Victor Reinz is proud to announce that Tim Gunter has been named this year’s Victor Reinz Machinist of the Year.
A machinist for more than 13 years, Gunter currently works as a machinist for TTP/Diesel Power & Machine in Pierceton, IN, where he is a key asset to their machine shop. His early beginnings as a machinist stemmed from his constantly helping his father fix broken machines.
“It always came natural to me, but dad could never get it right,” said Gunter. “Whenever the lawnmower or mini-bike broke, he always came to me to repair it.” Gunter recalls getting his first job in the business working for a Cadillac dealer when he was only nineteen. “To get the job, I had to put together a Corvette 454 and make it run.”
The judges stated the deciding factors for this year’s winner included an outstanding work history, letters of recommendation and dedicated community involvement. Clevite said being in the business for more than 27 years and being District Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America were key factors in making their choice. While there is no merit badge for machinery, Gunter, still shares his passion with his boys, stating, “We’ll walk through the shop and I’ll show them various parts and what they do.”
Along with the AERA and the ASE, Clevite Engine Parts established the Victor Reinz Machinist of the Year Award in order to recognize the valuable contributions machinists make to the automotive rebuilding industry. This year’s award was presented at the RPM Trade Show in Indianapolis, IN, on August 30, 2006.
To be eligible for the award, a machinist needs to be a full-time employee of a machine shop specializing in either automotive or heavy-duty engine work. The machinist also needs to be ASE certified in any one of the three specialist classifications — Cylinder Head Specialist, Cylinder Block Specialist or Engine Assembly Specialist. The judges then take into consideration applicants’ special machining and training along with their level of community involvement and their ability to represent the industry in a positive manner.
The Victor Reinz Machinist of the Year Award consists of an all-expense paid trip to the RPM Trade Show, $500 dollars in spending money, a custom Victor Reinz jacket and a commemorative plaque. Information on the Machinist of the Year Award can be found on the Clevite Engine Parts website at www.engineparts.com.