Norm Schultz, the AAPEX 2020 Technician of the Year, is ASE Master Certified, works 50 to 60 hours a week, gets a minimum of 40 hours of training per year and credits his success to perseverance and the school of hard knocks.

Schultz works for Interstate Auto Care, Madison Heights, Mich. He is described as the epitome of professionalism and dedication, with an exceptional work ethic, as well as a sense of pride in his workmanship.

He is master certified in auto and light truck and medium and heavy truck, and regularly uses industry resources, including Identifix and iATN, for repair and diagnostic information and to network with other seasoned technicians.

He has full discretion to source new diagnostic equipment and tools, and to schedule online and offline training for himself and his crew.

Although Schultz has a long commute to work each day, he has helped countless customers in their time of need, such as staying late on Christmas Eve to put a vehicle on the road for a stranded family.

Schultz says he chose to become an automotive technician to work on one of the most complicated consumer products around. He enjoys the challenge of finding solutions to a problem and the pride that he gets in sticking with it until he figures it out.

Interstate Auto Care has been his place of work for 12 years, but more importantly, it has become his second family, and he takes great pride in the team he works with on a daily basis.

The first annual AAPEX 2020 Technician of the Year award was presented during the Virtual AAPEX Experience in early November. The new award recognizes and elevates the essential services that technicians provide to keep the motoring public on the road, even during times of crisis.

The Virtual AAPEX Experience served as the hub of training, insights and connections for the more than $1 trillion global automotive aftermarket industry. It featured instructor- and exhibitor-led training, product and equipment demos from industry suppliers, the New Product Showcase, and opportunities to connect one-on-one with exhibitors to talk products and conduct business.

AAPEX 2021 will return to the Sands Expo and Caesars Forum Conference Center in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Nov. 4.

Historically, AAPEX features approximately 2,500 exhibiting companies displaying their latest products, services and technologies that keep the world’s 1.3 billion vehicles on the road.

AAPEX buyers include automotive service and repair professionals, auto parts retailers, independent warehouse distributors, program groups, service chains, automotive dealers, fleet buyers and engine builders.

AAPEX is a trade-only event and is closed to the general public.

AAPEX is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). For more information, visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com. On social media, follow AAPEX at #VirtualAAPEX.