Kia selects four top techs to represent U.S. in international competition

Four Kia Motors America (KMA) technicians are representing the United States and KMA at the 2008 Kia Skill World Cup in Seoul.

Technicians competing in the event, which runs through April 25, are Richard C. Middendorf, Jr., 42, an automotive technician at Jake Sweeney Kia in Florence, Ky.; Michael L. Cole, 25, an automotive technician at Capitol Kia in Madison, Wis.; Seth Heffney, 22, an automotive technician at Paramount Kia in Hickory, N.C.; and William T. Shaughnessy, 36, an automotive technician at Metro Kia in Johnston, R.I.

These techs recently competed in a field of 16 of the best Kia technicians from around the country at the 2008 Kia Skill National Cup at Kia’s Irvine corporate headquarters where he took first place. The top four earned the right to battle against the best Kia technicians from more than 40 countries at the World Cup.

To compete at the National Cup, technicians had to achieve 2008 Level III Kia Master Technician status, one of the top scores in an online qualifying test, positive customer response on customer satisfaction surveys and a KMA regional office endorsement.

"Of the thousands of Kia technicians around the country only the best of the best earned the right to represent KMA on a world stage," says John Crowe, vice president, service of KMA. "I congratulate (these technicians) on this incredible accomplishment and wish (them) the best of luck at the World Cup."

Middendorf has 23 years experience as an automotive technician and has been with Jake Sweeney Kia for six years. He is a certified National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Technician.

Shaughnessy has 17 years experience as an automotive technician and has been with Metro Kia for three years. He is a ASE Master Technician and L1 Technician. He has one son, Joshua, age 6.

Heffney, also an ASE Master Technician, has five years experience as an automotive technician and has been with Paramount Kia for two and a half years.

Cole has seven years experience as an automotive technician and has been with Capitol Kia for four and a half years. He is an ASE Master Technician and holds an automotive service technician associates in applied science degree from St. Cloud Technical College in St. Cloud, Minn. While a student in St. Cloud, Cole was the second place national finisher in the 2003 SkillsUSA -- VICA Championship. He is married to Betty, a student at University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, and has one son, Issac, age 4.

For more information, visit www.kia.com.