Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Champions for Automotive Education, a dynamic partnership between DARCARS and The Automobile Dealer Education Institute (ADEI), honored educational leaders on the morning of January 18, during the Washington, D.C. Auto Show’s Public Policy Show Day. The press event unfolded at the Washington Convention Center just hours before the doors opened to automotive industry leaders, government officials, and media contacts as they addressed the current state of the country’s essential automotive sector and its future initiatives.
The highlight of the morning was the presentation of the prestigious Champions for Automotive Education awards to outstanding educators in the automotive field. This year’s winners, recognized from across the DC metropolitan area, including the District of Columbia, Prince George’s County, Howard County, Fairfax County, and Montgomery County, were celebrated for their significant contributions to automotive education.
As a symbolic gesture of support, each awardee received keys to a leased, purely-electric Toyota bZ4X, representing tangible backing for their ongoing journey as champions in the automotive education landscape and their commitment to shaping the future generation. The objective was to provide these educators with firsthand experience of pure electric vehicles, empowering them to proficiently educate their students on maintaining and repairing electric vehicles.
“We are honored to continue supporting these esteemed educators,” said Joe Hemberger, Director of Education for ADEI. “Through the daily use of these new vehicles, these top educators within the DMV market will successfully expand their electric vehicle training capabilities.”
The awardees included:
John King, Fairfax High School
Jaesson Rodriguez, ADEI program of Prince George’s County
Dwayne French, Ballou High School
Steve Boden, Montgomery County Public Schools
Richard Gangloff, Montgomery County Public Schools
Truell Ard, Prince George’s County Public Schools
Tom Dearstine, Howard County Public Schools
Mathew Ariola, Thomas Edison High School
Henry Hall, Ballou High School
Champions for Auto Education is a transformative journey that DARCARS has embarked on to elevate automotive education, with a specific focus on electric vehicle technology. Its members are composed mainly of auto technician instructors in the DMV region who are affiliated with ADEI’s auto technician school. By partnering with leading auto manufacturers, this initiative strategically selects these educators to undergo specialized training with the goal of understanding the basic maintenance and repair of this new technology to ultimately train the auto technicians of tomorrow.
“As we have recognized the ongoing evolution in the automotive landscape with the introduction of electric vehicles, we have taken a front seat to advancing training programs for our educators,” said Jamie Darvish, COO of DARCARS. “We understand that the key to shaping the future lies in the hands of skilled technicians.”
DARCARS commitment extends even further as they host training classes specifically tailored to first responders. “As these advanced vehicles become more prevalent on the roads and in homes, the understanding of their unique characteristics is vital for efficiently and safely managing EV-related incidents,” said Darvish. Proper knowledge learned through these programs equips first responders to navigate potential hazards, address emergencies effectively, and ensure the safety of both occupants and themselves.
“This holistic approach underscores DARCARS’ dedication to fostering a generation of educators and first responders who are well-versed in the intricacies of electric vehicle technology,” said Darvish. “Upon their completion of the program, we now have a pool of knowledgeable individuals ready to tackle EV-related needs and incidents.”
Along with DARCARS, the Washington, D.C. Auto Show is also committed to automotive education. Annually, the show collaborates with Toyota to host Career Day, an industry-focused initiative welcoming over 200 local students eager to explore the automotive sector. These students are granted exclusive access to the show floor, offering them a unique opportunity to gain insights into the dynamic world of the automotive industry, learn about job opportunities within the field, and embrace the current technology from the industry experts currently leading the way.
The Washington, D.C. Auto Show opens to the public tomorrow and will continue to welcome visitors through Sunday, January 28. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on the Auto Show’s website at www.washingtonautoshow.com.
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About DARCARS Champions for Automotive Education
Champions for Automotive Education represents a joint initiative led by DARCARS and WANADA, committed to propelling education forward and nurturing future leaders in the automotive industry. Tailored training programs empower today's educators with essential skills to adeptly maintain and repair electric vehicles, allowing them to pass on this knowledge to the next generation of auto technicians.
About Toyota
Toyota is proud to sponsor the Washington DC Auto Show Career Day and support initiatives that promote education and innovation in the automotive sector.
About WANADA’s ADEI Program
The Automobile Dealer Education Institute (ADEI) is a non-profit program whose mission is to train men and women for successful dealership careers in the DC metro region. Currently they are training over 75 auto tech apprentices around the region, in addition to its other job placement and employee training functions. ADEI is part of the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA), a non-profit trade association with over 200 franchised new car dealership members in the Washington area.
About Washington, D.C. Auto Show
The Washington, D.C. Auto Show is held each January at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and is the largest annual indoor public event in the District of Columbia. For more than 80 years, the auto show has modified their programming to accommodate the latest advances and trends in car technology. With the rise in connectivity and autonomous capabilities, the 2024 Auto Show will highlight mobility advancements in all forms of transportation through its brand-new DC eDrives experience. Browse the extensive displays of battery-powered vehicles, sustainable buses, and new forms of all-electric mobility, along with the classic fan favorites like the exotic and luxury car displays. The 2024 Washington, D.C. Auto Show will be open to the public for 10 consecutive days, from January 19 through January 28, 2024.
Michaela Watkins Washington, D.C. Auto Show mwatkins@symmetry.agency
