Cox Automotive crowns 2025 Top Techs
Cox Automotive recently wrapped up its 2025 annual Top Tech Competition, crowning three Grand Champions and Runners-Up out of 30 finalists. The Grand Champions for each category are Jason Miller of Fleet Services Ohio in the Heavy-Duty Truck category, Todd Mareno of Manheim Milwaukee for the Light/Medium-Duty Truck category, and Jameson “Bud” Haney of Fleet Services Minnesota for the Trailer category.
“The most rewarding part of this annual event is witnessing the caliber of technicians we have across Manheim and Fleet Services. These team members didn’t just compete—they elevated each other, shared knowledge, and demonstrated the collaborative spirit that defines Cox Automotive,” said Patrick Brennan, SVP of Fleet Services. “It was clear that excellence in our field is fueled not only by individual achievement, but by the communities we build together. I’m incredibly proud of our winners, finalists and all competitors at this year’s event.”
The grand champions will go on to compete at TMC SuperTech in Raleigh, North Carolina, from Sept. 14-18.
Cox Automotive began its competition with over 800 technicians in the initial, written-test round, including techs from Manheim and the Fleet Services team, as well as from CCI Fleet. After the initial round, 150 techs made it to hands-on regional competitions.
"There, participants rotate through stations that cover everything from navigating service information on a computer, to replacing injector seals on a gas engine, to analyzing air brake failures," said Larry Fowler, sr. manager, vehicle operations at Cox Automotive.
After the regional competitions, 30 technicians went on to the finals, where technicians grappled with the topics that consistently need more refresher training. These topics include electrical systems, computer-aided diagnostics, and wheel ends, Fowler commented.
Along with the Grand Champions, the Runners-Up of each category are José Feliciano of Fleet Services Florida, David Logalbo of Manheim Nashville, and Dillon Grimes of Fleet Services Georgia for Heavy-Duty Truck, Light/Medium-Duty Truck, and Trailer categories, respectively.
In addition to the Grand Champions and Runner-Ups, Cox also gave out 28 station-specific awards to technicians:
Heavy-Duty Truck
- Safety and Environmental: Steven Patterson, Fleet Services New Jersey
- Service Information: Jason Miller, Fleet Services Ohio
- Wiring Diagrams: José Feliciano, Fleet Services Florida
- Fasteners: José Feliciano, Fleet Services Florida
- Precision Measuring: Jason Miller, Fleet Services Ohio
- Electrical Circuits: Mike Colt, Fleet Services Florida
- HD Electronic Diag Tools: Jason Miller, Fleet Services Ohio
- Truck Air Disc Brakes: Evan Bailey, Fleet Services Texas
- Truck Cam Brakes: Kyle Adams, Fleet Services Pennsylvania
Light/Medium-Duty Truck
- Safety and Environmental: Daniel Velasquez, Manheim Dallas-Fort Worth
- Service Information: Mark Angell, Manheim Utah
- Wiring Diagrams: Frank Boggs, Fleet Services Pensacola
- Fasteners: AJ Snyder, Manheim Statesville
- Precision Measuring: Juan Rojas, Manheim Phoenix
- Electrical Circuits: Zach Nikorak, Fleet Services Pennsylvania
- Light Electronic Diagnostics: Todd Mareno, Manheim Milwaukee
- CAN Diagnostics: AJ Snyder, Manheim Statesville
- HVAC Diagnostics: Todd Mareno, Manheim Milwaukee
- Light Electronic Diagnostic Tools: Todd Mareno, Manheim Milwaukee
Trailer
- Safety and Environmental: John Lockrey, Fleet Services Kansas
- Service Information: Dylan Demauro, Fleet Services New York
- Wiring Diagrams: Bud Haney, Fleet Services Minnesota
- Fasteners: Dillon Grimes, Fleet Services Georgia
- Precision Measuring: Jake Igl, Fleet Services De Pere
- Electrical Circuits: Francisco Granillo, Manheim Nevada
- Trailer Alignment: Bud Haney, Fleet Services Minnesota
- Trailer and Disc Brake: Dillon Grimes, Fleet Services Georgia
- Trailer Wheel-End: Bud Haney, Fleet Services Minnesota