Cerni Motors Hosts First Annual Trivista Tech Rodeo

On October 12-13, Cerni Motors in Youngstown, Ohio hosted the first annual Trivista Tech Rodeo. The Tech Rodeo contest began in 2016 at Cerni Motors. All Cerni techs participated a written test and the top four techs were chosen to participate in a hands-on component. The winner chose from a list of nine grand prize vacation packages. He received an all-expense paid trip to Cancun, Mexico. Cash prizes were awarded to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finalists.

In 2017, there was again 100% participation in the written test and the winner chose an all-expense paid family vacation to Florida.

This year, techs from every Trivista location took the written test. From the written component, the top techs from each location were chosen to compete in a four-hour, hands-on competition. Tech Rodeo finalists arrived in Youngstown on October 12 and were separated into two groups. Group A competed on Friday and Group B competed on Saturday. All were invited to a dinner reception on Friday evening. For their exam, each technician was given a vehicle with four complaints. Techs had one hour per complaint to make a diagnosis and repair the problem. All vehicles and required repairs were identical. The tech to diagnose and repair his vehicle in the least amount of time was named champion.

The competition was stiff this year with only two minutes separating the top three finalists and ten minutes separating first place from fifth place. Tech Rodeo Finalists were Mike Healy of Cerni Youngstown, Jason Klann of Cerni Painesville, Daniel Montgomery of Cerni Youngstown, Jerrod Hansen and Nick Morgan of O’Halloran’s Altoona location, and Tom Jeffries and Zach Wilson of Uhl’s Louisville location. Finalists competed for their choice of one of nine Grand Prize Vacation Packages. Grand Prize Packages were separated by three categories including options for Bro Trips such as Carolina Golf Trips and Hunting and Fishing Packages, Couples Getaways such as a trip to Napa Valley or an All-Inclusive Cancun Beach Vacation, or Family Vacations such as a trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa or a DreamWorks Carnival Cruise. Second Place received a check for $500. Third Place received a check for $350. And the remaining finalists all received $200.

This year’s Grand Prize winner was Daniel Montgomery of Cerni Motors. He is undecided on his prize option but is leaning toward a hunting and fishing trip in 2019. Second Place went to Jerrod Hansen of O’Halloran and Third Place went to Tom Jeffries of Uhl.

“The purpose of the Tech Rodeo was to recognize our top techs, reduce turnover, and promote a culture where techs feel valued.” says Cerni Motors Service Director, Tim Louk.

“We hope to continue this positive trend in breeding a culture of excellence among the Cerni Motors and Trivista service teams.”- John Cerni, President, Cerni Motors.

The Trivista Companies feel they have achieved that culture and are hoping to add additional experienced and dedicated technicians to their team across all locations. To apply to become a Trivista Tech, visit www.trivistatrucks.com/careers.