CSTK Congratulates Aaron Hunt on His Second-Place Finish in the Thermo King Top Tech Competition

CSTK is proud to celebrate Aaron Hunt, who has achieved an incredible second-place finish in the prestigious Thermo King Top Tech Competition! This competition brings together the best Thermo King technicians from across North America, testing their knowledge, skills, and ability to troubleshoot some of the most advanced refrigeration systems in the industry. Aaron’s achievement is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence—qualities that define CSTK technicians.
“It was a long day competing against the best,” explains Aaron. “The competition is 3 parts with the first two being online testing. The third is actually hands-on and in-person. Thermo King flew us all out to the training center in Minnesota. 6 of the guys were in the top ten last year, so it was good to see them back again.”
The Power of Training and Technical Expertise
At CSTK, we believe in the power of continuous training and professional development. Thermo King leads the industry in refrigeration technology, and competitions like Top Tech highlight just how valuable technical expertise is in keeping fleets running efficiently. Aaron’s success reflects CSTK’s commitment to investing in our technicians, ensuring they have the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to support our customers at the highest level.
“The actual competition consisted of ten different stations,” Aaron says. “Once you got started, there was no talking, no phones, no communication of any kind. Each station has a different example Thermo King unit with a work order complaint. You’ve got half an hour to diagnose the issue and fix it right there with a judge watching. It’s a seven or eight hour day of being tested. I wouldn’t say I was nervous, but it was stressful. You really had to know your stuff.”
A Well-Deserved Reward
For his outstanding performance, Aaron was awarded $5,000, recognizing both his hard work and his deep understanding of Thermo King’s industry-leading products. His success not only highlights his own skill but also showcases the opportunities available for any CSTK technician willing to push themselves, learn, and grow within the field.
“I’ve got my second baby on the way, so the $5,000 is already gone,” Aaron says with a laugh.

Jamie Cressman: “Aaron Represents the Best of CSTK”
“Aaron’s second-place finish in the Thermo King Top Tech Competition is a huge accomplishment, and we couldn’t be more proud,” said Jamie Cressman, CSTK Vice President and East General Manager. “He represents the talent, dedication, and skill that CSTK technicians bring to our customers every day. His performance is proof that hard work, training, and technical knowledge pay off. I encourage all of our technicians to apply and compete in future competitions—it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your abilities and be recognized among the best in the industry.”

Thermo King: The Technology Advantage
One of the reasons CSTK technicians continue to excel is because they work with Thermo King’s industry-leading refrigeration technology. With innovative solutions in temperature control, fuel efficiency, and sustainability, Thermo King remains ahead of the competition. This technology advantage ensures that CSTK technicians have access to the best tools, training, and resources to deliver top-quality service to our customers.
Congratulations again to Aaron Hunt for his outstanding achievement! CSTK is honored to have him on our team, and we look forward to seeing even more of our technicians rise to the challenge in future competitions.