“I feel very lucky to have been chosen for this,” says Xavier Rivera. “To receive free tools is a big blessing.”
Nutley, N.J.—The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) conducted its Fifth Annual Young Technician of the Year Awards ceremony during its flagship event, the NORTHEAST 2025 Automotive Services Show.
Xavier Rivera (Lititz Collision & Repair; Lititz; Penn.) and Nerissa Sime-Zuluga (DeFalco’s Autobody; Chatham, NJ) received toolkits loaded with supplies, valued at $2,500 each, due to donations from SPARK Underwriters and World Insurance Associates. 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,” added 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.”
Xavier Rivera
“I feel very lucky to have been chosen for this,” said 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 attended technical school in Lancaster, Penn., and later began working for Barry’s Paint Shop, which has since become Lititz Collision.
Nerissa Sime-Zuluga
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.”
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