Each year, Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) rewards a selected technician to receive the AED Technician of the Year award. The AEDF Foundation (AEDF) is a non-profit foundation for the Heavy Equipment industry and is the sister organization to Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), the international trade association for equipment distributors, manufacturers, and service providers.
The AED Foundation is actively addressing the serious shortage of skilled professionals in the equipment distribution industry through expansion of our, “community-based, school-to-work”, school partnership strategy. They are putting dealers, manufacturers, and educators together, working toward the common goal of growing a new generation of highly demanded, highly skilled, and highly rewarding technical positions in the heavy equipment industry. Thompson Machinery’s very own, Hunter Jenne, was awarded the Southwest Region winner.
Hunter Jenne tells us, “Being nominated by Thompson for the AED Technician of the Year is a highlight of my career so far. It is meaningful beyond words that the people I work with, and respect nominated me for this honor. The feeling of being selected and standing next to some of the best in the heavy equipment industry to receive my award was humbling. It was an incredible experience to meet and speak with others in the industry from all over the country. The AED Foundation did a fantastic job with the gala and the award ceremony. The hospitality of the members of the Foundation was wonderful.”
Hunter currently resides in Hernando, MS with his wife and two children. In his free time, you can find him in the woods hunting, on the lake fishing, or spending time with his family. He looks forward to continuing his career and sharing his knowledge with the next generation of heavy equipment technicians.
David Griffith, our West Region Product Support Manager, nominated Hunter for the AED Technician of the Year. Griffith mentioned that Hunter was one of six technicians to receive this award. Griffith says, “Hunter is very knowledgeable about the equipment industry and demonstrates this through his impeccable work ethic. He has worked in all areas of the shop and field including welding, troubleshooting and diagnostics as well as applied failure analysis. His diversification in these areas has led him to be THE top mechanic in our shop. There is no job too small or complicated for him. He has embraced all opportunities to advance his education as it relates to getting the job done quickly and efficiently. His overall attitude toward satisfying the customer, as well as making sure the job is done right the first time, is evident from the comments received by our customer feedback. Over the years, he has made a personal investment in tools that were specific to a job with no hesitation. He has also put in countless hours of overtime to be sure our obligations to the customer were met. In doing so, he has exemplified to our younger mechanics what it means to get the job done. The result is inspiring them to mirror what it takes to be number one in the industry. His leadership is accepted by both his peers and top management. For these reasons, Hunter is most deserving of this award.”
