SkillsUSA Shined At The 2025 Nationals In Atlanta

ATLANTA GA (07.06.25) – 12volt brands KICKER and DB Drive once again worked with SkillsUSA’s initiative to train installers for the 12volt industry workforce. This year the KICKER Tech Force manager Aaron Malin and trainer Jacob Luckey were on site to judge at the SkillsUSA Championships June 23-27. DB Drive’s Randy Goodwin, along with James Simpson from Vickers AV, were also on site again during SkillsUSA’s annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta. Goodwin was also a competition Judge.The SkillsUSA Championships is the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education for students.

***The Mobile Electronics portion of the Nationals event floor.***

Chris Jack, SkillsUSA Mobile Electronics Chairman, along with Co-Chair Bryan Gary, were also on site to oversee the Mobile Electronics activities. Gary drove his 2016 Mustang convertible the 2000 miles round trip from Oklahoma to be on site for students to judge the custom aftermarket system in the vehicle. Gary supplied images in this article.

***Gary’s Mustang showcased for students score with KICKER and DB Drive setups in the background.***

“When I opened the trunk on the Mustang all the students’ eyes opened wide. When we cranked the system, installed by Audio Midwest, you could see the WOW on their faces. Actually experiencing a custom system was another element factor that engages the students for a career in the mobile electronics industry” Gary stated.

***Nareh Shahgaldyan, event Bronze winner, scores Gary’s Mustang.***

The Mobile-Electronics Installation category tested competitors’ abilities to perform standard installation practices used by certified, professional mobile-electronics installers, and established for the Basic MECP certification by the Consumer Electronics Association. The competition included a written exam, interviews, and multiple hands-on applications.

***Aaron Malin, KICKER Tech Force Manager, interviews a student.***

“We need these young men and women to join us in our quickly evolving industry,” said Malin, the supervisor of KICKER’s global training. “SkillsUSA’s competitive categories stresses various aspects of the real-world workplace, so when students graduate, they are positioned to immediately contribute on the job.”

***Students are pumped as the competition wrapped prior to the evening awards ceremony.***

For consecutive years, KICKER has been involved with SkillsUSA’s mission on national and local levels. In 2025 KICKER donated more than $5,000 in prizes to the winners of the 12-volt competitions.