Horne Takes Home First Place in Auto Glass Technician Competition

Gold medalist Horne discusses the installation with his proctor during today's final round of the competition.

Jason Horne of Cindy Rowe Auto Glass completed the Auto Glass Technician Competition (the "Olympics" of the Auto Glass Industry) in first place today with a score of 244 (just six points away from a perfect score of 250). Horne, glass technician for the Harrisburg, Pa.-based company, takes home a prize of $5,000, along with a trophy
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Horne, who was a third-time competitor, plans to use some of the prize money to modify and enhance a 1985 Chevrolet truck he’s working to make into a hotrod vehicle.

Horne, 37, said the most difficult part of the competition was the first heat, rather than the finals. “The first day was more difficult from having to do the interaction part and then go right into the install--90 minutes goes fast,” he said.

Horne has 19 years experience in the industry.

Aaron Thrasher of Diamond Glass in San Diego finished in second place with a score of 234, and Matt Thompson of Royal Auto Glass in Laurel, Md., took third, with a score of 233. Thrasher wins a prize of $1,000 and Thompson $500.

In addition to the prizes awarded for first, second and third place, the judges this year also presented innovation awards to Rob Grace, also of Cindy Rowe Auto Glass, and Ernie Espinoza of Izon Auto Glass, for using distinctive methods of removal and installation in the competition.

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