Congratulations to Crown Bristow Technician Bradley Cooper
By HENRY PRIMEAUX III
Crown Bristow
MENTOR OF THE YEAR: I am proud to congratulate Crown Bristow’s own Bradley “Tiny??? Cooper, an automobile technician, for being named Mentor of the Year by the Automotive Youth Education System. Joining us at the Tulsa Technology Center Lemley Campus are, from left, Hugh Lilly, Fixed Operations Director at Crown Bristow; David Cronkhite, Chrysler District Parts and Services Manager; Tiny and myself; Bea Cramer, president of the TTC Board and Dr. Gene Callahan, TCC superintendent and CEO.
SHARON CAMERON for GTR Newspapers
We are very proud of Bradley “Tiny” Cooper, our Crown Bristow technician who has been named the DaimlerChrysler and Automotive Youth Education Systems (AYES) Mentor of the Year. Each year, eight AYES mentors are selected by DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler Group to receive this award. The mentors are selected from more than 30,000-plus technicians across the country. Bradley was chosen from the 5,000 technicians working in the Southwest Business Center for DaimlerChrysler. His personal accomplishments in technical training and the dealership’s level of service elevated him to the top of this year’s list.
I was proud to attend the announcement of this accomplishment at the Lemley Campus of the Tulsa Technology Center on June 23. At the event, DaimlerChrysler also announced the donation of a 1996 Dodge Viper to be given to Tulsa Tech’s ASE certified automotive technology program.
Present at the announcement was Leo VanDelft, Transportation Services Coordinator, who said that DaimlerChrysler donated the 1996 Dodge Viper so that the technicians enrolled in school get all the educational advantages DaimlerChrysler and Tulsa Technology Center’s AYES program have to offer. He added that the donation ensures that DaimlerChrysler owners will continue to receive the best automotive care possible when serviced by DaimlerChrysler-trained technicians at dealerships nationwide.
Donations made by DaimlerChrysler also allow for the recruiting and potential placement of specialty-trained technicians who are familiar with DaimlerChrysler products.
In my opinion, customers and technicians alike have much to gain from this donation. It provides further educational opportunities for technicians and helps offer DaimerChrysler customers a positive ownership experience.
The vehicle will be used for the education and training of high school and adult students and donation programs like this help schools because of the increased use of electronic and computer technology in today’s autos.
Providing recent model vehicles, training aids, tools or equipment for hands-on instruction helps us prepare students for future work in the real world.
This donation is one of several made by Tulsa area dealers and automobile manufacturers in recent years who recognize that with their support, Tulsa Tech’s automotive technology programs are among the finest in the nation.
In the AYES partnership, automotive manufacturers and participating local dealers provide the hands-on learning and mentor support for high school students from 17 of Oklahoma’s technology center districts. The AYES goal is to encourage bright students with a good mechanical aptitude to pursue careers in the ever-changing fields of automotive service technology or collision repair/refinish, and to prepare them for entry-level positions or challenging academic options.
The automotive industry is now the world’s largest computer manufacturer producing computers and accessories required for vehicles to run. The industry is changing to meet the standards necessary to maintain these mobile computers.
In today’s service industry, we need a mix of the new and the experienced technicians. Auto repair is no longer simply hammers and wrenches, but a high tech application of very expensive diagnostics and reasoning. It’s becoming a white coat job. The field has changed so much that a young person who starts early can end up with a six-figure salary before retirement.
Through combined efforts, we are making a difference in today’s automotive repair industry.
Since AYES was founded by General Motors, 11 other automobile manufacturers have partnered supporting AYES, including Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
We salute the Tulsa Technology Center, which is the oldest and largest technology center in Oklahoma and is dedicated to the mission of preparing people for success in the work place.
Remembering Dub Bolin
Our thoughts are with the Dub E. Bolin family. The well-known Bristow car dealer and civic leader recently passed away, and he will be missed by many in the community and throughout the state. I have talked to so many people who remember his well-known radio advertisement jingles that invited people to be “Rollin’ with Bolin.” Dub was an owner of the Bristow Motor Company/List Motor Supply Building in downtown Bristow. It was built in 1923 and is on the National Register of Historic Places and is well known for the unique Model T Ford tire and wheel that adorns the four corners of the building.
Sporting Life
Greater Tulsa provides all of us with excellent sports, both from a fan perspective and from outright participation from walking to golf, tennis and bicycling.
We appreciate the support that our arena football Tulsa Talons receive. At this writing, we are in the stretch run for the championship of our league. I thank our players, coaches and fans for the enthusiasm throughout the season.
We also congratulate the Tulsa Drillers for continuing the 100-year tradition of professional baseball in Tulsa. The first half Texas league championship was also a treat this season.
We are looking forward to the outdoor football season this year. OU had a top recruiting class again, and the Sooners will be looking for another national championship. We wish the OSU Cowboys a great season, and we wish the best for new head coach Mike Gundy.
Conference USA will be an excellent alignment for TU. The Hurricane has a tough home opener on national television with Minnesota on Sept. 1, and then will play the Sooners in Norman on Sept 10. I am really looking forward to Tulsa’s game at Tulane on Nov. 19. I’ll be back in my hometown of New Orleans, though I’ll be rooting for the Hurricane.
The High Schools should also provide excellent entertainment this season. Can Union repeat its state championship? How good will Jenks be? And don’t forget about the Bristow Purple Pirates!
New will be the National Basketball Development League team in Tulsa. We look forward to the new team with much anticipation.
We wish everybody the best in health and happiness, and if you’re out and about, cruise on down old Route 66 or I-44 and see us at Crown Bristow at 910 South Roland. We’ll be happy to visit and we’ll beat any deal.
Updated 07-25-2005
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