Richard Knieper was given the PPG/Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Refinish Technician of the Year Award at ASE’s annual Board of Directors Industry Awards Dinner held in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 19. 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.
“ASE tests set the highest bar for service technicians and consultants,” said Knieper. “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,” said Troyer. “To be among the highest scoring – let alone receive the highest score – is a remarkable achievement.”
Both PPG and ASE offer technician certification, as well as a wide range of training courses for collision center personnel. For more information, visit www.ppgrefinish.com and www.ase.com.
