For Adam Fournier, the path to becoming a diesel technician began long before he entered a professional shop. It started in a family garage, where curiosity and a desire to understand how things worked sparked a lifelong passion for working under the hood.
“My dad was always out in the garage fixing equipment,” Adam recalled. “We repaired cars and tractors together, and I was always interested in figuring out the mechanics behind how things worked.”
That curiosity occasionally came at the expense of his toys. “As a kid, I used to take my toys apart just to see what was inside,” he said with a laugh. “Unfortunately, most of them didn’t work afterward.”
The desire to understand how things operated eventually led him toward a career in diesel technology. Today, Adam serves as a Mobile Technician for Rihm Kenworth in Winona, Minnesota, where he brings expert service directly to customers throughout the region. In November 2025, he achieved Kenworth Master Technician certification, a milestone that reflects years of hands-on experience, technical training and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Adam’s interest in servicing big rigs started in high school, when he went to work for a local trucking company in Mankato, Minnesota, before attending a technical college for a diesel technician degree. Starting with basic responsibilities such as washing tank trailers inside and out, he gradually earned opportunities to take on more challenging work. Over the next several years, he continued to build his skills and expand his responsibilities, learning the importance of proper maintenance by performing preventive maintenance tasks such as greasing trucks and trailers, changing tires, and assisting in the maintenance shop. The hands-on experience sparked his interest in servicing heavy-duty trucks and ultimately led him to pursue a degree in diesel technology at a technical college.
“It was one of those places where if you worked hard and showed initiative, people were willing to teach you,” Adam said. “I developed a passion for commercial trucks, recognized their role in keeping the economy moving, and the importance of keeping these rigs up and running.”
After completing diesel technician training, Adam continued advancing his career learning from experienced technicians at dealers within the industry, helping shape his approach to diagnostics and repairs.
“They taught me to stick with the basics but not be afraid to challenge myself,” he said. “They encouraged me to keep learning and keep pushing myself to become a better technician.”
That mindset has remained with him throughout his career. As his career has matured and following a relocation with his wife, Cassy, Adam eventually joined Rihm Kenworth in 2017, where he began immersing himself in Kenworth and PACCAR products.
The transition required learning new platforms and products, but Adam embraced the challenge. “Every manufacturer does things a little differently,” he said. “There is always a learning curve, but the training and support I received from Rihm was excellent.”
While Adam spent years working in traditional service shops, he found his true calling in mobile service. Since becoming a full-time mobile technician, he has enjoyed the variety and independence that come with the role.
“No two days are exactly the same,” he said. “I might be at a customer’s facility in the morning and then responding to a roadside breakdown later in the day.”
His responsibilities extend far beyond emergency repairs. Much of Adam’s work involves scheduled maintenance and repairs performed at customer locations, allowing fleets to avoid the downtime associated with transporting trucks to a dealership.
“Time is money for our customers,” Adam explained. “If I can come to their location and take care of the repair there, it saves them time and keeps their operation moving.”
Whether he’s working inside a maintenance facility or in a gravel lot, Adam prides himself on being a trusted resource for customers. “I become their mechanic, parts guy and point of contact all rolled into one,” he said. “They know they can call me directly when they need help.”
Adam’s dedication to his craft culminated in earning Kenworth Master Technician certification last year. The achievement required extensive training covering everything from electrical systems and powertrain components to HVAC systems, suspension components and advanced troubleshooting techniques. The certification process has become increasingly important as commercial vehicles continue to grow more sophisticated. As trucks become more technologically advanced, diagnostic expertise becomes increasingly critical.
“The Master Technician program gives you the advanced knowledge and tools you need to properly diagnose problems and get customers back on the road,” Adam said. “It’s a very comprehensive training process, so earning this certification after years of hard work was highly rewarding. Rihm and PACCAR were very supportive in helping me achieve this goal.”
For Adam, the most satisfying part of the job is helping customers minimize downtime, as the owner-operators and fleets he serves depend on their trucks to support their families and businesses.
“Every hour a truck is down costs somebody money,” he said. “These trucks are their livelihood.”
Modern technologies such as Kenworth’s TruckTech+ remote diagnostics platform help technicians like Adam make quicker, more informed decisions. In many cases, he can remotely access vehicle data, review fault codes and determine what parts may be needed before ever arriving at the truck.
“Sometimes you can diagnose a problem before you even get there,” he said. “It helps us know whether the truck can be repaired on-site or whether additional service is needed. We have a great network of technicians. If someone runs into a difficult issue, we can reach out and get ideas from other techs throughout the company. It really helps speed up troubleshooting.”
Outside of work, Adam is a true family man. He and his wife, Cassy, have two daughters, Sienna and Tomara, and much of their free time is spent together enjoying the outdoors. Whether it’s camping, hiking, fishing or simply spending time around a campfire, Adam values opportunities to unplug from the demands of work and create lasting memories with his family.
Adam Fournier pictured with daughters Sienna and Tomara
“Being outdoors is where we like to spend our time together,” he said. “It’s a chance to slow down, enjoy nature and just focus on family.”
The same values that guide Adam at home also shape his approach to work. He credits his father for teaching him the importance of honesty, reliability and treating people with respect – principles he strives to pass on to his own children. Those lessons have helped define both the technician and family man he is today.
