Bridgestone Retail Operations, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, has named Andrew Richards as the 2023 Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Technician of the Year. Richards, a graduate of Universal Technical Institute in Houston, was recently celebrated at an award ceremony by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
Richards began his career at a Firestone Complete Auto Care store in Arlington, Texas, in 2012 as a maintenance tech. Over the years, he has dedicated himself to enhancing his technical skills, achieving ASE Master certification and L1 certification. Currently serving as a lead technician, Richards is known for mentoring new technicians and contributing to their professional development. In addition to his professional achievements, Richards volunteers with the National Stuttering Association, assisting individuals with stuttering challenges in group speaking and public presentation skills.
Marko Ibrahim, president of Bridgestone Retail Operations, praised Richards for his work.
“Andrew sets the standard through his example, infusing those around him with positivity and humility. His unwavering commitment to our Promise to Care and delivering the industry’s most trusted service is evident,” Ibrahim said. “It is indeed a privilege to honor Andrew’s professional growth and dedication to excellence with this year’s ASE Master Technician of the Year award.”
Richards expressed his dedication to customer service and safety.
“Each day, my number one goal is to ensure our customers receive service that benefits them and helps keep them safe on the road,” Richards said. “I’m so proud of the work we do in Arlington, and receiving this award should be a celebration for us all.”
The ASE Technician of the Year is selected by employers based on ASE test scores, job performance and community involvement. BSRO, which operates over 2,200 retail locations in the U.S. under various brand names, considers this recognition as one of the highest honors for technicians in the vehicle service industry.