Millerton News
Local mechanic wins top award
By WHITNEY JOSEPH
01/22

AMENIA — Jack Gregory is one heck of a mechanic. At least, that’s what NAPA (National Automotive Parts Association), AAA (American Automobile Association), ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) and the many others who honored him in Atlanta, Ga., this October say. Gregory was chosen from 400,000 other automotive technicians as the best in the country.

“It’s a great honor. It’s just amazing,” Gregory said from his Wassaic shop, Jack’s Auto Service, on Route 22. “At first I thought someone was playing a joke on me. I was just overwhelmed. I was very excited.”

Gregory traveled to Atlanta to accept the 2009 NAPA ASE Technician of the Year award, along with his wife, Linda. They spent four days in the south. But it wasn’t all fun and games; Gregory had to make a speech in front of a pretty big crowd.

“I kept thinking of the days ahead and of the speech in front of 700 people,” he said. “So that was on my mind.”

His wife, however, was more focused on the accomplishments of her husband, who has dedicated himself to building a steady business and loyal customer base.

“I’ve seen Jack work very hard over the last 24 years and if anyone deserves this I know he does,” she said. “I’m so proud of him — I could go on and on.”

As far as the customers who have learned of Gregory’s latest honor?

“Their response has been, ‘I knew he was the  best,’” Linda Gregory said with pride. “The biggest thing is that he’s a role model now for the other auto technicians. I know he always likes to raise the bar by going to classes. Education is the number one priority and having the tools to get the job done right is important to him.”

Gregory said now that he’s won the award, he’s got to stay on track with his tried-and-true practices: working hard, keeping up with new technology, focusing on customer service and keeping an eye on the future. That prospect is one which has the veteran mechanic excited.

“I’m always trying to do better,” he said. “I will have to go to Atlanta three times a year now, because I’m on a council to review ideas of where the auto industry is going. I’m going to be one of those people brainstorming on the future development of the automotive industry — I’m going to give my input.”

That’s all within his scope of talents, Linda Gregory said, adding how nice it is that her husband’s skills have been recognized by the industry.

“The president of NAPA said that Jack is the ‘best of the best,’ and I thought that was sweet,” she said. “I’m just so proud of him.”

Both of the Gregorys stressed that it’s not just a one-person operation that has gone into making their business succeed. Their shop depends on the work of many; six people work at Jack’s Auto in what the pair describe as a real “team effort.”

Another part of the equation that adds to their success is location — one thing they both appreciate.

“Jack and I love this town and to represent Wassaic,” Linda Gregory said. “It’s just an honor. Here we are representing Wassaic nationally — we’re proud to represent the town we live and work in.”

They show that appreciation by taking an active role in the community, participating in the Lions Club, clean-up days, various charities and fundraising events, etc.

That all added into Gregory winning the award, which was based on community involvement, ongoing education, business experience and operation, as well as being a working automotive technician.

What’s up next for Gregory is no real surprise: more work. He plans to keep doing what he does best, but now he does so armed with a shiny plaque commemorating all of the effort and hard work that goes into every car he works on in his small shop in the tiny hamlet of Wassaic — and he says he couldn’t ask for more.



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