AGRR - November/December 2007 - AGRR Magazine

Rich DiMassa,Dents OutPlusKelly Ditto,Cindy RoweAuto GlassGeorge Lytton,NOVUS AutoGlassKyle Melton,Glass Worksof WisconsinJeff Olive,GlassproBob Simoni,Dr. Bob's WindshieldRepair Service Inc.Rick Skeen,Safelite RepairCompanybly how we’ll do it again next year,” Coman says.Charles Turiello of Kingston, Pa.-based DiamondGlass also was on-hand to support hiscompany’s contestants, Bob Hosta, Jeff Morgantiand Aaron Thrasher. Thrasher took second placein the competition.“We’re already looking forward to next year andwe’re shooting for the gold,” Turiello says.Either way, though, Turiello is pleased with thisyear’s competition. “Everyone [at Diamond] isvery happy on where we placed and we’re especiallyhappy with the work that the technicians putin over the course since our semi-finals,” he says.“We’re proud of our technicians.”The AGTO is co-sponsored by the IndependentGlass Association (IGA) and AGRR magazine/glass-BYTEs.com. In addition, corporate sponsors includedPilkington, SRP, AEGIS Tools International,Dow Automotive, A.N. Designs, Equalizer, MygrantGlass, OETech, Mainstreet Computers, GTS Services,SIKA Corp., ADCO Products and Glass.net.The WRO is co-sponsored by the NationalWindshield Repair Association (NWRA) andAGRR magazine/glassBYTEs.com. CorporateWRO sponsors were GlasWeld, Glazex, AEGISTools International and Glass Medic.Judges RecognizeContestants for InnovationIn addition to the prizes awarded for first, secondand third place, the judges this year also presentedinnovation awards to Rob Grace, of CindyRowe Auto Glass, and Ernie Espinoza of Izon AutoGlass, for using distinctive methods of removal andinstallation in the competition.continued on page 46Spotlight on WROMatt Anderson ofNovus Auto Glassin Spokane Valley,Wash., took homefirst place in thesecond Annual WaltGorman MemorialWindshield RepairOlympics. Anderson,a first-time contestant,said he has Matt Andersonbeen preparing forthe competition everyday for the last sixyears since he opened his own Novusfranchise.“I do this everyday,” he said. “Preparing essentiallyinvolved making sure I’d have everythingI have everyday here in Las Vegas.”When asked if he was surprised by the win,Anderson noted he felt confident in his ability—butunsure of the unexpected.“I was confident coming in, but it’s reallyhard to be sure how your going to do in somethinglike this,” he said.And the most difficult part of the competitionwas the part most might enjoy, says thehumble Anderson.“[The hardest part was] being in the spotlight,”he told AGRR magazine/glassBYTEs.com.Rich DiMassa of DentsOut Plus in Torrance,2007Calif., took secondGoldplace, and Kelly Ditto ofMedalistCindy Rowe Auto Glass inHarrisburg, Pa., took third.Auto GlassRepair TechnicianWorld’s BestAaronThrasher,Diamond GlassMatt Thompson,Royal AutoGlassSamuel B.Shipley,Royal Glass Co.Tony Shaw,RestorationAuto GlassJesse Miles,Rockford AutoGlassJeff Morganti,DiamondGlassVictor Narvarte,Stockton AutoGlassBrendan Picard,NOVUS AutoGlassAndrewPoluyanskis,Rockford Auto GlassScott Richardson,First ClassAuto Glass LLCwww.agrrmag.com November/December 2007 AGRR 45