2023 Techs Rock Awards Logo
2023 Grand Prize and Category Winners have been announced! View this year’s Winners below.

About the TechForce Foundation
Techs Rock Awards


When Techs Rock, America Rolls!
® And here at TechForce, we’re proud of the community of professional transportation technicians who are full of passion and grit, exhibit true excellence in their work and drive the future of our industry – ultimately propelling their companies to new growth and success.

That’s why we’re seeking the best technicians across the country and honoring them with the 2023 TechForce Techs Rock AwardsTM. Winners will receive special prizes and be celebrated throughout the industry via both digital and print promotion.

 

Important Dates to Remember:

Nominations Open
May 15, 2023

Nomination Deadline
May 26, 2023 at 11:59 PM PT

Deadline to Accept Nomination
May 29, 2023 at 11:59 PM PT

Category Winners Announced
& Online Grand Prize Voting Starts
June 12, 2023 at 8 AM PT

Voting Ends
June 16, 2023 at 11:59 PM PT

Grand Prize Winner Announced
June 20, 2023

MEET THE 2023 WINNERS

Riley Schlick-Trask, Owner of Riley's Rebuilds is the Grand Prize Winner and Barrier Buster Category Winner in the 2023 Techs Rock Awards.
Bryan Kuehni, World Class Technician with Advantage Chevrolet Bolingbrook is the Die Hard Category Winner in the 2023 Techs Rock Awards.
James Jacobsen, Master Technician with Lake Motor Company is the Outstanding Mentor Category Winner in the 2023 Techs Rock Awards.
Bradley Hindman, Owner of Mission Auto Repair is the Pay It Forward Category Winner in the 2023 Techs Rock Awards.
Jinelee Galindez, Technician with Mercedes Benz of South Orlando is the Rookie of the Year Category Winner in the 2023 Techs Rock Awards.

Award Categories

Outstanding Mentor

For providing support and guidance to the industry's future techs.

Rookie of the Year

For up-and-coming tech professionals with under two years of experience.

Die Hard Award

For industry super fans who live, breathe, sleep, and thrive in their career.

Barrier Buster Award

For showing heart and passion in overcoming obstacles to succeed.

Pay it Forward

For being a community advocate and inspiring the next generation of techs.

2023 Prizes

Category Winners

Each of the five (5) Category Winners, as selected by an esteemed panel of judges, will receive a prize package valued at $1,975 from TechForce partners Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Cengage Learning, CRC Industries, Ford Motor Company, Nissan, Snap-on Industrial and WD-40 Company.

Grand Prize Winner

One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to STX 2024 in Nashville, TN valued at $3,000 courtesy of Advance Auto Parts, along with additional prizes valued at $6,000 from TechForce partners AutoZone, CRC Industries, Ford Motor Company, Nissan, Snap-on Industrial and WD-40 Company.

2023 Award Judges

Emily Reeves
Host & Co-Owner
Flying Sparks Garage
Harrison Burton
NASCAR Driver
Wood Brothers Racing
Bogi Lateiner
CEO/Master Mechanic
Bogi's Garage
Camrie Caruso
NHRA Pro Stock Driver
Camrie Caruso Motorsports
Pete Meier
Technical Training Expert

Nomination Eligibility and Requirements

Nominate a technician: 

To nominate a technician, please offer details on your candidate in the nomination form above. Nominations closed on Friday, May 26, 2023, at 11:59 PM PT.

Nominees must be professional technicians, working full-time in the auto, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine, aviation, restoration or motorsports industry. Nominees shall exhibit exemplary character and be making a positive impact in their workplace and/or community; be respected for their technical skills and reputation as a qualified tech; and have concrete examples of how they exceed expectations in the category being nominated for.

  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Must reside within the 50 United States or District of Columbia (Washington D.C.)
  • It is highly encouraged to nominate technicians who have achieved workplace accomplishments and milestones in the past 18 months.
  • An individual may only be nominated in one category.
  • Only one individual nominee is permitted for your submission. If you wish to nominate more than one person, you must submit separate nominations for each individual.
  • Each essay question should be answered in complete sentences.
  • The “Additional Contact” field is a great place to list the nominee’s supervisor or the nominee organization’s Communications or Marketing contact.
  • Nominations must be submitted through the Techs Rock Awards online nomination form.
  • Once nominated, the nominee will receive a confirmation email to accept the nomination and answer a short survey. The acceptance survey must be completed by Monday, May 29, 2023, at 11:59 PM PT, or the nomination will not be considered for the program.
  • Chosen honorees must be willing to have their name, photo, company name, and logo published in a digital and print marketing campaign announcing the winners.
  • Honorees may also be asked to participate in a photo shoot, in addition to a Q&A-style interview with our editorial team.

NOTE ON PRIZE INCOME: The Internal Revenue Code states that under certain circumstances the value of prizes and awards/gifts to individuals is considered taxable income. Merchandise or products won as a prize or award will be considered at the fair market value and could also be considered taxable income. Nonresident aliens may be subject to additional tax rules regardless of amount, depending on circumstances and treaty status. The prize and award/gift amount will be treated as 1099 income. The recipient will receive a Form 1099-MISC from TechForce Foundation on any winnings totaling $600.00 or more in a calendar year. The recipient will also be required to provide TechForce Foundation with a completed W-9 form, which includes social security number, to be used for issuing a 1099 for tax purposes, as well as signing a prize/award acceptance form. No prizes shall be fulfilled to any one winner until all five winners have completed a W-9 form and provided the completed copy to TechForce Foundation.

Click here to read the full program terms and conditions.

Please share your contact details and get in touch with one of our workers.


"By connecting students, instructors, industry pros and working techs, the TechForce Foundation provides unilateral support to the transportation industry’s technician recruiting needs… The administration of our Scholarships by the TechForce team has been instrumental in delivering us with a successful method to gain interest from qualified candidates as well as provide our students with additional assistance to complete their education."
Tony Farr
Ford Technical Programs Manager