International Master Fitter Competition

SEPTEMBER 8, 2006—Jeff Olive Named U.S. Champion Auto Glass Technician

The National Glass Association (NGA) is pleased to announce that Jeff Olive of Glasspro, Inc. in Mount Pleasant, SC was named U.S. Champion Auto Glass Technician in a competition held today by NGA in suburban Washington, DC. Mark Taylor of Portland Glass in Portland, ME and Carl Sorrels of Northwest Windshields, Inc. in Walla Walla, WA finished in second and third place respectively.

As the U.S. Champion, Jeff Olive will represent the United States and NGA in the International Master Fitter Competition in Düsseldorf, Germany, October 27-28, 2006 at glasstec 2006. The two runner-up finalists will also go to Germany to show support for the United States in the competition.

After being named U.S. Champion, Jeff Olive shared his thoughts on the honor, “My fellow finalists were very qualified to be in the competition, but I feel what set me apart was my relaxed approach. I felt pretty confident the whole way through.” Jeff also shared that he is very excited to be representing the U.S. in Germany and he will be joined by his wife and 6-month old daughter for the journey.

The competition was judged by Gilbert Gutierrez of Equalizer Industries, Inc. and Jay Sampson of Safety Auto Glass. NGA’s Leo Cyr served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. NGA received generous donations for the competition from Old Dominion Glass in Richmond, VA and Equalizer Industries, Inc. in Round Rock, TX. Dale Malcolm of Dow Automotive came out to watch the action, as well as many local NGA members.

Video highlights of the NGA competition will be available on NGA’s Web site on Monday, September 11, 2006.

The International Master Fitter Competition is organized by Automotive Glazing Europe UEMV and is held in conjunction with glasstec 2006. The competition hosts champion auto glass installers from participating countries from around the world to compete against each other to determine who performs the highest quality auto glass replacement and repair. For updates on our U.S. Champion’s “Road to Germany”, visit www.glass.org/cert/mfitter.htm. For information on the International Master Fitter Competition, visit http://www.uemv.com/.

AUGUST 25, 2006—U.S. Champion Master Auto Technician: Who will it be?

Join us on September 8th to come out to watch the competition, support your fellow NGA members, and see who will become the U.S. Champion!

When: September 8, 2006
Time: 10am – 4pm, with break from 12:00pm-1:15pm
(You may come at anytime during these hours to catch the action!)
Where: Fairview Park Marriott
3111 Fairview Park Drive
Falls Church, VA 22042
Located off of the Capital Beltway I- 495 at Rt. 50. Directions can be found at: http://www.marriott.com/ and looking up “Fairview Park Marriott” or by contacting the hotel directly at: 703/849-9400.
Admission: FREE!
Glass and accessories have kindly been supplied by NGA member company, Old Dominion Glass of Richmond, VA!
Old Dominion Glass
8411 Oak View Ave.
Richmond, VA
Ph: 804/264-2755

AUGUST 10, 2006—Meet our Finalists...

Jeff Olive
Glasspro, Inc.
Mount Pleasant, SC
Jeff has 25 years of experience in auto glass replacement.  He is a NGA Master Certified Auto Glass Technician.  He considers the Jaguar XJ8 1980-1987 models, the Ford Escort 1981 model, and Lexus SC430 Convertible 2002-2006 models to be his most challenging installations.  He is a member of his local Chamber of Commerce and an active member of his community.
Carl Sorrels
Northwest Windshields, Inc.
Walla Walla, WA
Carl has 13 years of experience in auto glass replacement.  He is a NGA Master Certified Auto Glass Technician.  He considers the Ford Mustang 1964 mid-year model, the Chevy G-Series Van late 80’s-early 90’s models, and the 1950 Studebaker to be his most challenging installations.  He is a member of his local Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau and is a former U.S. Marine reserve.
Mark Taylor
Portland Glass
Portland, ME
Mark has 18 years of experience in auto glass replacement.  He is a NGA Master Certified Auto Glass Technician.  He considers the Mercedes-Benz GL & ML models, the Freightliner Century Class models, and the Hummer H2 models to be his most challenging installations.  He is active in a local snowmobile club and a member of the American Hosta Society.

The three finalists will compete head to head in an event hosted by NGA on September 8, 2006 in suburban Washington, DC to determine the U.S. Champion. The U.S. Champion will then represent the United States and NGA in the International Master Fitter Competition in Düsseldorf, Germany, October 27-28, 2006 at glasstec 2006. NGA has also announced that it will be taking the champion and the two runner-up finalists to Germany to support the United States in the competition.

“We are looking forward to hosting our own competition right here in suburban Washington, DC—our nation’s capital,” states Philip J. James, NGA President & CEO. “There’s no better place to select our U.S. Champion. We’re pleased to bring all three finalists to Germany with us to make sure that our U.S. Champion can feel the support of his country during the competition.”

The finalists have all expressed their feeling of honor in having been selected. “I consider it quite an honor to be recognized by NGA as one of the top three auto glass installers in the U.S.,” says finalist Jeff Olive. “I’m ecstatic about going to Germany with the possibility of competing in the international competition. I hope to walk away a winner.” Finalist Mark Taylor commented, “I’m honored to be chosen a finalist. I’m looking forward to competing for the championship and I’m hoping to better myself in the process.” And finalist Carl Sorrels summed up his feelings by saying, “I’m thrilled and honored.”

Finalists were chosen from applications submitted to NGA and reviewed by a panel of judges—Gilbert Gutierrez of Equalizer Industries, Inc.; Jay Sampson of Safety Auto Glass; and Leo Cyr, NGA’s VP of Auto Glass. Entries were only accepted from auto glass technicians who are NGA Master-Certified. After a pre-screening application was submitted, qualified entrants were then asked a series of questions to determine their technical competency in both replacement and repair and their commitment to safety and training. Competition judges were unanimous in their choice of the top three finalists.

NGA’s competition will take place on September 8, 2006 at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, VA. The competition is open to the public. More details to come.

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JULY 25, 2006—The judges have reviewed the applications and narrowed down the candidates. The 3 semi-finalists will be announced SOON! Stay tuned....

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JUNE 30, 2006—NGA is currently reviewing applications from auto glass technicians from around the country who are vying for a chance to represent the United States in the International Master Fitter Competition to be held October 27-28, 2006 in Germany.

The International Master Fitter Competition is organized by Automotive Glazing Europe UEMV and is held in conjunction with glasstec 2006. The competition hosts champion auto glass installers from participating countries from around the world to compete against each other to determine who performs the highest quality auto glass replacement and repair. The competition began in 2000 and this is the first year NGA will participate. NGA is the sole American representative in the competition.

The U.S. applicants will be narrowed down to 3 semi-finalists in late July. The 3 semi-finalists will then each be observed in their place of work by NGA representatives to determine the final champion. The U.S. Champion will receive an all-expenses paid trip for 2 to Germany to compete in the competition.

Check back frequently for updates.

U.S. Champion Master Auto Glass Technician Competition Judges
Gilbert Gutierrez Equalizer Industries, Inc.
Jay Sampson Safety Auto Glass
Leo Cyr National Glass Association

Thank you to our sponsors for taking pride in our U.S. auto glass technicians!