Joe Conklin of Zeigler Honda of Kalamazoo Earns 2024 National ASE Honda Master Technician of the Year Award

Zeigler Auto Group is proud to announce that Joe Conklin of Zeigler Honda of Kalamazoo has earned the 2024 National ASE Honda Master Technician of the Year Award. The award-winning master tech accepted his award in New Orleans during the 2024 ASE Awards of Excellence Winners Gala. He was one of only sixteen award winners, one for each auto manufacturer, and this year's national Honda winner.

Kalamazoo, Mich (January 6, 2025) Zeigler Auto Group is excited to announce that Joe Conklin, a skilled technician at Zeigler Honda of Kalamazoo, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 National ASE Honda Master Technician of the Year Award. Conklin received this distinguished recognition at the 2024 ASE Awards of Excellence Winners Gala held in New Orleans this past November. 

"I am truly honored to be named North American ASE Honda Master Technician of the Year. I am grateful to be representing Zeigler Auto Group and American Honda as a master technician with over 25 years of service and top overall test scores. I was shocked to get a call from ASE letting me know that I won," said Conklin.

The ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) honors the nation's top automotive professionals annually through the ASE Awards of Excellence. The Master Technician of the Year Award celebrates those who demonstrate outstanding proficiency with the highest ASE credentials as well as leadership in the automotive repair field. Only 16 awards are given out annually, one for each automotive manufacturer represented. Conklin took home this year's national award for the American Honda Corporation.

"I am truly honored to be named North American ASE Honda Master Technician of the Year. I am grateful to be representing Zeigler Auto Group and American Honda as a master technician with over 25 years of service and top overall test scores. I was shocked to get a call from ASE letting me know that I won."

Joe Conklin, Honda/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year

"We are incredibly proud of Joe for this well-deserved recognition," said Bob Kuehl, Vice President of Fixed Operations at Zeigler Auto Group. "His hard work, passion, and technical skills have earned him a spot among the best in the industry, and we are fortunate to have him as part of our team."

Zeigler Auto Group

Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.

Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.

The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.

Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2023.

The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor's 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2024, and among Glassdoor's top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.