FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Heather Sebben, NACAT Business Manager
heather@nacat.org
[Sacramento, CA, June 18, 2026] — The North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) proudly recognized several outstanding individuals during the 2026 Automotive Educators Conference (AEC) for their dedication, service, and contributions to automotive education and the NACAT community.
Each year, NACAT presents awards to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting automotive educators, advancing the profession, and strengthening the organization. This year, NACAT presented two Awards of Appreciation, a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the MVP Award.
Award of Appreciation
The NACAT Award of Appreciation is presented to individuals or organizations who have gone above and beyond in their support of NACAT and the automotive industry.
For the first time, NACAT presented two Awards of Appreciation recipients.
Tom Broxholm was recognized for his exceptional willingness to support the Automotive Educator Conference wherever needed. Known for his strong communication skills, Tom consistently stepped forward to help support the conference. His commitment to helping others and supporting NACAT's mission has made a meaningful impact throughout the year.
Aaron Klesick was recognized for his continued contributions to NACAT through training, mentorship, and conference involvement. Aaron played an important role in supporting educator training efforts earlier in the year and contributed to the success of the 2026 Automotive Educators Conference through his participation in conference programming and panel discussions. His dedication to sharing knowledge and supporting fellow educators exemplifies the spirit of service that NACAT values.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The NACAT Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose contributions to NACAT extend far beyond a single year of service and whose dedication has left a lasting impact on the organization and the automotive education profession.
The 2026 recipient of the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award is James Voth.
Throughout his years of service, James has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to NACAT's mission and the advancement of automotive education. His leadership, mentorship, and contributions have helped shape the organization and support countless educators throughout North America. The impact of his work will continue to be felt for generations of automotive educators to come.
As the first recipient of this award, James exemplifies the standard of dedication, service, and commitment that the Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize.
MVP Award
The NACAT MVP Award recognizes an individual member who has gone above and beyond in service to NACAT and the automotive education profession.
The 2026 MVP Award was presented to Wade Johnson.
Wade's commitment to NACAT is evident in everything he does. Whether volunteering for projects, contributing ideas, or supporting organizational initiatives, Wade is often among the first to step forward when help is needed. His enthusiasm, reliability, and dedication have made him an invaluable contributor to NACAT's continued success.
"Wade, Aaron, Tom, and James represent the very best of NACAT," said Ed Martin, President of NACAT. "Each of them has made meaningful contributions to our organization through their leadership, service, and commitment to automotive education. Their willingness to share their time, expertise, and passion helps strengthen our community and creates lasting opportunities for educators and students across North America."
Recognizing Service to Automotive Education
The success of NACAT is built upon the dedication of educators, industry professionals, and volunteers who generously share their time and expertise to support others. The organization is proud to recognize individuals like Tom Broxholm, Aaron Klesick, James Voth, and Wade Johnson, whose contributions help strengthen the automotive education community and create meaningful opportunities for educators and students alike.
NACAT congratulates all of this year's award recipients and thanks them for their continued commitment to advancing automotive education.
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NACAT is the North American Council of Automotive Teachers and is a professional organization dedicated to supporting and advancing high school and college automotive educators across North America. Whether you're an experienced teacher or just starting out, NACAT is here to help you stay at the forefront of automotive technology and education. Offering community, discounts, programs, resources, and more, NACAT empowers educators through collaboration, professional development, and industry engagement. For more information, visit nacat.org.