WARRENVILLE, Ill. — Joseph Marek, a technician for Durham School Services in Spokane, Wash., has earned his master technician certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Marek is among 19 Durham employees who hold master technician status. Currently, there are only 1,483 master school bus technicians in the U.S., according to Durham.

“Joe showcases our commitment to safety and excellence every day through his work,” John Pike, general manager of Durham’s Spokane facility, said. “As industry leaders, we are dedicated to putting the safest vehicles on the road. When it comes to maintaining our buses and ensuring passenger safety, we go above and beyond state and federal requirements. We are proud to have Joe join our other two Spokane master technicians in leading our effort to ensure excellence in our maintenance operations.”

To become a certified ASE master technician requires months of studying and passing six main parts to the test. To remain certified, the technicians must take and pass a recertification test every five years.

ASE is an independent, nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying repair and service professionals.

Durham's Spokane location provides student transportation services for Spokane Public Schools, Nine Mile Falls School District and St. George’s School.