Montana Autocare Center Owner Named 2007 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year

ATLANTA--Sept. 22, 2006--NAPA Auto Parts and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) have named Kit Johnson of East Helena, Montana the 2007 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year.

Johnson, owner of J4 Automotive, Inc. in East Helena is an ASE Master Certified Mechanic and holds numerous ASE Certifications. He was selected for the prestigious honor as a result of his 30 years of automotive experience, endless commitment and service to customers, continual dedication to his employees and leadership in the industry.

"After opening the store more than 10 years ago, my co-workers and I have prided ourselves on providing excellent customer service, a long-lasting dedication to continual learning and the value of being an important part of our community. It is an honor to receive such a highly regarded award in a demanding and changing industry," said Johnson.

The Technician of the Year award is presented annually by NAPA Auto Parts and the ASE to an individual in the automotive repair and maintenance industry that meets a detailed list of prerequisites. The recipient of the award is determined by a judging panel of former winners, automotive trade media and the president of the ASE. Johnson was in his seventh year of nominations upon receiving the award.

"The Technician of the Year award is one of the most honorable recognitions in our industry," said NAPA President Bob Susor. "Kit was chosen to receive the award as a result of his superior technical skills, years of dedication to the automotive industry and ongoing service to his customers. It is with great pride we present this award to him."

Johnson, who opened his shop in 1994, has grown his team to three automotive technicians, one lube/maintenance technician and a service advisor. In addition to many local and regional awards, J4 Automotive was the recipient of the AAA Top Shop award for customer service in the AAA Mountain West Region in 2001, 2003, 2005 and most recently in 2006.

"The most important customer we have is our employees and we constantly strive to acknowledge their efforts and dedication," said Johnson.

In addition to his recognition as 2007 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year, Johnson was also nominated for the 2006 Marine of the Year Award after serving many years as a member of the US Marine Corp and a Veteran of the Persian Gulf War.

About NAPA AUTO PARTS

NAPA AUTO PARTS distributes parts, accessories, tools and equipment to 6,000 NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and more than 12,000 NAPA AutoCare Centers nationwide. For more information about NAPA, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.