SAN ANTONIO, TX — Garrett Mahaffey, a Field Service Technician at HOLT CAT Cleburne, has advanced to the finals of Caterpillar’s inaugural Global Dealer Technician Challenge, earning a place among the top 10 dealer technicians in the world.
Mahaffey secured his spot after competing in the semifinals in Tucson, Arizona, where he faced technicians from around the globe. The top five competitors from the Tucson semifinals and the Malaga, Spain, semifinals advanced to the finals. The winner will be announced during CONEXPO/CON-AGG in Las Vegas in March.
Mahaffey’s career with HOLT CAT began while he was a senior at Cleburne High School, where he participated in an internship program that provided hands-on experience with heavy equipment and technical service. Following graduation, he was hired full time by HOLT CAT as a Shop Technician and has since advanced to his current role as a Field Service Technician.
“The hands-on experience I gained early in my career gave me a strong foundation and confidence in the field,” Mahaffey said. “This competition mirrors the real-world challenges we face every day: diagnosing issues, thinking critically, and relying on the fundamentals. Advancing to the finals is a tremendous honor, and it’s rewarding to see that day-to-day experience translate onto a global stage.”
Mahaffey is the only finalist from Texas and one of just three finalists representing the United States. The 10 finalists represent seven different countries.
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HOLT CAT’s internship program at Cleburne High School is part of a technician pipeline that aims to reshape the skilled trades workforce. Partnerships such as this are essential as the industry works to replace a growing number of retiring technicians. By recruiting and developing young trade professionals across Texas, HOLT CAT is working with educators on school-to-work programs that are helping close the skills gap. Caterpillar estimates that its dealers will need more than 44,000 technicians by the end of 2026.
Caterpillar launched the Global Dealer Technician Challenge to recognize the essential role dealer technicians play in delivering exceptional customer service and keeping equipment running safely and efficiently. The competition highlights the high-tech, high-impact, and high-demand nature of technician careers within the Caterpillar dealer network.
The road to the global finals began in January 2025, when the top heavy-equipment technicians competed in HOLT CAT’s “Tech Wars” Dealership Finals. Participants demonstrated their expertise in troubleshooting and repairing Caterpillar equipment, electric power systems, and industrial engines.
