America's Best Tech

2012 America’s Best Dates

Mike Bullman — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:29:51 +0000

As we begin another exciting year we are already starting to get things in order for the 2012 event. The event will be held on September 25-28, 2012. It will be hosted by Cummins Engines and held at their engine plant in Rocky Mount, NC.

We will be posting more details as they become available.

New videos added

Mike Bullman — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:29:45 +0000

Be sure and check out the event DVD produced by our friends and longtime sponsor Hydrotex Corporation. We’ve also posted a brief interview video with this years 1st place winners. The videos can be seen on our Youtube channel.

2011 event photo DVD’s have been mailed out.

Mike Bullman — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:22:13 +0000

The 2011 event DVD containing the photos that were taken during this years event have been mailed out. if you have not received your copy please let us know.

2011 results are in

Mike Bullman — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 12:26:08 +0000

Okay the 2011 America’s Best, Training and Skills Challenge is in the books and we had a blast.

We would like to say “Thank You” to San Antonio’s North East ISD for their hospitality along with the Texas Association of School Bus Technicians for hosting this event. We would also like to thank the many sponsors, scholarship donors, and vendors. Without them this event would not be possible.

The participants saw the week pass quickly as they worked their way through numerous Training Sessions, Hands-On technical stations, and “Team Building” exercises. The inclusion of family and friends of the participants always makes this an interesting and fun time.

The results of the competition were:

Technicians

1st Place Alan Fidler, Indiana

2nd Place Ralph Trango, North Carolina

3rd Place Chris Hodges, Utah

Inspectors

1st Place Jack Defibaugh, West Virginia

2nd Place Jeff Pihl, Colorado

3rd Place Scott Bettinger, Texas

The results of the overall event, is that everyone was a winner! They all agreed that they had met the three objectives for participating.

1. Meet someone new

2. Learn something new

3. Have Fun!

Plans for next year will begin… Well, Now. Rocky Mt., North Carolina is the location and our host will be to be Cummins Engines. Stay tuned, 2012 we be here quick.

We will have more stories and photos from the event posted soon.

Today is the day

Mike Bullman — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:33:34 +0000

WOW! What a reception last night. We hope everyone had a great time and got to meet some new people. We have posted a few photos from the reception so be sure to check those out by clicking here.

So here we are, we have finally arrived at the opening day of the 2011 America’s Best. We will begin the day with breakfast at 6:30am then a bus ride from the Hyatt to North East ISD at 7:30am. After arriving we will have a pre-event briefing given by Mr. Casey, then move right into a full day of training sessions. We will have Conmet kick things off for the technicians with a training session on Wheel End assemblies, then it’ll be on to Penray for cooling system maintenance, then Thomas Built Buses for Multiplex wiring. On the Inspection side we will start with Marshall Casey providing an hour long session on the changes and updates made to the 2010 National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures (NSTSP). After Mr. Casey has completed his session Joe Scesny will provide the Inspectors with two one hour sessions dealing with, “High % Defects” and finishing with “Inspection Programs USA”

We’ll all take a lunch break from 11:30am-12:30pm then resume the training sessions at 12:30pm. Technician training will be given by Purkey’s Fleet Electric from 12:30pm until 3:30pm, while over on the Inspectors end of things Mr. Scesny will provide a session titled “Pre-Trip Inspections” from 12:30pm-2:00pm. That session will be followed by “School Bus Safety Issues” from 2:00pm until 3:15pm.

Mr. Casey will bring everyone back together for a brief meeting at 3:30pm-3:45pm, this will be followed up with everyone taking a written exam from 3:45pm-4:45pm given by ASE.

And Then There Was ONE!!

Mike Bullman — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:45:43 +0000

Well, today is the final day before everything kicks off for the 2011 America’s Best. The “Advance Preparation Team” spent yesterday layout the logistics of moving people between the venues, inspecting buses, and establishing the diagnostic rotations. Several of the competiors and judges arrived early and are ready to get things going. Our Committee will be busy today making final preparations before the “Kick Off Reception” tonight. A lot of work before hand, but ALWAYS a lot of fun meeting the new guys and seeing old friends. Can’t wait to get going for the 8th Annual Event. WOW!!! Today we want to highlight everyone who has a part in making this event a huge success. There is way too many people to name so I will close w/ just saying THANKS!!

And then there were 2

Mike Bullman — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:00:54 +0000

So we are just two days away from the start of this years event, and with the “advance team” of Marshall, Joe and Mike arriving in San Antonio yesterday, the hands-on portion of the preparation phase for this years event will begin this morning. Today we would like to highlight this years host, The Texas Association of School Bus Technicians, better known as TASBT. TASBT works to provide progressive training programs, while improving and developing the professional status of school bus technicians in the great state of Texas. We would like to thank TASBT for all their efforts in insuring this years event is a success. Please visit their website for more information on how they can provide those valuable resources to school bus technicians in Texas.

Countdown is at 3

Mike Bullman — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 08:00:46 +0000

So believe it or not we’re just 3 days away from the official start of the 2011 America’s Best School Bus Technician & Inspectors competition and we are charged with excitement about this years event. Speaking of charged, lets talk about today’s sponsor, Delco Remy. Delco Remy is a leading global manufacturer, remanufacturer and distributor of light and heavy duty starters, alternators and electric motor technology. We are also proud to announce the Delco Remy Technicians Scholarship. Delco Remy awards $5000 to assist school bus technicians from across the country with expenses to attend the America’s Best event.

Only 4 more

Mike Bullman — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 05:00:27 +0000

So we are only 4 days away from the kickoff of the 8th annual America’s Best School Bus Technician & Inspector competition and we here at the America’s Best garage are super excited. We’ve got a terrific event planned and we’re sure all the competitors will not only have a great time competing, but will learn a great deal from this years line-up of talented trainers and presenters . We want to continue our countdown with highlighting another one of our great supporters. Today we are going to introduce you to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Most everyone recognizes them as ASE. ASE works to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive and school bus professionals. ASE is an independent, non-profit organization, and since 1972 has worked to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying repair and service professionals. There are currently 5,394 ASE certified school bus technicians. Please visit ASE for more information.

With 5 to go, I can’t wait to see the Alamo

Mike Bullman — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:00:44 +0000

That’s right, just 5 days remaining before the 2011 America’s Best Competition. And yes I’m going to finally visit the famous Alamo. But before then we need to showcase another one of our sponsors. Today we want to introduce you to Bus Parts Warehouse. BPW is a leading national distributor of replacement parts, product upgrades, and special needs products for the school transportation industry. They have been a proud sponsor of America’s Best from the very first event back in 2004. Please visit Bus Parts Warehouse for your parts solutions.