New Master Milestone By Jack Cutts
L Peter Everett
ess than four years after reaching 100 current certified Master installation technicians, MECP is at it again. With the Sept. 7 certification of Peter Everett of Calera, Ala., it has now reached new heights — 250 current Master certifications! These new heights underscore the overall shift in MECP certifications toward the higher end of the spectrum.
“We’ve seen a sharp trend toward certified technicians opting to level-up instead of remaining content to stay at the Basic level,” noted Todd Ramsey of Ramsey Consulting Group. “That’s good for retailers, good for the industry and good for consumers. A more knowledgeable base of auto techs means a better overall experience for everyone.” We were able to catch up with Everett and ask him about his recent achievement.
MECP: You went from Basic certified to Master certified in less than a year. Talk a little bit about the challenge of certifying so quickly. Everett: Well, it was definitely a challenge. I have been a professional installer for many years but had not been certified. I think the hardest part about it was that I would study so much, then pass the test and then it was right back to studying for the next one. I really have not taken the time to stop a look at what I accomplished until now. It took a lot of self-motivation and support from my wife to really stay on top of studying every night. I just had to keep in mind the goal I set for myself that I was going to be Master Certified before my son was born, and I did.
MECP: What were your impressions of the newly updated Advanced Installation Technician study guide and exam? Everett: I thought it was great. It was very in-depth and I actually continued to use the Advanced Study Guide while preparing for the Master Exam as well.
MECP: What are the most popular products that your Best Buy store is installing for customers these days? Everett: It really stays pretty varied. We just try to find the right solution for each customer to fit his or her needs.
MECP: If the install bay was on fire and you could only grab one tool, which tool would it be? Everett: It would have to be my Makita 18-volt impact driver.
MECP: What kind of tech you have installed in your own vehicle? Everett: It’s pretty low-tech right now but I have an in-dash navigation unit with Bluetooth and satel- lite radio, a remote start and an HID conversion.
For more Master Installation Technician interviews or to learn more about MECP cer- tification, visit
MECP.com or call (866) 858-1555. If you are a currently certified Mas- ter Installation Technician who would like to be interviewed by MECP for
MECP.com, send an email to
mecp@mecp.com.
MECP: What advice would you have for installation technicians out there who might be procrastinat- ing when it comes to studying and taking the test? Everett: I have to say it was definitely worth it. I studied for three months for the master exam and it was very hard to keep it up at times. In the end, though, I have gotten a ton of recognition from my co-workers, management, and now this interview. There is also a great deal I can be proud of for getting the Master certification, and that is the best part of it all.
MECP: You also took the brand-new Master Installation Technician practice test online. Was it help- ful for test prep and did it boost your confidence when it came time to take the real thing? Everett: It definitely helped my confidence. It was the only practice test I took that was split in sections like the real thing, so I knew where I stood on the different aspects of the test. I would recommend anyone who is studying for MECP exams to take them. It is another very helpful tool.
62 Mobile Electronics November 2012
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