TechForce Foundation, SEMA Show Open Public Voting for Techs Rock Awards
Twelve finalists across six technician career categories are competing for two grand prizes to be awarded at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas…
TechForce Foundation has opened public voting for its 2026 Techs Rock Awards, a national program recognizing the students and professionals building careers across automotive, diesel, aviation, welding, HVAC and other skilled technician fields. The awards span six technician career categories, including Emerging Technologies presented by Hertz, and HVAC, Homes & Buildings presented by Carrier.
Nearly 800 nominations from 46 states have been narrowed down to 12 finalists by a panel of industry leaders. Public voting will determine two grand prize winners, one student and one working technician, who will be honored this November at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Voting is now open through Oct. 12 at TechForce.org/Vote.
“These 12 were put forward by the people who work next to them every day and then chosen by some of the most respected names in this industry,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO of TechForce Foundation. “When the public votes, they’re telling every young person thinking about this path that the work matters, and so do they.”
“The SEMA Show is where the future of the automotive aftermarket comes together, and there is no better place to celebrate the incredible talent driving our industry forward,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “TechForce Foundation’s Techs Rock Awards highlight the skill, dedication and passion that keep our workforce thriving, and SEMA is proud to welcome these national finalists to Las Vegas.”
The judging panel included Spagnola; Melanie White, CEO of Hellwig Products and SEMA board chair; Jim Liaw, president of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach; Michael Good, president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum; Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists; Sean Holman, host of “The Truck Show Podcast”; Emily Reeves of Flying Sparks Garage; and Charles Sanville, The Humble Mechanic.
What the Winners Receive
Every category winner takes home a 224-piece Carlyle Master Tool Set and multipurpose stool valued at $1,500, according to a company press release. The two grand prize winners receive round-trip airfare for two, a hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, full access to the SEMA Show, recognition at the SEMA Industry Honors, tickets to SEMA Fest, and a 580-piece Carlyle Master Tool Set with a service jack, two die grinders and an air compressor valued at $8,000.
The 2026 Category Winners
Future Techs (Students)
- Automotive & Motorsports: Trey Walker, CMU Tech at Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, Colorado
- Diesel: Dylan Bliss, Universal Technical Institute, Orlando, Florida
- Collision, Restoration & Welding: Haley Lau, Central Carolina Community College, Sanford, North Carolina
- Aviation, Motorcycle & Marine: Jeremy Echavarria, Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, Riverside, California
- Emerging Technologies, presented by Hertz: Laila Quezada, Southwest Technical College, Cedar City, Utah
- HVAC, Homes & Buildings, presented by Carrier: Justin Fernandez, Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, New York
Working Techs (Professionals)
- Automotive & Motorsports: Jon Donnell, Mevert Automotive & Tire Center, Steeleville, Illinois
- Diesel: Haade Ramadan, Penske Truck Leasing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Collision, Restoration & Welding: Tajdana “Kleo” Hallenbeck, Lincoln Tech graduate, Columbia, Maryland
- Aviation, Motorcycle & Marine: Nathalie Ortiz, Aviation Institute of Maintenance graduate, Phoenix, Arizona
- Emerging Technologies, presented by Hertz: Kain Kimberlin, Aggreko, Pearland, Texas
- HVAC, Homes & Buildings, presented by Carrier: Henry Grigsby, Pinnacle Career Institute, Kansas City, Missouri
