CLEVELAND, Ohio—Tenacity paid off for Mohawk Trucks technician Christopher Tate, who earned the title of "Grand Champion" for the second time after winning first place at TMCSuperTech 2021. He competed in all 16 SuperTechs since 2005, and last won in 2009. This was his final competition, as next year he will help judge the event.
“This competition showcases the most skilled and knowledgeable truck technicians the industry has to offer, and this award is a testament to Chris’ professional talent and a distinguished milestone in his career as he wins his second Grand Championship title," remarked Robert Braswell, executive director of the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council .
A humbled and emotional Tate called the win “bittersweet” as he accepted the award, in large part due to last year’s death of Mohawk Trucks owner Mike Endres. The late Thermo King dealership owner helped get Tate involved in technical competitions.
“He taught me a whole lot of stuff,” Tate exclaimed during his speech. “This goes out to Mike.”
The SuperTech competition was held on Sept. 12 at the TMC Fall Meeting and Transportation Technology Exhibition in Cleveland. The awards ceremony took place on Sept. 15.
Thirty-four professional technicians took part in the one-track competition featuring 11 skills stations. Tate finished first in the “Fuel & Lubes” and “Suspension” stations.
Tate began his career at Mohawk, based in West Seneca, New York, in 1997. After competing in a state refrigeration technician competition, Tate told his boss he could do truck competitions with a little more training. Endres supported the move and sent Tate to a brake school.
Now the former apprentice is the national champion once again. The title includes not only bragging rights, but a treasure trove of technician tools and prizes valued at well over $20,000. Among the prizes were a:
- $10,000 “dream shop” full of tools
- $5,000 dream shop credit
- Snap-On toolbox and one-year subscription to Nexiq eTechnician diagnostic software
- Noregon JPRO Next Step Repair Diagnostic Toolbox with DLA 2.0 adapter, a one-year subscription to the JPRO Professional and NextStep diagnostics software
- One-year subscription to Mitchell 1's TruckSeries repair information software
- Panasonic ToughBook.
Tate also received an embroidered TMCSuperTech 2021 leather jacket, Apple Watch Series 6, and trip for two to the 2022 Daytona 500.
The trucking industry has changed in vast ways since Tate's last win in 2009, with the implementation of aftertreatment and highly advanced electrical and safety systems, to name a few. Tate said continuous education was the key to winning top honors 12 years apart.
“There's always studying and learning and reading—you have to stay on top of it,” he told Fleet Maintenance.
Participating in the competition itself, along with training fairs and sessions, had plenty of value for Tate, too, he said. “You're learning about the latest stuff as you're taking a test, and you're improving yourself for the rest of your career, too.”
"His consistent effort to be better, it just proves that those that don't quit, are rewarded," said George Arrants, former chair of TMCSuperTech, who currently serves as vice president for ASE Education Foundation.
Arrants noted how the once-small competition had grown during Tate's 16 years competing.
"TMCSuperTech has done a lot for our industry, people are now recognizing their technicians for the job they do," he said. "And companies are investing in their people in training and sending them to events like this. It really shows the quality of our industry and the support that we have for the people that maintain the vehicles that keep our country running."
It should be noted another competitor, José J. Feliciano of Dickinson Fleet Services, displayed plenty of grit and determination himself by competing in the skills stations with a broken hand. He placed first in the "Fasteners" and "Brakes" stations, and earned fifth place overall.
Station Winners
- Written: Joseph C. Anderson Jr., TravelCenters of America
- Wheel End: Michael Kerfoot, TravelCenters of America
- Transmission: Lucas Coyle, TravelCenters of America
- Engine & Aftertreatment: John Norwood, NationaLease
- Lighting: Lucas Coyle, TravelCenters of America
- Fuel & Lubes: Christopher P. Tate, Mohawk Truck Inc.
- Coolant & DEF: Michael Kerfoot, TravelCenters of America
- Fasteners: José J. Feliciano, Dickinson Fleet Services
- Belts & Hoses: Michael Kerfoot, TravelCenters of America
- Service Information: Michael Krause, Clarke Power Services Inc.
- Brakes: José J. Feliciano, Dickinson Fleet Services
- Suspension: Christopher P. Tate, Mohawk Truck Inc.
Top Five
- Grand Champion: Christopher P. Tate, Mohawk Truck Inc
- Second place: Joseph C. Anderson Jr., TravelCenters of America
- Third place: Michael Kerfoot, TravelCenters of America
- Fourth place: Michael Krause, Clarke Power Services, Inc.
- Fifth place: José J. Feliciano, Dickinson Fleet Services
