Last week, 10 outstanding Ruan technicians gathered at our Des Moines, IA, headquarters to participate in Ruan’s eighth annual Top Technician event. The week was filled with networking, professional development, and culminated in the highly anticipated 2025 Top Technician competition.
Out of the 10 finalists, Jacob Grayson of Smyrna, TN, earned the top honor, taking home first place. Jacob received a $5,000 cash prize and will go on to represent Ruan at the Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) SuperTech competition in Raleigh, NC.
Brandon Crews of Cedartown, GA, secured second place, while Phillip Rorrer of Brooklyn, OH, finished third. Both earned cash prizes and will also represent Ruan at the SuperTech competition.
"This past week, our technicians demonstrated the same precision, discipline, and commitment they apply every day to improve fleet uptime and deliver reliable service to our customers," said Ruan Senior Vice President of Maintenance Operations Lance Cheney. "We are incredibly proud of their technical expertise, as well as the leadership and professionalism they consistently display. It is truly an honor to support and work alongside a team that forms the foundation of our success.”
The road to the finals began with a 100-question online assessment back in April, designed to measure a broad spectrum of maintenance knowledge. The 10 highest-scoring technicians advanced to the hands-on competition held at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny, IA. There, they rotated through 11 skill-based stations, including: DOT/PM Inspection, Wheel Ends, OEM Software, Steering and Suspension, Fifth Wheel, Brakes, Service Information, Heavy Duty Vehicle Fluids, Starting and Charing Systems, Fasteners, and Tires and Wheels.
Pictured left to right: Jose Sosa, Jonathan Mendoza, Phillip Rorrer, Jacob Pack, Ricardo Gomez, Jacob Grayson, Brandon Crews, Alberto Urquijo, Mitchell Shoppa, Jesus Rodriguez Jr.
As part of our continued commitment to development, Ruan also hosted a student competition for DMACC technician students, who participated in a version of the Top Tech competition. Among the eight student participants, Carter Kies earned first place honors.
At Ruan, we remain committed to recognizing and celebrating the technical talent that keeps our fleet moving safely and efficiently. Congratulations to all our participants, we look forward to next year’s competition!