"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing!" - Henry Ford
Technicians Service Training (TST) was spun off from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) automotive technician service group, Service Technicians Society (STS). When SAE shut down their affiliate STS, "G" Jerry Truglia felt there was a void in providing information to technicians for a reasonable price. G and former STS board member Pierre Respaut shared a common interest in keeping technicians updated on today’s technology. They formed TST, a 501(c)(3) educational non profit organization that functions as a “not-for-profit” organization, to help fellow technicians and shop owners by sharing their knowledge.
TST produces an annual daylong training program called the “Big Event,” and is devoted to the following since its inception:
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Keeping our fellow technicians up to date with the latest technology.
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Providing quality training seminars and educational materials at a reasonable price.
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Delivering practical, useful repair information.
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Keeping technicians informed of industry trends.
TST is a group of dedicated technicians and instructors who believe in updating and educating our fellow technicians, providing reasonably priced seminars as well as a yearly full-day Saturday “Big Event”. Our seminars are presented by nationally recognized instructors, who are all “hands-on” industry experts with up to date knowledge about current trends and practices. They provide useful information and skills to help you master those tough jobs that we all see on a regular basis.
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TST's newsletter is full of real world technical articles, diagnostic case studies and solutions to the kinds of problems you may see in your bays every week. We welcome all new articles.
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TST members frequently contribute to our newsletter which we encourage.
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TST member benefits include: discounts on seminars, webcasts, videos, books and other available training, as well as tools, equipment.
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TST seminars are an excellent place to network with the best technicians in the business.
"G" Jerry Truglia
Founder/President
"G" Jerry Truglia is a ASE World Class Technician
ASE Triple Master Technician in Automotive, Truck & School Bus
Advanced Engine Performance Specialist (L1)
Advanced Light Duty Hybrid/Electrical Vehicles (L3)
Light Duty Diesel (A9)
Exhaust systems (X1)
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) (F1)
Automobile Service Consultant (C1)
Mr. "G" (Jerry) Truglia is recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency as one of the foremost OBD II experts, technicians, and trainers in the country. He achieved National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, won a golden wrench award and is one of 1900 ever to be certified as a "World Class Technician". He provides technical material, is an author and technical advisor for the New York automotive technology training program and has authored numerous books and magazine articles. "G" also provided automotive training to the United States Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan. He has also work for Peugeot in France, ATRA in Australia, ASA, ASACA (Instructor of the Year Award - 2 years), ASAKC and many colleges, trade school besides providing Train the Train to instructors for ATC, Lincoln Tech, UTI, Ohio Diesel and others.
"G" is an experienced presenter and trainer and has presented at Mobile Air Conditioning Society conferences, five SAE World Congresses, the Clean Air Conference, and for many years at I/M Solutions conferences. He is an adjunct professor at Rutgers University and was a certified instructor in the New York dyno testing program. He developed the OBD II training program and testing for the NYVIP inspection program that was installed on over 13,000 New York State Inspection machines.
"G" has extensive experience in the automotive field as a technician, service manager, shop owner of twelve different repair shop – five at once, and technical writer. He was a senior curriculum developer who provides training programs for automotive and truck inspection and repair programs. "G" developed the Massachusetts inspection manual for heavy-duty vehicles that was approved by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. He developed and has provided on-board diagnostic system, OBD II, and automotive training for the states of Alaska, California, Connecticut, Ohio, Oregon, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Pierre Respaut
Vice President
Pierre Respaut is a 50+ year veteran of the automotive repair industry. He owned a BMW repair shop (Ultimate Cars) for 30 years and has worked in dealerships and independent repair shops, some mobile technician work, training for Bosch and technical support for ATS (Automotive Test Solutions).
Pierre Has been active in BIMRS, STS and TST to help promote professionalism in the auto repair industry.
Rich Peterson
Secretry
Rich Peterson, also known as "Richie Shorts" for his electrical expertise, has operated a mobile diagnostic business in North Jersey since 1976 servicing dealers and repair shops.
He also runs an auto electric tech support program. Rich has worked with electrical systems in high school, trade school, and the military where he has earned awards and highest honors. He was the technical field representative for two major auto parts manufacturers where he taught classes and solved problems. He has been an instructor for TST and Automechanika. Rich is happy to contribute to the support that TST provides to the technician.
Vasilios "Basil" Stratos "
Treasurer
Basil Stratos has been in the Automotive business for 38 years. He received his first automotive training certificate at 15 years old. He worked at his family business an automotive repair and gas station for most of his career. After his Dad passed, he opened his own automotive shop for a time and then decided to become a mobile technician.
He was involved with STS and is one of the original TST board members. He joined TST because of the great education it supplies to himself as well as other technicians young and old!!
Eric Dibner
Secretary
Eric has had a passion to fix cars since he was 13 years old. He started with repairing mini-bikes and whatever small engines came his way. Now 30 + years later he still has that passion. He is a Master Tech previously certified ASE Master Tech, a Vejer Electronic Tech with distinction and has received many other certificates of training. He knows the value of education and feels that TST has the tools to help succeed in the automotive industry. He dedicates his time to TST to help his fellow technicians advance as well.
Aniello "Neil" Ricchiuti
Board Member
Aniello “Neil” Ricchiuti has been a technician for 37 years. He worked in independent shops for the first 7 years of his career and opened his own business, which he has been running for the past 30 years. He saw the Technical advancement of vehicles and the importance of training. That’s when he started going to Automotive Technician Service Training classes. His first class was with “G” Jerry Truglia about 22 years ago and still going to this day. He knows the importance of keeping himself and other technicians up to date!
Edwin Hazzard
Associate
Edwin Hazzard owns South East Mobile Tech in Charleston South Carolina, which is a mobile diagnostic and Programming service providing technical service to many automotive and body repair shops. He has 35 years experience in the Automotive industry. He currently is an automotive trainer, board member of TST, Diagnostic Tech and shop foreman for Tico heavy duty trucks on the South Carolina ports and technical writer for multiple trade magazines as well as many other automotive affiliations. Edwin Hazzard owns South East Mobile Tech in Charleston South Carolina, which is a mobile diagnostic and Programming service providing technical service to many automotive and body repair shops. He has 35 years experience in the Automotive industry. He currently is an automotive trainer, board member of TST, Diagnostic Tech and shop foreman for Tico heavy duty trucks on the South Carolina ports and technical writer for multiple trade magazines as well as many other automotive affiliations.
John "Bear" Stahlberger
Associate
John Stahlberger “BEAR” (to his friend's) was employed at Dutchess Car Care in Wappingers Falls, NY for the passed 15 years. He retired in August 2018. But not for long, he now locates and acquires used automotive equipment for repair shops. He is a member and associate of TST and donates his time to help fellow technicians thru TST. He is also a member of iATN and Diagnostic Network.