Recognizing top-tier diagnostic talent within the aftermarket repair network, Auto Value has named Jake McKie as its 2026 Canadian Technician of the Year. McKie serves as Shop Foreman at Shane’s Northern Tire and Auto in Kenora, Ontario—an Auto Value Certified Service Center supplied by warehouse distributor Piston Ring Service Supply.

Selected from a network spanning over 4,000 Auto Value Certified Service Centers, McKie competed alongside fellow Canadian finalists Spencer Derzaph (Auto Electric Service) and Seumas Leghorn (Adair Auto Repair), as well as ten U.S. finalists. Sponsored by DRiV and Garage Gurus, the Detroit-based competition evaluated contestants through custom Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) examinations and hands-on practical diagnostic challenges.

“Winning the 2026 Canadian Technician of the Year title is a milestone I’ll always remember,” said McKie. John C. Washbish, President and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc., noted that the annual competition showcases the high level of technical expertise required to service modern vehicles, underscoring the role of continuous technical training delivered through partners like Garage Gurus across the independent aftermarket channel.