CSTK’s Aaron Hunt Named Top 10 Finalist in National Thermo King Technician Competition—for the Third Straight Year
At CSTK, excellence isn’t just a goal—it’s a mindset. And no one embodies that mindset better than Aaron Hunt, one of CSTK’s top technicians, who has once again proven himself on the national stage. Aaron recently secured a spot in the Top 10 of Thermo King’s annual Top Technician competition, marking his third consecutive year earning that elite distinction.
The competition, which draws Thermo King technicians from across North America, puts contestants through a rigorous evaluation of their technical skill, product knowledge, and diagnostic ability. It’s an intense showcase of the best in the business, and Aaron’s consistent placement at the top is a reflection of both his own dedication and CSTK’s ongoing commitment to excellence.
“Feels pretty good to make it this far for three years in a row,” Aaron says. “Whatever it is I’m doing, it’s working. So, I guess I’ll keep doing it.”
Aaron will now move on to the hands-on finals, which will take place on October 23rd, where the Top 10 technicians will face real-world service challenges under pressure. The national winner will be announced at the 2025 Thermo King Dealer Meeting in February.
“Aaron sets the standard for what it means to be a CSTK technician,” said Jamie Cressman, CSTK Vice President and General Manager. “His work ethic, attention to detail, and deep understanding of Thermo King’s technology are second to none. We’re incredibly proud of him—not just for placing in the top 10 again, but for the example he sets for our entire service team. I’d also like to congratulate the 3 other CSTK East technicians who made it to the second round: Dan White, Steve Ott, and Trevor Crowley. All of them are fantastic and the fact we had 4 techs advance shows just how good and dedicated our staff is at CSTK.”
Aaron finished 2nd in last year’s competition, narrowly missing the top spot. With Thermo King’s technology constantly evolving, the ability to adapt and grow is crucial—and Aaron’s consistent performance proves he’s more than up to the task. From refrigeration diagnostics to TriPac APU systems and cutting-edge electric and hybrid solutions, staying on top requires constant training, experience, and a deep commitment to customer satisfaction.
“I had to do a lot studying to be prepared,” Aaron explains. “I finished 2nd last year, and I don’t want to finish below that this year. So, I downloaded and studied technical guides and other material. There were a lot questions this year about Thermo King electrical units like the E1000. I’ve never actually worked on an E1000 in the wild. Track King was also a big part of the written test. So, you’ve got to stay on top of things, learn the new technology, or you fall behind pretty quickly.”
CSTK invests heavily in technician development, offering factory training, real-world mentorship, and access to the latest tools and technologies. Technicians like Aaron are a testament to what’s possible when skill meets support.
As the demand for precision, uptime, and efficiency grows across the transportation industry, CSTK is proud to lead the way with a team that’s built on knowledge, integrity, and results.
Congratulations to Aaron Hunt on another well-earned achievement—we’re lucky to have him on the CSTK team.
