Thomas Piippo, the owner of Tri-County Motors in Rudyard, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship to be applied toward professional training during the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service in Las Vegas, Nevada, in November.

He was one of three recipients nationwide to receive the award, announced October 8 by The Automotive Management Institute.

Mr. Piippo has worked in the automotive service industry for more than 35 years and has been a shop owner for the last 30. He holds several Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications. Mr. Piippo was named ASA/ASE Mechanical Technician of the Year in 2005, Snap-on/ASE Technician of the Year in 2000, and Auto Value "Technician Top Gun" competition winner in 2004, 2006, and 2008.