This is possibly my last Fleet Maintenance blog entry, as I have decided to step down as editor of this fine magazine and pursue new opportunities as an alternative fuels consultant, helping fleets transition to cleaner, affordable, sustainable fuels. I’m proud of the work I’ve done on Fleet Maintenance magazine over the past nine years, and I’m confident that the magazine will continue to offer practical solutions to the challenges faced by fleet maintenance professionals. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of my readers, who have taught me so much over the years about perseverance, integrity, and professionalism. Thanks for the memories!

The first ever Nebraska SuperTech is over, and what a success it was! There are so many things I want to blog about as to what worked and what we could improve on for next year. But for now, I just want to publicly announce all of the winners of Nebraska SuperTech.

Brian Thompson and Rod Spangler from DelcoRemy graciously donated an iPod, so we were able to recognize one tech for having the highest score on the electrical station. This tech was Dennis Beckenhauer from Wick’s Sterling Trucks.

As for overall awards, NE SuperTech recognized three technicians. The third place prize went to Ray Wordekemper from Omaha Truck Center. Wordekemper received a $150 gift certificate from Snap-On tools.

The second place winner was Jeff Schlecht from Norfolk Truck Center. Schlecht received a $300 gift certificate from Snap-On tools.

The first place winner was Tim Zieman of Lincoln Truck Center. Zieman received an all-expense paid trip to represent Nebraska at the national TMC SuperTech competition this September in Raleigh, NC. He also won $500 in spending cash for the trip.
The SuperTech Steering Committee would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who participated- from volunteers to judges, to the technicians who made the event a huge success. Way to go!

Our guest blogger, Amanda Schuier, can’t blog for us this week, because today, July 8th, is the day of the Nebraska State Maintenance Council’s first annual SuperTech technician skills competition. I couldn’t be happier or more proud of what Amanda has been able to accomplish in only a few short months’ time. Well, I could be happier if I was in Hastings, NE, today to see the competition myself, but that wasn’t in the cards this year… Be that as it may, the fleet maintenance industry in Nebraska has reason to be excited, as they crown their first ever best technician in the state, and then prepare to send him or her to Raleigh, NC, in September, to compete in TMC’s national SuperTech2009. Watch Amanda’s guest blog next week as she gives us a wrap-up of the big event, and shares her thoughts on how other states can organize their own competition. Congratulations, Amanda, and all your SuperTech competitors and winners!

Only one week to go! To say that the SuperTech Steering Committee is running around like crazy would be an understatement. There are a lot of little loose ends that still need to be tied up. We’re finalizing catering menus, making sure the news media is aware of our event, sending out maps, sending e-mail reminders- all little things to get people excited for the inaugural SuperTech competition.

Just last week, during a break in the SuperTech action, I had the opportunity to travel to the national SkillsUSA competition to observe two young Nebraskans in action- Billy Dukat and David Miller. Billy and David are both students in Metropolitan Community College’s Diesel Technology Program. Even though they didn’t bring home a medal, it gave me great pride for both SkillsUSA and SuperTech- both are great industry events that acknowledge our hard-working technicians. It gives me so much hope for the future of the industry.

One week from today, we’ll be underway in Hastings, Nebraska! Be sure to check back for a full report in two weeks.

I had the pleasure of spending the day in Chicago yesterday helping to plan out the educational program for the 2010 Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, to be held next January in Las Vegas. I have to say, it was great spending the day with 30 or so heavy duty trucking professionals–independent service providers, parts suppliers and parts distributors–who actually feel optimistic about the future. These guys are very much focused on meeting their customers’ needs as the economy starts to turn around, offering the best service and value they can, and doing whatever thay can to make sure the heavy truck industry gets back up on its feet as quickly as possible.

One of the issues that kept coming up during the day was somewhat ominous, however: the looming shortage of parts in 2010-2012 brought on by the downturn in manufacturing over the past few years. This is an issue you can be sure we’ll be keeping our eyes on here at Fleet Maintenance.