Top technician shares his story

Adam Ketterl, Gates/ASE Technician of the Year, shares his thoughts on certification, vehicle maintenance services he likes to perform and how he teaches consumers.

Jan. 1, 2020

3 min read

Adam Ketterl Gates Automotive ASE technician of the year automotive aftermarket automotive parts

Motor Age: What services do you enjoy performing on cars?

Ketterl: I think my favorite thing is doing diagnostic and electrical work. It really makes me think and it feels really good when I figure out a tough problem. There are times, however, when it is very frustrating. At that point it is nice to do a routine service like brakes or an alignment, or whatever needs doing. I repair just about anything on a vehicle, so it is great to get variety.

Motor Age: Why is being ASE certified important to you?

Ketterl: Being certified is important to me for several reasons. It helps my customers to know that they can be confident in my work. It makes me more marketable to employers. I should be able to get a better paying job and have more choice of where I want to work. It is also important to me to help prove to myself that I can be the best. It makes me feel good and proud of what I do. It is obvious to me why everyone should be ASE certified: better pay, better jobs, more productive and you know you're capable of high quality work.

Motor Age: What do you like to teach consumers about their vehicles?

Ketterl: I think that fluid maintenance is very important and one of the most neglected things. I think it is cheap insurance to have good clean fluid in every part of the vehicle possible. I also think that people need to try to get to know their own vehicles the best that they can. Even if someone is getting on my nerves by asking questions, I still try to encourage it. The more they know about their vehicle, the better they take care of it.

Motor Age: What made you interested in going into automotive service?

Ketterl: I grew up in a rural community and my parents farm, so I was exposed to all kinds of mechanical things. I built anything I could when I was little. As I got older, I helped my dad on the farm. He had gone to school in farm mechanics, so he would do most of the repairs around the farm and I got to help. I think what really hooked me though was Dad's '57 Chevy. As soon as I was old enough, I began tinkering with and driving it. Then there was no question. I wanted to go to college to learn about working on cars.