DATTCO’s Director of Technical Support Named NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year for Connecticut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 DATTCO’s Director of Technical Support Named NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year for Connecticut

New Britain, CT, January 16, 2017: DATTCO, the largest Connecticut-based, passenger transportation company, is pleased to announce Ronald King, Director of Technical Support, has been named Connecticut’s NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year for the second year in a row.

According to NAPA’s website, the Technician of the Year Award is the “ultimate way to be honored for your hard work.” Honorees are chosen based on specific criteria, including technical skills, business practices, commitment to the industry, dedication to training, and participation in community activities.

King has fine-tuned his craft over his life time; he learned about automotive and diesel mechanics and repair at a young age by working at the family gas station. He has worked for the bus industry for more than 35 years. The self-proclaimed “go-to tech at DATTCO” holds master certifications in school bus, truck, and automotive repair, as well as advanced certifications in gas and diesel repair by the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) organization. He is also a Navistar Diamond Technician, State of Connecticut certified Emissions Repair Technician (in bus, truck and car), among others.

“The ASE certification means a lot to me; it is the closest thing to licensing for our trade in Connecticut. As technicians, we work hard for our ASE Master Technician patches and wear them proudly,” explained King.  “I’m honored that NAPA Connecticut believes in me and my industry achievements to select me for this award. I look forward to tomorrow’s advancements in technology, and the opportunities it will bring us.”

During his tenure at DATTCO, King developed and managed the rebuild department, which specializes in repair to transmissions, starters, alternators, electric motors, engines and air conditioning systems. He went on to develop, and still oversees, the DTEC (DATTCO Technical Education Center) Technician Apprenticeship Program – his proudest achievement of his career at DATTCO. This five-year program puts apprentices through over 2,000 hours of mechanical training and certification, and gives them job placement within DATTCO where they receive ongoing guidance during the beginning of their careers.

King gives back to the community by volunteering his time with Rebuild Together New Britain, as a land-use educator with Tread Lightly!â, and by participating in charity motorcycle rides. He serves as chair of Connecticut Operators of School Bus Transportation Association’s (COSTA’s) maintenance committee and is a past member of the Berlin Lions Club.

“The DATTCO family congratulates Ron on this well-deserved recognition,” said Don DeVivo, President of DATTCO. “We are lucky to have someone with his expertise overseeing our Technical Support department, and training the next generation of technicians through our DTEC program.”

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