2014 SUPERTECH Maryland For the 2nd year, MMTA’s Maintenance
Council partnered with Middleton & Meads to host SUPERTECH. Have you ever thought about how many different areas of expertise a technician needs to master to keep your trucks running smoothly? Well, the SUPERTECH competition is a test of “book knowledge” and hands-on skills that showcases a technician’s trouble shooting abilities. Several skills are tested, including brakes, engine electrical, fifth wheel, preci- sion measuring, fasteners and more. The technicians complete a written test based on ASE’s standard practices and then rotate through eight skill stations. Since it is only the event’s 2nd year, it was great to see an increase in the number of competing tech- nicians, with over half of them being first- timers. Tom (TK) Kilchenstein of Fleetpro was
awarded the SUPERTECH Grand Champion’s trophy, along with a cash prize and an expenses-paid trip to the national competition. At nationals TK has a chance
Station #1 - Engineer Electrical Joseph Felty, Middleton & Meads
Station #2 – Preventative Maintenance Inspection Joseph Michalsky, D.M. Bowman
Station #3 – Fasteners Jason Laughry, Middleton & Meads
Station #4 – Fifth Wheel Tom (TK) Kilchenstein, Fleetpro
Station #5 – Service Information Matthew Lady, Beltway Co.
Station #7 – Brakes Joshua Peryear, Wal-Mart
Station #8 – Wheel End Mike Caylor, Ryder
Station #9 – Electrical Joshua Ruth, Middleton & Meads
22 BEHIND THE WHEEL ~ Q3 Fall 2014
* Station #6, Rest Station: N/A
www.mmtanet.com
Overall SuperTech Winner Tom (TK) Kilchenstein, Fleetpro
to win a prize package that includes a trip to the Daytona 500. TK took an interest in all things
mechanical as a boy. His dad was an air- craft mechanic who often worked on cars in the garage. TK followed him around, serving as the “official gopher”, and was soon tinkering on his own. In 1986 he benefitted from being in the right place at the right time. He was a mechanic for Jiffy Lube when he was offered an opportunity to run a shop keeping shuttle buses on the road for Fleetpro. His manager at Jiffy Lube passed on the opportunity, but rec- ommended him for the job. TK took a shot and the leap of faith paid off. 28 years later the company’s shops have come a long way and now include PM services and full main- tenance service. As PM laws took effect, TK helped write training materials that he now teaches mechanics how to read, inter- pret, and put into action. He is “part law- yer and part mechanic.” TK jumped on the SUPERTECH competition last year and, after taking 2nd place in 2013, was deter-
mined to come back stronger this year. His words to all techs out there are, “I dare you, prove to yourself and others that you can, and if you are not successful at first, use the experience and knowledge you’ve gained as your roadmap on your career path.” Congratulations also go out to the 2nd
place overall SUPERTECH winner – Joshua Ruth of Middleton & Meads, who was a first time competitor. Josh’s impressive debut included having the highest score at the Electric station. The 3rd place overall winner was Mike Caylor of Ryder Systems. Each of the skill station winners was pre- sented with a plaque and a Kindle Fire to reward their accomplishment. Thanks to all of the techs who put aside
any nervousness and showed up to high- light their problem-solving skills against their peers. We also thank the numerous volunteers and sponsors that made the day a success. We look forward to many more years of a SUPERTECH skills competition to add to MMTA’s rich history.
2014 SUPERTECHMARYLAND WINNERS
2014 SuperTech Maryland Grand Champion: Tom (TK) Kilchenstein, Fleetpro
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