Scott DeWaal of Peak Thermo King in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been named Thermo King’s 2024 Top Tech Dealer Technician. Thermo King, a transport refrigeration brand of Trane Technologies, announced the results during its annual dealer principal meeting.
The competition, introduced in 2023, aims to recognize the expertise of technicians and their role in ensuring the safety of perishable goods throughout the supply chain. “This competition underscores the important role the skilled workforce plays across the globe, but especially in our industry,” said Mark Nyman, Channel Excellence leader, Thermo King Americas. “Investment in our technicians is a vital way we continue moving our industry forward.”
This year’s event saw increased participation, with 120 technicians from Thermo King’s North American dealer network, 20 more than the previous year. The competition included three phases: a qualifier test, a virtually proctored knowledge test, and a final round where the top 10 technicians competed in hands-on troubleshooting and repair challenges under timed conditions.
The top three competitors were awarded an all-expense-paid trip to the dealer principal meeting, where DeWaal, a 22-year veteran of Peak Thermo King, claimed first place. Aaron Hunt from CSTK East in Philadelphia, PA, secured second place, while Nathan Morris from Transport Refrigeration, Inc. in De Pere, WI, finished third.
“Recruitment and retention of technicians continues to be a priority throughout the entire transport industry, and we hope that showcasing the talents of our skilled workforce will excite others to learn this important trade,” Nyman added.