painting and Refinish test.
“I am honored to receive this distinguished award,” said Knieper “ASE tests set the highest bar for service technicians and consultants. ASE certifications confirm our knowledge and professional commitment to the automotive business, and PPG’s training courses truly provide new depth and insight for the refinish and management side of our business.”
Knieper, of Oceanside, Calif., has been a refinish painter for 23 years; 18 of those as an automotive paint and body technician at Security Chevrolet in Vista, Calif. He holds a PPG Master Certification, is an ASE Master Technician, ASE Collision Repair Estimator, and an I-CAR and GM certified technician. Knieper received his professional training in the MiraCosta College Body Repair and Refinish Business Program in Oceanside and the General Motors Body and Refinish Training Programs in Burbank, Calif.
“Thousands of technicians take the ASE test each year. To be among the highest scoring let alone receive the highest score is a remarkable achievement,” said Troyer. “It’s always a pleasure to award a talented individual who is recognized as one of the best in the automotive industry.”