Skip to main content

Bridgestone Americas Press Center

November 15, 2018 NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Bridgestone Retail Operations Names 2018 ASE Master Technician of the Year

Erik Craddock of Appleton, Wisconsin honored at National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence awards banquet

Erik Craddock, 2018 ASE Master Technician of the Year

Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO) today announced that Erik Craddock, vehicle service technician, is the 2018 BSRO ASE Master L1 Technician of the Year. Craddock recently was honored at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) annual awards banquet in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, alongside more than 50 outstanding technicians from across the industry.

 “It is an honor to recognize Erik as the ASE Master Tech of the Year for BSRO,” said Joe Venezia, president, BSRO. “His work ethic and commitment to providing trusted tire and automotive service to every customer he serves are outstanding. We are extremely proud of what Erik has achieved and the positive influence he has on his fellow teammates.”

Craddock, who works at the Firestone Complete Auto Care location in Appleton, Wisconsin, was nominated by his leaders and selected for the top honor among 5,000 ASE-certified technicians in the BSRO organization. He joined BSRO in 1999 as a general service technician with no automotive service experience. Over the past 19 years, he has worked to achieve all A1–A8 automotive certifications and, most challenging of all, the L1 Advanced Level Specialist certification. Craddock has become the go-to mentor for his colleagues and other BSRO technicians across northern Wisconsin.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Craddock is a dedicated husband and father who coaches Tae Kwan Do. He also is very involved in the local community and recently helped create an anti-bullying and self-defense program to serve his neighbors.

ASE Technician of the Year honorees are submitted by their employers based on criteria including ASE test scores, on-the-job performance and community activities. ASE certified technicians are skilled at handling challenging mechanical service and maintenance. Achieving ASE Technician of the Year recognition is one of the highest honors a technician in the vehicle service industry can receive.

[Erik's] work ethic and commitment to providing trusted tire and automotive service to every customer he serves are outstanding.
Joe Venezia, president, BSRO
Joe Venezia, president, BSRO Click to Tweet

About Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC:

Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO) is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world — more than 2,200 tire and vehicle service centers across the United States — including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works store locations. Credit First National Association and Firestone Complete Fleet Care operations are also part of BSRO. BSRO is a member of the Bridgestone Americas family of companies.

If you're a journalist with questions about this story or other company news, please contact us.

Related Articles