David Byrd of Goldsboro, N.C. was named the Mitchell 1 2013 Educator of the Year during North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference held in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

Each year, Mitchell 1 recognizes one of the nation’s top teachers for excellence in automotive repair instruction. Byrd was presented with a check for $500 and a recognition certificate. He will also receive a one-year complimentary subscription to Mitchell 1’s ProDemand repair, diagnostic and maintenance information program for the school where he teaches.

“Mitchell 1 is proud to join with NACAT for another year to honor those who have demonstrated a commitment to educational excellence in the automotive repair industry,” said Nick DiVerde, senior marketing director, Mitchell 1. “David Byrd has an outstanding reputation as an instructor and we feel he is an excellent choice for this award. Everyone at Mitchell 1 would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to David on his achievement.”

Byrd has been an automotive instructor in the applied technologies division at Wayne Community College in Goldsboro for 14 years. As a member of the International Association of General Motors (GM) Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP), Byrd has served on many committees and is currently the Constitution Committee chairperson. He has participated in the GM ASEP curriculum writing project as well as participated in a book review for AutomotiveEngine Performance, published by Thomson Delmar.

Byrd’s automotive career also includes working at a Chevrolet-GMC dealership, which later went on to include Cadillac and Oldsmobile. During that time, Byrd received a tremendous amount of training from General Motors and became master certified as a Chevrolet, Cadillac and Oldsmobile technician. He also achieved ASE Master Technician status, which he has held for 22 years. Byrd attended the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in Houston and graduated from the GM ASEP program at Wayne Community College. 

Selection criteria for the Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year award requires that a master automotive technician excel on all ASE automotive tests, including A1 – A8 (Engine Repair, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle, Manual Drive Train and Axles, Suspension and Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating and Air Conditioning, Engine Performance) and the L1 (Advanced Engine Performance Exam).