Video: Itawamba Man Top Diesel Mechanic In State

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PEPPERTOWN, MISS (WCBI) – A Northeast Mississippi man is making a name for himself in the world of diesel mechanics. As WCBI’s Allie Martin reports, the junior college freshman will represent the Magnolia State in a national competition for mechanics.

Spend a few moments talking with Andrew Green and you quickly discover his passion.

“It’s just something about the big engines I really love,” Green said.

The Itawamba county native works at Roadrunner Service Center in Peppertown, where he works on diesel engines most of the time. He learned about big trucks and engines from his dad, who was a mechanic and now is a truck driver.

Recently, Green, who is a student at ICC, competed in the statewide Skills USA Championship, where he competed against the best diesel mechanics in the state. Green took top honors.

“I was very surprised, they was calling out names and they got to third place, my stomach got in big knots, they called second, when they called first I heard Andrew Green and I jumped up and was gone. I don’t remember calling out the school name or nothing,” he said.

Green earned a gold medal and also took home a snap on socket set. He also gets to represent Mississippi at the national competition this summer in Kansas City.

Green is preparing for the big event by continuing to work hard at his job, and also brushing up on his computer skills, which plays a big role in modern diesel mechanics.

“You really have to be computer smart to diagnose and figure out what’s wrong with vehicles now,” Green said.

Still, Green feels good about his chances at the national competition.

“If I can go win state, then I’m very confident I can go win nationals,” he said.

For his future plans, Green hopes to continue working on big diesel engines, and maybe one day own his own shop.