- Awards Spotlight Top Scorers on the ASE Certification Tests, On-The-Job Excellence and Community Service -

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Feb. 2 - Subaru of America, Inc., is pleased to announce that Toby Costa of Maita Subaru in Sacramento, California is this year's recipient of the Subaru/ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year award. This is the first year that Subaru of America, Inc. and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence has presented the award.

In addition to receiving a plaque from ASE, Mr. Costa received a recognition plaque from Fuji Heavy Industries (parent company of Subaru of America, Inc.) and a $1,000 presentation check for outstanding service from Subaru of America. Out of 86 finalists the following nine Subaru technicians finished as runners-up to round out the top 10:

1) Shawn Mitchell, Subaru of Richmond

2) George Weller, Ambassador Subaru

3) Shane Maas, Cascade Subaru-Wenatchee

4) Chris Debban, Team Subaru of Nampa

5) Jeffrey Sparrow, Mastro Subaru-Tampa

6) George Thabet, Maita Subaru

7) Jared Kalina, Power Subaru of Scottsdale

8) Anthony DiSalvo, Ganley Subaru Aurora Inc.

9) John Ochsner, Subaru of Sioux Falls

Mr. Costa is a Shop Foreman who has been with Maita Subaru for ten years and has more than thirty years experience as a technician. He has also been a Subaru Senior Master Technician since 1992.

Twenty-four different companies from both OEM and Aftermarket segments sponsor the individual technician recognition awards in the Auto, Truck and Collision categories. In addition to looking for top scores on ASE tests, award sponsors examine on-the-job excellence, community service and other factors when selecting honorees.