Jean-Sébastien Houle of Boucherville, Quebec, has been named Ryder’s 2026 Top Technician, earning the $50,000 grand prize at the company’s 25th annual Top Tech Skills Competition, one of Ryder’s premier recognition programs honoring the company’s most skilled commercial truck technicians.
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Jean-Sébastien Houle of Ryder’s Boucherville, Quebec, location was crowned the 2026 Ryder Top Tech and received a cash prize of $50,000.
“Congratulations to Jean-Sébastien on earning the 2026 Top Tech title. We also extend our gratitude to all the finalists for their incredible expertise and skills,” says John Diez, chief executive officer of Ryder. “Our technicians play a crucial role in delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring operational excellence across our fleet. Their expertise and commitment enable Ryder to consistently exceed the expectations of our customers.”
Hosted in Nashville, Tennessee, the 25th annual Top Tech competition celebrates the top tier of Ryder’s technician workforce of approximately 5,000 professionals across the U.S. and Canada. After advancing through rigorous written exams and regional hands-on competitions, ten finalists earned a place in the championship, where they were tested at ten timed skills stations covering advanced diagnostics, preventive maintenance, and complex vehicle systems, including aftertreatment, multiplexing, electrical, and electronic engine technologies.
“One of the strengths of Top Tech is the close collaboration we have with our OEM partners in designing and supporting the competition,” says Tom Havens, president of fleet management solutions at Ryder. “Their involvement helps ensure our technicians are tested against the technologies, systems, and standards they work with every day. This year’s finalists demonstrated exceptional skill and professionalism, and our 2026 Top Technician, Jean-Sébastien, represents the very best of our maintenance workforce. Top Tech continues to showcase our commitment to skilled trades, celebrate excellence and attract the next generation of elite technicians.”
Among the finalists, Peter Finn of Holland, Michigan, earned second place, while Cameron Hughes of Kitchener, Ontario, took third. Following the event, all finalists were honored during an awards ceremony, where each received a $10,000 cash prize.
To view highlights from the 2026 Top Tech Championship, follow Ryder on Facebook and LinkedIn. For official event photos, please contact jonathan_c_mayor@ryder.com.
About Ryder System, Inc.
Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) is a nearly $13 billion leading provider of outsourced logistics and transportation services throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Ryder offers supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions that integrate every step of the supply chain port‑to‑door, including cross-border logistics, fleet and transportation management, warehousing and distribution, and final delivery to customers’ doorsteps. Ryder’s broad portfolio of services encompasses managed transportation, freight brokerage, dedicated contract carriage with professional drivers, full‑service fleet leasing and maintenance, commercial truck rental, automation and robotics, digital technologies, contract manufacturing and packaging, omnichannel retail fulfillment including e-commerce and last-mile delivery, and used vehicle sales. Serving more than 20 industries, Ryder manages approximately 240,000 commercial vehicles, operates nearly 800 maintenance locations, and runs approximately 320 warehouses totaling more than 100 million square feet. Ryder is consistently recognized for technology‑driven innovation and industry‑leading practices in safety, health, security, talent acquisition, and environmental management, and was most recently named to Fortune’s “America’s Most Innovative Companies” list. www.ryder.com
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