Another 66 technicians earned honors as being the best in the automotive-repair business.

On Monday, the Auto Care Association announced the latest recipients of the prestigious World Class Technician Award; a program in partnership with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). The two organizations provide this annual recognition to professional technicians who have achieved the extraordinary accomplishment of attaining ASE certification in 22 specific areas during the previous calendar year.

Officials said there are an estimated 879,000 technicians in the United States, with approximately 250,000 holding ASE certification. More than 2,000 technicians have earned the respected status of “World Class Technician” since its inception more than 30 years ago.

The newest round of World Class Technicians includes:

James Adair Jr. — Phoenixville, Pa.

Jason Arst — Signal Hill, Calif.

Brian Atwood — Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Rodney Bennett III — Beaufort, S.C.

Jason Branch Sr. — Castle Rock, Colo.

Timothy Burnley — Lewisville, Texas

Scott Dickson — Jacksonville, Fla.

Chris Elkins — Adrian, Mich.

Travis Elliott — Windham, Maine

Mike Evans — Mesa, Ariz.

Lucas Ewald — Naples, Maine

Thomas Flentie — Oak View, Calif.

David Frank — Flint, Mich.

Hayden Frazier — Halifax, Mass.

Reuben Gosewisch — Saint Michael, Minn.

Brian Grabsky — Lombard, Ill.

Brian Haskell Jr. — Naples, Maine

Joshua Hassing — Augusta, Mich.

Robert Heintz — Hopatcong, N.J.

Matthew Heller — Park Ridge, Ill.

Dennis Higdon — Lawrenceville, Ga.

Brandon Homan — St. Louis

Raymond Jackson Jr. — Elkridge, Md.

Randall Kang — Fountain, Colo.

Keith Kelly — Tipp City, Ohio

Kenneth Kerbaugh — Needville, Texas

Basil Konnaris — Oakville, Ontario

William Krones — Mason City, Iowa

Shane Lally — Brookfield, Conn.

Cody Lana — Riverside, Iowa

Marty Leach — Imlay City, Mich.

Kevin Lockhart — Beaverdam, Va.

David Luka II — Grand Island, N.Y.

Eric Mattice — Bakersfield, Calif.

Alejandro Mayorga — Lompoc, Calif.

Jason Montini — Madison, Tenn.

Angel Morales Jr. — Marana, Ariz.

Ryan Moraux — Fairhaven, Mass.

Kevin Myers — Weymouth, Mass.

Ryan Oblak — Saltsburg, Pa.

Fadi Oweis — Jacksonville, Fla.

John Paolino Jr. — Pollock Pine, Calif.

Kevin Paradis — Westford, Mass.

Michael Pritulsky — Mesa, Ariz.

James Przybylski — Batavia, Ill.

Andrew Ramirez — Lompoc, Calif.

Mike Ream — Defiance, Ohio

Michael Rodriguez — Mansfield Center, Conn.

Shannon Saili — Waipahu, Hawaii

Michael Sanders — Doyle, Calif.

Michael Sandmeier — Bel Air, Md.

Michael Schultz — Torrance, Calif.

Richard Sena Jr. — Youngtown, Ariz.

Gregory Shelby — Canal Fulton, Ohio

Patrick Shine — Saint Charles, Mo.

Kevin Speaks — Duncanville, Texas

Meredith Spencer — Milford, Maine

Daniel Symeon — Tallahassee, Fla.

Jeffrey Tinsley — Dickson, Tenn.

Erik Ulintz — Grove City, Ohio

Angel Velazquez — Gurnee, Ill.

Steven Vezensky — Lakemoor, Ill.

John Warrington — Tolland, Conn.

Cleidus Shawn White — Imperial, Mo.

Jeffrey Wood — Saint Charles, Mo.

William Woods — Delta, Pa.

The Auto Care Association surveyed this year’s World Class Technician award recipients to learn about their career journeys, what motivated them to pursue the goal of ASE World Class Technician and what achieving this status means to them in their own words. Five shared their experiences, including:

— Angel Morales: “I believe that earning ‘World Class’ status will allow me to show that there is so much more to being a technician than changing parts on a vehicle. There is so much technology and engineering that goes into today’s vehicles, technicians now have to have the knowledge and skill to make the proper diagnosis and repair. Becoming ASE Certified has opened many doors for me in my life and has made me more marketable when looking for that next step in my career. I believe that I can use this status to show up-and-coming technicians that ASE Certifications are not just ‘a piece of paper,’ but an important tool of the trade.”

— John Warrington: “To achieve world class status shows great commitment to the automotive trade. I wanted to show upcoming techs like my son, the importance of staying relevant and to keep pursuing knowledge to stay top of your field.”

— Fadi “Eddie” Oweis: “I believe all professionals should strive to achieve the highest level of certification and training required to be fit at their profession. World class does just that and sets a goal for which all techs should strive.”

— David Frank: “I feel that World Class represents the zenith of qualification for technicians It displays commitment, talent, discipline and a well-rounded knowledge base.”

— Jason Montini: “In this industry, certification is everything. Never settle for bare minimum. It feels awesome being a part of an elite group of skilled individuals.”

For more information about the Auto Care Association’s World Class Technician certification qualifications, timing and recognition, visit autocare.org/worldclass.