Robert Bender was honored with the 2011 PPG/ASE Master Refinish Technician of the Year Award at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) annual board of directors industry awards dinner held on November 16, 2011 at the Marriott City Center in Charlotte, N.C., United States. Paul Evans, PPG zone manager, refinish training, presented the award, which is given annually to the PPG collision center technician receiving the highest score on the ASE painting and refinish test.

Bender has been an automotive refinish technician for 18 years. He works at Bender Auto Repair, a family-owned business, in Saltsburg, Pa. He earned an associate’s degree in automotive techniques and management from Vale Technical Institute in Blairsville, Pa. Bender has also accumulated several other impressive credentials: he is a certified PPG Master Technician, an ASE Master Collision Repair Refinish Technician, an ASE Automobile Technician, and is I-CAR Certified.