The National Association of Oil Heating Service Managers has named Steve Vachon, a lead technician with Lamprey Brothers in North Hampton, N.H., and the current president of the Greater Seacoast Chapter of NAOHSM, as its first-ever “Technician of the Year.” The presentation was made at the annual NAOHSM convention and trade show in Hershey, Pa.

Vachon’s credentials put him in the winner’s position: He has been with Lamprey for 14 years and was described by Andrea Myers, Lamprey’s director of field operations, as a “dedicated employee who has been very proactive in mastering his field.”

“Steve attends extra training sessions whenever they are available and has become quite proficient in troubleshooting and repairing oil-fired equipment,” she said. “[He] is usually able to resolve difficult heating and cooling issues and intermittent/recurring problems that many other technicians struggle with.” Vachon is also in the Navy Reserves and was promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 2008.

As the NAOHSM Technician of the Year, Vachon and his wife Jennifer were guests of the association at the Hershey convention, where he received the award, along with a NAOHSM jacket and a $1,000 gift card from the association, and test equipment compliments of Testo.

First runner-up for Tech of the Year was Wayne Lawrence, who works for Petro and is a member of the Nassau-Suffolk Chapter. Lawrence was also recognized at the convention and presented with a NAOHSM jacket.

This year’s judges included Dan Holohan, Skip Lincoln of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter and David Bessette, past president of the national association. NAOHSM will name its second Technician of the Year at its 2010 convention and will soon be looking for candidates for the next award.