AASP/NJ Grants $5,000 Worth of Tools to Two Young Technicians

AASP/NJ’s Young Technician of the Year Awards have become a tradition at NORTHEAST. The 2025 show marked the fifth consecutive year the association was able to carry out its mission to recognize members of the up-and-coming generation by gifting $5,000 worth of tools and supplies.

Xavier Rivera (Lititz Collision & Repair; Lititz; PA) and Nerissa Sime-Zuluga (DeFalco’s Autobody; Chatham) received toolkits loaded with supplies – valued at $2,500 each – thanks to generous donations from SPARK Underwriters and World Insurance Associates. Once again, AASP/NJ worked with Auto Body Distributing Co. to put together the recipients’ prize toolkits. 

“We’re just really happy to be able to give back to the industry,” said Joe Amato, Jr. (World Insurance Associates). “It’s not easy to get new people into this industry, so it’s important to reward the ones who are engaged and interested in collision repair careers.”

“It’s critically important that we support the next generation,” shared David Willett (SPARK Underwriters), who added that the best in the business are those who take others under their wing, and that causes them to continue to get better as well. “It’s really about lifting the boat for everyone.”

“I feel very lucky to have been chosen for this,” commented Rivera. “To receive free tools is a big blessing.” Rivera has had an interest in automotive work since he was a boy watching his father detail cars. He started off interested in either mechanical or auto body, but as the years went on, he became more exposed to auto body work. He attended technical school in Lancaster, PA and later began working for Barry’s Paint Shop, which has since become Lititz Collision, and that’s where he discovered his love for the trade and is eager to pursue a career in the field. 

Sime-Zuluga studied at Morris County Vocational School and has been enjoying the experience of working for AASP/NJ member shop DeFalco’s Autobody for the past year. “The people are amazing; they’re welcoming and friendly. It’s a great environment, especially for being a woman in the industry as it can be a little scary. I owe it all to my teacher, Lou Rosso. He taught me everything I know. I’m here because of him. If I didn’t understand something three times, he’d explain it four or five times. He told me about DeFalco’s. I applied there, and I got the job. Working on cars is amazing, and it’s rewarding to see the final product leave the shop versus how it came in.”

Sime-Zuluga plans to continue her work in auto body and has ambitions to open her own shop one day. 

SPARK Underwriters also donated a Women’s Industry Network membership for Sime-Zuluga. “It’s a very worthwhile organization,” commented Willett. “There’s a strong misconception that there aren’t women in collision repair. In my experience, there’s a high percentage of quality shops out there that have a woman influencing them.”

Want more? Check out the April 2025 issue of New Jersey Automotive!